Beauty

[Jordan2]

I dye my own hair, I have been using Natural Instincts by Clairol. This is a semi-permanent dye. It seems this is the only one on the market now. Loreal and Garnier had them  also but discontinued them. My hair is about 25% gray. I'm thinking more and more of using permanent color as the hair at my temples doesn't take the color well. I was wondering which color is the most most goof proof can't mess up for a newbie?I was looking at a Garnier one that goes on like a foam, I figured that would be the least messy. Also is it easy to clean the dye from skin or counter tops like the semi-permanent or does it stain? Right now I color about every ten weeks, how often would I have to color with permanent dye? Lastly does the color ever come out of your hair or does it have to grow out? These questions may sound silly but never having used permanent dye I'm a little leery. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[PinkyPetunia]

What is your natural color and what color do you want to achieve when you color your hair?  I am also about 25% gray and I quit the semi-permanant dye ages ago as it didn't cover gray well.  I don't think the permanent dyes are all that different from the semi-perm ones.  

I currently use Clairol Nice & Easy in Light Golden Brown and it comes out nice looking and covers gray well.  My natural color is a medium brown.  I have no problem with the dye staining my skin.  If some gets on the counter and I don't wipe it up right away, I clean it with a cleanser containing bleach and the spot is gone.

Yes the dye is permanent and has to grow out, but that's the whole point.  If the semi-perm isn't covering the gray then why bother using it?  I color my hair every 6-7weeks otherwise too much gray shows at the roots. 

You are more experienced than you think.  It sounds like you are ready to try the permanent dye.  Go for it.

[Katmary]

Funny, I'm still somewhat new and I started with Natural Instincts, but instead of having auburn hair, 60& of it had pink highlights from all my grey! I switched to my Mom's, L'Oreal Preference, and really like it, though I switched to medium brown.  When I went to my hair dresser she was able to use a semi-permanent on me, but I guess the box version wasn't strong enough.  It's still too bad they are dicontinuing all of them!

I haven't tried tried Garnier's foam one (I think there's more than one) but am very curious about it, so do share if you try it! As far as getting up stains, I wear an old shirt and make sure to wipe the sink, my face, the floor, etc. as I go along, and you should be able to get any leftover when you're done.  My hair's long and on the thick side so I need to use two boxes. That means leftovers are 20 minutes to 30 minutes, the longer the harder to get off of things.  Like with the semi, you put it on your greys first, then the rest after a certain time.

As far as when to color, the only answer is when your roots are ready to be covered, and depending on the color, you can just do the roots every other time if you want.  If you're careful with what products (like non-sulfates) you use and heating products it ought to last a long time.  The color won't come out, but it may fade some if you don't do anything to it.  If you decided to use a different color that was close to your own or what you colored, you'd just dye like regular.  If you're coloring dark brown hair black and you dedide to go platinum, definitely ask around as I know there's a few steps there!

I'm sure you will get great answers plus if you searched on coloring at home you'll pull up many posts (trust me, before I started I read all those and STILL asked a bunch of questions!).  Sorry about those things below, I went to post a smile and it wasn't where the smilies were, but a spoiler tag and I hope they're gone when I send this!

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[Jordan2]

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@PinkyPetunia wrote:

What is your natural color and what color do you want to achieve when you color your hair?  I am also about 25% gray and I quit the semi-permanant dye ages ago as it didn't cover gray well.  I don't think the permanent dyes are all that different from the semi-perm ones.  

I currently use Clairol Nice & Easy in Light Golden Brown and it comes out nice looking and covers gray well.  My natural color is a medium brown.  I have no problem with the dye staining my skin.  If some gets on the counter and I don't wipe it up right away, I clean it with a cleanser containing bleach and the spot is gone.

Yes the dye is permanent and has to grow out, but that's the whole point.  If the semi-perm isn't covering the gray then why bother using it?  I color my hair every 6-7weeks otherwise too much gray shows at the roots. 

You are more experienced than you think.  It sounds like you are ready to try the permanent dye.  Go for it.

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My natural color is medium Brown with red highlights. No matter what color I choose it always comes out darker than I like but then lightens up with a lot of red in it. I would like my hair to be a bronze or caramel color.

[funwun]

Hi Jordan, I just started coloring my hair with Natural Instincts a few months ago (after years at the salon, I finally had enough of the inconvenience and expense of something I could do myself and better even lol). I'm about 50% gray and learned to leave the color on for 20 minutes instead of the recommended 10. This completely fixed the problem. I use the medium brown warm on my dark hair and love it. Natural Instincts also has brown shades with more gold, if that's your preference. I had permanent hair color done for years in the salon and found it harsh and a bit drying. It will fade very subtlety over time, but will stain. I'm going to continue with semi-permanent for as long as I can because it's definitely gentler and I love the natural highlights it creates. Permanent color will emit a more flat, uniform color. This is my experience, hope it helps. Good luck)

[funwun]

I also wanted to add, I go down a shade in the Natural Instincts (I have dark brown hair so I go to medium). I would advise doing this whatever brand or type of hair color you choose. 

[cwsj]

I use eSalon.com and love it.  You submit info and a photo and a stylist will work with you to suggest a color.  Color stays true but I have enough gray that I need root touch up every 3-4 weeks.  They send a packet of skin protector to rub on skin arouns hairline to avoid staining.  Also 2 sets of gloves, packet of shampoo and conditioner, and a packet with a stain wipe in case you do get a stain. 

[feline groovy]

@Jordan2 wrote:

I dye my own hair, I have been using Natural Instincts by Clairol. This is a semi-permanent dye. It seems this is the only one on the market now. Loreal and Garnier had them  also but discontinued them. My hair is about 25% gray. I'm thinking more and more of using permanent color as the hair at my temples doesn't take the color well. I was wondering which color is the most most goof proof can't mess up for a newbie?I was looking at a Garnier one that goes on like a foam, I figured that would be the least messy. Also is it easy to clean the dye from skin or counter tops like the semi-permanent or does it stain? Right now I color about every ten weeks, how often would I have to color with permanent dye? Lastly does the color ever come out of your hair or does it have to grow out? These questions may sound silly but never having used permanent dye I'm a little leery. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

L'Oreal Healthy Look semi-permanent and Garnier HerbaShine semipermanent are both atill available at Ebay and Amazon.

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[Desertdi]

I bleach to pale yellow, and then use Fancifull as a toner.   I use all the blonde shades......and vary them to suit my mood(!)

[Shelbelle]

Revlon Colorsilk for me for last 18 years, no ammmonia, permanent and under $3 at Target and Walmart.