NP here. What is a non-chemical shampoo? I use the shampoos for color-treated hair, but they leave my hair feeling very greasy and unwashed.

I have a gray streak I color. My stylist says to use semi-permanent and go a little lighter than your natural color, so it doesn't show up on the non-gray hair. Has worked for me.

Most of the dyes for at home use are just fine- they aren't any different than salon dyes. The only time someone would need to use a salon is for lightening dark hair- anything beyond 2 shades lighter because that involves a chemical process that must be done correctly or there will be orange hair. Otherwise- color your hair at home....and stay away from harsh shampoos, try to wash a couple of times a week with a sulfate free variety, and use lots of good conditioner- because really those are what keeps your color longer, not the salon dyes. You will be amazed at the money you will save and your hair will still be gorgeous. If you want to highlight- you can do that too- if you are going a shade or 2 lighter only. Color your hair, then paint on selected strands or pick up a small ponytail of sparse hair on top and use a shade lighter or two shades lighter- that is a good technique.

I like Olia, too; i've used the medium brown and it matches my natural dark brown pretty well.

I vote for the OLIA hair color, but I keep it on at least 10-20 minutes longer than suggested on the box because I have stubborn grays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are no good at home hair dyes. Go get it professionally done and then try to touch up the roots if need be between visits.

Do you think you can pick a color off of a box top in CVS that is NOT going to look awful.

Yes, I think I can pick a color off a box top in CVS or target or giant and it does not look awful. Been doing it for 12 years. I do not have the money or time for salon color and I started going grey at 30 so you do the math.

+1 I have no trouble selecting a good color match. Maybe it's because my hair is just medium brown and nothing too unusual or fancy. Works fine for me to do it at home, and like the PP have been doing so successfully for over a decade now.

+2, and I've also been doing it for over a decade, including my own highlights. Just avoid anything that says it gives chestnut highlights - those tend to look brassy after a week or two. A hair stylist actually gave me the tip about avoiding chestnut tones.

I agree about avoiding reddish tones -- they just don't hold up as well unless they are professionally done, IMO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are no good at home hair dyes. Go get it professionally done and then try to touch up the roots if need be between visits.

Do you think you can pick a color off of a box top in CVS that is NOT going to look awful.

Yes, I think I can pick a color off a box top in CVS or target or giant and it does not look awful. Been doing it for 12 years. I do not have the money or time for salon color and I started going grey at 30 so you do the math.

+1 I have no trouble selecting a good color match. Maybe it's because my hair is just medium brown and nothing too unusual or fancy. Works fine for me to do it at home, and like the PP have been doing so successfully for over a decade now.

+2, and I've also been doing it for over a decade, including my own highlights. Just avoid anything that says it gives chestnut highlights - those tend to look brassy after a week or two. A hair stylist actually gave me the tip about avoiding chestnut tones.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are no good at home hair dyes. Go get it professionally done and then try to touch up the roots if need be between visits.

Do you think you can pick a color off of a box top in CVS that is NOT going to look awful.

Yes, I think I can pick a color off a box top in CVS or target or giant and it does not look awful. Been doing it for 12 years. I do not have the money or time for salon color and I started going grey at 30 so you do the math.

+1 I have no trouble selecting a good color match. Maybe it's because my hair is just medium brown and nothing too unusual or fancy. Works fine for me to do it at home, and like the PP have been doing so successfully for over a decade now.

+1 for Natural Instincts (though I used permanent). I hadn't dyed my hair in many years until 2 weeks ago and so far the color hasn't faded at all... I also do not use chemical shampoos or wash my hair very often.

Anonymous wrote:there are no good at home hair dyes. Go get it professionally done and then try to touch up the roots if need be between visits.

Do you think you can pick a color off of a box top in CVS that is NOT going to look awful.

This is just silly. Not everyone has the time, inclination or $$$ to go to a salon every time. Some of us are content with the DIY option.

Anonymous wrote:there are no good at home hair dyes. Go get it professionally done and then try to touch up the roots if need be between visits.

Do you think you can pick a color off of a box top in CVS that is NOT going to look awful.

Yes, I think I can pick a color off a box top in CVS or target or giant and it does not look awful. Been doing it for 12 years. I do not have the money or time for salon color and I started going grey at 30 so you do the math.

there are no good at home hair dyes. Go get it professionally done and then try to touch up the roots if need be between visits.

Do you think you can pick a color off of a box top in CVS that is NOT going to look awful.

The Natural Instincts does not cover grays very well for me. I used the dark golden brown.
This time I switched to the Nice'n Easy dark brown, kept it on for the full 45 mins and feel that it works better. Two weeks so far, and the color is holding up. However I do not wash my hair often, and do not use chemical shampoos.
The John Frieda color has good reviews on the ULTA website. I would be interested in knowing people's opinions.

I would start with a semi permanent which has very low peroxide and washes out after awhile. It mostly coats the hair so it wont lighten but the grays will look like highlights. I would think most semi permanents would be safe...I used to use Natural Instincts but have too much gray and had to move onto permanent. I heard their formula changed and isn't covering as well as it used to, but worth a shot.

I've never dyed my hair before at-home, and have only gotten highlights 1 or 2 times many years ago, but I'm about to take the plunge as the grays are starting to take over my dark brown hair. What would you recommended for an at-home hair dye that is very gentle on the hair as my hair damages easily?