I've colored my hair from a box. Is it worth going to a salon? What's different?

[Anonymous]

I have dark brown long hair. About 2 years ago, my hair stylist told me that I didn't have quite enough grey to warrant going to her pricey salon and that I could just use L'oreal from a box. I've done that a bunch of times. I think my hair texture has gotten worse since I started to use the box color. I use the ammonia-free kind of color - which seems to fade after 4 weeks or so. I'm about to color it again, and I'm considering just going to the salon.

What will be different? Will there be less damage to my hair? Will the color last longer? Will it take forever? The salon offers INOA + haircut for about $200. Was not planning to do highlights at this time. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

It is $95 for a single process color (demi-permanent) at the Georgetown salon I go to. I also have very little grey.

I go about every 5.5-6.5 weeks. In the summer it fades/changes color more so it is on the more frequent 5 week side.

My texture is still pretty silky and shiny, not damaged. I'm 43, btw. I get it cut every other time I go--which is more that time--another $90.

I am afraid to do the box, but several of my girlfriends with dark brown hair do and it looks fine.

[Anonymous]

I think it's worth it just for the knowledge the colorist has. I usually get red/organge highlights (I'm a young nanny) done and love the work my guy does. He's in Bethesda and reasonably prices since he sets his own prices.
He also recommended a differed hair shampoo to me and now even my red lasts me at least 2 months.
So for me it's definitely worth it.

Also, for being colored for 8 years, my hair is not at all damaged. If you have a good colorist, he'll know how to dye your hair without damaging it.
Another reason why I love my person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's worth it just for the knowledge the colorist has. I usually get red/organge highlights (I'm a young nanny) done and love the work my guy does. He's in Bethesda and reasonably prices since he sets his own prices.
He also recommended a differed hair shampoo to me and now even my red lasts me at least 2 months.
So for me it's definitely worth it.

Also, for being colored for 8 years, my hair is not at all damaged. If you have a good colorist, he'll know how to dye your hair without damaging it.
Another reason why I love my person.

Who is your guy? He sounds good.

[Anonymous]

yes, please share his name. I am searching for a good person in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's worth it just for the knowledge the colorist has. I usually get red/organge highlights (I'm a young nanny) done and love the work my guy does. He's in Bethesda and reasonably prices since he sets his own prices.
He also recommended a differed hair shampoo to me and now even my red lasts me at least 2 months.
So for me it's definitely worth it.

Also, for being colored for 8 years, my hair is not at all damaged. If you have a good colorist, he'll know how to dye your hair without damaging it.
Another reason why I love my person.

Who is your guy? He sounds good.

His name is Patrick and he's at Lux Studios on Montgomery Lane. I've been going to him for the last 6 years and absolutely love him.

[Anonymous]

I have been dying my hair for years, and it's not damaged. I had my hair professionally colored a couple times and was not happy with the results--once it turned out green!

[Anonymous]

So what does this Patrick guy charge? No info on the website.

[Anonymous]

If you have a good colorist, the results will be head and shoulders above any result you can get with store bought dye. The dyes you buy in the store are harder on your hair than the color used by professionals. In my opinion, $95 is way too much to spend on one step color. $65 is what I spend in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a good colorist, the results will be head and shoulders above any result you can get with store bought dye. The dyes you buy in the store are harder on your hair than the color used by professionals. In my opinion, $95 is way too much to spend on one step color. $65 is what I spend in Rockville.

Totally agree - the results you get in a salon are worth it.

[Anonymous]

It's exactly the same. The majority of women just like paying a ton of money to get color done in the salon for fun.

[Anonymous]

I get my hair colored at Hair Cuttery for the simple reason that I would drip dye all over the house because I would not be able to sit for 45 minutes at home without being interrupted by my kid or something else. My colorist blended her own color to match my natural color. They use Redken there and my hair feels good afterwards. If you can find someone you like at HC I recommend them. I pay about 65 for a cut and color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's exactly the same. The majority of women just like paying a ton of money to get color done in the salon for fun.

You couldn't be more wrong. Someone with experience with both types of color would not say this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what does this Patrick guy charge? No info on the website.

I usually get part single processed color and partial two-toned highlights (two different highlight colors) for about $150. I imagine something more basic is cheaper, though I also have pretty long, thick hair...lots to dye. A cut is ~45 I think. I don't know his exact prices, I rarely actually cut my hair, I usually just color it.
I think his prices are reasonable, and I know 100% that I'm walking out of there looking great for months to come.

[Anonymous]

If all you're doing is a single process demi-permanent with no highlights, and staying close to your original shade, then the box dye works fine. I've been using L'Oreal or Clairol for years and get compliments on my hair all the time. My hair is medium brown and about 20% gray.