hair coloring while on the road - RV-Dreams Community Forum

desertnurse · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: hair coloring while on the road

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jamie, my daughter Alicia colors her hair in her motorhome. always have grey water in the tank and she told me it rinses down the drain with water thereby diluting it....never had a problem with it.

I will NEVER let my grey show!!!

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Girls!

I already informed my husband that the budget will have to include going to a hair salon! I am not going without my hair dyed or my nails done. I'll give up something else but not that (Food bill can get cut back some not like I can't loose the weight). Once... notice the once! I attempted to dye my hair myself turned into a total nightmare to say the least. My hair ended up a greenish tint color and I stained the bathroom from ceiling to floor. So it's not one of my major talents. So I count going to the salon as my "pamper me I'm worth it time". I wish all you other brave souls the best of luck! Sorry but I have no handy or talented suggestions to give to help you out. I envy those of you who can do this.

Scubabeck

J Riechman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Everywhere I go I tell people about this forum. LOL I tell them if they can't find the solution to their problems - just ask. Somebody will have the answer.

I colored my hair when I was in my 20's, now I am 56 and you people have me wanting to again. I am a little bit wierdo I guess. I can't wait til my light mouse-brown goes gray and I had never thought about rushing the system with chemicles! Now I'm a thinkin........

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Scubabeck...I'm with you....it's fun that this thread was re-opened...I'm a high maintenance girl who likes nails done, pedicures (maybe because I hate to reach down to my toes!) and my hair is short and colored...no grey for me....however, I love the quaint, remote campgrounds....not just the high-end concrete padded RV parks! I figure the animals like to look at someone looking good back! My DH never makes comments unless my hair is looking unkept or I forgot my lipstick...so I figure he likes the maintenance program too!

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

What a great topic. I was a hair stylist for 36 years before I changed professions, 11 years ago. In April I just cut my hair short and decided not to color it anymore. So far, so good. (I also cut my own hair.) I am going to have to get a new picture taken for this site. I will gladly help any of you out if we shoud meet up in a campground! smile

RVKevi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I quit coloring in December and have a short cut now. My hair is really white. Kev loves it! It was only partially grown out in my pic here, so I guess I need a new pic, too. I'm glad to be done coloring it. I've always done it myself and had to do it every 3 weeks to keep the roots from being too bad, so I got very tired of it. But I still like makeup, and nail polish. :D

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

I chimmed in back quite awhile ago so thought I'd tell you what I ended up doing. I am one of those don't want to go grey yet gals so I had to figure something out for the road and decided to do it myself. I was really nervous about it so I went out to youtube and put hair coloring in the search and found a couple how to videos. It gave me the confidence to do it myself and then I went to Sally's and found the tools and a good quality hair color (I am using an Ion product and like the result). I found it was easier than I thought. I do have an old sheet to cover everything around me and the have found the shower does not stain. Sometimes I toy with the idea of letting it go grey but I am just not there yet and I think we all need to do what makes us happy. So to those out there learning to do it yourself -- Happy Hair Coloring.

NINK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi ladies, and any gentlemen who may be reading this thread. I've been enjoying these posts and was thinking I wouldn't comment, but time has gotten the better of me. I stopped coloring my hair, having manicures and pedicures, and pretty much stopped wearing make-up in 2006 when I quit working. My husband and I have been spending a lot of time in Costa Rica and I don't trust the hair products here. It took a long time for all of my hair to return to one color. Actually, it never returned to one color, more like three -- a mixture of light brown, dark brown and grey. My hair is shoulder length, but I've been thinking about a shorter cut. Just haven't had the nerve to do that yet.

Ivey · RV-Dreams Family Member

One of these days I am going to stop colouring my hair and cut it off short. Just don't know when that will be. As for the nails, I LOVE nail polish and don't see giving that up any time soon.

Vicky

sthrngirl · RV-Dreams Community Member

53 Merc wrote:
This is just a man's opinion, and we all know what that is worth. What is wrong with the way God made you? All people have an inner beauty, and it shows through any amount of paint or color that can be applied. Believe me, I would much rather see and converse with a man or woman that is honest and forthright. I realize I will get flmed for this post, but it is the way I feel. I am reminded of an old rancher in West Texas. He was on his way to a larger city nearby. He was asked if he was going to dress up. His response was, Why? I ain't going to see anybody that I know, and if I don't know 'em, why would I want to impress 'em. Lot of truth in that.

Nothing is wrong with the way God made me. He made me a woman..who likes to wear makeup. smile

I don't think it is dishonest to wear makeup. I'm pretty sure that no one believes that I have purple and gold eyelids or blue eyelashes. And I don't wear it to impress anyone. I wear it because I like it!

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

dreamjosie wrote:
Ok, I'm going to go out here on a limb and say that once we made the decision to go full time, I stopped coloring my hair. Not because I was afraid of the mess, but because part of the reason for choosing this lifestyle was to simplify my life, become less materialistic, less vain, more natural. I'm pretty happy as that is something I no longer have to fret about or spend time on. Also, as we age, the colored hair looks to me less and less natural. It's pretty obvious when you see someone in their 60's or 70's with flaming red, chestnut brown or golden yellow hair, that they are coloring it. And the older we get, the worse it looks (just my humble opinion).

I do still need to get a good cut from time to time, and that has been hit or miss. I've had some great cuts on the road, and some not so great ones. Just last week I got one of the great ones. Out of six salons I called on short notice, this was the only one I could get in to, so I worried that maybe it was because they weren't good, but what a surprise. And anyway, it's just hair, it always grows out, so it's not a big deal.

While I'm at it, let me say that I also stopped wearing makeup. What a time saver that has been. So now I spend my time just enjoying my life. I don't take an hour in the bathroom every morning, and I don't worry about my roots growing out.

And I can't say all this without also saying I have the most loving supportive husband in the world. He actually encouraged me in all the foregoing activities

You have inspired me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

desertnurse wrote:
Just curious-the bathhouses at the campgrounds-relatively private? And as for the showers, if you ran water first and made sure your grey tank was at least half full, it would be ok, right? The showers don't stain THAT easy, do they??

I've only stayed in one RV site that had a sign posted in the restroom "No Hair Coloring".

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kevin wrote:
...

I don't ever recall looking at a woman and thinking, "she would look a lot better if she would color her hair..." But then I've never looked at a woman and thought she needed any type of augmentation.

...
Just an observation and a suggestion.

-- Kevin

Bless you Kevin!!! biggrin

stonybirch · RV-Dreams Community Member

I can't beleive this is an issue! I have been bleaching, coloring, etc my heair since I was 18 yrs old. That and wearing makeup is part of who I am. Why would I change because I travel or live in an RV? I color my hair when needed in the RV, I use my own shower,along with old towels--just like I do at home. The coloring processes have changed over the years, just as my skin tones have changed. I am no longer a very light blonde, but am now have a bit darker hair. I continue to wear makeup--less at home as always, but still take a few extra minutes for a bit more when going somewhere. Getting my hair cut on the road, just ask for recomendations from the folks you meet. I have gotten some great and not so great cuts--but hair grows. It takes me about 10 mins to 'fix' my hair & face! Just because we travel a lot doesn't mean you have change you! Do what works best for you--not others! I am still me and so are you!! By the way I have a modern style cut--no shaved necks and curly tops for me! aww

jbarrett72 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hmmm....maybe I'm not being me when I go to work.... On the weekends, I don't wear makeup, mousse, blow dry, or hairspray....

lisab · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'm a former hairdresser and will be turning 50 this month. My hair has been white 'since I was in my late 20's (thanks Dad!). I've colored it myself for the past 20+ years and will continue to do it when we go on the road.
I considered letting it go "natural" a few years ago. When I asked my husband what he'd think of having a wife with white hair, the smart aleck said "I DO have a wife with white hair, she just covers it up!".

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am a newbie in the early stages of planning and clearing out clutter. I am also doing my research like crazy. I am always amazed when I dig a little deeper on this website and see more of my questions answered. And, of all things, a topic on hair coloring! I, too, color my own hair and have done so for many, many years. I am also letting my hair grow out so I don't have to "fix it" when we begin our road life. I want to keep it simple and just pin it up. I do have a question, however. Does hair color cause any damage to the drain system/holding tank? I don't want to cause us any major damage!!!

Ravenlotus · RV-Dreams Family Member

I haven't colored my hair for awhile. All thought I need to. I'm only in my mid 30's and way too young to be as grey as I am. How ever I will probably just do it in the community showers. Here were we are in UT there is a girl who colors her hair every few weeks. She is a young girl around early 20's and she does it in the community showers. She colors her hair Blue.Then just rinses real well. I have never seen any trace of her hair color after she is done. And I have seen her in the process in the bathrooms before so I know for sure that's where she does it. Me when I do get around to coloring my hair it will probably just be the front and it will be Purple. The rest are going to be in black and black and pink and black and purple candy cane synthetic dreadlocks.

rvingft · RV-Dreams Family Member

WOW! This post created a bunch of replies -- from GUYS and girls :)

I quit coloring my hair two years ago when I turned 55 and 3 months ago got it colored professionally for the first time. I am totally gray and my Grandmother was white headed at 40. The gal used a cap and pulled stands through to make it LOOK like I was just turning gray, so I was pleased with it. She used the same as my natural color, so it blended very well. It only lasted about 6 weeks though.

Getting a hair cut on the road is a pain - it's hit or miss. My style is not complicated, and I don't use product so it should be "cut & dry", but it isn't so. Sometimes I walk out happy, sometimes not - kinda like RV parks.

I also quit getting my nails done, and haven't worn makeup for about 6 years. As far I'm concerned its another stressor and cost that I just don't need. No more worrying about making an appointment in advance or getting to it on time. I carry a small nail kit with the basics and IF I want painted nails, I do them myself. 99% of the time they are not 10 perfect French tips, but who cares? I don't anymore.

An eybrow pencil and eye liner is my entire make-up kit - for special occasions, you see. (There haven't been any-yet).

I always have Burt's Bees lip gloss on hand to avoid dry chapped lips, so does that count as "lipstick"?

Since my chin hairs are ever-present, I carry tweezers everywhere - have 4 of them sitting around! And when my mustache (salon techs call them "lips") get too hairy I do apply the Sally Hansen facial hair remover. Keep that on hand always - $4 a bottle vs. $20 for ONE painful waxing at a salon evileye

About twice a summer I do go in for a pedicure because that's when I wear sandals and my feel both feel & look better after they have been done, but the rest of the year, I don't worry about it. I even convinced my hubby to get his first-ever pedicure last year (the salon was empty and at closing time, so no one saw him!) and he agreed his feet felt much better after. Yes, GUYS can get pedicures and enjoy them smile

Was that T.M.I. ? Well, you asked biggrin

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just did mine yesterday.... I confess, this lovely shade of glossy brown is not my own; in fact, it's Wella Color Charm #4N. Been going grey since I was 12. ashamed

Throw a bunch of old towels all over the bathroom, over the sink, toilet, the edge of the tub, then be very careful. Wipe up any splashes right away, keep some wipes handy. You can mix a small amount of shampoo directly into your dye, to help it rinse out more easily. I kneel over the tub, and use the shower hose to rinse and wash it out, keep it low, to avoid splashing, rinse off any splashes as you go.

Put on a moisturizing/repair pack, then wait 15-30 minutes for the hot water heater to run up again, to rinse that out. You can take a shower then.

When I go full time, I'm considering a shorter 'do... not only to mark the beginning of a new me and a new life, but also, because the washing and conditioning of long hair with just 6 gallons of hot water is a continual challenge.

For daily hair care, I've discovered a "Coconut Cowash" available at the Sally's here in Sonoma county. It's like Wen, but only $8 for a jar that lasts about 2 months. It's a high quality "shampoo/conditioner in one product" with a coconut oil base, smells yummy, and works well, just one "shampoo" and your're done! I also use "Argan Oil" (Moroccan Oil) It's about $8 for a small bottle that lasts me at least 4 months, maybe 6. Works well on the ends of my longer hair, smells good too!

suse1023 · RV-Dreams Family Member

lol, am i the only wife who maintains her hair for her dh? i promised when we married a long time ago.
mine is long and i dye it every four weeks to keep the grey at bay.
went natural for five years, i really gave it a shot! but the grey washed me out and made me look fifteen years older, so this summer i went back to brunette.
it's an expense and a couple of hours a month at the salon but what the heck; he loves it and i get double takes and compliments almost a year later, so i guess it's worth it.
and someone early in this thread suggested taking the formula with you, that's a brilliant idea.

skwirt2 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I will gladly help any of you out if we shoud meet up in a campground! smile

Loretta has anyone taken you up on your offer? do you earn a little extra by cutting hair while on the road? I have also been a hair dresser for over 30 years and have been researching the full time lifestyle! Checking out all my cash options!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well if it comes to an RV hair cut or paying the local Barber....I would gladly pay to have it cut in the campground by a Rv Hair dresser.....I prefer my money to stay within the RV community.

I do RV repairs and Refrigeration on the road and I appreciate when within the parks my fellow RVers support my lifestyle!!!

skwirt2 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Lucky Mike for your replies! That is very exciting news! Looking forward to seeing your shaggy head around the campfire!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'd also use RV'ers for hair cuts or coloring on the road, so girls, get yourselves some signs. I can't (don't want to) give up color or pedicures. Did give up the gel manicures this year as it ruined my nails; it took 6 months for them to grow out and quit splitting and chipping. I can single color my hair but can't do highlights. DH will color for me if I ask him but he's WAY better with tools 😃.

I'd also trade coloring with other ladies who might be interested at a campground if i cant find someone with a sign. Could be good for some laughs & coffee.

Sherry

suse1023 · RV-Dreams Family Member

oh sherry what a great idea--how about nails too?
it'd be so fun to make friends over a nice mani-pedi,lol.
actually my girlfriend goes to people's homes to do massage, waxing and mani-pedis, it's a pretty portable business come to think of it.

EggerMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just now staring the RV research into full timing and never thought about this. Not sure I can give up my Nice n Easy #117 just yet. Anyone use an outside solar shower for rinsing off the color?

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just did my first dye job in my new rig; didn't get a drop anywhere, had the whole bathroom covered with old towels. wink Wella Color Charm 4N. This dark shade leaves purple spots where it lands! The low RV water pressure makes for a very uncomfortable experience. hmm Down on the floor, as close to the shower drain as possible, rinse, rinse, rinse. But I am not quite ready to look 10 years older than my age, rather than a few years younger!

Ravenlotus · RV-Dreams Family Member

No Suse1023 I help out my dh with his hair as well. I trim and color his hair. All though he is not going going grey yet he likes to change the color every once in while.

scrappy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I color my hair at the picnic table.....then walk down to the showers in 25 minutes and rinse it.

I care not that people see me coloring my locks at the campsite. No need to do it in the RV, I'd just make a mess, and it stinks..........so I just put all my stuff at the picnic table and have at it!

The only place around here for a hair cut is Great Clips, and they do nothing but cut....I've been known to trim my own bangs, so they are fairly crooked since I am very challenged at doing things in the mirror...........

Ball caps fix a lot of things. lol.

Good luck to ya!

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Scrappy, you are a brave and shameless woman! biggrin I cut my own hair too, why pay some else to mess it up, when I can do that myself? To get decent long layers, flip upside down and brush your hair into a ponytail on top of your head. Put rubber bands along it, and then trim off the end. Put the ponytail a little forward, the back layers will be longer, towards the back, longer in front.

scrappy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm not that brave.....a few years ago after a few ****tails, my friend decided to cut my bangs with the "twist and trim" method...........twist em up and cut straight across............yeah, that wasnt the best plan we ever had..........

I'd never attempt cutting anything but my bangs and I screw those up plenty.

Coloring is easy.......cutting, not so much.

smile

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Scrappy!

Love it. Even **I** haven't tried that.

Still laughing,
Sherry

heartofcarrot · RV-Dreams Community Member

I color my hair quite frequently in our tt with any problems. If I do get dye on the counter or floor, I just wipe it up so it doesn't leave a stain. I rinse my hair in the shower then afterwards I clean the tub with white vinegar and baking soda. I have never had a problem with staining. The biggest problem I have found is having enough water pressure and hot water.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

White vinegar and baking soda, good tip, I'll have to remember that. Yeah, enough water pressure and hot water... I usually get the dye washed out, then put a heavy conditioner on it for 1/2 an hour and clean the shower, while another batch of hot water is cooking.

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina, great idea! I have always trimmed my bangs and have even colored my hair. I am no longer blonde, however, and a nice brunette shade is difficult to come by in a box. So, because we are not RVing just yet, I still go have my hair colored. ($45.00) I plan to let it go au naturele when we hit the road, but plan to continue trimming my bangs. I've always wondered how to "get the back", but now I know! Great advice! I will probably free-hand a little as well. Oh, and I have cut my DHs hair for about 19 years. Like you said, why pay someone to mess it up. When I got tired of seeing the chop jobs that he paid for, I told him I could do that... for FREE! So, I did. Over the years, and with all the experience, his hair cuts are very nice, actually... if I say so myself! Not to mention I come from a long line of hairdressers... all the way back to my great grandfather. It's fun, and I can't wait to try your solution! Geez... the things we learn on this board!!

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

I replied to this a couple years ago. I still cut my own hair and now I decided to color it as well. Washed away the gray. I have no problem coloring it in the MH, I just don't like to keep my arms up and cut it at the same time, so it is done in stages. I know that you need to have a license in every state to practice but I would love to get the word out that I would help out if we ever meet in a campground somewhere. I was a stylist for 30+ years.

scrappy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok Loretta, if you ever get to the KOA in Chattanooga, Ill take you up on that offer!!

jrzygrl64 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello Ladies (and Gentlemen too! biggrin )

Hubby and I have had this conversation, how am I going to maintain my hair on the road? I've been getting it done for about 16 years and I am NOT ready for the natural look yet - can't imagine when that might happen! The women in my family go grey early - at 48 I am at about 75% and if it were a nice white or even silver I might consider keeping it, but its nasty grey and even my once beautiful brown has become mousy and dull. YUCK! I am looking into a website someone told me about "ESalon" where you can order professional quality products online and then do it yourself. I am sure for you ladies who are still going to a sylist, they will give you your formula so it can be copied. I have heard mixed reviews, but I figure its worth a try once when the time comes. I just got my acrylic nails soaked off a few days ago, I have been wearing them for most of the last 15 years. I love them, but they are more expensive to maintain than the hair! I will probably check local reviews for salons to get my hair cut - but I must admit that it scares me! Having moved (part way) across the country and then part way back, finding a new hair sylist is hard to do and once I find someone I like, I stick like to them like glue! I am VERY loyal when someone does a good job! To be honest, what I am going to miss the most about Jamie (my sylist) is the most amazing head massage I get every 5 1/2 or 6 weeks!

I am very nervous about getting hair dye in my sparkly new 5th wheel RV, but with so many helpful suggestions, I am sure I will be a pro in no time! Ha!

As far as make-up, I usually do go natural for this one. I keep some mascara, blush and lip color on hand for special occasions - which aren't every often.

Thanks once again - RV Dreams - for putting me one step closer to actually knowing how to do this crazy thing called full-time RV'ing! (I do mean crazy in the most complimentary way possible - of course! LOL!)

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just colored my hair this week in our RV and I only got one drop on the bathroom counter which I wiped up wit a damp paper towel that I keep handy. I never have a problem splashing it everywhere but I have short hair. It would be more difficult with long hair I'm sure. Just jumped in the shower when I was done and wiped it down as we do after every shower, no problem. I just buy across the counter ones and mix two shades to get what I want. I use TripAdvisor app to find a good salon for cuts along the way.

Still would be fun to color with someone else and make a new friend.

Sherry

Trix · RV-Dreams Family Member

Anybody gonna be at the fall rally that cuts hair? I need one...

Kyra

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well I hope to not get all the guys here in trouble but before we started to go full time over 2.5 years ago I got with Sharon's hairdresser and had her train me how to color her hair. So I color her hair every 6 weeks or so and also learned how to use foils to add her highlights. Before you ask no I won't do this for anyone besides her. She also has learned that she can get top notch haircuts at hair schools inexpensively and usually will go to one of the Paul Mitchell schools and ask for a senior student. And before anyone asks... yes I am very comfortable with my manhood thank you...

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Trix wrote:
Anybody gonna be at the fall rally that cuts hair? I need one...

Kyra

We hope to be at the spring rally in TN. Otherwise come to Benson and I will do it for you. smile

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

There seems to be a Sally Beauty Supply everywhere so you can buy your color there. They are reasonable and you don't have to have it mailed to you. I let my hair go natural but I am thinking of starting to color it again. Wish I could make up my mind! hmm

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

The nice part about being a guy is after a while some of us just require the old .....once around the block & simple wax job........See!!!!......its brite and shiny up there now and the hedges have been trimmed all the way around!!!!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're getting off topic of an old thread here, plus, the questions about the possibilities of having hair done at the rally might be better located in the area where the rally information is located.

Terry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

NeyDuke, I laughed at your response!

Sherry

scrappy · RV-Dreams Family Member

heyduke wrote:
Well I hope to not get all the guys here in trouble but before we started to go full time over 2.5 years ago I got with Sharon's hairdresser and had her train me how to color her hair. So I color her hair every 6 weeks or so and also learned how to use foils to add her highlights. Before you ask no I won't do this for anyone besides her. She also has learned that she can get top notch haircuts at hair schools inexpensively and usually will go to one of the Paul Mitchell schools and ask for a senior student. And before anyone asks... yes I am very comfortable with my manhood thank you...

you rock!

Antoan · RV-Dreams Community Member

Has anyone experienced having hair color stain their showers?? Just curious as to how easily the RV shower stalls will stain.