Is There an At-home Hair Color That Really Works?

HI K., This is so funny, but I just buy whatever happens to be the best sale when I need it! Just last week I bought 2 boxes (I use 2 boxes since I have naturally curly hair almost down to my waist) for $5 for both boxes! I don't know if one is 'better' than another, you just have to figure out how long to keep it on or it seems like they all turn out black. I'm 43 and have quite a bit of grey and my hair grows fast so I have to do roots about every 4-6 weeks. However, I'm not that particular about my hair. If you are, you should call Krista at ###-###-####. She is the best around and her prices are beyond reasonable and she is in the EV but worth the drive if you are not. My salary as an insurance agent is commission only so I have had to cut back on everything, which is why my acrylic nails and fancy hair are no more! So I'm not sure if this helped or not...I hope you find something that will work with you...if you call Krista...Tell her F. the insurance agent sent you and good luck!

I'm voting to keep the natural hair. (Although, I have had good success with herbal essence--it makes your hair so soft afterward.)

At home hair color is the way to go. I've done it all my life (since age 17). It's less expensive and allows you to experiment with colors. It is also very easy. But I've seen a lot of people totally mess up their hair. I have no clue how they do this as I find it easy. Even the newer color kits that offer highlighting are easy. I've had many compliments on my at-home highlights. Many people ask what salon I go to and are shocked that I do it myself.
I have not found that one works better than the others. Of course, spend the money on a good one. If it is cheap, it will color cheap.
I now have gray and have darker hair that I dye a redish or golden brown depending on my mood. Preference by Loreal works great on the grays.
Good luck.

Hello K.,
I am a hairstylist and i would recomend going to Sallys beauty supply and getting color! as far as highlights that might be a bit harder to do yourself! but you could possibly try pulling it thru a cap! definitly stay away from the box colors at the stores! you never know waht you are going to get!
good luck!

Hi K.,

I use Loreal Excellence Cream color. I've been using this brand for the last 19 years now. I love it! My hair is a brown color too. I find it better to stay within your color range when doing color at home. I've used Light Reddish Brown, Golden Brown, Auburn (the light and dark), and right now, lately I've been staying with the Light Reddish Brown. I love the richness of it! :-)
Hope this helps! Oh and it is a lot cheaper doing it at home. LOL The last time I went to a salon for them to do my coloring, they flopped my hair while coloring it so bad, that it got all over my brand new clothes. Talk about me throwing a major fit! LOL And the only thing they did for me was give me $20 off. Ugh...frustrating, but I never went back to a salon since. I even cut my own hair because each time I've went to a salon, I've had bad experiences.

Good luck! I have to go and get me some color myself. :-)

I don't know if you can still find it, I haven't looked in a couple of years, but I used to use Loreal HiColor, it was specifically designed to color dark hair.

Nice and Easy's Perfect 10 is awesome. I have some grays as well and have found many at home colors do not cover them or they wash out within a month. Nice and Easy's Perfect 10 only takes 10 minutes to soak in rather than the usual 30 and it stays in for months. I use it every 2-3 months because my hair grows so fast. Good luck!

Hi K.. I've been doing hair for about 7 years and I totally would recommend using Wella. They sell it at sally's. Its not the professional line but it works pretty much the same. You'll need a level 4 or 5 depending on how dark you want to go, and if you want a rich color, try to stick to the gold family. You'll also need to buy some developer. At the store they'll try to tell you to buy 20 volume for gray coverage, but I would say to buy 10 vol. All 20 vol. will do is lift the natural color of your hair and it will come out lighter than expected. 10 vol. will keep it true to the color swatch. There should be directions on mixing the hair color on the box and you may need something to measure it in. They sell little beakers for like 50 cents and you'll probably need a bottle for around $1. I know it seems like a lot of stuff, but this hair color really is more reliable and you can keep the bottle and beaker for further uses. Depending on the amount of gray, you should leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Like I said, its not the professional line, so it won't be as good as salon color, but doing it this way is pretty much fool proof. Now, if you wanted highlights, I would say go to a salon, but this way is fine and will save you a lot of money.
Sorry that's so long ;)
Good Luck

I've used L'Oreal (in the light green box, can't remember the type). I tried it because it was on sale for 5.99. Worked great, took only 10-15 min, and my hair was soft. It also had a conditioner in it for future shampoos. I've also used Clairol "root touch up". It's a white box, with a blue blush thing that is hand to just get it on the roots. Easy. It sure helps save money. I still go once in a while for highlights, but I'm waiting a LOT longer these days (been 8 months so far). Good luck!

Hi K.,
I have been coloring my hair at home for years. I go to Sally's Beauty Supply to but my products. I love the ION line of color. I have always gotten great advice there and the prices and product are much better than the box colors. I buy the Sally's card ($5.00/yr) and it more then pays for itself in savings.

Hi K.!
I use Loreal Preference. I've used most brands over the last 24 years, and this one has given me the most consistent results. I go from dark brown to light blonde, which is very difficult to do without getting brassy or orange, and the Loreal products leave my hair very soft and don't damage the strands. I know a lot of people who swear by Clairol, but I've had some truly horrible experiences before and serious hair damage.

Whatever you decide on, make sure you do a strand test first on any new product you try - it will let you know how your hair will actually turn out, and how long your hair really needs since it could be done quicker than the times they list. I wish I would have followed my own advice every time, it would have saved me 12 inches of hair after one of the kits disintegrated my hair.

I use Wella hair color. I color my hair red which means I color it often(red has the least color molecules and fades faster). I buy it at Sally beauty supply and love it! I usually get an intensifier to go with it so my color comes out better.

If you want to save money and do it yourself...go to sallys beauty supply...its salon products you can use yourself

I have used the Feria brand (you can get this at any store). I usually use the dark mocha or rich chocolate colors (#40 and 45 I think). I love this brand since it looks like you have highlights and low lights without the hassle. No dull color from this brand! the conditioner it comes with also leaves your hair very soft.

I use to like to use the non permanant hair color (it doesn't change the texture of your hair). i actually had the best results (and more like a salon) from the men's products. It is made by clairol. You can do these indoors and won't get knocked out by the fumes (compared to permanant hair dyes) Unfortunately my gray is so resistant now(i have long thick dark brown hair)that for the amount of product that i would need to put on my hair it is not that much difference in price for me to get it done by my hairdresser.
Also, once you start dying your hair you can't stop because your hair will now noticably grow in white (like a stripe), similar to when you start shaving your legs--once you start it is very noticeable if you stop!

I like Feria, I get a lot of compliments. In fact I went to get my haircut and the lady at the salon complimented my color. Plus, I love the conditioner. Leaves hair so soft.

I've used the store box ones, and they colors aren't as good and don't last long even though they say permant. My Cuz, and mother-in-law both do hair. I watched what they did and the color they used, and bough the same color and developer on-line. I've also talked with them too. You can get the professional stuff on-line...but you want to make sure what your getting. :) They also have color guides on-line. Good luck!!

Go to Sallys beauty supply!!!!! They will guide you on the best hair products!!! They work and not expensive at all!!!!