Blonde wants to go Brown

Alrighty Folks... I'm back for more advice. I'm a natural strawberry blonde (which has darkened a bit over the years). I've highlighted my hair to basically the shade it was when I was a kid, which was more blonde with some red in it.



My darker reddish roots have been growing out more and more and I'm having some problems getting the bleach to take to my roots well enough for some reason. Any suggestions with that?

Now for the topic question: Since I am a strawberry blonde... I'd like to go back brown for Autumn (I've dyed my hair almost every shade of brown and even had it close to a black cherry color once). I would love to dye my hair a nice dark brown color, but I'm really trying to avoid having to strip the color out all over again (which I've had to do twice, because I went a little too dark with the color). So, if I could get some advice on this...that'd be great. I'm trying to get a decent shade of brown...that won't be too dark to where stripping the color out is necessary.

I'm considering darker low-lights over my current color...but eh, I just don't know.

Also, I'm pretty pale, so I'd need something that wouldn't have me looking too washed out or whatever, you know?

Looking to do this at home for a reasonable price, if possible.

Maybe something similar to this color....although I'm sure I probably can't have the darker bits. Maybe that's a little more on the blonde side  eh.



Any help is as always greatly appreciated.

 Thanks! :) Originally, that's what I wanted when I highlighted my hair. More of an ash blonde (no red tones, if possible). I was afraid it would look greenish though.

they helped me and knew exactly what i needed, in what color ..and even gave me a cheap deep conditioner. my total was around $10, and i figure ..thats about the same as an "expensive" brand of haircolor at walmart or walgreens or whatever ..but it's better for your hair and it will give you the results you want.

 

i mean i'm sure yours will be a bit more, price wise.. because you have longer hair .. that and the fact that i was only doing part of my hair.. since the underneath is brown ..and my hair is pretty short.. but it still shouldn't be too expensive.

good luck!

Asking a worker there does like a good idea. Thanks for that tip!

And susiespearish, thank you for your help and input as well! I'll leave it be until it's time to dye it brown.

Also, the dye that I have (gonna bring it back to the store since I won't need it) is Nice N Easy, not Loving Care. But it's made by the same folks I believe... Clairol. So I suppose it's all the same, yeah?

I heard that blue base colors take the red out, is that right? If so, what about the Blue/Violet based colors, do they do the same?

One other thing: Best and cheapest way to highlight hair that's going from blonde to brown...any thoughts?

(sorry to bombard you guys with questions. I'm just trying to make sure I have all the information I need so that I can get it right or as close to what I want as possible).