HAIR Color Help

[violet3]

According to my hair dresser, semi permanent just coats the hair over top of your natural color - then it washes out over time. As I understand it, permanent color removes some of your natural color before depositing the permanent color over top. It also doesn't wash out, but grows out where you can see the roots.

So does it destroy the hair when it removes some of the natural colour?

Permanent color does do more damage, considering it strips the hair before it deposits - when I use the clairol natural instincts, it makes my hair feel MUCH MORE healthy than before i colored, and it has a fantastic conditioner that is included.

 

[Allison D.]

Initially when I started to color my hair I spent over $70 at the salon and to tell you the truth, the color job was lousy (faded in less than 3 weeks) and since my hair grows in very quickly I would need touch ups every 3 weeks and at $70 a pop + tip it wasn't worth it. I tried home haircolors and loved one that Clairol discontinued then went onto to Feria which left my hair feeling great, but after a while and coloring my hair every 3 weeks it started to dry out.

What I use now: Wella Color Charm Demi-Permanent (I get it at Sally's). It is actually a long lasting demi permanent with no lift. That is ok since I am just trying to hide the grays and let me tell you if I don't touch up for 4 weeks the color fades a little but the only gray that shows are at the roots. I pay around $4.00 pertube and get 2 uses (+ developer is about $4.00 as well and get 4 uses). It does not dry out my hair and makes the grays look like highlights that never go back to gray. I have now been using the Wella Color Charm for about 4 years and even got my sister to switch over since it is so easy (I found that if I use the dryer on low when I have the color in my hair makes the color even richer - I am looking into getting a regulat salon type hairdryer instead)

This is a link to the Sally's site. If you happen to be a beauty supply store they have actual (about 8 inch) hair swatches in the store so you can see what color would be good for you. http://www.sallybeauty.com/Demi-Haircolor/SBS-800369,default,pd.html

I second SoCool here. My own hair is more than 80% gray, and I use the Wella Color Charm (though I use the permanent version). I agree that the grays look like highlights and don't fade back to gray. Since I wear reds, the color itself does fade a bit over time, but I've yet to find a red that doesn't fade at all.

 

[soocool]

Sandy Cheeks, oops! This is the developer for the Color Charm Demi Permanent (it is called an activating lotion)

http://www.sallybeauty.com/activating-lotion/WELLA9,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

Awesome! I'm going to the local Sally store and look this stuff up. Now I assume that you need to purchase an applicator bottle too?

http://www.sallybeauty.com/color-applicator-bottle/SBS-800850,default,pd.html?cm_vc=UPSELL

You can get any applicator bottle they have. I have yhe Clairol in both the wide and narrow tip. DD uses the wide tip and I use the narrow tip

http://www.sallybeauty.com/color-applicator-bottle/SBS-320890,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

http://www.sallybeauty.com/hair-color-applicator/SBS-320899,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

Hold them in your hand and see which one feels more comfortable/ Also don't forget the disposable latex or vinyl gloves and a plastic cape to protect your clothes or just wear an old shirt when you color your hair. Though you can use the tip of the bottle to section your hair, I use the long narrow end of a rattail comb. http://www.sallybeauty.com/Comb-Refill/SBS-487307,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

 

[Italiahaircolor]

LOL, I can answer some of these questions!

3. Box color is actually crazy complicated, and there is nothing about it that even I can relate to and I used to color hair for a living. The first you need to know is if you want a cool, warm or neutral color, that should be listed on the box. The lower the number on the box, the dark the hair will be (10=brightest blond, 1=darkest black). Pigment on top of pigment goes darker, never lighter...so don't ever, ever, ever try to pick up a "lighter" color and think you're going to achieve that result. If you are ever going to go lighter, then you need to strip your hair with a shampoo cap and that's a mess...so just go to the salon for that.

I actually just tried the Garnier HerbaShine with bamboo extract and my hair did turn out lighter... ??? I am not complaining, because I did want to lighten/brighten it up a bit, but I was surprised it worked... and I wonder if it's going to turn into something weird as it washes out???

Was your hair virgin? As in no previous color?

The only other thing I think is that maybe they used a higher developer in the box...

I don't know. I have literally never heard of this before... I wouldn't think it's going to get weird later on, tho...

 

[Dee*Jay]

LOL, I can answer some of these questions!

3. Box color is actually crazy complicated, and there is nothing about it that even I can relate to and I used to color hair for a living. The first you need to know is if you want a cool, warm or neutral color, that should be listed on the box. The lower the number on the box, the dark the hair will be (10=brightest blond, 1=darkest black). Pigment on top of pigment goes darker, never lighter...so don't ever, ever, ever try to pick up a "lighter" color and think you're going to achieve that result. If you are ever going to go lighter, then you need to strip your hair with a shampoo cap and that's a mess...so just go to the salon for that.

I actually just tried the Garnier HerbaShine with bamboo extract and my hair did turn out lighter... ??? I am not complaining, because I did want to lighten/brighten it up a bit, but I was surprised it worked... and I wonder if it's going to turn into something weird as it washes out???

Was your hair virgin? As in no previous color?

The only other thing I think is that maybe they used a higher developer in the box...

I don't know. I have literally never heard of this before... I wouldn't think it's going to get weird later on, tho...

I used this same product once before with the same result (I.e., it turning out lighter), and it gradually faded back to my regular color over about a month and a half of daily washings. I used Herbal Essence once before, and I did notice a little bit of a difference but not as much as with this product. Hopefully it won't turn green or anything over time, LOL!

 

[stci]

Why don't you like gray hair girls? Just curious...

 

[mayerling]

I actually really like gray hair. Just not on 29-year-olds.

 

[missy]

I actually really like gray hair. Just not on 29-year-olds.

I think it depends on what kind of gray hair you have and your overall coloring. Some brunettes can look stunning with gray hair I agree but me on the other hand
Gray hair can be wiry and not a great texture so I think it all depends.

FWIW I use Herbatint in between color visits to my hairdresser as it doesn't contain ammonia.
http://www.herbatintusa.com/

 

[Jennifer W]

If it's the texture of grey rather than the look of it that puts you off, I use this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LIQUID-COLLAGEN-PROTEIN-HAIR-KERATIN-REPAIR-TREATMENT-/270625706150?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Hair_Care_Shampoo_Conditioner_PP&hash=item3f028c90a6#ht_6318wt_802

It's intended as a repair treatment, but I find that it re-textures and improves the grey hairs so that they just blend in with the rest. I have about 15% grey, so it's doing a grand job at this point. I'm not going to start coloring my hair, since I'm only 36 and it seems to be a lifetime commitment... Plus, I have red hair, which never looks natural once it's dyed.

If anyone is on the fence about starting to colour, my suggestion is to try this first, see if it helps!

 

[missy]

If it's the texture of grey rather than the look of it that puts you off, I use this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LIQUID-COLLAGEN-PROTEIN-HAIR-KERATIN-REPAIR-TREATMENT-/270625706150?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Hair_Care_Shampoo_Conditioner_PP&hash=item3f028c90a6#ht_6318wt_802

It's intended as a repair treatment, but I find that it re-textures and improves the grey hairs so that they just blend in with the rest. I have about 15% grey, so it's doing a grand job at this point. I'm not going to start coloring my hair, since I'm only 36 and it seems to be a lifetime commitment... Plus, I have red hair, which never looks natural once it's dyed.

If anyone is on the fence about starting to colour, my suggestion is to try this first, see if it helps!

Thanks for the info Jennifer. I will check it out!

 

[Laila619]

Great thread! Those boxed dyes have always turned out badly for me unfortunately, but I know others have success with them. I think they work best if you just want to cover grays, not change your color.

Italia, could I trouble you for some hair color advice please? My natural color is a cool medium to dark brown. I have been getting blonde highlights for the past 11 years now (bleach/foils). However, I decided the upkeep is too much. So now, I've been growing out my highlights and 1/3 of my hair is dark brown roots, while the other 2/3 are still the bleach highlights. What I want to do is an all-over dye (I think?) to achieve a dirty blonde hair color, or a light golden brown color. Is this possible with having dark brown hair? And can it be dyed over both my highlights and my roots so that my hair looks uniform? Someone told me I would have to 'add' back color to the bleached part before the dye can be used...does that sound right? Thank you!!

 

[Haven]

Do you live near a Sally Beauty Supply? The one by me is AMAZING. I recently started cutting my own hair, so when I went in to buy shears the employee spent a really long time helping me choose the right pair, and giving me tips about cutting my hair.

Then, I decided to dye my own hair, and they sell professional color and developer, and a different employee spent a ton of time helping me pick everything out and teaching me how to dye my own hair at home. Awesome company. I love them. You have a lot of great advice in this thread, so if you could find a local resource with a live person who can help you pick a color and developer, too, you'll be golden!

By the way, I found a video by a girl named Rose Russo on Youtube and followed that to cut my own hair. She's awesome.

 

[stci]

Wahooooo Haven! I would like to be able to cut my hair myself! You certainly talented to do this!

Mine are gray around my face only and since many years I lost my hair terribly! I need to let it short but I would like to have it long. Anyway, I'm never happy with my hair!

 

[soocool]

Do you live near a Sally Beauty Supply? The one by me is AMAZING. I recently started cutting my own hair, so when I went in to buy shears the employee spent a really long time helping me choose the right pair, and giving me tips about cutting my hair.

Then, I decided to dye my own hair, and they sell professional color and developer, and a different employee spent a ton of time helping me pick everything out and teaching me how to dye my own hair at home. Awesome company. I love them. You have a lot of great advice in this thread, so if you could find a local resource with a live person who can help you pick a color and developer, too, you'll be golden!

By the way, I found a video by a girl named Rose Russo on Youtube and followed that to cut my own hair. She's awesome.

Yes, I love the Sally's near me too! I have their club card and have saved lots of dollars as well on stuff.

 

[Haven]

Ooh, yes--I love my club card!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Great thread! Those boxed dyes have always turned out badly for me unfortunately, but I know others have success with them. I think they work best if you just want to cover grays, not change your color.

Italia, could I trouble you for some hair color advice please? My natural color is a cool medium to dark brown. I have been getting blonde highlights for the past 11 years now (bleach/foils). However, I decided the upkeep is too much. So now, I've been growing out my highlights and 1/3 of my hair is dark brown roots, while the other 2/3 are still the bleach highlights. What I want to do is an all-over dye (I think?) to achieve a dirty blonde hair color, or a light golden brown color. Is this possible with having dark brown hair? And can it be dyed over both my highlights and my roots so that my hair looks uniform? Someone told me I would have to 'add' back color to the bleached part before the dye can be used...does that sound right? Thank you!!

Hi, no trouble at all.

Yes, the rebuilding of color is accurate. Hair is actually made up of TONS of different colors, and when you bleach it, you essentially remove the color. If you go to a color 3/4 shades darker then your highlights, you should replenish some tones. However, if you're talking light blond to a dirty blond, there isn't much missing and you should be okay doing that yourself. But, remember, the replenishing isn't without merit, like if someone is going from blonde to red...if you don't fill that color, the red won't be true.

Now, if I were you, I would maybe try to go for that Sara Jessica Parker look...that sexy, muted, outgrown look that she does really well. Virgin hair or roots or outgrowth can go wherever you want it to go...you can lift it and your can darken it, the color-on-top-of-color rule doesn't apply. But you can get hot roots which is where the color the goes lighter at the roots than the rest of the hair.

Does the length of your hair have color? Like, did your colorist go in between the foils with color?

 

[somethingshiny]

Italia~ Please help me!! My hair was white as a child and medium to dark blond as an adult. In the summer I get nearly white highlights in the top. I love this. However, since having Lily, my hair has turned medium brown with no highlights and is very flat and not shiny. I tried a box dye that is pretty close to my old color and it helped but I don't want to be fighting these roots. Is there a good product for coloring that I can continue to use over and over without damaging my hair (and if so, what color) or should I do highlights to blend? Any other suggestions?? Thank you so much for your help!!

This is my old natural hair. I had professional highlights about 5-6 months before this pic was taken.

 

[mousey]

Best. Thread. Ever.
Mayerling- I hear you. Also 29, also gray.
Jennifer- collagen stuff bought!
IHC- think you are brillo fantastic! My hair is hideous- can t afford salon (still a student), and all the browns I have bought come out with a red tone to them, which looks bad on me. I would like hair like this

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yGVTLsIFIwk/S90TqQ2IeLI/AAAAAAAAAFs/1cijXfmDvDg/s1600/Light%2BBrown%2Bhair%2Bcolor.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lightbrownhaircolor.blogspot.com/&h=960&w=640&sz=159&tbnid=RN3BUl8LkRBKlM:&tbnh=275&tbnw=183&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlight%2Bbrown%2Bhair&zoom=1&q=light+brown+hair&usg=__hB-8BGg8CVvNm0U5cdcbHxDpR-s=&sa=X&ei=1Bt5TaOQOeCqhAe0nuX1Bg&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA

Can I get that on my own?
Thanks girls. PS is great!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Italia~ Please help me!! My hair was white as a child and medium to dark blond as an adult. In the summer I get nearly white highlights in the top. I love this. However, since having Lily, my hair has turned medium brown with no highlights and is very flat and not shiny. I tried a box dye that is pretty close to my old color and it helped but I don't want to be fighting these roots. Is there a good product for coloring that I can continue to use over and over without damaging my hair (and if so, what color) or should I do highlights to blend? Any other suggestions?? Thank you so much for your help!!

This is my old natural hair. I had professional highlights about 5-6 months before this pic was taken.

Hi Shiny,

With color, you'll always be fighting the roots. Outgrowth is normal, and the upkeep is to be expected. As a colorist I used to laugh, my service was unavoidable!

My favorite, favorite, favorite color line/product is Redken ColorGels. It's a professional line so you have to hunt it down online (I'm not allowed to link to the sales page, am I? If so, I could literally tell you where to buy it). It's very simple to use and the color is super glossy and vibrant. It's a permeant color, so in that aspect the upkeep is easier...with demi or semi colors you'll have a lot more fading.

If you're going to do highlights, the the icy blond you like, I'd probably get all your services in salon. If you color at home, you'll be putting color all over the head and then to go get highlights IS going to damage your hair and make the bleaching hard. It's more work than needed. However, if you're willing to forgo the highlights, we could find something really pretty.

Is that picture your natural color or what you're looking for? It's a very warm, buttery blond...that's pretty simple. It's harder to get someone icy, cool blonde. So...let me know that and I'll flip thru my swatch wheel and see if I can find a good match...

 

[mayerling]

Any suggestions for me?

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Best. Thread. Ever.
Mayerling- I hear you. Also 29, also gray.
Jennifer- collagen stuff bought!
IHC- think you are brillo fantastic! My hair is hideous- can t afford salon (still a student), and all the browns I have bought come out with a red tone to them, which looks bad on me. I would like hair like this

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yGVTLsIFIwk/S90TqQ2IeLI/AAAAAAAAAFs/1cijXfmDvDg/s1600/Light%2BBrown%2Bhair%2Bcolor.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lightbrownhaircolor.blogspot.com/&h=960&w=640&sz=159&tbnid=RN3BUl8LkRBKlM:&tbnh=275&tbnw=183&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlight%2Bbrown%2Bhair&zoom=1&q=light+brown+hair&usg=__hB-8BGg8CVvNm0U5cdcbHxDpR-s=&sa=X&ei=1Bt5TaOQOeCqhAe0nuX1Bg&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA

Can I get that on my own?
Thanks girls. PS is great!

Hi Mousey,

Red browns are tricky because they can fall on either side of the cool wheel, you have cool red-browns and warm red-browns. What you're looking for is something "warmer" with more golden untones. That's the problem with all these "tones and highlights" colors...there is always an underlying pigment and depending on how your hair grabs color, certain pigments are going to grab stronger. You probably need a purer pigment.

I just wanted to let you know I saw your post, and I'll recommend a cool warm-brown tonight when I get home!

 

[soocool]

Italia, I just have to say you are such a sweetheart!

 

[somethingshiny]

Italia~ Thanks so much for your help. I want to get back to the color in that pic. When I look in the mirror that's what I expect to see, ya know? I can do without the highlights ( I think) so a good home dye would be preferable. Can you do professional highlights over it though?

Also, if my hair is going to stay this dark, do you have any advice on how to let the dye grow out/color out and/or shine it up while letting it be dark? It's such a mousey brown it's very unflattering. Do you see women experience such a drastic color change? Does it go back?

 

[Jennifer W]

Best. Thread. Ever.
Mayerling- I hear you. Also 29, also gray.
Jennifer- collagen stuff bought!
IHC- think you are brillo fantastic! My hair is hideous- can t afford salon (still a student), and all the browns I have bought come out with a red tone to them, which looks bad on me. I would like hair like this

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yGVTLsIFIwk/S90TqQ2IeLI/AAAAAAAAAFs/1cijXfmDvDg/s1600/Light%2BBrown%2Bhair%2Bcolor.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lightbrownhaircolor.blogspot.com/&h=960&w=640&sz=159&tbnid=RN3BUl8LkRBKlM:&tbnh=275&tbnw=183&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlight%2Bbrown%2Bhair&zoom=1&q=light+brown+hair&usg=__hB-8BGg8CVvNm0U5cdcbHxDpR-s=&sa=X&ei=1Bt5TaOQOeCqhAe0nuX1Bg&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA

Can I get that on my own?
Thanks girls. PS is great!

I hope it does great things for you! I love it.

Italia, I love when you talk about this stuff. I always learn something, you have an encyclopedic knowledge of all things beauty! I enjoy reading posts filled with your enthusiasm and expertise.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Italia~ Thanks so much for your help. I want to get back to the color in that pic. When I look in the mirror that's what I expect to see, ya know? I can do without the highlights ( I think) so a good home dye would be preferable. Can you do professional highlights over it though?

Also, if my hair is going to stay this dark, do you have any advice on how to let the dye grow out/color out and/or shine it up while letting it be dark? It's such a mousey brown it's very unflattering. Do you see women experience such a drastic color change? Does it go back?

You're very welcome, I like helping out when I can.

Yes, you can highlight colored hair. So, if you do go for an all over color and realize you need the highlights, that's totally something you can do. But, colored hair never really lifts as light as uncolored hair. There is a lot that bleach needs to eat thru to get white blond and that process is what compromises the hair, makes it brittle and leads to breakage. It's just my recommendation that if you're going to WANT highlights, to keep it down to a single process and don't overwork your hair if you don't have too.

How dark is your hair now? Do you have a picture? Even if it's not a picture of you, a picture of how dark you're talking will help me a lot. Also, is your hair dark because of color...or is it just how your hair is? Virgin hair, or hair that hasn't been colored is much easier to lift--even at home. Hair that has been colored is much harder. I'm all about the quality of hair. I know that's not what some people want to hear...I know that women want what they want...but no matter how awesome a hair color is, if the hair itself is totally compromised, it'll never look good. So, yeah, maybe I push people towards the salon when I hear that they need to be lifted or bleached to reach their desired results...but to do anything else would be a mistake.

If you're considering staying dark, there is A LOT you can do. First, matching your hair to roots is the easiest way to make sure you have minimal upkeep. I had clients who ONLY did this because they were growing their hair out from something else and the transition was really seamless. You don't have to be mousey to be brown. God no. There are so many beautiful shades of brown, probably something that'll stay true to your natural but with a little bit extra. You can cool it down, warm it up. I'm a brunette and believe me, I love it! Blondes don't always have more fun, especially when it comes to color...you can do WAY more with brown that with blonde.

As far as feeling "drab"...I hear ya. Curly hair reflects less light than straight hair, so it will always appear a bit less shiny. There is something, something pretty easy actually, that you can use. For my clients I always did a glaze. It's just like coloring the hair...very similar process...but instead of depositing pigment or lifting pigment, it seals the cuticle and adds a boat load of shine. It's a secret weapon and it's bad a$$. You apply it immediately after you color and again at the 3 week mark. It keeps your hair looking refresh and glossy. Ahhh, it's a favorite of mine...can you tell??

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Any suggestions for me?

I guess I'm confused as how to guide you best here...

The picture you shared is gorgeous, but that girl has major "salon hair". She looks to be a level 10+ (the lightest of light blonds) with a V toner to remove any yellows, she's pretty much a white blonde. Honestly, you can't much lighter than that with bleach before you chemically start cutting the hair. She's a full foil with lowlights as well. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that her whole head was foiled to keep that definition.

Then, you said you wanted to be natural. Okay. But what is "natural" for you? What does that even mean, because by definition, you're not going to be natural once you color your hair. I understand it's a blond, but there are about 3 tonal levels to blond and a million variations within those 3 families...what, in your opinion knowing that that picture you shared isn't natural, is natural for you? My idea may be completely polar to your idea, in which case I'd be no help at all.

This isn't something I can do blind. I need AS MUCH help as you can give me.

Let me explain a bit more. I've been a cosmetologist for going on 11 years now, and I did nothing but color for 7 years of that. Rarely did I even use the same formulation twice. EVERYTHING about what I did, when I was behind the chair, was subjective to my cliental. I have tried to "dumb it down" (NO OFFENSE LADIES!!!) to make this as painless as possible. I'm doing my best to give 1 color recommendation that will be as simple as box color claims to be, while still giving you all more than a box ever could. I studied color theory for 3 years, so you can imagine how much really does go into making it right. I don't like to fail people. But remember, I'm at a disadvantage here. Being a stylist is totally sensory. I go on touch (to gauge condition), sight (to gauge color IRL), and the connection I make with my clients (to gauge what they really, really want). I don't have any of that here. I'm working on a computer, and colors pop up differently on monitors. I don't know what the condition of your hair is, the texture or feel. I don't know what you're expecting and I'm trying my best too.

I didn't mean to ignore you...and I really want to help you...so just post some more pictures, even if they aren't of you pre say, and I'll try my best.

Sorry.

 

[somethingshiny]

Italia~ I actually love brunette colors. My sis and my daughter have gorgeous dark hair and I love it on them. Just not on me. If my hair turned a pretty brown, I'd be fine. But this color is just awful. As far as how much I've done to my hair: professional highlights maybe twice a year for the last several years. One at-home color about 3 weeks ago. (It's Loreal 9 1/2 nb) It got my hair close to my old natural color but a bit more orangey.

So, currently my hair is an orangey variation of what my goal is. One permanent hair color and long-ago-highlights covered with it. I have lots of grays.

Do you suggest letting it go dark and working with it, or combating the dark and hoping it will lighten up this summer? Do you like the glaze over every color for my hair type?

This pic is my new natural color (prior to the recent at-home-color) It's really dark and icky tone.


eta~ what about doing low lights (professionally) or something to blend it to see if it's going to lighten up or not? Am I clinging to false hope with it lightening?

This pic is actually showing it much shinier than it is. It's much more dull IRL.


eta 2~ Ya know in that pic it really doesn't look all that bad. It's closer to Lily's color than I realized. Maybe it's just seeming so horrible because it's not what I'm used to?

I welcome opinions from anyone regarding if they like me better as a blond or the darker!!

 

[sillyberry]

IHC, I just want to thank you for all the insight you've provided! Really amazing. I wish I knew more colorists like you. Every single time I go to a salon, no matte which salon, I always say "I want to be a brunette, I don't want blonde highlights, I just want to amp up my natural color and provide a bit of color definition"...and I end up with blonde highlights!

Drives me crazy.

 

[mayerling]

Thanks Italia.

I guess I meant I want something close to my 'natural' hair colour; I know that colouring means it won't be natural any more but I don't want to show up at my wedding a completely different person from the one FI fell in love with. I know the link I posted was crappy but I was reluctant to post a pic of myself and couldn't find any pics of hair similar to mine on the net.

I've tried to crop a pic of my real hair. Hope it helps.

Thank you!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Italia~ I actually love brunette colors. My sis and my daughter have gorgeous dark hair and I love it on them. Just not on me. If my hair turned a pretty brown, I'd be fine. But this color is just awful. As far as how much I've done to my hair: professional highlights maybe twice a year for the last several years. One at-home color about 3 weeks ago. (It's Loreal 9 1/2 nb) It got my hair close to my old natural color but a bit more orangey.

So, currently my hair is an orangey variation of what my goal is. One permanent hair color and long-ago-highlights covered with it. I have lots of grays.

Do you suggest letting it go dark and working with it, or combating the dark and hoping it will lighten up this summer? Do you like the glaze over every color for my hair type?

This pic is my new natural color (prior to the recent at-home-color) It's really dark and icky tone.


eta~ what about doing low lights (professionally) or something to blend it to see if it's going to lighten up or not? Am I clinging to false hope with it lightening?

This pic is actually showing it much shinier than it is. It's much more dull IRL.


eta 2~ Ya know in that pic it really doesn't look all that bad. It's closer to Lily's color than I realized. Maybe it's just seeming so horrible because it's not what I'm used to?

I welcome opinions from anyone regarding if they like me better as a blond or the darker!!

Good questions!

9 1/2 NB is blonde. You put that over the brown, correct? It then turned an orange brown? Blonde on top of brown, without pre lightening the hair won't lift the existing color...so that makes sense. But, it will deposit, hence the brassy color you're disliking so much. So, yeah, I am more clear on what happened now.

The 9 1/2 means the highest of the color, 10 being the highest and lightest. So, you attempted to go really light. NB means neutral blond, not warm and not cool but somewhere in the middle. You probably looked at the swatches on the box, saw your color and thought the "results" and thought that's what you'd end up with...but what they didn't tell you is that the "before" picture is on virgin hair, and totally unrealistic. Am I correct?

So, from that, I have two options for you...both totally viable, and depending on what you choose, I can help you...

1. Go dark. Start over in a sense. Understanding that the color you'll end up with will be darker than it is now, but we can make it richer and more vibrant. It may lighten over the summer, but more likely the lightness you see will be fading as opposed to the sun really bleaching out the hair because colored hair doesn't react the same way to sunlight that virgin hair does.

2. Go to the salon and get lightened back up with highlights and have your stylist go in between the foils with a richer color more to your liking. Skip the lowlights. Lowlights is just color added to contained areas. If you're feeling really dark right now and want to lighten up, you'll probably be unhappy.

So, both of those are really great choices. There are pro's and con's to both, obviously, but you want to **happy** in the end, so whatever it takes, right?

I also think I should add that for anyone considering at home hair color, you should know that once you get the process down, you can retouch your roots every 2-3 weeks or as needed. Unlike with box color, which is pre-measured and requires you to trash the excess, you mix your own...so one 2oz bottle of color can reap you like 2 applications depending on how much hair you have. Color also doesn't compromise the hair the way bleach does...so you can do it more often and not feel bad. Oh, and let's not underestimate the fact that a salon service can run you anywhere from $50.00 and up for a simple touch up, whereas the initial at-home cost is probably in the neighborhood of $50.00 to get everything you need but the cost drops significantly to around $7.00 a bottle for the color itself and developer will last you till the end of time.

As far as glossing every type of hair...yes, I did. I really love the effects it has on the hair--not just look, but even feel, I swear I can feel a difference. I gloss mine once a week...eek, I know, talk about overkill! But, I love when my hair is bouncing the light and looks like a shampoo commercial. I used to glaze everyone at the shampoo bowl. It took about 5 minutes applied to wet, clean hair (shampoo only, no conditioner) and it was worth the time. I have always felt that it locked in the color longer, added a softness to hair and did make it pretty blingy.