Can home (box) hair dye every be as good as salon colour?

[BlueRaspberry7]

Finding it hard to justify the amount I’m spending over the year on salon colouring to cover greys!

Can anyone recommend a brilliant box dye that doesn’t make dark frizzy brown hair turn black and muddy looking please?

Having spent a fortune on a hair colour recently I think what you pay for is the skill of the person applying it, rather than the product. I'm finding the colour is fading to gingery exactly the same as box dyes do.

I use Clairol Nice and Easy and my hairdresser says I do it as well as she could. Saves a fortune.
Use Vaseline around your hairline to stop staining and really work the dye into your hair by massaging it in. I leave it in for at least 20 minutes.
I have dark brown hair and recently went a shade lighter, which looks much better and softer with my older (60) skin.

I also use Clairol Nice and Easy for my dark brown often frizzy hair. It's fine..Just as good as colouring in a salon.

I think so. I use nice and easy too. I do overlay it with glaze. As it adds depth and shine and means it takes longer to fade.

I used a salon one from Sally's, but it's just the same as a home dye. It's the hairdresser's skill I think. If you are doing an all over colour I don't see why you couldn't do it yourself. I use Castings as a demi permanent it last sfor 26 washes which is about 6 months for me. For about £11, highlights, balyage etc I would go to the salon.

What I always say about box is, pick a shade lighter than you want and you'll end up with the colour you want.

i bought a medium brown and ended up black, i now buy light brown and end up with medium

Yes, pick a shade lighter.
I don't have balayage though.

I alternate between salon and box dye and use a tinting brush to really get at the roots and find this works fine. Totally agree with choosing a shade lighter than you think you want.

I’m actually considering growing out my grey and stopping dying but I have been using Nice n Easy for years. People are genuinely shocked when I tell them because it looks so natural (it’s three shades darker underneath than on top and varies in tone quite a lot). However, I think this may have a lot to do with the fact that it’s the same colour as my natural hair (or was, before I went so grey). So I say use box and save yourself a fortune just make sure you select the right colour.

It really isn't as good. I gave up dying last year because of the expense and the effect of the dye on my hair. I've grown it all out now and my hair has never looked better its all shiny instead of dull. My grey halo actually looks like I've had it done like that on purpose.

I use Nice n Easy too. I put it on my really grey areas first mainly around my temples, leave it 15 minutes, then cover the rest of my hair and leave for 10 mins or so. Gives a bit of depth and variation to the colour and doesn't go too dark (I use medium brown.) It does fade but that helps my grey root growth be less obvious. I also find people can be surprised to hear I dye my hair because the colour is a good match to my natural brown. My hairdresser keeps trying to suggest I get highlights to blend the grey but I absolutely refuse to spend that much money on a regular basis when a £6 box every couple of months does a good job.

@Lovelysummerdays I’d love to know more about out the glaze you mention. What brand is it and how do you use it etc. please?

In case she doesn't come back, there is a brand called Glaze, I imagine it's that

@Doggymummar thank you!

I think if you're just going to get a single, all-over colour at the hairdressers then home dye is absolutely just as good. It's obviously never going to match professionally done highlights, balayage, etc. but all over colour is all over colour.

Thanks so much everyone - this is very helpful. Based on all this, i think I'll give Nice n' Easy in a lighter shade and see what happens.

Maybe not - just looked on Clairol's own website and there are lots of negative reviews about the new formula...

Your grey roots are going to come through from your scalp after a few weeks no matter how much you spend on premium dye done by a professional. Might as well do it cheaply. But bear in mind you’ll get colour build up when you keep dyeing on top of dye, so the lengths will go darker and darker. I used to hate this as it starts to look uneven (I no longer dye my hair, have gone fully grey).

I'm another Nice n Easy user and it works great for me. Salon colour is just far too expensive

@BlueRaspberry7 which box dye did you ise in the end? Were you satisfied? Thanks

Try with a semi permanent first. I’ve used Olia for many years and it’s fine

I use a salon colour and developer from Sally’s - XP100 permanent colour and 20 vol developer, mix up a small quantity and use it just on the roots. I’ve always had dark blonde/mousey hair and this fades to a natural multi-tone dark blonde, which I’m very happy with. I use about 1/3 of a tube every 3/4 months, so the cost is approx £15 a time. I can’t be doing with all the faffing and cost at the hairdressers.

(I tried going grey a few years ago and hated it. I’m 65.)

What does it mean to overlay with glaze, please?

Glaze is a wash in toning gloss that lasts in theory ten washes (7 for me). You can get it in clear / coloured. My hair is fine/ flyaway and it looks thicker and much better behaved. I use a cheap version, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clairol-Colour-Temporary-Caramel-Brownie/dp/B09NHVZCYX/ref=asc_df_B09NHVZCYX?mcid=141bd87fc4c5328aac0ebf22d7b11da3&hvocijid=2043814964832669615-B09NHVZCYX-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2043814964832669615&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=pla-2281435177178&psc=1&gad_source=1

I have dyed my own hair for the last 30 years /get a much more natural color with box than hairdressers and get compliments on my color / dark blonde, not solid color or obvious highlights like I was getting at the hairdresser. I dye the roots every second week. I think my hair would probably be completely white without the dye (am 64, tho generally taken for med later 50s.)
My favourite Swarzkopf dye was discontinued in the UK but have found similar.