First let me say this. I am not in to doing my hair. 364 days out of the year it’s pulled back into a ponytail. I don’t style my hair or have bangs. My hair is thin so layers aren’t really an option unless I want to go all out and use a bunch of products in my hair {I don’t} or spend a bunch of time on it {nope}. I just don’t care that much about my hair. I never have and I never will {sorry Mom}.
Yada yada yada…
Back in January I asked my neighbor who’s a hairdresser to highlight my brown hair blond. It had been awhile since I had had blonde hair {7 years maybe?} and I was ready for something different. Also, the fact that her salon was right across the street from me was a HUGE perk. So she highlighted my hair. And I liked it.
And then the zombie apocalypse happened. Salons shut down {including my neighbors} and so I wasn’t able to get my roots touched up. It was also summer and I was busy working in the yard. After that we moved. Until one day I looked in the mirror and noticed I had 4 inches of brown roots and was starting to look a little freaky. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
As I was learning more about thyroid cancer and how I’ll probably have to take radioactive iodine to rid my body of any extra floaty bits after surgery, and that one of the possible symptoms of fluctuating thyroid levels/radioactive iodine therapy is that your hair can fall out…. I was like WELL THEN… I better get this hair situation taken care of lickety split.
Because if my hair is going to fall out, I certainly don’t want it falling out in the condition it’s in.
And then the more I thought about it {and this is the part where you are going to roll your eyes} I was like, do I really want to spend $200 for a professional to fix my hair? Because if I shell out $200 for a hairdresser to turn my blonde hair back to brown it will certainly fall out.
But if I spend like $10 on a do it yourself job, and while my hair probably might not look as good as if I went to a salon, it totally won’t fall out because I wouldn’t have spent big money on it.
I’m sure this totally makes sense to all you rational people out there, right?
Good. I’m glad you’re on my side. 🙂
Here’s How to Dye Blond Hair Brown for Less Than $10
After not washing my hair for two days I applied Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent, 6R Light Auburn according to the directions inside the box. I did this because I read online {and we all know everything we read online is the truth} that blonde hair needs a filler color before you can go from blonde to brown. If you don’t do this, your hair could turn out super funky or even purple.
This turned my blonde hair a lovely Strawberry Shortcake red color. Then I waited 2 days and dyed my red hair brown with Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme, 513 Hot Chocolate according to the directions on the box. {Because who doesn’t like hot chocolate?}
The reason I waited 2 days in between dyeing my blonde hair red and then dyeing the red hair brown was because I didn’t think it would be a good idea to apply the brown dye to just washed hair. Anyway… It all worked out. I was able to dye my highlighted blonde hair to brown for less than $10 {and get a free trim from the HH}. And you know what? I think it turned out pretty darn good.
Being frugal and a little mental, sometimes it pays off. Who knew? 😉
Keep Calm and Carry On.
~Mavis
Tracey says
The color is great!
cathy says
I use to dye my own hair for years then I finally started paying someone to do it and was always chasing the roots. then well we all know what happened in March. I said well I am home I am just going to go gray. I tturns out I have white really white hair. Soooo after 7 months I got a hair cut and never looked back. I think the at home color works great and a cheaper alternative then the salon.
Dianne says
Congrats to you – I started to grow out my gray in April 2019! Almost there, about another few inches! LOVE not having to color it!
Lisa smith says
Last color job left me looking like Big Bird. Another 300 and it wasn’t better. I mean really , for 600 it should have been spun gold. I cut it all off. Its gorgeous white with one black streak in the middle of my bangs. Its shoulder length now and more beautiful every day.
Kim says
That turned out great!
I have always said I would color my hair, except for two reasons:
-I’m too cheap
-I’m too lazy
The end.
MEM says
I think you and HH did an excellent job, Mavis. I used to color my hair but within 10-14 days I would have one inch of white at the roots. And that was with “permanent” hair color left on for the maximum time. Plus I’m convinced it was damaging my hair. I went through the awkward stages of leaving the white and silver alone and gradually getting the color cut off. At 61, I am now 90% silver and gleaming white – and use a purple shampoo to keep it that way. Interestingly, young people love the color of my hair yet women 40+ tell me they wish they could be “brave” like me and stop coloring their hair. Every once in a while I wonder if coloring my hair again would make me look younger but my hair has gotten so thin with menopause that I think color would make more of my scalp show.
Lace Faerie says
I started covering gray hair at 23. Had auburn hair and I think natural red fades the fastest of all god-given hair colors. At 50, I realized I had been coloring my hair for over half my life! (Yikes! The money I spent ! . ) With a paternal aunt who was stark white (from red head) by 40 and my maternal grandfather who had a full head of silver hair at 30, I really didn’t stand a chance of keeping my red hair very long.
It took 3 years for my hair to go all white and silver but I had a great stylist who cut the layers of my hair in such a way that there was no hard line of grow out, looked like a natural progression. I use Matrix So Silver to remove the yellowiness that happens with heat and sun damage.
Most complimentary of my glitter strands are men in their 60’s+ and teenage girls! I consider it a blessing to be living now (58 is GREAT!) when gray hair is in vogue!
Blessing to you, Mavis, on your health journey!
Joely says
Nice color (both of them!). The HH gives a great haircut!
Robin in WI says
I’m on your side. 😉 I hate spending more than $20 with 20% tip on a haircut (I do my bangs myself) and that’s only once or twice a year, or even every 2-3 years. The few times I colored my hair in my 30s for something different, I did it myself. No plans to do it again; my hair is still brown at 52 and I won’t color it when the white comes in.
Best wishes for your health journey.
Mavis Butterfield says
I don’t think I’ll color mine when it goes gray or white either.
Née Nee says
Mavis
You did a great job most people don’t know the part about the filler but you absolutely did the right thing because if you don’t put back some pigment in the hair you could have turned out green or purple depending on what the base was in the color you used
Thank goodness you didn’t turn out a blue hair !! Alway go with a neutral shade N on the box ash will cut the gold but you need to be careful so you don’t end up looking like smoke!!! Glad you did your research!!
Now that you only spent 10 bucks No hair will fall out !!
Take Care and Happy New Year
Tricia says
I stopped going to the salon for color as well. Expensive, couldn’t find the time. I do it myself and my husband helps. I went 8 months without a cut then chopped off 5 inches. Your hair looks great!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I use Nutrisse Garnier all the time. It is the most gentle of the cheap colors in my opinion. I have never paid for salon color or an expensive hair color at home. However, I have had one problem. The next week, I had snow white roots and around the front side from ear to temple to the other ear, I had white roots and did not know why. My hairdresser said I should apply the color with a brush. Well, a toothbrush did the job after I applied the color. I don’t use it all over, just where I can see and after I apply the color. This one thing stretched my time between hair coloring to about two more weeks. Your hair looks great. I might try Garnier 513. I presently use 515 but like your color. Good job, both of you.
Katherine says
Two years ago I was tired of chasing the roots too. My hair was going white with a tiny touch of gray in one place so I had my stylist put in some highlights to blend with the white and help the transition.
Kathy says
Great job, love the color.
Carol says
Your logic is very sound. I agree if you would have spent $200 clearly your hair would fall out! It looks great.
Post Thyroid be prepared for your voice to be different for a while.
Julie says
Mavis…I don’t know if I told you but I had my thyroid removed when I was 24. I had a big tumor wrapped around my esophagus. I don’t remember losing my hair though. Yours is beautiful. Oh, and I’m 63 years old now. Keeping you in my prayers.
Jennifer says
Started coloring my hair about 10 years ago and dhs 15 years ago. O’Neal #5 for u s and the whole process is a breeze after the first time. When COVID hit, I said screw it and went gray. I quit wearing makeup too. Happy with both decisions, but totally support those who still do it. I can cut dhs hair, but only do my bangs, so I’m learning to deal.
Mavis, night and day on things loading today vs. yesterday!! Thx!!
Jennifer says
L’Oreal #5
Brianna says
I am very surprised to desire to color ones hair starts at such a young age. My 9 and 6 year olds both have asked to color their hair. I was clueless until I saw some of the kids in their classes and sure enough several kids have noticeably colored hair. It is nuts. I did highlights off and on in my early 20s, but I decided it wasn’t worth the price. I am a natural blonde and as I have aged it has gotten darker and now I have white poking though. People never notice because it blends well, except the hair texture is totally different. I am content as is.
Kathy says
Looks great!
Jeanine says
Well, I’m convinced….I will not color my hair EVER!! Just to go through all of the process would put me over the edge. Many years ago, a friend painted some highlights in my hair and it just grew out and didn’t even make much difference. My hair used to be brown, now it’s looks almost blonde with white blended in. I get many nice compliments on my hair, so I’ll keep it this way! I am as well on the cheap side. I cut my own hair and bangs. It may not look as even as it should, but I curl the ends, so it doesn’t show so much. My bangs…sometimes I cut them too short, so I look funny for about a week, but since I only go to the store for groceries and I’m wearing a mask…no one really pays much attention to my bangs.
Margo says
Love the color, Mavis! I started dying my hair when the greys showed up, somewhere in my 40’s. My sister has Snow White beautiful hair but my grey is mousey. I would do it at home from the box every month until for some reason had an allergic reaction. One day, I colored my hair as usual and then Woke up the next morning, passed a mirror, and didn’t recognize myself, my entire face was swollen. Ended up in the ER and found out I was allergic to the stuff. Dr. Wasn’t sure if I may have reacted to ammonia in the kit or to the dye itself, so, sadly, I’ve never done it again. Funny thing was, I had to pick up a nephew at the airport after leaving the ER. He recognized my husband but not me! In my 60’s now and still have that mouse grey hair, but goes better with my non swollen face
Jules says
My natural blonde is turning browish so I’m thinking $10 is about right to try something new. Thanks for the tips!
Sue says
Looks great Mavis!
Elle says
I stopped with the colors about 5 years ago. The money spent and the time driving (my stylist moved and it was 45″ each way after work). I’m going grey and I’m fine with it. I’m with you. I’m not “into” my hair and it’s in a ponytail 75% of the time. (I try not to do that on the day I wash it.)
Your hair looks great!
Lyra says
You got to be a blonde, a redhead, and a brunette all in one week, woohoo! Looks fantastic, nice job on the trim HH! I wonder if mine will be willing once my hair is a bit longer too. You’re going to kick that cancer in its tush with the same gusto and determination you do everything. Keep on being amazing YOU!
Tia in Boise says
i use the semi-permanent Natural Instincts every 2 months to hide the white. i’m only 51 and have had white hair creeping in for over 10 years–a small amount still, but lots around my face–and my hair is pretty wavy/kinky–I just feel the white makes me look so old…. coupons.com has good coupons for that brand every month or 2!
definitely understand and buy in to your cost vs. fallout theory! (the dollar store sunglasses never break or get lost, but the expensive ones do!)
Eileen Morgan says
HI Mavis,
I just want to let you know that I too at age 19 was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. At the time they also had seen a shadow heading to my chest cavity. I underwent surgery to remove the thyroid and then had radioactive iodine treatment. I did not experience any hair loss and I also have thin hair to begin with. I am 63 now and have never had another issue with the thyroid. Once they get you on the right dosage of thyroid meds you will not notice a difference. I hope this brings you some comfort and hope.
Catherine says
Once the pandemic started I stopped going to the salon. I now refer to my hair color as Covid gray and I’m totally embracing it. Of course I’m 65 and it is totally age appropriate.
Donna Sanford says
Your hair looks great.. I have always dyed my own hair because I’m with you $10 versus $200. Then I started having a salon do it because after it was bleached out in the summer the dye would create a mossy gray color. I’m thinking your 2 step process would solve that problem. Now I’m 65 and thinking natural gray is my friend.
Terena says
I completely agree with your hair logic. And Tia’s sunglass theory. Fits with my washing the car theory (don’t do that unless you’re prepared for rain).
I experimented with hair colours and perms when I was younger but with age (I’m 57) I’ve accepted that I’m not a person who’s prepared to keep up with the maintenance! I have lots of white grey coming in but not fast enough…
Linda Sand says
When I stopped coloring my hair I also went with highlights to help the mixed color roots blend in. Now my iron gray hair is turning silvery white on its own and I love this new color.
Tracie says
Awesome job, and I agree completely with your logic!
Sandy says
I am a natural redhead ( strawberry blonde) age 64. My red hair has turned darker and almost auburnish brown over the years-no gray.
I use Loreal 8RB- and then a hightight kit-very sparse and light. I used to pay tons to get this same thing done-now my hairdresser ( well- have not seen her in 10 months) and the entire staff in the salon thought it was professionally colored. Crazy. It is almost exact color of my youthful red hair. I can’t believe it!
I only have to color it every 3 or so months. My roots are darker brownish /red so I can wait quit awhile. I am really lucky.
Dying your hair is the cheapest and safest way to look younger-different and have fun!
Karen L Andersen says
About hair loss post-radiotherapy, yes, that will happen and it will go on slowly for a few months. In my case, it was hyperactive thyroid for which I took it, and two months later was my wedding. My (now ex)husband, w pattern baldness, was thrilled when he discovered the hair in the tub wasn’t his. It will grow back in our case!
Lindsey says
I am in my 60s and the only time I colored my hair was orange for Halloween once. Wasted effort, as the colorblind husband did not even see the difference!
JoAnn Moran says
It looks great. I didn’t know about the filler, and I thought I knew a lot about hair color. I’m sorry you’re going through this stressful time. You are in my prayers.
Heather says
Your hair looks great, but I hate boxed hair dye. My hair gets super dry and i never live the color. I’ve been buying my own professional color and peroxide online and mixing it myself. It only costs about $5/month to dye my roots and I love the color. All you do I mix the color 50/50 with the peroxide. Easy peasy
Vicki Fetui says
I think you both did a great job. I think it looks wonderful.
It seems that everyone is going grey/white these days…I don’t think I am really grey enough to go with that yet, although my (5 year younger than me) sister is totally white haired (she took after my mom-beautifully thick as a horses tail and white – not to mention she got her bust line too). I, on the other hand took after my Dad. Thin with very little grey (even his parents in their late eighties hardly had grey) – oh and I took my bust line after him too! lol.
I think you are going to come through your surgery and treatment with flying colors. I think of you every day and I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending you love and light!
Emily says
I 100% understand the logic that if you spend the big money it will fall out. Our brains do crazy things don’t they?
Also, while I know people and pets are not the same, I wanted to let you know that my cat had a thyroid condition treated with radioiodine. She did wonderfully! It was seriously a miracle treatment for her. I hope your treatment goes just as well.
Meredydd Cooper says
I have a friend who was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer shortly after my mother died from the same disease. I informed her that 1. She was not allowed to die and 2. since she expected her hair to fall out from chemo and radiation treatments, that I was knitting her hats. After all, no friend of mine is going to wear headgear that screams : “Hi, I am a cancer patient.”
I wish you good fortune and uneventful treatment/recovery. Oh, as an added “benefit”, your hair may grow back curly following the completion of your treatments. It is an interesting while it lasts!
Aggie from Ohio says
Ladies, if men look handsome and distinguished with grey hair, then women look wise and wonderful with their grey hair !
Rita says
I have stopped coloring since March so I have a distinct line between white and the medium brown that I used to be. For those of you who do color at home, here’s a tip… $ tree has a limited range of hair dye for $1. There is enough product to color roots but no cream rinse. I tried it about three years ago and waited for a problem but not so. It is just as good as the name brands and the color holds up as I can vouch for that…wishing it would fade.
Hope you keep your hair, Mavis and wishing you all good things in the New Year.
LaToya says
My hair didn’t fall out per se with the RAI treatments, but I had super fine hair before and it seems like that made it worse/thinner. I have dark hair, and you can see really see my scalp due to the lack of hair.
Also – I’ve been dyeing my own hair for about the past 4 years. I do the Loreal Feria stuff and get it for either $7 or $9 depending on sales/coupons at the time. I’m trying to grow my hair out to all one length, so I haven’t even paid for a cut in a couple of years. I stopped paying $100+ every 2 months for a cut and color and and do the cheapee cuts places when I do get it cut. The older I get, the less I care about my hair!
KCB says
When my thyroid went crazy (not cancer) I had to do the radioactive iodine treatments. I can’t remember how many but I know that I had several. I had a bit of hair loss but I have thick hair so it was not an issue. However my eyebrows got very thin & have remained that way. My entire thyroid was removed.
Heather Tolman says
Go to the beauty school! It’s cheap!