DIY haircolor tip

[jwwb2000]

I want you to post more info... I am ready to do something different. I don't have gray so I don't color for coverage. I color to give texture and highlight to my natural dark brown. I use the OTC box stuff and it always ends up fading into the same "golden brown" look. I will go to Sally's today and pick up something.

Where is Sally's...

In San Souci....Near Fashion Bug.

 

[mAlice]

Kwillia, what have you done to "strip" your hair?

She uses off the shelf color...they all use #20 developer.

 

[pixiegirl]

Kwillia, what have you done to "strip" your hair?

Don't argue w/ Chasey she is a professional ya know.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Kwillia, what have you done to "strip" your hair?

Any color processing will open the hair shaft. There are hair repair systems that restore PH and balance the hair shaft, I just don't know what they are.

 

[kwillia]

Kwillia, what have you done to "strip" your hair?

The only thing I ever do is use a OTC box permanent color and then I'll hit the highlight areas with some blonde highlight streaks which on my dark hair are more coppery which is the look I'm going for. I do this once ever 8-12 weeks. Chasey said I 'stipped' it by doing this...:shrug: I'm ready for a cut and color now... as in today... so I'll stop by Sally's and pick something up rather than go the normal Clariol route. Where is Sally's...

 

[mAlice]

Where is Sally's...

San Souci, next to Fashion Bug.

 

[vraiblonde]

I'm sure there's something out there you could use on your hair to restore its follicle.

What happens is that the cuticles are all fanned out, not flat against the shaft like healthy hair. I could give you the whole chemistry lesson but basically it's that the color is supposed to absorb into the cortex of the hair, then a conditioning treatment makes the cuticle lay down flat to seal the color.

Kwill, if your hair is that damaged, Sally's has some treatment stuff that you can use to condition your hair first, then use it after your haircolor treatment to force the cuticle to lie flat again. I don't know any of the brand names, but ask the Sally's gal and she'll know what you need.

 

[Pandora]

Plus, Miss Smartypants Chasey, I didn't realize I could buy haircolor at Sally's. I assumed I needed a cosmetology license to buy chemical treatments, and mine expired years ago.

And you would be correct in that assumption because in several states you do have to be licensed to buy. It just so happens that in Maryland you do not now but there was a time you did have to be.

My mother had a cosmetology license and we went into PA once and she bought hair color. At that point, she was expired. She rattled off her number, they wrote it down and never checked. I'd venture to say with computers today, you'd never get away with that.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Kwill, if your hair is that damaged, Sally's has some treatment stuff that you can use to condition your hair first, then use it after your haircolor treatment to force the cuticle to lie flat again. I don't know any of the brand names, but ask the Sally's gal and she'll know what you need.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but can't you put a deep conditioner on top of the color processing to help the shaft?

 

[kwillia]

Kwill, if your hair is that damaged, Sally's has some treatment stuff that you can use to condition your hair first, then use it after your haircolor treatment to force the cuticle to lie flat again. I don't know any of the brand names, but ask the Sally's gal and she'll know what you need.

My hair is not in bad shape. I condition with high end conditioners frequently. I will ask the Sally pros what I need.

I know Elaine has mentioned Sally's quite a few times, but I always end up at home and it seems it's always spur of the moment when I decide to do something to my hair so I never remember Sally's. It just so happens the timing on this thread is perfect for try something new this time around.

 

[Christy]

I might, I am tired of blond.

What do you think chics? Pete as a redhead?

We can do it together.

I've been wanting to try out being a redhead. Just never had the nerve. I fear really hosing up a head of perfectly good blonde hair.

 

[virgovictoria]

Can I just say, you all make me want to be bald, wear dirty clothes, forget about makeup, get fat and feed my dogs doritoes!

 

[virgovictoria]

Can I just say, you all make me want to be bald, wear dirty clothes, forget about makeup, get fat and feed my dogs doritoes!

That is, these threads!!!

 

[Chasey_Lane]

That is, these threads!!!

Are you feeling okay?

 

[Pandora]

Are you feeling okay?

Sometimes, you just gotta take a break.

VV

 

[Christy]

And you would be correct in that assumption because in several states you do have to be licensed to buy. It just so happens that in Maryland you do not now but there was a time you did have to be.

My mother had a cosmetology license and we went into PA once and she bought hair color. At that point, she was expired. She rattled off her number, they wrote it down and never checked. I'd venture to say with computers today, you'd never get away with that.

I wonder if unlicensed cosmotologists from out of state have a black market hair color running gig going? If not, I think I may have found a new part time job.

 

[vraiblonde]

then I'll hit the highlight areas with some blonde highlight streaks which on my dark hair are more coppery

That's what's caused the damage, then, not the haircolor itself.

If you're staying in the same color range, I'd go with a demi-permanent color and activator. This deposits color on the outside of the hair shaft, rather than opening the cuticle to stain the cortex. It's a lot gentler on your hair.

By the time I get this done and posted, someone will have beaten me to it but here goes:

Get a Wella demi-permanent hair color in the shade closest to your own. Demi-permanent will not lighten your hair - it only deposits color. So disregard the rest of this if you're looking to go lighter.

Your color choices will be arranged by the following color base:
N = neutral
R = red
G = gold
A = ash
V = violet

Don't get something marked G if you don't want gold tones, etc, etc.

Numbers will go from 1 to 10, 1 being black and 10 being pale blonde. Don't go by the swatch because that's synthetic hair and not necessarily what you will end up with.

So, say, if you wanted a medium brown with no golden or red tones, you'd choose something that said 4N or 4A (for ashy tones). I'd pick the N, myself, because ash sometimes gives hair a gray cast.

You'll also need a bottle of activator or 10 volume developer. Any brand will do, but Wella is a good one.

In addition, buy an application bottle for $1 or so to mix and apply.

Mix the color at a 1:2 ratio - 1 part color, 2 parts activator. The color comes in 2 oz. tubes, so mix a whole tube with 4 oz or activator. Then just apply like normal, starting with the back of your head, underneath to top layer.

Time it for 20 minutes, then rinse well and apply your conditioner - NOT your regular conditioner, but one formulated for after coloring so it will make your cuticle lie flat and hold the color.

Ladies? Am I forgetting anything?

 

[morganj614]

We can do it together.

I've been wanting to try out being a redhead. Just never had the nerve. I fear really hosing up a head of perfectly good blonde hair.

How dark do you want to go? I always thought of you as blonde but Pete as a strawberry blonde. I can do both of your heads at once I'll set up shop in your kitchen

 

[Christy]

How dark do you want to go? I always thought of you as blonde but Pete as a strawberry blonde. I can do both of your heads at once I'll set up shop in your kitchen

I was born with red hair. Well, I should say carrot juice orange. I still have red in my hair, but you don't notice it as much since I get it highlighted with blonde.

 

[Otter]

I always thought of you as blonde but Pete as a strawberry blonde. I can do both of you

Pete will like that, I think