[Brytani]

I've tried Garnier and a L’Oreal product but I can't remember if it's the Excellence Creme. If I get the guts up to try again, I'll give Excellence a try.

I have difficult hair to begin with. Oily scalp and curly/dry hair that tends to frizz. The only chemical treatment I use on my hair is color and occasionally a few highlights around the front.

My stylist uses Matrix color on my hair only, claiming it's the only product that will not strip my hair. I'm just a bit tired of paying the cost for it. Unfortunately, you must be a licensed hair stylist to purchase it.

I went yesterday for color, 4-5 foiled highlights and a cut. $140 bucks later.....

[PennsylvaniaMom]

That is pricey...but the one thing about home color kits, is you really just get ‘one’ color (shading varying due to grays). Highlights or lowlights are really hard to achieve. If you trust your stylist and leave the salon happy...its money well spent —its good to be good to yourself :)

[American Quilter]

I went yesterday for color, 4-5 foiled highlights and a cut. $140 bucks later.....

Eeeeek! No wonder you want to start coloring it yourself. Well, since you don't perm or do other harsh things to your hair, I'm at a loss. I'm no expert myself--a friend started me on Excellence 10 years ago, and it's just great for me (my hair's curly like yours, and it's also fine), so it's all I've ever used. I've never had my hair colored professionally, and am not familiar wih Matrix. I hope someone else here will have a better idea what to suggest.