dying extensions red

I just recieved my second set of Bohyme FR, this time in #33, it still didn't have enough of a red hue for me, so I plan on having to dye them. With the hair I currently have installed, I used Garnier drug store color, to get a redder shade from my #30 (which really looked like #27). Im worried that it damaged the extensions, but I can't decide how much it did. They were very light (in comparision to the #33) so it was processed more than what I just got - I'm thinking it was the combination of it being light and already very processed?

Anyway, are there any ladies out there who have experince dying their bohyme to get a redder shade with good results from products at Sallys or a BSS? I've never used any coloring products other than the drug-store stuff and getting it professionally done back when I had a bigger budget.

I'm just so nervous about using stuff that dosen't come right out of a box with perfect instructions, lol. I'll have to check it out! Thanks Kristie!

kristie m wrote: I think using a coloring product that you mix with developer is actually easier once you get over the fear of it. I like being able to control the volume of the developer. The lower the volume, the less lift of the color on the hair and the less damage. When you want to go darker/more intense with a color in the same color range as the hair you're coloring, it is really easy and safe to deposit a darker or more intense color on the hair with a 10 v. developer. Go to Sally's or another decent BSS and see if you can find someone who seems knowledgeable. If they try to tell you to get 20 or 30 v. developer, they don't know what they're talking about. I use permanent color, but a demi-permanent might work as well because the color change you're seeking isn't drastic. I think the other advantage of not using boxed mixes is you can get a much broader range of color choices in the color you dye your hair. With the boxes you're stuck with the company's color formulas.

Easier said than done when you're a BIG OLD CHICKEN like me!!!!!

Edited by Divavocals - March 06 2007 at 2:15pm

I found a way to purchase online the same professional products my stylist used at the salon. If you can figure out your color formula (I found a stylist willing to work with me on this) you can most likely search around online and find a place willing to sell professional coloring products in your preferred product line to you without a cosmetology license. I inquired on the Coloring Forum here at HB.com until I found someone who had a link for me. This was a few years ago and I've been doing my own color with professional products (happily) ever since.

What I like about using professional coloring is that the quality of the coloring products tends to be better, allowing a wider range of color choices and a product that tends to be gentler on your hair. Especially with reds, certain professional color lines are known for having more vibrant and longer lasting red colors. It is a great way to get a perfect color match with extension hair when you use the same color on your own hair as what you use to color your extension hair. What I've done with my new russian hair is to purchase it in a virgin color close to my natural color. This allows the dye to color the extension hair exactly the way my own hair takes the color, getting a perfect match. Buying virgin extension hair and gently depositing color with a professional product and professional 10 v. developer does little if any damage to the extension hair, adding to the life and healthiness of your extensions.

I just posted these pics on the other site but I'll post it here as well. This is a sample of russian hair that I colored the other day in the method I described above. You can see the top of the hair above the clip is still virgin medium brown. Below the clip, I used Schwarzkopf 4-57 (same copper color as in my avatar) with 10 v. developer for 30 minutes, in foil, with no heat. You can see how rich and beautiful the color came out.





Edited by kristie m - March 06 2007 at 3:39pm

excellent. That sounds like a plan. I wonder if the girl that used to do my hair still remembers what the forumla was? hmm I'll have to tap one of the many uses of myspace stalking and find out!

thanks again Kristie!

Diva, you're killing me!! I feel the same about using the professional colors-choke, gag, argh, maybe I'll have a sit down with my stylist and see.