Are salon dyes really better than home box dyes?

JaneyJ

Hairdressers have told me in the past that colours should always be done in the hairdressers, and not by home box dyes.

Is this a myth? Surely, these days, what we can buy in the shops is as good as anything a hairdresser can get hold of?

I have mid length brown hair and my colour costs approx €80 every seven weeks and it fades really quickly. I don't have highlights, lowlights, etc... just want to cover grey. What are your thoughts on this and any recommendations for Home box dyes?

Chuchoter

Well of course a hairdresser is going to say get it done in a hairdressers. I'd give the box dye a go, I have a friend who got her hair dyed in a salon and it was horrendous, the box dye she did herself was better

slowmoe

i use a non amonia dye that i get in a health food shop and i think its just as good if not better than the hairdressers. i think if you're dying your hair often you should really be using the correct repair products, i use redken extreme products now and find them amazing although pricey, i was using indola repair and thats much cheaper at 10 euro for shampoo and 12 for conditioner, also very good but wasn't strong enough for my badly damaged hair.

eth0_

Well it's better for your hair to use semi-permanent dyes, which is what hairdressers use. But I find salon dyes wash out of my hair really swiftly. Which is ridiculous when you consider how much you spend getting a salon dye as opposed to buying a box of home dye for 5-10 euro in Boots.

If you want highlights or any sort of tricky dye job, go to a salon. Otherwise, DIY!

Magenta

crayolastereo wrote: »

Well of course a hairdresser is going to say get it done in a hairdressers. I'd give the box dye a go

The hairdresser wins either way when you come in with orange stripes because you thought you'd try DIY highlights! That's why L'Oreal etc put feck all effort into developing their home box dyes. If you screw it up, you're going to go to a hairdresser who will very likely use... L'Oreal professional dye. L'Oreal win either way.

OP, I can ALWAYS tell the difference between a DIY job and professional colour. DIY colours don't have half the shine.

Jennypops

Hi OP

I have recentl gone to House of Colour in Liffey Street and they put a colour in my hair, its a semi but they used something over it which the girl said prevents colour fade, plus they will do a colour refresh free when you book in for a wash and blowdry. Im not 100% sure what the thing they put on after the semi was but I can honestly say that my hair is exactly the same colour as it was coming out of the salon 2 weeks ago. I wash my hair every day and usually find that a week after getting my salon colour done previously the colour would have lifted quite significantly...I was previously going to 2 really well know salons in dublin city centre which were quite a bit more costly than house of colour. So overall while I think the hairdresser will always do a better job than I can do myself (I havent the patience to only retouch regrowth etc, I am a lash it on and hope for the best type!!) There are definitely some hairdressers out there who will do a fantastic job doing a colour which will last a good length of time, as it should do. Its just a pity all hairdressers dont use that system that HOC has...it would mean less visits to them for recolours, but in fairness HOC now has a repeat customer in me and also my friend has also booked herself in.
Plus the girls in HOC are really nice...not like the sour puss owner in the hairdressers I used to go to off grafton street...never ever did she crack a smile or say thanks...way to provide customer service eh!

Sparki

OP I made the mistake of thinking I could do my own highlites after years of watching hairdressers do them....lets just say the result was not good!! Went to Salon Viva in Balbriggan and they were able to fix it for me and my hair is back to normal now, but I agree with previous poster, although it is cheaper. I can always notice a "home job"

Cadyboo

If you are just getting one colour of brown in your hair I would definitely do it at home. You can get some gorgeous box colours, just be sure to condtion it well.
I have blonde hair so I would never in a million years chance it at home, again.( bad experience before)
I think it is crazy the amount the hairdressers are charging for a full head of one colour, my friend got hers done a few weeks ago was charged 80e. Two days later I could see her grey roots in it!

Beonce

I won't use home colour because I'm terrified I'll b*lls it up! Its down to my trusted hairdresser for me . ( I get highlights though)

Having said that, my younger sister does use home kits from time to time and has been happy enough with them...

magneticimpulse

i did my hair this year for the 1st time with a box dye. did it in january and roots are showing but its not that bad. used garnier nutrese. used to go to hair dressers on trinity st, but too expensive for me now. anyway i found the professional hair dressers much better, hair was never dry and a mix of shades in my hair. the home kit, the colour was a block blonde colour, ok, but hair was very dry afterwards. its why ive not touch it in 6 months.

i used to always use Sun In, but it gave too much of a bleach blonde look which doesnt work when you get over 25 yr old (look too inmature) and it completely ruined my hair after using it for about 4 years non stop.

Cupcake_Crisis

Honestly, i think it totally depends on the kind of dye job you're after. When i was blonde i was always terrified to do it myself because its so easy to mess up so i ALWAYS got my colour done in a salon. But with my colour now (a reddy orangy colour) id only ever do it myself. I dont think a salon would be able to recreate my colour now anyways!

The Big Red Button

Personally I wouldn't trust myself to do highlights, but I always dye my hair at home. I don't get greys yet - I just dye it a couple of shades darker or lighter, just for a bit of variety really.

Clairol Perfect 10 is my current favourite. There's a good choice of shades, it actually does work in just ten minutes, and - best of all - the plastic gloves are human-sized, not gorilla-sized! And it really really lasts too!

BebhinnHeaven

I used to use semi permenent box dyes all the time and was happy enough with the result considering what I paid for them..however thankfully my sister has started trainning as a hair dresser (lucky me ) so she does my hair with pro dyes now (semi's)and I've noticed a serious difference..my hair is soooooo shiny and so much healthier and the colour lasts alot longer too!

She uses Wella dyes as according to her tutors,they are the best and they cost less than a 10er for a tube which can be used for multiple applications depending on the lenght of the hair.

Pro dyes have to be mixed with peroxide and you have to be a pro to buy them from any salon supplier coz if you use the wrong percentage of peroxide you'll ruin your hair. Obviously im lucky coz I can get my hair done for free but my advice if you lookin for a cheap dye job..No1. Keep your ears open for trainee hair dressers in your area..they'l only be delighted to get some practice and if they've had any trainning watsoever they'l be well capable of doin a full head colour (especially if your dark) No. 2 do not over look hair trainning colleges..they all have salons open to the public and you can get a salon standard hair-do at a fraction of the price. Colouring hair is very simple..salons are just a rip off!Now that I know hairdressers can buy a tube of colour for less than 10euro that could be used on 3 or 4 people I'll be pretty reluctant to pay 'em 50 odd euro for an hour and halfs work!

p.s anyone thinking of doin a blonde DIY job needs thier head seeing to, never mind thier hair...waaaaaayyy too risky..so much could go wrong!!! :eek:

Magenta

BebhinnHeaven wrote: »

I used to use semi permenent box dyes all the time and was happy enough with the result considering what I paid for them..however thankfully my sister has started trainning as a hair dresser (lucky me ) so she does my hair with pro dyes now (semi's)and I've noticed a serious difference..my hair is soooooo shiny and so much healthier and the colour lasts alot longer too!

Yep, I used to get my hair dyed professionally but couldn't afford it one time so I used a home dye... my hair turned to straw. It's taken about 4 months for it to fade out, I'm hopefully getting it done properly this weekend.

hill1

Hi,
about 3 weeks ago, I used a box dye for the first time in dark brown to cover the gray. I don't have high lights, and I found it was great. I wanted something that would be gentle as I felt that my hair needed a break so I bought a Cairol colour that just lasts for 4 weeks and have to say that it looked every bit as good as a salon colour, The gray is starting to come back now but I feel that paying 5 euro every 4 weeks instead of 70 every 2 months is better for my pocket and my hair.

alanajane

My daughter goes to salon wholesale, lots of them around, most open to public as well. She buys colour and peroxide mixes, applies herself and bobs your aunt, perfect salon colour. Now the only problem is which one to get as there are no pictures only numbers. Her way around it is to ask the woman who does my hair, she hairdresser who now works from home or your home, I have highlights so cant do it myself.
Anyhow back to my daughter the colour tube costs €7.99 and she gets 2 goes out of it, cant remember cost of peroxide but it comes in huge bottle which lasts forever.
My other daughter uses colour from health shop as she had massive reaction to ordinary hair colour, was colouring her hair for years then one day after colouring her head swelled up hugely, it was very very scary. Luckily she didnt burn and after week of being on steroids she returned to normal. Wont be in the same room as normal hair colour now and I dont blame her.

hdcott

I used to always get my colour done in salons but when I went back to college I started using box dye as it is so much cheaper. The results have been just as good if not better to be honest. Even though I'm back earning again I continue to use boxes. In saying that I wouldn't recommend home highlights! They should really be done by a professional. All over semi-permanent/permanent is fine though, go for it!

Magenta

alanajane wrote: »

My daughter goes to salon wholesale, lots of them around, most open to public as well. She buys colour and peroxide mixes, applies herself and bobs your aunt, perfect salon colour.

Hiya, I take it your daughter isn't in the trade? Most of those shops insist you have a trade card- which ones does she go to? Would love to take a look!

BebhinnHeaven

Now the only problem is which one to get as there are no pictures only numbers

They usually have colour books in trade suppliers with samples of hair like what you see in salons and you can just match the reference number and match it with the box! Alternatively if you are using Wella colour they have a serious website where they not only go though various dying techniques in detail but also show various colours so you can pick one out before you head to the suppliers.Check it out...

http://www.wella.com/products/products_h/color_h/index.php

p.s. if your using pro colour yourself make sure you know what percentage of peroxide to use and its worth investing in a bowl and brush too.

cant remember cost of peroxide but it comes in huge bottle which lasts forever.

peroxide is less than 5euro..the cheap ones will do the brand doesn't make a difference with peroxide but I can't stress enough that you shouldn't experient with peroxide if you don't no what your doing they come in a few different percentages and the one you should use depends on the natural colour of your hair/the colour you want to go to and if your using permenent or semi-permenent.

I sicking to my guns on the Box Vs Pro Dye debate...I used to be a die hard box dye fan but now Im using pro the difference is amazing! I used to have sh1te hair and put it down to bad genes and diet but now my hair is soft, shiney,undamaged and a hell of alot stronger too, not half the amount of breakage!

Magenta

BebhinnHeaven wrote: »

They usually have colour books in trade suppliers with samples of hair like what you see in salons and you can just match the reference number and match it with the box! Alternatively if you are using Wella colour they have a serious website where they not only go though various dying techniques in detail but also show various colours so you can pick one out before you head to the suppliers.Check it out...

http://www.wella.com/products/products_h/color_h/index.php

p.s. if your using pro colour yourself make sure you know what percentage of peroxide to use and its worth investing in a bowl and brush too.



peroxide is less than 5euro..the cheap ones will do the brand doesn't make a difference with peroxide but I can't stress enough that you shouldn't experient with peroxide if you don't no what your doing they come in a few different percentages and the one you should use depends on the natural colour of your hair/the colour you want to go to and if your using permenent or semi-permenent.

I sicking to my guns on the Box Vs Pro Dye debate...I used to be a die hard box dye fan but now Im using pro the difference is amazing! I used to have sh1te hair and put it down to bad genes and diet but now my hair is soft, shiney,undamaged and a hell of alot stronger too, not half the amount of breakage!

Hiya, I'm presuming you're not a hairdresser, which shops do you go to for the professional dye? Terrisales on Abbey St in Dublin told me they wouldn't sell me it because I'm not a hairdresser.

mood

I did my at home for years but it got so dry I went to a salon two years ago and continues to get it done in a salon. You just can't compare the results.

The home kit (from health food store) dried my hair, the colour was never even and it had a brassy hew to it no matter what colour I used. Never again. I don't know how it did it for so long! I must have looked a show!

Falcon Crest

I use home box dyes and have done for years. I was sick of paying a lot of money for the same job, the colour I use lasts even longer than the salon dyes and my hair isn't in bad condition. Hairdressers are rip off merchants.

RentDayBlues

Have to agree - for color (to cover greys) and half head highlights I was paying €140!!!! I now use a l'oreal perm kit at home for €20. It lasts the same amount of time, my hair is still healthy and so is my pocket!

easyeason3

Would a hairdresser mix up a dye for me to put all over my hair at home?

I have long enough hair & it costs a bloody fortune to dye it. I'd like to get an all over colour I can put in at home & then get a few highlights pulled through in the hairdressers.

The last few times I've gone to the hairdressers I haven't been too happy with the result. I dye my hair blonde & I still found a lot of dark underneath even though I got a full head done.

So would an all over colour work & then get highlights put in?

donegalgirl28

I use the boxes all the time. Usually use l'oreal recital preference in a Mystic Black (it's like a purplely/black colour). Started using it more and more frequently like every 6 - 8 weeks but noticed my hair becoming really dry at the ends especially, so after getting my hair cut at home, I asked the hairdressers for tips in home dying, she said to use a semi-pernament as it conditions and doesn't do too much damage to your hair.

So haven't dyed my hair in about 3 months now so dying my hair tomorrow night and shall be using a semi-permanent colour.

dancingqueen

Hi OP

I dye my own hair, and have done for years.

I was using a nice purple shade of the Garnier Nutrisse one which was fab. Recently switched to a L'oreal Recital one and it was a dark brown - nice too. With the L'oreal I got a huge thing of conditioner to use for a few goes, and I have to wash my hair every second day so this was great!!

I prefer doing it myself to be honest, 8euro vs 80euro. I've never had a problem with home kits but that story about the girl who had swelling is kinda scary

Good luck!

dancingqueen

easyeason3 wrote: »

Would a hairdresser mix up a dye for me to put all over my hair at home?

I have long enough hair & it costs a bloody fortune to dye it. I'd like to get an all over colour I can put in at home & then get a few highlights pulled through in the hairdressers.

The last few times I've gone to the hairdressers I haven't been too happy with the result. I dye my hair blonde & I still found a lot of dark underneath even though I got a full head done.

So would an all over colour work & then get highlights put in?

I don't think they'll put highlights in over a box colour - a hairdresser told me before that it depends on the ingredients of the colour you've used. It could turn green!

RebelScorned

I had been getting blonde highlights every six weeks since I was 17, spending anything up to 150 yoyos a pop. I kept my hair in good condition by using intensive conditioners and getting it cut regularly. Two years ago I had a disastrous experience in Peter Mark when I asked my (ex) regular hairdresser to dye my hair back brown cos I really wanted a nice glossy tone- my hair was like straw afterwards, absolutely disastrous, worst dye job in history. After more highlights, I dyed my hair back brown last October but I did it myself with a home hair kit- chestnut brown garnier nutrisse, which cost 6 euro from supervalu. I have thick hair but one box did the trick perfectly. Unlike the time I had it professionally dyed, my hair was shiny and felt strong and manageable. I only had to dye my hair again once since to boost the shine. A few weeks back I was shopping in aldi and I saw a 2.99 highlighting kit and splurged, just fancied a summer update, applied it myself to a few strands framing my face using tail comb and foils like a hairdresser does, and the result came out brilliantly. I am constantly getting compliments and people cannot believe that i did it myself so effectively and so cheaply. Believe me i am extremely fussy when it comes to hair but i really recommend the aforementioned products. I can see now I was such a victim of the hairdressing industry for years and I really regret all the money I wasted when the same results can be achieved at home with a little imagination. If you mentioned aldi home highlighting kit to me four years ago i would have laughed, but it is a fantastic product, easy application with a handy brush, allows you enough control over your hair and gives uniform results.

Also, colour care after dying is extremely effective in prolonging the colour and aiding condition - remember to change your shampoo and conditioner regularly. I alternate between herbal essences, aussie and kerastase, always use tigi catwalk leave in conditioner whilst wet, and kerastase night repair serum once a week. Regular trims are also an essential- i go to a master sylist every few months (80) for a restyle and a local hairdresser every few weeks to get rid of dead ends.