We totally get why you might be tempted by a box dye. It\u2019s quick, cheap and sitting right there on the supermarket shelf, promising glossy, even colour in under an hour. All without leaving the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But while at-home colour can work for some people, it is not the same as the professional colour we use in the salon. And the results can be worlds apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So before you reach for a box, Cheryl, our colour specialist, shares what you really need to know about salon colour vs DIY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d says Cheryl. \u201cBox dyes are designed to work on anyone\u2019s hair. So whether your hair is fine, thick, natural or already coloured, it\u2019s the same formula.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make that possible, box dyes often use stronger pigments and higher developer levels so they\u2019ll \u2018take\u2019 on all hair types. This means they can easily over-process finer or previously coloured hair, leaving it too dark or patchy in places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you come in to see me,\u201d Cheryl explains, \u201cI mix your colour just for you. I look at your hair type, texture and what colour is already there. Then I fine tune the tone, depth and strength so we get the exact result you want, while still protecting your hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you book a salon colour, you\u2019re not just paying for the product. You\u2019re also paying for your stylist\u2019s training, expertise and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs colourists, we don\u2019t just pop a colour on and hope for the best,\u201d says Cheryl. \u201cWe check your scalp, your hair condition, how your hair reacts to colour and what undertones are already there. Then we plan your colour around that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We know how different shades interact, how to blend for a natural finish and how to correct unwanted tones safely. We see dozens of colours every week on different hair types, so we know exactly how the product will react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, in the salon, we also use professional treatments and bond builders during colouring to protect and strengthen your hair. You leave with the right shade and <\/em>hair that still feels healthy, together with advice on how to keep it that way at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No guessing. No DIY disasters. Just colour that\u2019s been crafted for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any chemical hair colour (box or salon) changes the hair structure. The big difference is control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the salon, I\u2019m checking your colour all the time,\u201d says Cheryl \u201cI can adjust timing, watch the tone change and stop the process at exactly the right moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a box dye, everyone uses the same timing and strength, even though no two heads of hair are the same. Repeated box dye applications can lead to colour build-up leaving a heavy, flat tone that looks dull and feels dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, box dye is cheaper upfront. No denying that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if something goes wrong, colour correction can cost far more than a professional colour would have in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Salon colour also tends to last longer, fade more evenly and stay truer to tone. Which means fewer touch-ups and better-looking colour for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If price is the biggest worry, chat to us. Cheryl explains, \u201cThere are ways to make professional colour more affordable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You still get gorgeous professional colour. Just at a lower cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n #1. Whether you colour at home or in the salon, always do a skin test at least 48 hours before. Allergic reactions can happen even if you\u2019ve used a brand before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #2. Follow the instructions exactly. Timing, sectioning and mixing all matter. And if you\u2019re watching YouTube tutorials, choose professionals or trusted channels rather than viral hacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #3. After colouring, use a good quality conditioner and avoid overlapping colour as this can cause more damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Home colour has its place for some people. But professional colour gives you something DIY never can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A completely tailored result that\u2019s kinder to your hair and easier to maintain long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re not sure what\u2019s best for you, pop in for a free colour consultation,\u201d says Cheryl. \u201cWe can chat through your budget, your hair goals and what\u2019s realistic. Then come up with a plan that works for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because your hair deserves more than guesswork. It deserves expert care. And colour you absolutely love.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We totally get why you might be tempted by a box dye. It\u2019s quick, cheap and sitting right there on the supermarket shelf, promising glossy, even colour in under an hour. All without leaving the house. But while at-home colour can work for some people, it is not the same as the professional colour we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13,"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reedhair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Stay in control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cost: The big question<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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DIY hair colour\u2026 do it the safe way.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So\u2026 salon colour or box dye?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n