Well the answer is Yes! and no.
It really depends on you interest, skill, organization, and how far from your natural colour you want to go.
There are many options out there in the drugstore, and quality is far superior then in the past. So the old wives tales that you hear from hairdressers about the dangers or home dyes are BS quite frankly. The reason mistakes happen my friend is not the colour...it is you, (and that also goes for the pro who turned your hair green last year) Wrong colour selection, improper timing and application are the main culprits. Most professional lines have drugstore counterparts. I would stick to higher quality colour. (It's 6 bucks for a reason) Consult the products websites for more info, they are usually great.
Basically, home colour is safe and effective if you play by the rules.
1. You are not DRASTICALLY changing the colour. 1 or 2 shades lighter or darker is best. Anything more you need to see a pro, too much can go wrong. No Bleaching (unless you are really experienced) No going back to natural from blonde. Very tricky.
2. Your hair is in GOOD shape, not bleached, highlighted, permed, relaxed, overly dry. This is crucial. Dry and damaged hair is unpredictable, it can take too bright, too dark or not at all.
3. Root touch ups on grey hair. It is essential to chose the same exact colour every time. Write it down or save the top panel (with the brand and name of colour) in your wallet so you don't forget. If you change brands, you will get different results. Too light or dark. READ the directions. you cannot make a darker dye lighter, It has to be removed first.
4. You use enough colour for the amount of hair you have. One box of dye is enough to colour 4 weeks of roots. That is IT! If you have waited a while, have a ton of hair or want to use a semi all over you need to buy more then one box. It's like painting a house with a can of paint. If all the hair is not saturated, evenly it will will effect the final result. Unevenness, lack of coverage or extreme fadage can result. FYI If you are buying more then 3 boxes...go to the salon, it will cost nearly the same.
5. Remember the colour on the box will not always be the colour you get. Many drugstore brands have websites that can help you chose the right shade you are targeting. Hair colour is NOT opaque. Whatever is on your hair now, will effect the final result. Like kindergarten, Blue and Yellow make green rules.
6. Follow the instructions! Be prepared and organised. Have dark towels, gloves, cleanser (ajax) to remove spills on the sink. Cover yourself up. A timer or watch. Vaseline for your ears and neck ( stain free) Take you time, assemble you tools and did I mention...follow the instructions!
More questions/comments? Ask
www.garnier.ca/kim/en/index.aspx
www.lorealparis.ca/_en/_ca/products/super-category.aspx?code=Haircolor
www.clairol.ca/en_ca/index.php
If only I had known these things in highschool! As a home hair colourist for half my life, it took me years to learn these things. You're a valuable public service!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about the fact that I might need more than one box. It seems sort of obvious now.
ReplyDeleteLove this entry. I have been coloring my hair since I started coloring my hair. I have only had it professionally done once, and it was just okay. I like the fact that I can only blame myself if soemthing goes wrong.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. Keep the enties coming!