DIY Hair Cuts / Colouring - help!

thiftybee

Hey!
I have no money to go towards a salon cut and colour - the salons in my new local area don't have any student nights on, and are mainly afro hair specialists (I don't have afro hair). I'm also in a strictly medical/healthcare uni, so no NVQ students! All the women in my family are very insistant that you always go to a salon, but frankly, I just can't afford to do that!

My hair is coloured blonde from light brown, roots are big(!) and it needs a trim. I'm looking to dye it brown so it's more 'normal' for my hair. Not a massive change in colour, but I haven't done this at home before.

Does anyone have recommendations for hair dye?
Any hints or suggestions for a first time dye?
Has anyone cut their own hair? How did you manage it?

Thankyou so much in advance!

HeidiHi

Dye wise I'd go for a permanent dye in a natural looking lighter brown than you really want as close to you natural colour as you can get, because in my experience they always come out a little darker than the box.

Is your hair long enough to put your hair up into a pony tail on the top of your head? If it is you can just chop some off the pony tail which gives you a layered look.

Other than that I'd recommend getting a home hairdresser round. Some of them only charge a few pounds for a trim.

alisont

I was getting fed up with my hairdressers charging £36 for a cut:eek: so signed up for citydeals - groupons and my last 2 cuts were £12 at top salons in Birmingham. Am booked in at the Aveda salon in Brum for haircut and orgainc colours end of the month for £30.

Another idea is to ring round all the local salons ask if they have model nights/days - ones by me offer 1/2 price with the new graduate stylist, half price model nights, £5 nights and even free cuts - never hurts to ask!

I know my friend uses the Superdrug own brand hair colours - she gets the permanent ones and it looks good. Still need to do a skin patch test just in case it does not suit you?

Id say basically cover things in the bathroom with old towels and use a timer so you keep the dye on for the right time, get everything you will need ready and stay in the bathroom - less mess! Having said that dyes these days are miles less mess.

If you have an NUS card you get 10% off there.

Mobile hairdressers are good too - my friend pays £10 I think.

dogcat_2

Hi, I always colour my own hair....I use Boots own colourant. I am fair (with quite a lot of grey) and I dye my hair blonde. I always get nice comments on it and have been dying it myself for years. I have never cut my hair myself....but my hair is long and I very rarely have it cut.

Becc4

you could ring around the local colleges to see if they have appointments for their students, I've just had a fantastic treatment and cut, with best blow dry, (look so glam) for £10!!! only down side was took 2 hours but luckerly I had the time to spare. it was first time I have ever tried a training college and I amd definatly going back.

raven-333

I always colour my own hair i use Superdrug own brand i find it better then the more expensive brands. But make sure you use old towels.

Youdontseeme

Where abouts in London are you?

I have had major probs finding someone I am happy with since moving here, I only get mine cut every 5/6 months (I do colour myself) and by the time I decide to go back to a place the person I liked has usually gone!!

YDSM

joyfull

I've cut my own hair for years. This is a really good method and it works....

http://community.livejournal.com/feyeselftrim

flippin36

Hello, this method is brilliant for self trimming. In fact recently I needed a good 2" off the back and it worked very well. This was recommended to me on the longhaircommunity.com which is the method most of them use.

http://community.livejournal.com/feyeselftrim

www.longhaircommunity.com - they have lots of advice on everything hair and most of them are DIY.

Edit :joyfull - sorry just seen your post - looks like we both recommend feyeselftrim