I truly need all the help I can get!

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I
do believe I have found this place out of pure luck!  I've been
reading all of the other posts made by people here, and most of you
seem to be SO helpful and intelligent. 

If my current plan for working in Radio falls through, my back up plan
is Cosmetology School.  Honestly, I've always wanted to do hair...
ever since I taught myself how to french braid.  

Unfortunately, my learning is a work in progress as I believe I have really screwed up my hair.  

Let me start from the top.

I have a little past shoulder-length hair, which is thick, layered, and
naturally curly in some spots, wavy in others (almost crimpy).  My
hair tends to look like I slept in braids overnight.  It was
really really healthy.  Everytime I went to get my haircut, both
the washer and cutter would tell me that my hair was in beautiful
condition.  I'd say it was a medium-dark brown with natural
blondish and reddish hi-lights.  It was by far, not a matte
color.  

With the start of the summer, I decided I wanted to add more hi-lights to my hair.  

I used L'oreal's Hi-Light Styliste Hi-Control Brush-On Hi-Lights in Toasted Almond H50
on a few streaks in my hair.  The shade was alright, but I think I
made the sections too thick so the streaks were a little more bold than
I had hoped for.  A few weeks later (Maybe even a month or so) I
decided I didn't like the hi-lights at all and wanted to color my hair
back to one shade.  <Sigh>...I picked up Clairol Herbal Essences' Bold 'n Brilliant Level 3 Permanant Color in Chocolate Velvet...It's also 100% Ammonia-Free.  

I thought this would be better for my hair considering it had no
ammonia.  It was alright, except it made my hair way too
dark.  I guess it was more of a matte shade than my natural color
and it made my hair look almost black.

A few days later, after trying to fade the color with Anti-Dandruff
Shampoo, to my dismay, it was still black.  So, I freaked and
bought L'Oreal Couleur Experte Multi-Tonal Permanent Color System in Medium Ash-Brown
which is basically a two-step system where you apply an all-over color
first and then add hi-lights with the included brush or comb.  At
first, it didn't seem like the all-over took at all, so I decided to go
ahead with the hi-light part.  After the whole thing was over, and
my hair began to dry after my shower, I discovered disgusting orange
hair.  For some reason, it was only orange on the top of my head,
and the parts where I had tried to put hi-lights.  The most orange
parts however, were where my previous hi-lights were from the Hi-Light Styliste.  I panicked and went out that night to buy The Ammonia Free Clairol Herbal Essences' Bold 'n Brilliant Level 3 Permanant Color in Chocolate Velvet all over again.   I colored with it that night. 

I knew it was previously too dark for me but I was afraid that anything
with ammonia would KILL my hair, and that anything lighter wouldn't
cover up the horrible orange.  

Well, it did cover up the orange, but it's even BLACKER the second
time, which logic only tells me is because it was colored twice with
the same dark shade.  

My hair is OK.  It's not in perfect condition, understandably, but
it's not in nearly as bad condition as one would expect.  However,
it's a disgusting dark black color.  True, it is better than
orange, but i'm wondering if there is anything I can do, or if i need
to just let it grow out to do anything.  Please help me with this
dilemma!  Thanks!

PS - I have learned my lesson with experimenting on my hair that everyone tells me was so beautiful.

~Christine

I appreciate ANY help...and I'll answer any of your questions!