Hair coloring at home anyone?

Do any of you do it yourself? I have random strands of gray throughout my hair, not entire sections, and at times it even looks like highlights. I've been getting it colored in salon for years but it's very expensive for something that people at work say is very easy. I'm nervous about making a mess in the bathroom and the color not looking good. I thought to ask here also. Clairol is the brand I hear most about. Opinions?
thanks.

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

I do it at home. I forget what brand I use. I used to use Feria, but b/c it was permanent it would eventually turn orange. I just do a semi-permanent. I have dark hair, so I find semi-permanent lasts longer than what the box says.

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

I use Garnier Nutrisse. But only the Auburn/Brunette shades. I'm going to a professional to get my blonde back. It was very easy and I never had a problem with mess. I do have to say I HATE the smell.

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

I go to the beauty supply and buy Wella products and mix them so I can do exactly what I want...

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

I have dark brown hair and would love a slight auburn tint to it. What happens in the sun during the summer though? I would hate to have a funky orange color or have it look really dull quickly.

Lisa, what confidence you must have to mix your own colors. I'm impressed. How did you even start doing that?

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

Lisa, do you recommend Wella over Clairol? You jarred my memory with combining colors and I remembered a few years ago my hairdresser wrote the Clairol #'s down for me. I can't believe I actually found that paper! She used 1 and 1/2 of one color and 1/2 of another. I hope they still make the same dyes. I would love to start with that and see how it comes out.
How do I prevent from making a mess in the bathroom? Maybe I'll take a bath for the entire 25 minutes. What about the shower and window curtains? Do they get splashed with dye?
As you can see I am very nervous about this whole thing.

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

I've used Clairol before when I was light blonde (the Torrid colors...001 platinum lightening), and they work great!

Be very careful when mixing and applying b/c it does stain...I would also buy a bottle of dye remover in case it stains your skin, but it usually comes off when you wash it...

I mix and apply in my basement bathroom b/c I don't care if its gets messed up right now...but before that I just used a bathroom that had a tile floor and rolled up any bath mats and moved anything stainable before hand...and I wear an old bathrobe that I use just for this...

make sure you have plastic gloves

Use a shower cap on your head after you apply to prevent drips and mess...also helps when your scalp itches

I just then rinse in the shower using gloves, and when I see the water running clear I take off the gloves and shampoo and condition...

Its easy as that!!!

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

I have the same situation. I refuse to pay salon prices to color my hair the same exact color just to cover grays. I use nice & easy. very true-to-shade. just make sure to wipe off any cream that gets on your face ASAP. it's so easy and cheap!! make sure you put down a bunch of towels around the bathroom, bring a timer & some mags into the bathroom.

Re: Hair coloring at home anyone?

Thanks Annie. It does sound easy. I'm waiting to hear from Clairol about the color.