Do-It-Yourself Hair Color vs. the Salon

[Aquilah]

From October 2006 Issue of Better Homes and Gardens



Today's home hair color kits are quick, affordable, and easy to follow with advanced formulations that deliver salon quality results - provided you're realistic about what can be achieved. Todd Fox, a colorist at Manhattan's Frederic Fekkai salon, discusses the pluses and minuses of both approaches.


PROS

• SALON COLOR
  1. A one-on-one consultation with a trained expert who will guide you in choosing a tone that complements your skin and natural hair color.
  2. Consistency. The colorist has your formula on file, ensuring touch-ups and roots blend seamlessly.
  3. Lessens the chance of color mishap.
  4. "Many at-home products are much stronger than anything I would use in the salon," says Fox. "Here, I'm in charge of the color and how light it should go."
• AT-HOME HAIR COLOR
  1. Lower cost.
  2. Great for maintaining one's natural hue, blending grays, and enrichening natural tone.
  3. Products are becoming more sophisticated. "There's great quality in those boxes. Some formulations are enriched with avocado and grape seed oils, which we use in the salon," says Fox.
  4. best when going only a shade or two away from natural hair color.

CONS

• SALON
  1. Price.
  2. Time driving to and sitting in the salon.
  3. Not everyone is comfortable having hair done in a public atmosphere.
  4. Trying to convey the exact color you have in mind can be difficult. "Always have a consultation first and take along pictures of the color you like, and color you don't like. If you don't feel you're getting your point across - leave. Never get talked into a shade you aren't comfortable with," says Fox.
• AT-HOME HAIR COLOR
  1. "If you don't follow the products directions to a T, you can over-process your hair. Completely read and follow the manufacturer's instructions," says Fox.
  2. The photo on the box is not representative of the specific color you'll get. Beware of creative names, like "hot tamele," or "espresso bean." Stick to descriptive labels like "medium golden blond."
  3. Covreing gray can be tricky with at-home kits. "A colorist can mix a neutral shade that takes the grays into consideration," says Fox.

OUR PICKS
Permanent: Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme; $8
Semi-Permanent: L'Oreal Parish Color Pulse; $6
Gray Roots: Clariol Nice 'N Easy Root Touch Up; $7
Highlights: Revlon Custom Effects Highlights; $11

 

[ForeverPink]

This is handy, thank you.

Ive had some nightmare experiences recently with hairdressers. Have been contemplating whether to go it alone with my hair colour. Im a little unsure and scared though.

A strand test would maybe a good idea to see what colour it may turn out like.

 

[lynnda]

Thanks for posting!

 

[NYAngel98]

Great info Aquilah!! Fox is right on target. You don't want to attempt something that you aren't confident doing. When in doubt, see a colorist. At least until you learn your shades and how your hair reacts. You want to also leave double processes, highlights, or colors that are 2+ shades away from your natural.... to a pro. Better safe than sorry!

 

[rlise]

i agree ! if you want highlights, lowlights, double processing, a completel bleach job, then a salon will be your best and most rewarding option. i know from exp. but if you want to color your blonde or brown hair , red, black, brown whatever then do it at home, although have someone who can do your back hair, much cheaper!

OMG about 8 months ago, i was soooo insistent on bleaching my hair for summer. so i go buy 2 boxes of at home bleach kits and OMG my hair was orange, i evetually went to see my hair girl and she was like color it brown, grow it out, and ill do it later ! sooooo frustrating! i hasd to walk around with LITERALLY orange hair for like 3 weeks , jusst so i could see her! AHHHH

 

[Jennifer]

thanks!

 

[KimC2005]

Thanks for posting that, Aquilah

 

[Lindabear]

thanks for the post

 

[buny atack]

i would never do colouring myself, i'd be way too scared

 

[chocobon]

Thnx

 

[butterflyblue]

I used to have my hair stylist color my hair, but I am brunette and it is pretty easy not to mess up. I do it myself now, for the last 3 years. I use medium brown and it turns out perfect!

 

[Glamour Girl]

I've tried doing it myself several times, and I have finally learned my lesson. I go the salon. Home kits were really drying my hair out.

 

[charish]

hey, thanks.

 

[ch3wiE-Mai]

I'd rather the salon because they do know what they're doing especially for highlights but i usually do it at home, its cheaper =]

btw, thanks!

 

[monniej]

great info. thanks.