Berkeley Parents Network: Do-it-yourself Hair Coloring

Berkeley Parents Network

Do-it-yourself Hair Coloring

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Beauty & Fitness > Do-it-yourself Hair Coloring

Covering the gray
Lighter color for grey streaks?
Doing my own grey roots?
How can I do my own highlights?
Highlighting is so expensive - can I do it myself?
Salons for Coloring Hair
Safety of Hair Coloring

Covering the gray

March 2005

A few months ago, after two kids and a dramatic decine in income, I decided to stop having my hair colored in a salon. But now my natural color is growing in, my gray is showing, and truth be told, I look a fright. I need to color my hair again (SOON!), and I realize that I should just pick up some dye and get to work, but I have no idea where to begin. I'm terrified of using the wrong product and ending up with dull, flat, yucky color. I'm also worried about getting good coverage of the gray -- which, in hairdresser lingo, ''doesn't want to grab the color.'' Is there anyone else out there with coarse graying hair who's found the brand of perfect hair color? Thanks. Old Gray Mare No More

I too have grey hair that is ''resistant'' (my beautician's term) to color. The only product that seems to work effectively in covering my grey hair is called ''Bijen''; it's available at most drug stores -- paricularly those specializing in holistic health/alternative medicine like Elephant Pharmacy on Shattuck. I'm afraid to color my own hair so I have not used this product at home. In any case, even though it's a permanent color, it is very gentle to my hair (and I get two chemical processes -- a perm and a color -- in alternating months). Moreover, I have been using Bijen for almost 10 years now and have had no adverse effects on my hair. Good luck. Antoinette

Lighter color for grey streaks?

April 2003

I have been coloring my hair at home but I am not quite satisfied with the ''uniform'' solid color I am getting. I was wondering if anybody tried to color their hair using a lighter shade than they would normally use (I am a brunette) so the gray hair becomes lighter in color and the rest of the hair is darker, therefore getting ''natural'' highlights. Am I making sense ? Young but with gray hair

Check out the hair coloring kits at health food supermarkets such as Whole Foods, Berkeley Natural Foods (or whatever it's called) on Gilman, etc. There are two or three brands which cover gray as they color and don't contain much in the way of harsh chemicals, so your hair doesn't dry out. It might take a little experimentation to get the color you want; I ended up combining two shades. Light Mountain henna is also good and looks very natural, but is messy to use. Melanie

I have used haircoloring one shade lighter than my normal hair color (very dark brown) and I did get highlights, but the way the gray picks up color, I thought they were too brassy. Clairol says this is good to try if your hair is less than 25% gray, a category I surpassed at about 30, and to use ''golden'' rather than red or ash tones. The other problem is you have lots of gray is ''coverage''- if you try this, CLairol also says leave the color on longer than the directions call for to color gray completely. I am excited about a new ''double'' process home haircolor, Colour Experte, by L'oreal (at Target). You color your hair and then add highlights. But of course this is more work for a busy mom, so I haven't tried it yet. I've been investigating because for coloring gray, I felt paying for professional color is a waste of money, didn't come out any better and must be reapeated every 3 weeks if your color is dark because the roots really show. prematurely gray

I do just what you're talking about and it works for me. I get a blond semi-permanent color, usually 7N, and apply it to all of my hair. The grays are highlighted and the dark is not changed. What I like best about this method is that when the grays grow there is not a huge contrast between the highlighted hair and the new growth. I also get professional highlights every six months or so and they also pick up the color differently, which adds a lot of interest. I would recommend a gentle semi-permanent color, like Colorence by Goldwell, which you can buy at beauty supply shops. Home Color that Works

Doing my own grey roots?

March 2003

I have had my hair professionally highlighted for several years and I'm very happy with the look. Because the highlights aren't so different from the base color, I've found that I've been able to let four months or so elapse before going back to the hairdresser for more work.

Recently, though, I've discovered my brown roots aren't brown anymore. They're gray. EEK. This means I go back to my hairdresser every four weeks to color my gray roots (I still have highlights put in every four months or so).

The cost isn't too bad -- about $40 -- but what's problematic is the time. Most hairdressers juggle clients these days and I find this simple procedure can eat into too much of my day -- time that I should be spending with my kids.

I do not want to go gray. And I do not want to color my own hair at home (done that before). But I am wondering how feasible it would be to touch-up roots myself. I welcome any feedback! Prematurely gray and hating it

My hair is also prematurely gray. I know just what you mean about the time needed to touch up your roots in a salon. Mine begin to show after three weeks. It is simple to dye them yourself. The only problem is that the chemicals available in drugstores tend to fry your hair. After a couple of years your hair is likely to become frizzy with an artificial looking tint. You just cannot buy the dye which is relatively gentle and looks good. I finally solved this by finding a stylist who would sell it to me ''under the table'' for a small fortune. I do not save any money, but the time saved is invaluable.

Like you I got tired of the long sessions at the hair salon, not to mention escalating costs of having my roots done professionally.Since I was a bit nervous at the thought of doing it all myself, I have hit upon a method that works great for me: I alternate between salon appointments and the at-home method,and the results have been quite good so far. At home, I have been using ''Color Spa'' (formerly called ''Casting'') by L'Oreal, which doesn't contain ammonia and comes with a very nice conditioning treatment. I haven't noticed any dryness or damage to my hair.

Two tips: If you hesitate between two tints, make sure to choose the darker one. You will get better coverage that way. Also my colorist has assured me that it is absolutely safe to keep the product on the hair longer than the prescribed 10 minutes. I do it up to 20 minutes (roots only) to make sure that I get visible results. Laura

How can I do my own highlights?

Feb. 2002

In an effort to cut down on expenses, I would like to try to highlight my own hair. Has anyone had any success with this and if so, what products do you use and any tips? Thanks in advance.

I've been coloring my own hair quite successfully for years now. Even my hairdresser thinks it looks professionally done/like my natural hair color. I have dark blond hair and use Clairol's Natural Instincts (Sunflower-Medium Golden Blond). This is their Level 2 product which is supposed to wash out after 24 shampoos. My hair is so porous that the color takes really well and it lasts forever. I don't have any gray hair so I can't say how well the product works in that regard, though the package claims it ''blends away gray naturally.'' All in all, it costs me $7 and 15 minutes each month-quite a bargain in terms of money and time. Janet

I concur with Janet. I DO have some gray hair and find that using Clairol Natural Instict (I use Pecan--Light Golden Brown) every four to six weeks covers the gray, looks quite natural and I've had the same comments from hair dressers that ''it looks professionally done/like my natural hair color''. I do not look forward to moving on to a level 3 product where I have to deal with roots, something one does not have to contend with when using a level 2 product. Gabriele

I have dyed my own hair for over 10 years - -through aubergine, red, copper and blonde -- I think I did pretty well. One friend saw childhood pics of me and asked, ''When did your hair turn red?'' But I have never given myself highlights. It is much more complicated than mixing and applying one all-over color. I have seen some pretty BAD self-highlight jobs. I actually have an appointment in a couple of weeks to get my hair professionally highlighted as a way to stop coloring it. If you want to save money, get a friend to do it for you. Go to the Beauty Center (or Beauty Store in SF) and get the supplies and ask lots of questions. You could also call around to salons and ask if they need hair models for color -- often new stylists need to work for a few months before they are fully trained, but they are still competent. I wish you luck and beauty! signed anon so that no one knows I'm mousy brown

I've been using Le Petite frost by L'Oreal for quite a few years now and it's worked well for me. I have shoulder length, medium brown hair and it lightens it up just enough to look ''sun-kissed'' without a dramatic root line. Tie the cap down snug, use the metal hook to pull a few strands out of all the holes on the top and a few rows down the sides, not past the temples. Just follow the directions from there. Good luck!

Highlighting is so expensive - can I do it myself?

Feb. 2001

I feel rather silly asking this question, but I don't know where else to turn! I have been getting my hair highlighted for about a year. It is SO expensive! However, I really like the way it looks and would like to continue doing it. Has anyone tried a home job? I go to a rather upscale salon, which I hate to admit, costs about $110 dollars (plus the tip). I am seriously considering getting some Clairol ($5) and just doing it at home myself. I can't ask my hair stylist---they will only give me the party line (to continue to pay and buy their products too). Any amateurs out there who can give me a recommendation? Thanks! Laura

Hi, I have been using tried and true Lady Clairol for years and I think it works just fine. You may have to experiment a bit with the various shades but the $6.50 cost for that leaves you a lot of extra money to cover the utility bill now! Helen

The cost of highlighting is expensive and I completely understand your reservations for spending so much money. I used to be a hair stylist and understand both sides of the issue. For the hair stylist, it is a time consuming job that requires detail. Even though the product cost for them is almost nothing, the labor and skill are what they are charging for. As for home products - you will never achieve the same look with the home products. First of all, you are reaching up, whereas a hair stylist is above you. This creates different abilities to reach parts of your hair and to control the amounts of hair you are picking up. Secondly, the home products are designed with this in mind and they will not be as refined in their look. A hairstylist picks up very small amounts of hair and applies product to them. This achieves a more natural look. When you use the home products the amount of hair that the product is applied to is much greater. Since there is less control, the outcome cannot be as natural looking.

To control your costs, there are a variety of things to consider such as where you go, how much you are having done (more highlights/more cost) and how often you are doing it. Consider, a cosmetology school for lower costs but slightly more risk since their abilities are not as refined. Ask other friends where they go and how much they pay. If you'd like to talk in more detail, please call me at 234-3464. Nd

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