Xuzi Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I'm thinking of coloring my hair for the first time ever, (not counting the highlights I got *once* back in 2002 for my wedding) but I don't want to shell out the $$ doing it at a salon. So what drugstore brands work well? I have medium hair. Not thick, but not baby-fine either, and I have medium brown hair with some natural yellow highlights on the top which I really don't like because they make my skin look yellow too. I want rich, dark brown hair with just a touch of auburn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWOB Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Nice and Easy has a lovely shade of reddish-brown that sound just like what you want. I'd stay away from Feria at first. I've been coloring my hair for years now and only had a bad experience with Feria. My hair was both purple and orange at the same time. I was going for red:glare:. Excellence and Garnier Nutrisse are pretty good too. Now, if you just want to try out a color, I'd start out with one that washes out after 28 or so washes. I think Natural Instincts is a semi-permanent color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 If I do it myself, I go to Sally Beauty Supply, & buy developer & Wella color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 (edited) I've tried the expensive boxes and I still keep going back to Clairol. I get nice highlights and my hair feels soft and healthy. I've used practically every color but blonde. Hey, I like change. :) I only use the neutrals because my hair naturally pulls red highlights. I've been using Light or Medium Natural Brown. You could try Medium Auburn, but you might be surprised at how red it is. Also, remember the color progressively darkens, so do the root method at least every other time or your ends will get really dark. Edited March 13, 2011 by Mejane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xuzi Posted March 13, 2011 Author Share Posted March 13, 2011 I've tried the expensive boxes and I still keep going back to Clairol. I get nice highlights and my hair feels soft and healthy. I've used practically every color but blonde. Hey, I like change. :) I only use the neutrals because my hair naturally pulls red highlights. I've been using Light or Medium Natural Brown. You could try Medium Auburn, but you might be surprised at how red it is. Also, remember the color progressively darkens, so do the root method at least every other time or your ends will get really dark. I've never colored my hair before, so you'll have to explain what the "root method" is. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I've never colored my hair before, so you'll have to explain what the "root method" is. :lol: She means just putting the color on the new growth at the root, every other time, so you don't overdye the ends. I like L'Oreal, the two step kind where you color, then add what my kids call "stripes." :D I actually gave up coloring about 2.5 years ago, so I'm all natural now. I found the color I used really looked much more natural than a one color overall did. Also, be careful with reds--they fade, and look dull very quickly, imo. And, use the little tube of conditioner that comes with the color--you use some of it the first time, then every few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Medium reddish brown, I think (I recognize it by the girl on the box.) It's Excellence Creme, and I love it. It's very thick, so it stays on your hair and doesn't run while you wait. I've used it for years and years. People compliment me on my hair color, not realizing it is colored. My own hair is brown and (mostly) grey, but it was red when I was a kid, and I have the coloring for it. I am a bit tempted by the new foams, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in KS Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I like Garnier Herbishine. It is semi-permanent and eventually washes out, which I like much better than having different colored roots (which is what happens when you have permanent color). My biggest advice is to test with a strip first. With my hair I need to buy quite a bit lighter than what I want. I have medium to dark brown hair and need to buy dark blond to maintain the medium-dark brown color. If I buy even light brown, it turns my hair black! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I use a cap and do highlights, but my girls use a henna product called Syrya Henna Cream. You can get it for $7-$10 on prime. It's a semi-permanent but seemed to last a while. They have a bugandy color that's to die for. It's all natural. We stay away from dyes that contain Paraphenylenediamine or PPD because one of my kids had a severe reaction to some fake black tatoos on her leg. The skin blistered and scarred in the outline of the tatoo. When we went searching for the cause (at first I thought it might be poisoned) I found out it was the PPD causing a severe contact dermatitis. It turns out that it's in most brown and black permanent and semi-perm hair dyes, including fake hennas, and can cause facial hives, choking and renal failure in sensitive individuals. It's also a known carcinogen and has been banned in some European countries. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 L'Oreal. I don't worry about roots since I don't do the same color twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I always use the Clairol Natural Instincts with my kids because it is supposed to wash out in 28 shampoos but actually takes about three months. Also is very slowly fades back to your orignal color which I think is good. It is an excellent place to start if you have never colored before. If you are trying to go to a lighter color, I recommend the brass-free formulas. If you know you want a permanent colors I like the creme excellence (what-ever brand that is) and beware that if you have any tendecy towards red highlights you are going to end up with reddish tones in your hair no matter waht color you pick. Finally, trying to add highlights to darker hair is best left to professionals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarlaB Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I use L'Oreal Excellence in Medium Brown...its close to my natural color w/out red or gold tones. I had been using L'Oreal Superior Preference in the same shade, but was starting to get too much gold/brassiness. ;) I color to cover white (not grey) hair. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I've tried the expensive boxes and I still keep going back to Clairol. My stylist and my retired beautician mil uses Clairol, too. For dd's highlights, I use Loreal Frost and Design with great results (suggested by beautician mil). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSNative Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Nice and Easy has a lovely shade of reddish-brown that sound just like what you want. I'd stay away from Feria at first. I've been coloring my hair for years now and only had a bad experience with Feria. My hair was both purple and orange at the same time. I was going for red:glare:. Excellence and Garnier Nutrisse are pretty good too. Now, if you just want to try out a color, I'd start out with one that washes out after 28 or so washes. I think Natural Instincts is a semi-permanent color. You and I had the same exp. with Feria. Purple and orange blotches. Was hideous. I had to get it professionally dyed black to fix it. Eek!! Now I use the semi-permanent and play. Currently, I'm sporting Toffee Taffy. Is a little darker than I'm used to, but I still like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeathenMom Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Body-Art Quality Henna :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in OK Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Twice now I've done the boxed Clariol color. It washes out for me in about three weeks. And I wash my hair every other day. I'm trying the stuff from the beauty supply and get the developer and a bottle of color. Hopefully it will last longer than three weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Loreal Dark Brown. I used to use Medium Brown, but it faded too fast. Dark Brown lasts much longer. My hairdresser likes the color I use. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&NMom Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I use Clairol Perfect 10 and it's #5, but I can't remember the color name. I was using 5A, but 5 is a bit lighter and I like it better. Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 This is what I use as well. Love it. I got 12 boxes for $2 each about 1.5 years ago. I am almost out, have one box left and then I will have to go back to full price.....still way cheaper than the salon. Dawn She means just putting the color on the new growth at the root, every other time, so you don't overdye the ends. I like L'Oreal, the two step kind where you color, then add what my kids call "stripes." :D I actually gave up coloring about 2.5 years ago, so I'm all natural now. I found the color I used really looked much more natural than a one color overall did. Also, be careful with reds--they fade, and look dull very quickly, imo. And, use the little tube of conditioner that comes with the color--you use some of it the first time, then every few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaTanya Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I love Revlon Colorsilk. I have sensitive skin and have reactions to many things, but this has never bothered me. It has no ammonia and Revlon has a "no animal testing" policy. My hair feels soft and looks natural. I found that, on me, the color tended to look a little darker and more reddish than the box photo, so I chose a shade lighter than my usu. light brown -- "dark ash blonde." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetBean Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 (edited) Natural Instincts: Hazelnut I have med. brown hair with natural blond highlights, now getting silver highlights. This color seems to look the most natural. The warmer tones bring out two much brassiness, and make my hair look orange. This one is just right. Edited March 14, 2011 by SweetBean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayden Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I've only colored my hair on my own twice...just recently discovered grays and I can't afford the salon treatments every 2 months. I used Garnier Nutrisse both times. #42 (deep burgundy/black cherry, which wasn't as fun as it sounded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdie Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 If I do it myself, I go to Sally Beauty Supply, & buy developer & Wella color. That is what I use - I have dark brown hair and use Wella Color Charm #511 for light brown hair. Go figure their light brown color is really dark brown with a little red in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Revlon Colorsilk #30 in Dark Brown. It's a perfect match to my natural color and it's the cheapest one too! :hurray: :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xuzi Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 So, what I'm gathering from this thread is, just about any brand will do. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Punky color plum. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Punky color plum. ;) OOOH awesome! Pics Pics! :D What brand do you use?? Is it long lasting? I've heard that some of the wilder colors are really poor if you DIY as in they don't last long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 BTW, I have two brand new boxes of Garnier Nutrisse in shade #40 that I know I'm not going to use. I started a thread on it to give them away and nobody wanted them. If anyone wants them let me know. I'd like to see them go to someone who can use them. I don't know what else to do with them. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 OOOH awesome! Pics Pics! :D What brand do you use?? Is it long lasting? I've heard that some of the wilder colors are really poor if you DIY as in they don't last long. Punky color is the brand. I've had better results with this brand than Manic Panic. My natural hair color is dark brown/black and with Manic Panic it simply looks darker - not purple. It doesn't last overly long, maybe two weeks in lessening degrees. It washes out a bit each wash and I don't bleach first (bleaching strips the follicle). It will last much longer if you bleach first. You have to wear gloves, jelly your neck and forehead, protect the area where you will be dyeing. Don't wear gloves and you'll have smucker's grape jelly hands for days. I'm OK with the wash out as if I have to go into the office (I have a corporate job but work remotely), I can wash, wash, wash and you'll only notice it's purple if the light catches it a certain way. I don't dye it this color all the time but every now and then I give myself permission to act younger than my age (people 40 and over living in 'respectable' suburbs should not dye their hair purple). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Punky color is the brand. I've had better results with this brand than Manic Panic. My natural hair color is dark brown/black and with Manic Panic it simply looks darker - not purple. It doesn't last overly long, maybe two weeks in lessening degrees. It washes out a bit each wash and I don't bleach first (bleaching strips the follicle). It will last much longer if you bleach first. You have to wear gloves, jelly your neck and forehead, protect the area where you will be dyeing. Don't wear gloves and you'll have smucker's grape jelly hands for days. I'm OK with the wash out as if I have to go into the office (I have a corporate job but work remotely), I can wash, wash, wash and you'll only notice it's purple if the light catches it a certain way. I don't dye it this color all the time but every now and then I give myself permission to act younger than my age (people 40 and over living in 'respectable' suburbs should not dye their hair purple). hehehehehe Awesome! :) Love the "smucker's grape jelly hands" :lol: I can totally picture that. hehe I would love to dye my hair a punky kind of color. I'll turn 40 this September so I feel like my time is running out to do something wild. Fortunately my face doesn't really show my age. I don't have any wrinkles or anything yet, but I wonder what my dh's reaction would be. :lol: He's almost 50. I'm sure my dd would be embarrassed to be seen with me, but if I didn't do it now then when, kwim?? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parias1126 Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 ION @ Sallys Beauty Supply! I used to use the drug store hair dyes, but not since using the ION! It makes a world of difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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