michael-anthony-salon-dc-hair-coloring eHere’s what Hunter Barnes, Michael Anthony Salon color stylist, has to say about do-it-yourself (DIY) hair color:  One thing I know for sure is that if you use a DIY box color product to change your hair color, the chances are great that things are going to go wrong. That’s where I come in. Let me share some facts about hair color that you won’t find in the color aisle of your local drugstore.

Hair Color is NOT a “One-Size-Fits-All” Service

There is more to coloring your hair than just mixing and applying some ingredients. When you come to a salon for a color service, the first thing a professional color stylist will consider is the color of your natural hair. Believe it or not, hair color is complex and the average person doesn’t really understand the intricacies of their natural color. Without knowing that, it’s hard to be sure which of the DIY selections will produce your desired result. Did you know that previous color treatments can affect the new color service? You won’t find this kind of information on the box found in your local drugstore!

Hair Color is Chemistry…and Art

Whether you are looking for a dramatic change or just want to brighten up your look, a salon color service is the way to go. Here’s how it works:

A colorist will mix two or more colors to achieve the proper tone and level of color. A developer is then added to the color mixture. The developer determines the amount of lift, color deposit, or gray coverage needed to give beautiful, long lasting results. A professional colorist, with an eye for the art of color, will also know which type of color service – single-process, foil highlights, Balayage highlights, etc. – will work best for the look you are hoping to achieve. Put simply, color stylists are trained to use chemistry and technical know-how to achieve the results you want.

DIY Hair Color Disasters Can be Expensive

The thing is that usually people try the box products to save money on hair coloring. Unfortunately, the result is often spending even more money at the salon to fix the at-home job.  Hair coloring gone wrong can be expensive to repair. When you try to make a dramatic color change – dark to light or vice versa – salon techniques are the proven ways to achieve the color you desire AND maintain the integrity of your hair. Your perfect color treatment is probably not found in your drugstore aisle. And if the result ever comes out less than perfect in the salon, a good salon will work with you to make it right – definitely not something the DIY box color will provide!

The moral of this story? Before you try to DIY with drugstore box color, pick up the phone and call your salon colorist. You will save yourself heartache and money. Remember, a licensed trained professional will always have more to offer than a box or a drugstore sales clerk.

Hunter Barnes is an award-winning color stylist with a passion for blondes and a creative, edgy approach to cutting.

Request an appointment with Hunter!