Does hair have to be clean?

Probably the easiest thing would be to get a semi-permanent color (Natural Instincts and ColorSpa are the only two box brands I can think of) in an ash or cool shade of the same or just the tiniest bit darker color.

I'm not sure exactly what color your hair is right now. It sounded like it's dark blonde or so? Then maybe Natural Instincts in Dark Ash Blonde would do it.

You can look at their "shade finder" here: http://www.clairol.com/brand/naturalinstincts/find/step1.jsp
Select whatever color is closest to what it currently is, pick "stay close to your current color" in step two, and "add cool neutral tones or reduce red/gold tones" in step three.

Whatever you do, don't buy a color that's lighter than what you have right now, because it won't do anything. I think you'll have an easier time just coating everything with a semi permanent than trying to do something tricky, like highlights.

Also, note that with a semi-permanent, many of them say to shampoo and towel-dry before applying the color. And since it's only the top of your head that's brassy, put the dye there first for 10 minutes or so, then on the rest of your hair (for like another 10 minutes).

leia1979 wrote: Your hair doesn't have to be dirty. You just don't want to wash right before using permanent color because you want some oil accumulation to protect your scalp. If it's been several hours since you've washed, you should be fine. Also, you might want to call the L'Oreal help line (if they're open right now). Since box dyes don't tell you what the base color is, I don't know if what you bought will eliminate the brassiness. Ideally I would tell you to get a neutral dye if you're going darker or an ash dye if you're staying at the same level. Try calling the help line...they should at least be able to say if what you bought is a warm, neutral, or cool shade.

Thanks Leia,

I'm really glad I posted my question. I understand now about protecting my scalp.

I had no idea, until reading through these threads, that the Feria might not be the right way to go. I'm going to call L'oreal now, or tomorrow if I must wait. I would never have thought of that.

Thanks agian!

Jeanne

I used to be very light blonde, but it's now very dirty blonde (I'm almost 50).

I died it with L'Oreal coluleur Experte and it came out brassy. So I thought I'd just die it a light brown, and bought L'oreal Feria called Caramel Kiss (Dark Iridescent Blonde).

First, do you think this will get rid of the brassiness?

Second, do I have to wait a day so that my hair isn't just washed? I'd like to do it right away, because we're having pictures taken tomorrow, but my hair is clean.

Hope someone's up this late.

Thanks,
Jeanne