Beauty

[sparklestar]

Has anyone ever attempted to mix their own hair color? I know the exact color I want and I do use OTC hair color, but I have no idea where to start to create the color I want.

[Icegoddess]

If you know the exact color you want, go to a hairdresser and have them do it. You probably have a better chance at winning the lottery than getting it right doing it yourself. Even the color on the box of drug-store hair color is going to be different on different people depending on the color their hair already is.

If you want to learn about mixing your own hair color to get the color you want, try this blog: http://killerstrands.blogspot.com/search/label/Level%20system

Now, the goal of the blogger is to get you to order products from her, but the information is good nonetheless. Spend a lot of time learning about levels and underlying pigments. You really need to understand that.

When you say you use OTC haircolor, are you talking about a box color? Generally, people don't mix those. You will need to go to a beauty supply store, like Sally, and buy all the products separately.

[Good4u]

Well, I TOTALLY disagree with Icegodess. I mix box color ALL the time! Now, having said that you need to mix like shades and not go to far off the color wheel. Don't mix ash with warm tones or cool with warm tones…otherwise, you will have a mess on your hands. But I have been very happy trying to get an in between shade of something I was not happy with one box shade.

However...

You can only do this with liquid dyes…creams you will not. So make sure the box color is with the same company and are liquids.

Have fun experimenting! I love doing it!

[Lipstickdiva]

If you have no idea where to start, that's a real problem. LOL

What is it that you want and what do you use now. Maybe that would help people help you.

[okiebug]

You also have to take into account the color your hair is now and whether you already have color on it. That will affect your final color. If you are going to mix your own, go to Sally's or, if you have one, a locally owned beauty supply. Small beauty supply stores are generally run by beauticians & you can get good advice. I've used Wella color for years and have mixed the colors. Start with a color at least 2shades lighter than you want, the color is always darker once applied. The store will have hair swatches that you can compare. Get all the tools, they do help. Don't try a drastic change for your first try. Have fun *s*

[Andreatoo]

I would start by shopping at a beauty supply where you can buy the individual tubes of color and then the same brand of activator or developer. I'm no professional but I've been doing my own hair for a quite a bit less than the drugstore all in one kits they offer. the tube of color will have instructions and the sales people are generally helpful.

I bought a squeeze bottle at the dollar store with some brushes and with another brand I used a plastic to go container in my kitchen cabinet for mixing! We already had the disposable gloves...

I'm naturally blondish but now very gray so I decided to go brown to make my blue eyes pop. It tends to be lighter than what the samples show, I guess because it's light to begin with, but the last time I got a haircut the stylist was genuinely shocked that a) it wasn't my natural color and b) that I had done it myself!

[OPI Girl]

I mix mine. I went to a salon and told her what I wanted, then asked for the colors she used. Now I buy them at Sally and mix them myself.

[KateChopin]

Sure---pick two and mix one half of each color, and just use one of the developers. Save the unmixed color bottles and use next time with the other developer tube.

[PurpleBunny]

Many Beauty Supply stores have knowledgeable people that can help you.

[TasMss]

I now mix my own. I really like the Age Beautiful Demi-Permanent color (from Sally Beauty Supply.) I'm now mixing 3 colors. Its directions say to mix 2 ounces of color and 2 ounces of Demi developer, so I use 1 ounce of my main color and half ounce of each of the other two with the 2 ounces of Developer. It's working great for me. And I don't get the terrible too-dark-color that you usually get for the first week or two.