How Hard Is It To Color Your Own Hair?

**Teresa T** · 11-10-2009, 06:41 PM

And is it messy?

Hi everyone,

I want to use a more low impact/natural hair color. However all the hair salons in this town that use these products are so expensive. I don't want to pay $130 for a hair cut and color.

I'd like to try coloring my own hair. I have never attempted it. I can have my hair cut at a walk in place at the mall. And you can get good hair cuts at those places I have found.

I'm also worried about coloring my own hair and having it stain the shower since I rent.

Any help greatly appreciated! Thanks.

**derrygirl** · 11-10-2009, 06:50 PM

Hi, I used to get my hair professionally colored every two months and at $130 a pop it was getting expensive. So here's what I do, I get my hair colored (highlights etc.) once or twice a year and in between I color myself. I use L'oreal Excellence Creme, I wait until it's on sale for $6.99. It's easy, won't stain shower (will stain clothes however) and makes the professional color last longer. I self color twice before going back to the salon.

**Lora88** · 11-10-2009, 06:55 PM

I am the most untalented perso nwith doing hair However I color my own using Prefrence by LOreal I have for years its easy and it conditions your hair trust me If I can do it anyone can It doesnt stain the shower but be careful it will stain walls and clothes

**hotprincesscm** · 11-10-2009, 07:01 PM

The walk in places at the mall or wherever can do color too, and usually for alot cheaper than private salons! I work for a franchise salon, and for a color and cut, it starts at $45 so check one of those places out too! Box color over the counter can damage your hair more than necessary because there is no regulating the strength of the developer (it's a one size fit all idea) In salons they use only the developer strength needed...just an idea...if your doing a dark color, it will stain skin, clothes, towels etc...but shouldn't stain your shower unless you let it sit there without rinsing it down! Good luck!

**old_lady_in_the_shoe** · 11-10-2009, 07:02 PM

It is not really hard to color your own hair...but there are some things that you will need to know that the package probally wont tell you...
1. If you have long or thick hair, you will probally need more than one over the counter package of hair coloring to actually cover all your hair.
2. More is better than not enough...if you have to much that is ok, you can throw it out, but if you don't have enought, you will look streaked and wierd!
3. buy better gloves or at least more, so you can take them off and put clean ones back on if needed, stained hands are not attractive.

things you need to pay attention to
1 read all the directions and followe them, they are usally sound.
2. if you are having a hard time, the 1800 help lines are usually pretty helpful...and can be used before you start too.
3. do the strand test to make sure you are not allergic...every time.

Once you do it, you realize it is not so bad.

Oh, it wont stain your shower, tub, sink, but it will stain you skin, clothes, towels and such. Good luck!

**joyofsix** · 11-10-2009, 07:30 PM

My advice is like everyone elses. It's not hard, just read all the directions and follow them. I use Clairol.

**NikoSan999** · 11-10-2009, 08:20 PM

I've colored my hair since I was 14 and I'm now 56. I like Feria which is about $9 a box but has more than other dyes. The conditioner is a large tube that is fantastic and will last a long, long time.

The other one I use, or the one I most often use is Revlon Colorsilk. It is about $3 a box and no amononia ( ok, brain dead and can't spell, could it be from all the coloring or just tired). It is not hard on the hair at all. Least not mine.

Any of it will stain material type things, towels etc. I don't know of any that will stain the shower/sink if you rinse afterward. If the shower has tile and grout just rinse down quickly. We have grout and tile. Color also comes off skin fairly easily. Just wash a little firmer than normal. I always had more trouble with Clairol products with skin than any other.

**savvy_sniper** · 11-10-2009, 08:20 PM

I colored my hair for years. I am known to be messy. So I get naked, follow the instructions to apply, wait the prescribed time, then get in the shower to wash it out.

You need to be SURE you apply to all hair and not miss any spots. If you use any red color, just be aware that it washes out and fades faster than other colors.

You would do best to try to pick a color as close to your own as possible. That means less likelihood of any mistakes showing.

FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN THE BOX!

**NikoSan999** · 11-10-2009, 08:21 PM

Yeah, like another poster said, make sure you have enough to totally cover your hair, especially if it is long. Better to much than not enough.

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-10-2009, 09:36 PM

You may also want a friend to help you. I can never get the back of my head done properly. My natural color fades to blondish red and I like to keep it dark. I can't see what I'm doing back there to make sure it isn't streaky.

Colorant will stain laminate countertops and may stain vinyl flooring -- mainstays in apartment complexes. I suggest getting some dollar store towels. Also handy to have a rag or cheap facecloth on hand to wipe up spills quickly.

It's not hard to do, just follow the directions in the box, expect it to take longer on your first time. Be prepared for a few drops, wear old clothes and have some old towels on hand.

**Palooka** · 11-10-2009, 11:10 PM

It's easy when you have a teen daughter to help you.

I foil my own hair or pull it through the cap and use Farouk sunglitz. ( I have a license so I get it at a good price) Sometimes I go through phases where I just color it all over dark (my hair is really dark naturally) and use a semi-permant color like Loreal, Clarol, or Redkin. Or red! It's only like 10% peroxide so no damage and washes out slowly.

I can be a big slob. I use old towels and I wash it out in the kitchen sink because it doesn't stain. I've stained the bathroom counter before. Whoopsie, sorry dear.

**Teresa T** · 11-11-2009, 12:13 PM

Thanks for your replies. I'll give it a try.

One reason, I want to use a more natural hair coloring agent.

**frugalgram** · 11-17-2009, 01:59 PM

I have one of my daughters help me color my hair since I can't see much without my glasses on and I don't like to wear them while I do it. The worst part is the smell but I'm extra sensitive. I keep an old Tshirt and towel just for hair coloring since they do tend to get some color on them. It is so much cheaper than the beauty parlor.

**AnW819** · 11-17-2009, 02:08 PM

I have been coloring my hair for years. Sometimes I use black and that does not even stain anything. I think its really easy to color your own hair. The directions will say to part the hair and do this and that, but I never do that. I just squirt it on my hair and make sure I get all my hair with the dye on it. It always comes out great!

**WV_mom_of2** · 11-18-2009, 01:59 AM

I've always wondered...... Why do you need to do a test on your skin every time you color at home to be sure you are not allergic but you don't do that when you have it colored at a salon?

You never go in and let them put it on your arm a day or two ahead of time to see if you have a reaction. Is it because they use different stuff to color the hair??