I want more copper tones

Hi

I originally had heavily highlighted hair but have since had this professionally coloured with a mid brown which has some warm tones, However, I would like a really pretty copper colour now but want something that will still show the  highlights and  lowlights of my hair instead of just solid colour, any ideas on how to acheive this?. I would also like some recommendations for a really good moisturising conditioner ( I use paul mitchell instant moisture shampoo and conditioner at the moment) but my hair is still a little dry on the ends. Any help much appreciated.

That's a L'Oreal Level 8 Burnished Copper Gold if I've ever seen one!  Nice Color! Looks like she has some medium gold highlights in there too. 

I'm not really sure how you can achieve this color though with your current hair.  Maybe colorfix the entire head.  I'd strand test a small sample of the bleached and unbleached area first to see if your hair can stand some more abuse.  After you finish with the colorfix, pull out the lighter strands of highlights, which should show up after colorfix (I think),  separate those out, wrap them in foil or something.  Depending on what level and tone your hair ends up after colorfix, probably a level 7 orange tone, MAYBE.  You could strand test L'Oreal level 8.3 gold (maybe some 7.4 too) with 20 vol. leave it on for 45min. 

http://www.multibeauty.com/lp1.asp

 If you like the shade then just do the parts not previously highlighted.  If the highlights need it then tone those, with a semi or demi permanent hair color to compliment the gold. 

This sounds like a lot of work, huh? 

Here's a pic of my hair (probably a bit more orange than red) that I got by using L'Oreal Level 8 gold with 20 vol. for 45 mins, on virgin level 6.5 lightest GOLDEN (red) brown hair. 

http://tinypic.com/fnwnth.jpg

Here's the shade I got using L'Oreal Colour Expert in Toasted Coconut, of course my hair was virgin.  (Highlights in there too bleached to orange, I think?)

http://tinypic.com/fnwq9y.jpg

I think L'Oreal will get you some of the warmth you are seeking! 

Rebekah

Your welcome.  Have your colorist use L'Oreal, if she does.  L'Oreal is very warm. 

Good luck!

Rebekah

PS...my hair isn't that color anymore...it's more like this now, which is what I wanted. 

http://tinypic.com/fo3og6.jpg

Good questions!  Thanks for the compliment! 

My virgin color hair is a level 6.5 warm (red) lightest golden brown. 

I keep it in "good condition" by taking care of it.  One really important tip is to keep your hair about the same color, meaning, don't go black and blonde, or dark and light.  I've always stayed with a level 8 base dye and gold to pale yellow highlights. 

I have never colored my entire head more than once.  I only touch up my roots and rebleach highlights on the regrowth.  Just rinsing the color out of my roots when I touch them up seems to be enough to brighten and refresh my ends and midsection. 

I only wash my hair twice a week.  I don't use a curling iron very often, I don't blow dry with heat, just air dry, or use the cool setting.  I get conditioner that is for my hair type, and leave it in for 1/2 hour each time I use it.  I got information about my hair type and the best shampoo and conditioners in Paula Begoun's book, "Don't Go Shopping For Hair Care Products Without Me." 

I have very straight, fine hair, that lifts quite easily.  The only bleach I use is L'Oreal Excellence Creme Lights, non-ammonia, gentle, and no heat necessary.   (Heat + Bleach = More Damage)

The products I currently use are L'Oreal Nature's Therapy Unfrizz Smoothing Shampoo, once a week, I use Suave Daily Clarifying the other day--to remove buildup.  I alternate the following conditioners and sometimes mix them together: 

Infusium 23 PoverPac 3 Minute Intensive Treatment

Ion Volumizing Solution Vitalizing THickening Conditioner

Pantene Pro-V Blonde Expressions Daily Color Enhancing Conditioner (Platinum to sand dune). 

Once every two weeks to refresh my color in between touch ups I use Schwarzkopf Igora Color Gloss Cashmere 9-5. 

After shampooing my hair I use John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Extra-Strength on my ends.  On the days I don't shampoo my hair I add a little John Frieda Sheer Blonde Spun Gold Shaping and Highlighting Balm to the ends to keep my hair from getting too dry. 

My hair is pretty dry from single color process and from bleaching highlights, but the products I use seem to really help protect the hair from becoming more damaged.  I don't really get it cut that often, just when the ends start looking ratty.  Maybe once every six months. 

Finally, I am not a professional colorist.  I just color my hair at home, myself.  But I have done a lot of research about color theory and have done quite a bit of experimenting with strand tests of different colors and volumes of peroxide on my own hair.  A lot of what I know I actually learned from reading the Going Blonde Message Board.

Hope this helps! 

Rebekah

LOL!  It doesn't really take that much time.  I swear it took more time to type that email than it does to care for my hair.  I guess leaving the conditioner for 1/2 hour after I wash my hair is time consuming, but I usually just make sure I've got some housework to do while I'm waiting.  I wrap it in a towel, set the timer and go.  Half an hour later I rinse, add the "cones" to the ends, comb, let it dry.  Next morning I comb it out and add the balm to the ends, go all day.

If I decide to curl it, well, that's another story!  LOL!  That takes forever!