My first attempt at coloring my hair myself happened around age 14. It was chaotic and a bit of a mess, but afterward my hair boasted a gorgeous red hue and I felt on top of the world — despite having random flecks of red on my face and neck.
That moment marked the start of a long-standing love affair that’s lasted more than two decades.
I’ve experimented with every red imaginable, cycled through a variety of blacks during my goth era (blue-black, purple-black, jet black — you name it), and dabbled in a few purples. I’ve used cream formulas and mousse varieties. I’ve endured some mishaps where my roots emerged a vivid orange while the rest of my hair looked like a muted red. Still, I always return to box dye.
The chief reason I’m hooked on at-home dye is that I can’t stand the idea of paying someone a lot for a service I know I can handle. I’ve had salon color before and appreciated the outcome, but my DIY jobs look just as good to me and cost a fraction. Even after twenty years of coloring my hair, stylists have frequently complimented how healthy it looks.
7 Tips for Using Box Dye Without Looking Cheap
If you want to skip the expensive salon trip and get a polished color at home, try these tips.
1. Pick Your Shade Wisely
If you’re staying close to your current tone, boxed dye will usually deliver. But if you plan a dramatic switch, a professional colorist is still the safer choice, despite the price. I use box dye for darker tones often, but I’ve paid for a salon appointment when I wanted to go lighter.
When selecting a box color, don’t assume the shade on the model will match your hair. Refer to the shade charts — they indicate how the color will appear based on your existing hue.
If your present shade isn’t shown on the chart, that particular box probably isn’t right for you. Put it down and keep searching.
2. Apply with a Bowl and Brush
Many home dye kits suggest applying directly from the bottle. Using a mixing bowl and an application brush, though, is far easier and produces a more salon-like finish. A brush helps distribute dye evenly, while a bottle application can lead to uneven patches (trust me, I’ve been there).
You can buy these tools at a local beauty supply shop, or reuse a plastic food storage container to mix. Just designate it for hair dye only going forward.
3. Make Sure You Have Enough Dye
My hair is fairly thick and falls to about my bra strap; I use two boxes when I color. I’ve bought just one box before and run out, leaving my hair patchy and unattractive.
When my hair was shorter in a bob, one box was sufficient.
If your hair is thick or long — or both — consider purchasing two boxes, or even three, to be safe.
4. Protect Clothes and Skin
No matter how experienced you are with DIY color, you’ll likely get some dye on your clothes. I wear an old concert tee and a pair of worn shorts while dyeing. I also drape a towel around my neck and clear the vanity of items that could get splattered.
Most importantly, use the gloves included with the kit. Since I often use two boxes, I put on one pair of gloves for application and the other for rinsing.
I keep an extra towel nearby to wipe up spills on skin, floors or walls immediately. If stains sit too long they can become permanent — and then I have to hear my partner complain.
5. Section Your Hair
Don’t apply dye haphazardly. For a thorough, even color, divide your hair into four sections: two at the front and two at the back. Secure each section with clips while you work.
Begin with the rear sections, clipping them up as you complete each area. This method means the back pieces receive dye a bit longer, which helps the overall result look more natural because the back of hair is often slightly darker than the front.
6. Rinse Thoroughly
When the timing is up and I hop in the shower, I wet my hair slightly and massage the dye as I would shampoo to spread it evenly and achieve a more professional finish. If there’s leftover product in the bottle, I use it in the shower and work it through for a few minutes before rinsing well.
After rinsing, I shampoo my hair to remove any residue from my scalp and neck. This reduces extra dye transfer to towels and clothing while drying. You’ll probably still see marks on your towel, but they usually wash out.
Be sure to use the conditioner that comes with the kit. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. The conditioner softens hair and helps seal the cuticle, which prevents further color development.
7. Give It a Break
The more you wash colored hair, the quicker it fades — especially red hues, which lose vibrancy fast. I rarely wash more than every other day and often stretch it to several days between washes. Some days aren’t ideal, but I’ll blow-dry sweat out after a workout or use dry shampoo to stretch time between washes.
Hair color can transform your appearance, even with minor changes. Dyeing at home is an economical substitute for salon services, and with these pointers, it doesn’t need to appear cheap. For resources about local programs and parenting essentials, check out baby box california.
