Dying your hair at home is certainly cheaper than getting it done at a salon but it's not bargain if your hair doesn't look good.
It can also more work to colour your hair at home: apply dye, wait, wash. But Michele Trinchillo says it's worth it.
"As soon as my grays are covered, I feel great and I feel like going out and showing everybody my hair," she said.
Consumer Reports 13 home hair-dye kits that cost four to $13, from big-name brands like Clairol, Garnier, and L'Oreal.
"We tested both permanent kits, which are supposed to last until the hair grows out, and demi-permanent hair-dye kits, which generally last through 24 to 28 washings," said Jamie Hirsh of Consumer Reports.
Following the directions on the package, testers applied dye to almost 500 tresses of gray, human hair. Then they washed and dried the hair repeatedly. Testers then used a colorimeter to check how much colour washed out after two, eight, and 16 washes.
"We also had trained panelists evaluate how well the colour covered the gray," Hirsh said.
The L'Oreal Paris Excellence-to-Go didn't colour evenly, with spots of gray still showing.
"It also contains ammonia, which you may want to avoid because it has a strong odor and may irritate the respiratory system,"
Consumer Reports did find some kits that worked well, including Clairol Natural Instincts for men and for women.
"They got high marks for covering the gray. And they're ammonia-free," Hirsh said.
Also highly rated for coverage -- was L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference.
And since these hair dyes cost under $13, they're a lot cheaper than a trip to the salon.
For best results, do a "strand-test" on a single piece of hair to determine how long you should leave the dye on and be sure to wear gloves and cover with care --it's messy work.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
