Hair color -- do it your self or professional?

[hellokitty777]

I've always colored my own w/ OK results ... Now I have hair loss and have been professionally getting semi-perminent color for $68 plus $50 for a hair cut and the results do not last long and Im only washing my hair every other day, Oh yuck. Three weeks and the color is gone. Have to deal with 2 weeks of gray. Any of you guys just color your own?? Clairol naturals or something with out amonia?? Happy Results? Can i just use clairol excellence as I've been (perminent?) ---

[finaleofseem]

I've always colored mine on my own. I don't do it anymore, though, out of laziness.

I used Loreal Color Expert, a permanent dye. I liked that they had "warm" and "cool" designations on their boxes, and always had good results going a medium auburn/cinnimony red. I never noticed any ill-effects from coloring it. It was just a pain in the butt.

I've wondered about the Clairol Naturals and similar products, but really don't have any experience with them.

[hellokitty777]

what does the professional use on you and the cost if you don't mind my asking. My guy was giving semi perminent for $68 PLUS a $50 hair cut every five weeks. Kinda steep to me ...then last time he adds an extra $20 to the cost? This was for Redkin simi color.

[finaleofseem]

Oh, I think I was unclear -- I don't use any color on my hair now that I don't do it myself. So, there's no professional doing it for me, either. I've thought about it, but again, I'm lazy. :)

However, from having friends and family members who get their hair done regularly (seriously, my mom goes to get hers colored every four weeks on the nose), I can tell you that's steep for what he's giving you. Generally, most places will include the cost of the cut with the color. I'm not sure the price of the all-over color is unreasonable (it's generally between $65 and $80 around here), but in my opinion he should NOT be charging you for the haircut on top of that. Where my mom goes they assume when you're getting a color done that you'll want a cut, too, so they factor that into the price of the color.

[dazzleca]

I do it myself every two weeks ... I am REALLY gray (started in my 20's and now in my 50's I'm at least 75% gray). I use Excellence by L'Oreal - can get on sale for $6.00 ... which is considerably less than the $50 my hair dresser charges !