Recommend a "Do-it-yourself" Hair Color to Use

I also recommend beauty schools. I get my hair foiled & highlighted, plus allover color between the highlights to cover the gray for about $60 at the Mario Tricoci University. It's in the city, but maybe there are similar options close to you. If I've even been the least bit unhappy with the color, they fix it right then. They also keep a record of exactly what was done last time, and I always ask the students to just do the exact same thing, so my color has been consistent for a long time now. The downside is sometimes it takes a little longer because they are students, but I've been so happy with the service and the price I will continue to go there. If I COULD do it myself, though, I would!!

I don't know much about foiling, but i use and love Garnier Nutriesse Hair color. I use a color called Macadamia (Blondish). About 2 years ago I started getting very grey at the roots. I called Ulta to see what they rec. and the girl told me Garnier. It is VERY EASY to use, a few simple steps and you're ready to go!

Good luck!

Hi T.! I too color my own hair- the key that I have found is that you first put a color over it, and any color will do- to keep it healthy- make sure you do this everytime! I literally buy whatever is the cheapest- like Balsam or a color like that in brown or whatever your natural color is or if you are feeling adventurous then you can do something a little crazier :) Then I go in with Clairol Frost and Tip I use the Dark brown to make sure my color comes up and doesnt turn orange- and FOIL my highlights- that is what brings them up. I cut little pieces of foil and paint on my highlights on with a pastry brush- seriously!!! No cap for me as it doesn't get to the roots. Then I go in with my hairdryer to bring up my color even further. I can honestly tell you that people literally once a month or more ask me where I get my hair done and are absolutely STUNNED when I tell them I do it myself- I can't begin to tell you how many friends and even just acquaintences have asked me to do their hair! (I cut it too). And NO I don't have a license I am just a mom trying to cut costs!!!! If you want to see a pic of me just let me know so you know I don't have orange hair lol or anything like that! You can do your own hair for around $18.00!!!!!! :) Have a great day!!! PS- If you have any questions just email me!!!

I had medium brown hair that I had heavy blonde highlights put in for over 5 years. When I had to cut costs, I started using Garnier Nutrisse at home and have never had a problem. I think both the color of the dye on the box is very true to color and also the chart that shows you what your hair will look like after dying based on your current color.

I am also a blonde with shoulder length hair and I have colored my hair myself for years (more than thirty!) and by far the best I have used is Nice and Easy. Also since you are new to the home coloring, don't be afraid, the latest formulas are very gentle and have a built in timer so even if you go over the recommended 25 minutes it will automatically stop processing and you won't have a "disaster". Try to stay away from any colors with the word "ash" in them as they can leave a grey cast to your hair. Good luck! By the way, these products are so gentle you can try again with another color even the same day if you don't like it.

T.,
I am not a stylist, but I do highlight my sister's hair because she cannot afford to go to a salon. I have tried a few different ones and I ending up liking loreal the best. I cannot tell you the exact name but it is the highlighting kit(frost and glow?), chapagne color, with a cap. It is a pain to pull it through the cap, but I think it will be easier for you to do by yourself. Maybe even have a friend come over and help. If you leave the product on for long enough, it will be a really nice(chapagne) blonde that is not orange or platinum. Also, this particular once comes with a toner for the end that you leave on after you have washed out the highlights. I tried it once and it dulled the color, so the last time I did it, I skipped the toner and it turned out very nice. Good luck!

Stay away from the at home hi liting kits. Especially if you are heavily hi lighted right now. There is great potential for all kinds of conumdrums. Having been a stylist, I reccommend to my clients when situation like this arise a few options. If you are a natural blonde (I'm assuming medium to dark blonde since you get a heavy foil) I'd reccomend that you get a heavey low light to keep the line of demarcation down, and go in for a partial high light every three months. This can give you a blonde feel with out the maintainence or damage. THe other thing would be to shell out the cash just this once to have your color returned to something closer to your natural (not an endeavor you want to take on at home, as this is a very involved process that usually will involve three steps, otherwise you may be risking green or black hair). THis is an especially great option if you are dealing with a lot of grey hair. If you are goning to do your color at home you definately want to stay close to your natural. Less chance for catastrophes that are going to land you in the salon payin ALOT of money on corrective color. I charged 80-100 dollars an hour for corrective color just to give you an idea of how costly an oops at home can be, not to mention it can turn into a 4-5 hour ordeal at the salon very easily. Being very blonde is high maintainence, considering a switch to you natural is best. Also, if you are contending with grey hair, make sure to ask your stylist how much neutral you will need in your formulation to cover grey. The other thins that is crucially important is not to buy any metallic based dyes. Garnier Nutrisse, Clairol Hydrience, Revlon and any natural dyes like Henna all have a mettallic base, as do a lot of the high lighting kits that are sold in stores, and they are not compatible to salon quality products, which are ammmonia based dyes. THey create a chemical reaction on the hair when mixed together that can actually cause the hair to heat up to boiling and "cook", or turn the hair some really funky colors Not good on any hair, but particularily important that this does not happen on fine, or curly hair as these are more delicate. I cannot stress this enough. Also, I don't know where you live, but Hair Cuttery in Naperville on North Aurora Road does really good work (they are in Riverbrook Shopping Center, Jen is fantastic, as is Lana). A cut and color is $56, and a partial highlight I beleive is $45. Good luck, I hope this helped.

Oh my gosh - I have nothing to recommend. I tried doing my own once and it turned orange. I guess I didn't leave it in long enough, but it was well past the time the directions sais. Ever since then, I have gone like yourself to get it done professionally. I look at it this way - we, as moms are always the last on the list. The kids get everything first from clothes to whatever else they need. Getting my hair done is the only thing I do for myself for pampering purposes. Afterwards, it looks good which makes me feel good.

C. T.

I've used Garnier Nutrisse for several years now with good results. It covers my gray hairs really well, and it seems easy to use.

Ask your stylist for a recommendation! Although she'd hate to lose your business, even temporarily, she will completely understand. She can give you tips on how to avoid big disasters, and maybe even give you advice on how to apply the color to get the results you want. I think you should enlist her help on this, and then when you are ready/able to go back to the salon, she will have kept a satisfied client.

Call the clariol hotline - the number should be on their website (I got off the back of the box) and they can advise you and send you coupons. I had a problem trying to get the bleachy blonde highlights out too and they helped - I think it was use nice n easy but without the reactive agent and another time I had a problem once where the herbal essence color turned out too dark - wash with abrasive shampoo like head & shoulders.

Hi T., I used to do all over color and foil high-lights myself until I had a baby. I always used FERIA. I like the color, it comes with it's own all-over high-lights. I also went to Sally Beauty Supply and bought the Loreal brand, I think, lightener. You get a lot of uses out of it and it tells you how to use it in simple terms. If you use foils, it helps to put a little conditioner under the foil at the top of the hair to hold the foil in place. Hope that helps.

If you can afford it, go back one more time to your stylist and have her color your hair back to your more natural color or do low-lights. Then, you will be set to color from home and not worry about the highlighting. I use Nice and Easy (106a) just to color out my grays and brighten my natural color up. I have lots of natural hilights, so I have never worried about adding more in.

Hi T.,

I just found a woman that does highlights and a cut for $60, so I bet just highlights would be less and maybe she would be flexible if you have fallen on hard times. But she does a FABULOUS job!!! She is located in Bartlett, IL. Email me if you want her contact info! She's a stay at home mom and home-schools her kids so she's only available on MOndays right now but after her kids (15 and 17) graduate she will probably take on more clients.

Take care,
H.

Hi T.,
I hear you and had the same problem, but if you a near us I found a girl whois a stay at home mom and works out of her home. She is in Zion IL. Are you close? I get my hair cut, colored and styled 40 bucks. I have been telling all my friends and I learned of her from a friend.
If you want info let me know.
J. H.

Hi T.,
I have someone I use in Antioch that is VERY cheap and good at what she does. She has her own business at home so you are the only one there at the time (read...not spending 2.5 hours getting your hair done at a salon!). Post me separately if you want her name and number.

I know a lot of "do it yourselfers" with their hair. They've all ruined it. Sallys won't sell product unless you have a cosmetology liscense. Most of their product are old fashioned and don't work as well as the newer things in the market that modern beauty shops use. Call some of the more reasonable shops that cut hair for $10.00...they charge a lot less than for foiling than most shops. It's also cheaper to have a few well placed streaks put in your hair rather than foiling.

I was at a local beauty college and one of the instructors said if I was going to do at home coloring to stick w/a product like L'Oreal esp. the excellence creme.

I hope that helps!

Try going to a local beauty college. They are great places to get your hair and nails done and also for facials for dirt cheap. I know it sounds scary, but everything that they do is supervised by the instructors. Cutting is one thing, but with the coloring, the instructors have more of a say so. Discuss your concerns with the receptionist and she will probably call a director to talk to you and explain the process so that you feel more comfortable. You can also request a more "senior" student.

Good luck!

I like nutrisse and nice n easy because they come with a conditioner, and nutrisse has fruit oils, and my hair is always softer after coloring than before.

I have been using one of the other of these for 16 years with no ill effects, and decent gray coverage.

I can't help with the highlights or hair falling out-- no experience there.

good luck

Check Craigslist in the beauty classification. Many salons offering free cut or color. You may have to travel to the city but some of these are offered in top Chicago salons.