Question for the at home colorists

A huge warning sign that if you're trying to drastically lighten at home, stop now, return any bottles to the store, and go to a professional. *nods* Drastic lightening very seldom goes anything even close to as planned, when done at home.

I have really drk brown hair, and I lightened it at home, it came out awesome!

If there is a way to make at-home highlighting kits actually come out as they should, I would like to know how. I've only had bad experiences with those in the past.

Ok, I am constantly trying to get it right at home (and keep screwing up) and would LOVE a book like this. I have read "The Haircoloring Manual" by Martha Fernandez and it is poorly written in my opinion...hard to understand.

I have paid SO much money to stylists that I just cannot bear to keep paying those prices. I am one of those with med brown hair would wants to be dark blonde with highlights and always ends up being peachy to orange.

My questions would be:

1. What is a good plan for addressing regrowth? Specifically (and with good pictures) - show me how to section my hair, use a bottle or a brush, a strategy to use. What happens if my new color touches the old, etc. I usually end up giving up and applying to color to my entire head (like I did last time) and darkened my hairshaft too dark with perm color.

2. How can I avoid tiger stripes or polka dots when doing my own highlights? I have used foil and a cap, still I get bleed through.

3. Explain what a strand test is.

4. Explain not to panic, reassure the person.

5. Explain the function of developer, and what each level will do.

6. Explain which level of developer you need with bleach (I still don't know - used 40 last time).

7. What is toner? What developer do you use it with? When do you use it? Why would you use toner instead of a color to correct something?

That's just my starter list. Hope that helps. I should be in beauty school, I am obsessed with haircolor.

Semi-perm dyes never completely wash out, in my experience. They fade a lot, causing less noticeable roots than permanent, but if you dye your hair black with semi-perm, it'll still probably be noticably darker than your natural hair indefinitely. I wouldn't use semi-perm black to transition hair. I'd say you'll have to either tough it out until the black grows out completely, or maybe see if a stylist can make it transition easier with lowlights.

put something on it about dying your hair...pink...or blue...or platinum blonde...just like gwen!
sincerely,
me!