Salon Color Vs. Box Dye: 4 Reasons To Head To The Salon | Hair.com By L'Oréal

Salon Color Vs. Box Dye: What You Need To Know Before You Color

Getting ready to color your hair? Here’s what you need to know about salon color vs. box dye, according to an expert.

By Hair.com & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

Update Date: 07 Aug 2023

Picture this: You’re settling into your colorist’s chair, sipping a cup of coffee, looking at inspo for the blonde hair color you’ve been dying to try. Just as your beloved stylist starts to run their fingers through your hair, your stomach turns to ice. While salons were closed and you were dealing with quickly fading color or stubborn gray strands, you cheated on your pro colorist with box dye.

No judgment here—life happens! However, it’s important to understand the difference between salon color and box dye—and why professional color is always the best option. We tapped George Issa, L'Oréal Professionnel artist and co-owner of Roula & Georgio Salon and Spa, to find out everything you need to know about salon color vs. box dye.

How is box dye different from salon dye?

You might think the hair dyes lining the shelves of your local drugstore are the same as professional in-salon formulas, but the truth is that there are major differences between the two. Box dyes are pre-made formulas that are made for all hair types, while salon hair color is custom made for each client. Box dyes contain a set amount of chemicals that may be too harsh for certain hair types, which can lead to damaged, overpigmented, or overprocessed hair.

Many box dye formulas also contain ammonia, a chemical that can damage strands and cause them to be dry and brittle. Professional hair color formulas are often made without ammonia to ensure that hair isn’t damaged during the coloring process. Even if your professional colorist uses a formula made with ammonia, they have the training necessary to help mitigate any damage.

Are salon hair dyes better?

Simply put, when it comes to salon color vs. box dye, it’s always best to get your hair colored at the salon by a professional. Salon formulas better for your hair, and having a pro colorist apply it also ensures the best results. When you consistently receive professional hair color, someone’s carefully formulating the shade to do the least amount of damage possible and regularly examining your strands to ensure they remain healthy. When you decide to go blonde or red velvet, that same stylist figures out the best way to lift the previous color or transition you to the new shade, Issa explains.

“A professional hairdresser can utilize techniques like foiling and balayage to apply color that enhances the client’s face and cut,” Issa says. “He or she takes into consideration hair color history, current hair health and texture, current hair color and even thinks about the right hair care routine to care for color-treated hair, and the type of hair one has...These are all elements a box of color cannot do or take into account.”

Why Your Colorist Needs To Know That You Used Box Dye

If you have jet black hair naturally and use box dye at the roots to cover grays without sharing that fact with your stylist, chances are good they’re going to have a more challenging time lifting that pigment from your hair. Your appointment could take considerably longer, or the process could require multiple visits.

So yes, when in doubt, stylists want you to be honest about box dye. Most stylists won’t fuss over your wavering loyalty to their services. They just want you to leave your appointment feeling gorgeous.

“I don’t like to judge any client's habit when it comes to box dye,” Issa says. “Clients might have a reason to do their own color, and I’m here, as a professional, to educate them and tell them what is good or bad for their hair.”

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Salon Color Vs. Box Dye: What You Need To Know Before You Color

How is box dye different from salon dye?

Are salon hair dyes better?

Why Your Colorist Needs To Know That You Used Box Dye

What is the least damaging way to color hair?

How To Help Minimize Color Fading Between Appointments

How To Help Hide Gray Hair Between Appointments

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