Is Sally Hair Dye Good?

woman dyeing her hair with Sally hair dye

If you’re looking to change your hair color, you’re probably asking yourself: Is Sally hair dye good? The answer is a tentative yes. If truth be told, part of its consumer appeal is affordability. You can pay as little as $10 for an at-home dye kit, while a salon treatment can easily cost $50 to $150.

As is usually the case, the opinions of at-home dyers clash with those of professional cosmetologists. While Sally’s color has won the hearts of thousands over the years, it seems that professionals remain steadfast in their stance opposing the use of DIY boxed dye.

Today we are going to check out everything you need to know about boxed dyes and—more importantly—how Sally’s selection of colors stand out amongst the fray.

Is Sally Hair Color Good?

As mentioned above, yes, Sally’s hair color is good. It has avid fans that have used their colors for years (some even being salon owners). Interestingly, differences in opinion arise when comparing the product to those of a beloved professional quality dye; of course, the dyeing process and the experience are going to be quite different. 

A majority of colors from Sally Beauty are box dyes, though most agree that their quality is a step-up from those you would find at convenience stores. Box dyes are viewed by hairstylists to be damaging in the long run and of poor quality.

Which is why they want clients (and just everyone, really) to steer clear of their use. On the flip side, there are some stylists that find that they prefer a boxed color to a professional-grade one for various reasons from the application to the results.

Why Is It Bad To Use Box Dye?

The biggest reason cosmetologists are against people using boxed dye is because of the lasting effects it can have on your hair. After using a box dye, your hair may feel dry and crunchy—or, your tried and true box dye suddenly turned your hair a blotchy green.

More times than not, it is these notorious instances that have given boxed dye a bad name. Furthermore, you will have to end up getting a color correction done. 

Which Box Dye Is Least Damaging?

Alright, so it turns out box dye can be quite damaging. Oops. The good news is that this is not the end-all, be-all of handy boxed colors. If you are still interested in using box dye there are some options out there that have been known as some of the least-damaging box dyes on the market.

These dyes include Revlon ColorSilk Permanent Dye and Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Dye. Keep in mind that the least damaging dyes you can opt for are semi-permanents, as they don’t contain ammonia.

How Often Can You Put Box Dye In Your Hair?

Generally speaking, you can apply box dye to your hair as often as you like. On that note, it is not recommended to do so frequently if your hair is seriously damaged. 

The consensus is that—while you can do whatever you want with your hair—it is best to let it do its own thing for at least 20 days following the most recent dye with the max time between dyes being around 8 weeks.

What Should I Use Instead Of Box Dye?

Box dyes can be incredibly damaging to your hair, and they do not always turn out the way you want them to. At best, they leave your hair looking blotchy and uneven, and at worst, they cause scalp redness, irritation, itching, scaling, flaking or blisters.

Luckily, there are lots of alternatives to choose from including henna dyes, root touch-ups (a good example would be Madison Reed), and color washes (items like Keracolor Clenditioner can be accessed through Amazon with ease) that professionals have sworn by. 

Additionally, Unicorn Hair by Lime Crime has been taking the world by storm in their effectiveness on dark natural hair and their damage-free, semi-permanent dyes.

Is Sally’s Color Better Than Box Dye?

Many devoted to Sally’s color do claim that the products are better than your average OTC box dye. Meanwhile, others believe the products only seem different because of a pro-quality sticker attached to a lot of their dyes that make customers see past any present flaws with the product.

It is true that many of Sally’s dyes use ingredients similar to other box dye, though the overwhelming popularity of Sally dye is undeniable. Sally’s is easily the largest beauty supply store in the country, and its huge selection of dyes is a huge selling point.

How Long Does Hair Dye From Sally’s Last?

The length of time that your hair dye from Sally’s lasts depends on a few factors. These include the brand, product type (semi, demi, or permanent), and how you care for your hair. Luckily, Sally Beauty has a hair coloring guide that sheds some light on this matter. 

Quick takeaways include the time which you can expect dyes to last: Permanent colors will last significantly longer than demi-permanents, which will last “20-28 shampoos”, and semi-permanents, which are only projected to last about “4-15 shampoos”.

Are Salon Dyes Better For Your Hair?

After all of this information regarding boxed dyes and Sally Beauty, it is only natural that you are left to wonder if salon dyes are truly better for your hair. Unfortunately, they are not always the better choice. 

Don’t get me wrong: there are tons of benefits for getting your hair dyed at a salon, or even just for a consultation. Cosmetologists have years of experience under their belts and will know how to fix just about any hair problem.

More than anything, the biggest problem that is encountered is an inescapable chemical within most hair dyes themselves, professional or not: p-paraphenylenediamine (PPD). This chemical allergen in just about all dye types is the primary drive behind minors under 16 being unable to dye their hair in most professional settings.

Although there is no real way to go around PPD except for hoping that you are not allergic, professional-grade dyes also face some other shared issues as box ones (damage caused by bleach powder and developer is nigh avoidable in all cases).

What Is The Safest Brand Of Hair Color?

There is not a clear-cut brand that is deemed to be the safest hair color out there, but there are plenty of respectable options for those who are concerned about the chemicals in hair dyes. If you are one of these folk, then seek out brands that are hypoallergenic, all-natural, or organic in nature.

Moreover, these are usually the safest options for those with a sensitive scalp. My personal favorite brands include IGK and Overtone. They have all the amazing shades that you’d expect from a high-end hair dye brand. Furthermore, they’re also vegan and cruelty-free.

Final Thoughts: Is Sally Hair Dye Good?

Taking all of this into account, there are a lot of love-hate reviews out there for Sally colors. What works for you won’t work for everyone, and vice versa. The tendency is that box dyes should be limited if possible because of their lasting damage on your hair. However, you may find that you absolutely adore box color—and that is totally fine! 

One of the greatest things about beauty is the creativity that drives it and the individuality that is born from it. Rest well knowing that box dyes are not necessarily supposed to be avoided, but that everyone should be aware of the effects it can cause. If you happen to be concerned about box dyes, there are great alternatives that are easily accessible. 

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By Cierra Tolentino

Cierra Tolentino is a beauty writer at Kintegra Research. She loves keeping people up-to-date with the latest beauty trends in skincare, hair care, and makeup. Finding answers to tough questions is her thing. When she has free time you can find her chasing down a clumsy toddler and obsessively drinking tea.