Has Anyone Tried Box Hair Dye? Does It Actually Change Your Hair Color Without Bleach?

Feb 3, 2013

Ella Q.

I wanna save money so I thought I might try box dye. I have dark redish brownish hair I wanna go a blonde shade. will it work?

Feb 3, 2013

Danielle I.

Probably not. It's very hard even in a salon to get your hair from that dark to that blonde in one sitting and usually isn't recommended. If you do use it it will probably be more orange than blonde. If you have to use box color I would recommended going a shade or two lighter than you have now every time until you reach your desired shade. Also you might want to use an ash color the first couple of times to cancel out the red. This is the best way to lighten with the least damage. Hope it helps

Feb 3, 2013

Michelle L.

It won't work very well. I tried it once.. My hair didn't change even a little bit! The boxes work good for making your hair darker though!!

Feb 3, 2013

Theresa K.

If you want to go lighter,PLEASE dont use box color. It will only turn your hair an orange//brassy color. To go from a dark color to that light, u need to have the dark "bleached" out of your hair. Best advise, light to dark can be done by box coloring...dark to light should be done at salon. Verrry tricky. 

Feb 3, 2013

Allyson G.

Blonde actually is not technically a color, rather is the missing pigmentation from your hairs cuticle. The ULP, or underlying pigment is what you are left with when bleaching the hair at each level. It's very tricky to control the ULP with box color and can be very damaging. I would consult your salon for a color correction, or do a heavy highlight which is less damaging ( but still damages) but will take a longer amount of time to achieve an " all over blonde" color.

Feb 3, 2013

Stephanie D.

Nope. Forget it. You won't be able to use one box dye to go straight to a decent blonde from a red-brown.

1. Even if you buy a high-lift color, the underlying pigment of your hair is red-orange.
2. The box dye is pre-formulated and will not correct the red-orange tone...the majority of box colors have some kind of "warmth" added to their formulas, even the ones that say "ash". When you're trying to lift the hair, whatever ash is in there will be completely overwhelmed by your underlying pigment.

That's assuming you have completely virgin hair (has never been colored in any way, shape or form).

What you really want to do is a low-volume bleach and tone it with a custom demi or semi-permanent color. Since I get the impression you've never dyed your hair before, you are much better off going to a salon. 

Feb 3, 2013

Virginia M.

I am no professional by any means, but I have dyed my hair a ton and the best option is either going to a salon or going to sallys for hair dye. Box dye isnt very great for the hair.

Feb 3, 2013

Sammi E.

I actually prefer box dye rather than going to a salon :) The first time I dyed my hair it was about 110$ and the results were the EXACT same with the hair dye. However if you do choose dying your hair out of the box I recommend L'oreal or Garnièr :)

Feb 3, 2013

Hannah Y.

No it won't. I have blonde hair and box dye didn't work for me. I still had to bleach it. 

Feb 3, 2013

Ella Q.

thanks guys I guess it won't really work then 

Feb 3, 2013

Ella Q.

thanks guys I guess it won't really work then 

Feb 3, 2013

Jacqui B.

Well I use it for my hair every time & it works perfect for me & my sister (: You just have to know how to use it well.

Feb 3, 2013

Jessica S.

Color can not lift existing color. Impossible to go from a level 5 to a 9. No way. Do what Allyson said. 

Feb 3, 2013

Jessica S.

If you want to go lighter from a dark color- go to a salon. If you want to go darker from blond- do it yourself, just make sure you use a warm tone. 

Feb 3, 2013

Karen M.

Well box color does work but I wouldnt advide it for that job.

You most likely will need to lighten and its always advisable to use professional color so you can personalize the formula.

Feb 3, 2013

Karen M.

And professional color isnt expensive. You can go to Ricky's or any other beauty supply in your area.

Feb 3, 2013

Jessica S.

Any color will work- as long as you bleach it first to lift the color out. Then recolor it. Good luck wit dat.. 

Feb 3, 2013

Gabriela Nicole M.

holy crap take it from me .. its not worth ruining your hair. you won't be so upset you spent that money in the hair salon in the long run

Feb 3, 2013

Zoila P.

No if you use it you will have to do it many times

Feb 3, 2013

Kerri B.

using box color is one of the most damaging things for your hair! go to a professional. 

Feb 3, 2013

Kerri B.

don't even go to a a store where they sell hair color and stuff for making your hair lighter. go to a professional. you'll spend less money in the long run. 

Feb 3, 2013

Meagan A.

It can make your hair darker but not lighter bleach is alway necessary for light to dark && is best in a salon I bleached my hair myself and it worked perfectly but long term my hair is extremely damaged and it was impossible to achieve the same blonde to do my roots 

Feb 3, 2013

Brittainie B.

It will tint your hair but not dye it. A friend of mine had very dark brown/black hair and dyed her hair red with a box dye. You could see a light red tint in the right lighting but that was it. Hair dye is not magic, no matter what brand or type you use. If your hair is not light enough you will not get a good colour unless you are going darker

Feb 3, 2013

Jessica S.

Bottom line here... COLOR CAN NOT LIFT EXISTING COLOR!!!!!! It will not work! Brittainie- tint and "dye" are the same thing. We hair stylists like to use the word coloring- not dye. This thread is making me laugh. No matter what color one uses to LIGHTEN- meaning LIFT the color. It will not work unless you strip the hair first to REMOVE THE PRIOR COLOR. Then fill it with your desired shade!!!!  

Feb 3, 2013

Jessica S.

I swear no one get that. Its a fact. Omg.