When you're trying to save time and money for salon trips, box hair dyes are the best option. Hair color services start at P2,000, and this rate is based on your hair length and thickness. This cost can go up to P15,000, depending on how complex the dye job is. Plus, you really have to make time to have it done, because it takes long hours to get your hair colored—sometimes, it takes up to half a day.
On the other hand, box hair dyes are affordable and available everywhere—both online and at drugstores! The only con is, applying them may be difficult. It can be hard to evenly distribute the color on your own, but with a help of a friend or practice you can take the salon experience at home.
If you chose #TeamBahay over salons, check out our ultimate guide to DIY hair color that covers application tips, formulas, and the best box dye shades available in the market.
Basic reminders for DIY hair dye applications
- Do a patch test to find out if you're allergic to the dye's formula. FYI, a patch test is when you place a bit of the dye on your neck, let it set for a few minutes, and see if your skin reacts to the dye.
- Get rid of tangles before applying the hair dye.
- Follow the instructions on the label, especially the curing time of the hair dye. This is important! Leave it too long and your hair might turn orange, and if you don't leave it long enough, your efforts will be wasted.
- Cover your working area's surface with newspaper, and make sure you have a mirror. Dye is a bitch to remove.
- Wear latex gloves before mixing the developer and the dye. Hair dye is meant to stick on your hair, not on your skin. The worst part is, hair dye can leave a stain on your skin.
- Put on an old t-shirt or a black cape. The dye may stain your clothes.
- Always color the roots last because they absorb the dye faster. If you do otherwise, they will appear lighter than the rest of your locks.
- One box is enough for short hair, two boxes for shoulder-length, and so on.
HAIR COLOR CREAMS AND LIQUIDS
This type is the most widely available hair color formula. It usually comes with a bottle with a nozzle applicator to distribute the product on the tresses. Gloves are already provided in the kit.
Kolours Hair Color in Chocolate Brown
Color inspiration:
Rich chocolate brown can be your go-to choice when you're new to dyes. The Kolours Hair Color in Chocolate Brown is guaranteed to flatter Pinay skin tone: Aside from it being the closest to our natural hair color, it was developed by Splash, a local brand. This shade is also the easiest to maintain compared to other hues.
Kolours Hair Color in Chocolate Brown, P250, SM Beauty
Revlon Color Silk 46 Medium Golden Chestnut Brown
Color inspiration:
Turn to the Revlon Color Silk 46 Medium Golden Chestnut Brown to add warm copper tones to dark hair. This shade brightens one's complexion, especially morena skin.
Revlon Color Silk in 46 Medium Golden Chestnut Brown, P395, Robinsons Department Store
L'Oreal Excellence Hair Color in No. 5.6 Red Light Brown
Color inspiration:
When you've got white hair but you still want to cop a fashionable hue, try this cream-formula dye from L'oreal. The Excellence Hair Color line guarantees gray hair coverage, and they offer non-boring colors like wine red. It comes with a brush applicator so it will be easy to coat every silver strand.
L'Oreal Excellence Hair Color in No. 5.6 Red Light Brown, P399, Robinsons Department Store
Lolane Pixxel in P17 Very Light Ash Blonde
Color Inspiration:
It can be challenging to achieve the ashy gray hue by yourself, but the Lolane Pixxel in P17 Very Light Ash Blonde can ace the job. It provides the right neutral, blue-green tones to bleached, brassy Asian hair.
Ed's note: You must have your locks bleached to a level 8 to10 for the dye's brilliance to appear. Gray hair color naturally fades fast, so we recommend that you adjust its tone every three to four weeks. Lolane also offers green and blue toners to fix the brassiness.
Lolane Pixxel in P17 Very Light Ash Blonde, P169, Watsons
Naturtint in Hazelnut Blonde 7N
Color inspiration:
Naturtint is a vegan, eco-friendly, and ammonia-free fashion color hair dye that can cover gray strands. It has 97 percent organic plant-based ingredients so you can be sure that your locks won't get chemically damaged.
Naturtint in Hazelnut Blonde 7N, P599, Watsons
FOAMING HAIR DYES
Foaming hair dyes are easier to apply than cream and liquid formulas. The hair dye comes to a bubbly lather after mixing, which you would distribute on your locks just like how you would shampoo. This guarantees even coverage, especially at hard to reach places.
Beautylabo Whip Hair Color in Milk Tea Beige
Color inspiration:
The neutral tones of this brown hair color creates a timeless and lovely result. It's also a great conservative hue for strict corporate offices.
Beautylabo Whip Hair Color in Milk Tea Beige, P399, Landmark
Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown
Color inspiration:
Most gray coverage dyes come in cream form which may be a pain to apply on your own. Thankfully, Liese released a foam hair dye to help you cover silver strands with ease.
Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown, P449, Watsons
TEMPORARY RAINBOW AND PASTEL COLORS
To attain pastel and rainbow hair, one's tresses must be bleached to a bright yellow hue for the colors to appear. Stylists usually label it as level 8 to 10.
Also, rainbow hair colors are temporary—they fade every time you wash your locks. The best way to preserve their hue is to avoid contact with water; spritz your tresses with dry shampoo to get rid of the odor and greasy feel. To maintain its vibrancy, you may need to to tone and reapply the dye every three weeks.
Manic Panic Classic High Voltage Semi-permanent Hair Dye in Mystic Heather
Color inspiration:
Manic Panic is the O.G. in wild-colored, semi-permanent hair dyes. You won't be disappointed with the results!
Manic Panic Classic High Voltage Semi-permanent Hair Dye in Mystic Heather, P700, Rainbow Head
Artic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in Aquamarine
Color inspiration:
Channel your inner mermaid by wearing the shades of the sea on your locks. For eye-catching hues, try Artic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dyes. This brand is famous for their ultra-vibrant color payoff.
Artic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in Aquamarine, P600/4oz; P900/8oz, Rainbow Head
Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Tint in Sushi
Color inspiration:
Peach locks are forever dreamy, and the Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Tint in Sushi can create this exact pastel hue. It's vegan and cruelty-free, too!
Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Tint in Sushi, P1,200, Rainbow Head
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