Okay, readers, it's time to have the talk. Yes, the talk. The talk that we all avoid. The talk that makes you uncomfortable and feel oh so awkward. I am talking about box color. Dun dun DUN!
I am devoting an entire post to box color, because it's important.
I have heard many women say, "I can't afford color at a salon."
I understand everyone is on a different budget. I understand some only get their hair cut once a year. Some get highlights, color, and cut every six weeks. However, one thing that truly makes me sad, is when the woman who says they can't afford color at a salon, ends up emptying her pockets in order to get a color correction after a mishap with box color.
So let me start at the beginning.
What is box color?
Box color is not made of the same chemicals and product professional color is made of. Box color is actually textile dye. Textile dye is what is used to dye clothes. Textile dye is not made for the hair, which is why it is so cheap ($2-15 a box). Box color may also contain metallics. If you receive any chemical process (color, perm, relaxer, etc.) after using box color that contains metallics, the metallics could react with the chemicals, causing your hair to melt, potentially leaving you with a chemical haircut, bald spots, etc.
It's simple, I just mix part one and two together, and apply, right?
It's not that simple. Professional hairstylists take a lot into consideration when formulating your color. We evaluate your hair's texture, porosity, level, previous color processes, and more. We create a color formula that will give you the desired look while not compromising the integrity of your hair. It is crucial that each color process is formulated for you. You cannot and will not get that with the box color you pick up on aisle 10 at Wal-Mart.
Bleach is bleach, right?
Not quite. If you have dark brown hair, and you want that light blonde, ashy, Khloe Kardashian look, I can promise you, you will not get that with Garnier box color. Actually, I am 99.9% sure, you will not get that perfect blonde no matter how light/dark you are before that color application. If you have dark hair, your hair will turn out orange. Your hair all turning orange, would actually be easier, but chances are, you will get what is called "hot roots." Hot roots is when your roots are lighter than the rest of your hair because of the heat that radiates off your head. So your hair will be copper orange in some places, bright yellow in others, and maybe even red on your ends. Why is this? Well, each level has an underlying pigment. As you lift pigment out of the hair (that's what happens when you lighten your hair), the underlying pigment is revealed. The lower the level, the darker you are.
Please, do not misinterpret what I am saying. If you were to lighten your hair with box color, and the result is orange hair, this is not at all an invitation to apply the color again to get it lighter than orange. That would actually cause your hair to be over-processed, and if not melted off at that point, fried and damaged. Lightening, even when a professional does it, can be a process. But if you are patient and allow your professional hairstylist to do it as such, you will love the result without compromising your hair in the process.
What about the highlight or ombre yourself box?
Please, don't attempt this. Highlights, ombre, balayage, are color applications that even professionals need to master before they offer them as services to clients. If you don't believe me, please see below. This is a case where someone tried to do an ombre at home and sent me a picture of her result.
That doesn't look like the box, does it? OOPS!
But the box says it has keratin (or something beneficial for your hair) in it?
That also wouldn't be a salon quality keratin treatment, and it won't even matter once your hair is damaged. The most beneficial thing for your hair at that point, would be haircuts.
I feel like I have just scratched the surface, but what I am trying to say is, don't do it. You won't get the look the box advertises, your hair will be angry at you for a very long time, and most likely, so will your wallet (and your husband). Save yourself and your hairstylist the headache and start there- at the salon.
Color service at the salon: $50-100
Color correction from box color gone wrong: $200-400
Keeping your hair on your head and healthy: PRICELESS
If you have any questions or need help breaking away from the box color life, feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to help.
XO,
Haley
