QuoteReplyTopic: Very Light Blond to very dark brown Posted: May 25 2008 at 3:21pm
Hi All,
I just joined and have read as many posts as I can find on the forum regarding coloring my very light blond hair very dark brown.
I've been bleaching my hair blond for many years. After careful consideration and research I am ready for this dramatic change. I want to be a dark brunette and I just want to make sure that when I purchase products I don't waste money, time, but most of all I don't want this to be a nightmare rather than an exciting change.
I don't want any gold or red or ash or any other highlights. I want plain old very dark brown just a shade away from true black. I want it to look black until I stand next to a person with blacker hair.
My hair is in decent condition for being bleached even though it is almost to my waist in the back. I've used Feria for the last few years. It leaves my hair feeling healthy and I like the color much better than most of the other ones I've tried. I use reconstructors rather than regular conditioners and I also always use a leave-in reconstructor to help protect my bleached hair against the sun and heat. I live in AZ. It's hot here. I'm currently using Bed Head Dumb Blond as a shampoo and Joico leave ins and I like them both a lot. The ends are definitely more porous than the rest. Since my hair is so long there's about 6" that is a bit different. Drier and a little less shiney. I am very good at camoflaging it but I know it's there.
My hair is very light with just a very little yellow cast left. I have carefully periodically (to reduce further damage) 5 to 10 minutes at a time, applied the Feria to the yellow areas trying to get rid of it completely but a little remains. So it's mosty very light blond to white.
I haven't heard much mention of 'deposit only' hair colors. I'm just curious about that. I'm guessing it's non or very little amonia content? Are these the level 1 products, the ones that advertise no amonia? I'm fine with using these even if they may not last as long. I'm more concerned with the condition of my hair and the effect whatever products I use have on it and getting a true clear color than I am having to re-do it more frequently because it may fade more quickly.
BTW. I WILL NOT BE CUTTING MY HAIR UNDER ANY CIRcomesTANCES.
I trim the ends about every 2 months and even that's tramatic.
I used Natural Instincts once many years ago in a reddish tone and I remember that the color was quite true. I got almost the exact color that was on the box. If someone could fill me in on which product to use I'd be grateful.
I'm prepared to use the protien filler and I have read some posts regarding the use of them. Is there any difference in the way I need to apply them in regards to the length and color of my hair.
I know I'm going into great detail but I want to make sure that I post all that I can think of that may be of use to someone answering.
Remember, super light to super dark....... no red, no ash, no gold. Plain very dark brown...
Please ask me any questions if needed
Thanks everyone in advance...
Maxine
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I just did it actually, if you go to, the one tfourm that says I may be crazy, you can see what happened. The only problem with dying really really light bleached hair is the color does wash out, but I hear protien fillers help alot with that... I am using Natural Insticts so I am just going to dye my hair ever so often till the ends are chopped off clean and then stop... since i can't get protien filler. Good luck with your quest.
ANd dying it dark can result in really really dark, so always pick a few shades lighter than you THINK you want to go... :)
~* Bambi Lee *~
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Thank you BL... I did read your post and I love the way your hair came out. I want to be much darker than you. A step away from jet black so I'll keep it in mind to choose a few shades lighter... and I will be using a filler...
Thank you
MaxineB
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Hey Maxine; how exciting on your dark-haired journey! You are brave to go from so light to so dark!
OK, I would DEFINITELY say to go with deposit-only colour (like Natural Instincts or ColorSpa?) anything with a low volume peroxide. If you can order a professional one on-line, even better. Definitely fill (good you have done your homework!) first. I would use a light red-blonde deposit-only colour (Strawberry blonde) and cover damp hair allover with it. After about 30 mins, just wipe it off with a wet towel --- don't shampoo! Then, take your desired hair colour, mix it up, and apply it all over right OVER the fill colour you just wiped. This will fill the hair and prevent any off tones. I would say, go with a level 4 (medium-dark brown) since it will LOOK like a Level 2 on your porous hair. Maybe even mix a little ash brown (1/4 oz. ash brown) into your neutral brown before you apply, so you don't get any red tones either. Good luck!
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MaxineBrandywin
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Yes I am very excited. I want to treat this like a RITUAL! lol
First... your post reveals that fillers come in colors... I had no idea.
Why the reddish filler first? I like to know why I'm doing things. You said this will fill the hair and prevent any off tones, I just wonder why the red because later you say maybe add a little ash to the color to prevent any red tones. That's confusing...
A level 4 is lighter than a level 2? I need to do more research... I just look at the pictures and the swatches ... ha
So basically I should choose a shade a couple of shades lighter than what I want for the final color? UNLESS of course I'm not concerned that much that it's going to come out darker...
Tell me this... My hair is not all one color. Some of it is a little darker and some it really white like on top and in the front... Am I going to get the same variations in color after I change it? That just seems to make sense to me... Is that variation going to be backwards? For example, are the white parts going to be darker? Or is the filler supposed to prevent that type of thing?
So I need to look @ neutral browns...
Thank you so much fakeizme...
Hope you don't mind my extra questions...
MaxineB
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Just wanted to say good luck on dying it darker.Whatever u do,don't get too dark of a color.It will turn out too dark.I'd get a shade or 2 lighter than what u want.That way it will look good.Hair seems to turn darker than what the box color is.
fakeizme
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So glad to be able to help and I know some of what I said sounds confusing. I'm going to try to answer all your questions the best I can!
OK...fillers. They definitely comes in colours or you can fill by using leave-in conditoner (like Matrix Instacure or Infusium 23). The spray actually prevents your colour from absorbing too much, so it won't get too dark. By filling with colour (two levels lighter than your target level), you are replacing the colours that were lost/stripped when you lightened your hair. So Red and yellow now need to be put back in your white/blonde pieces to go back brunette (neat, eh?). Now, the trick is to not put so much red back in that your hair comes out red-brunette! That's where a little bit of ash comes in -- it should balance out the red/yellow. Actually, I think if you put a strawberry blonde on your head as filler, you shouldn't have too much red anyway to fight.
If you look on a Hair level chart, a level 2 is like a dark brown/off-black and a level 4 is lighter (like a medium brown). It's not necessarily that much lighter to the eye though. But, it's good to know what level you are naturally and where you want to get to because that affects what colour and tone you want to apply and what peroxide to use. (this is too much info, I'm sure!). Honestly, hair colouring is an art, but it's so much fun!
You're a smart cookie in asking about your white pieces and the variances in colour! It COULD go both ways. Depending on your hair's porosity (health) and whether you've sprayed with a filler/leave-in, your white pieces could absorb very dark and drab or be a lighter version of brunette. I would spray those pieces with water and leave-in and then put on your colour or else it will probably go very dark and ashy. Definitely look at neutral or neutral/ash (just a touch!).
Sorry for the novel!
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MaxineBrandywin
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MaxineB: I just wanted to add (although you probably haven't had a chance to read what I wrote yet!) that you can use both types of fillers at the same time if you want. It doesn't have to be either the spray OR the color filler. But if you're going dark, you should always use the yellow/red filler --- it's the LAW of colour: 'any time you go three or more levels darker, you have to fill.'
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MaxineBrandywin
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fakeizme.... ok I'm back... I have been sooooo busy.
A leave-in conditioner! Who knew! now I'm even more excited because I can totally see how that would help protect the hair from damage and just general weirdness.... well, it makes sense anyway. And since it keeps the hair from absorbing too much, I guess I won't know how much or how little it's going to absorb till I actually do it. AND... Is it going to fade faster due to that?
I think I understand about the red/yellow.
I'm going to go with the strawberry blonde then the dark brown. When you say to add a 'little ash' How do I do that? Are you talking about mixing colors??? fill me in on that... Also, if I don't add any ash the danger of redish tones exists... sooo, then, if that were to happen can I correct it readily? or is that something I will have to live with for a while?
I'm not going to worry about getting too dark cause that's what I really want ayway. I will however choose a shade a couple of colors lighter. I want very dark brown and my Fiance would love it if it were black so I won't have any worries there.
This part is a little confusing... you typed...
But, it's good to know what level you are naturally and where you want to get to because that affects what colour and tone you want to apply and what peroxide to use.
What does it matter what my natural color is? My hair has been bleached so long that I'm not even sure myself. What I'm saying is, I can't imagine that there's any of my natural pigment left to be found or to effect this proceedure. AND, I most likely will be choosing Natural Instincts or Color Spa? (where can I purchase that?) so I won't be deciding what peroxide level to use? yes? What professional ones would you recommend if I decided to choose one online?
As for the white areas and the porous ends. I should spray them with the leave in first. That's the one with the strawberry blonde? Then after 30 min or so wipe with the towel then add the dark...
I don't want them to be ashy.
My last disaster was pink.
I wanted to be a red-head. I didn't do any research and just picked a box of color and it was really horrible.
When you say spray with water and leave-in I asume you are refering to the strawberry and then the dark.
Does that mean I should dilute the leave in? Or do you mean wet my hair first with water then add the leave-in/filler?
I just went back and read your original post and I see you said damp hair. Sorry about that.
Sorry for all the questions. (The Novel) I hope I'm not driving you batty. I just want to make sure I get what I'm supposed to do.
ok... I got the message on the fillers. In this case perhaps more IS better?!!
Now... Another question...
After I acomplish this and I'm really happy with the color I get (notice my very positive attitude) what's the best way to maintain that color? Any special instructions on re-coloring the already colored locks? Won't this be a totally different thing? will I need a filler again?
OK that was 4 questions My common sense tells me that after the first few applications it will last longer and longer? And even become more stable and have a better tone?
Talk about a NOVEL!
I'm on hair color overload! I obviously came to the right place.
Thank you fakeizme sooo much for the attention to my post...
The weekend is almost here everyone!
Maxine B.
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Woo hoo, the weekend is upon us!!! Don't worry about the questions; I'm already batty!
OK..I'm going to go down your post from the top to the bottom and see what I can answer for you. LOL.
Fillers: I think you have the concept! LOL. Don't worry about fading from using a leave-in; it's just the other way around. It will help the colour to 'stick' to your hair and not wash out. Here's how you do it: use the leave-in spray FIRST -- not too much, but enough to dampen the hair. Then, go over your whole head with the colour filler (Strawberry blonde). Then, towel that off (don't shampoo) and apply the real colour. You may even want to do a test strand on a snippet of hair so you can get the timing right on it.
What I mean about adding a 'little ash' is, like 1/4 ounce of a dark brown (Level 3 or 4?) ash colour added into your desired dark brown colour, for eg. 1/4 oz. ash brown plus 3/4 oz. medium brown plus one ounce of 10 vol. peroxide. If you were buying box colour, you could just buy two different browns and pour a 'little' of the ash brown into the full bottle of your medium or golden brown (or whatever colour you like). If you go professional, you would buy two tubes/bottles of colour in the different tones and mix in a separate bottle. (Gawd, I hope this makes sense, because I feel like I sound craZy! )
Please forgive my reference of knowing what your natural level before going with colour! I wasn't thinking. Of course, you don't need to worry about that; you are bleached blonde -- DUH!
I think if you go with natural instincts or colorspa; you will be happy. If you want to go professional, hmmm.....there's so many good ones! Ummm....there's Clairol's Second Nature, there's Clairol Color Radiance, there's Redken Shades EQ and Matrix Colorsync to name just a few. It's more about applying them, then the product itself (in my opinion) since they are all good.
OK...so after you have your gorgeous new head of hair! You want to maintain it. One thing you DON't want to do is keep going over your head with haircolour every month. In your case, what I would do, is to start deep protein conditioning treatments regularly (every week). This will help to keep the colour sticking to your hair. Also, get some colour-depositing shampoos/conditioners (eg. Artec or Matrix) and use them weekly. I would say, every two months (after you've touched up your roots), apply the same colour (mixed with some conditioner) to your mid-shaft and ends to freshen it up. You don't want your hair to get muddy with repeated colouring, but you do want the colour to stick. The key is to get your hair in good shape --- the colour will stick and look great once you do!
Oh, I need a drink now! So glad to be able to help and can't wait to hear how things go for you. Please don't feel bad if you decide to drop most of what I have suggested and do your own thing. I still want to know how it came out. i will not be hurt! haha.
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MaxineBrandywin
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HA I'm batty too and the cool thing is... now I won't be a regular old bleached blonde bat... I'll be a much more sophisticated bat cause I'll be a brunette!
LOL
I can't thank you enough for all the info. I'm printing it all and planning my ritual. I'm very excited now, more than before. I want to take before and after pics since this is such a dramatic change.
Also, I won't be doing this like tomorrow. It could be as much as a month. My BF wants to take a bazillion pics of me before I do it.
BTW... today I just happened to think of something. Does anyone know if I am going to have to change anything about my makeup? I better do some research on that. I recently found the perfect foundation color for my complexion. For the first time in my life it's a perfect match.
One more measly question ... a snippet of hair? hmmm... you mean like the kind produced by using scisors? How does one do a truly effective strand test anyway?
Believe it or not I can't think of any more questions!?#%?? dang
Seriously, thank you sooo much fakeizme...
You have gone way above and beyond expectations
MaxineB
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Oh gawd, my instructions are being printed out?! Now, I will be held responsible!
You better post before and after pics --- so excited for you; just don't panic and prepare really well. Sounds like you're on it! A sophisticated brunette bat! You must let me know if you notice any differences on how people react to you as a blonde or brunette. So many stereotypes out there.
As far as makeup: I don't think you should have to change your foundation. But, I KNOW that darker hair tends to wash out the face/complexion. You will likely want to look at applying more blush and maybe a bronzer? I bet you will figure it out pretty quickly. some people like that goth-type look, so I don't want to assume you want to be a bronzed brunette goddess!!
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fakeizme
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Oh, I wanted to add: about the strand test. YOu can do it on your head. Just lift most of your hair and clip it out of the way. Take a small section of hair (like a see-thru section) at the nape and apply your testing colours there --- wrap with foil. Sorry, didn't mean to scare you with the snippet!hahah
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MaxineBrandywin
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I asked about the strand test because it occured to me that if it's too thin I won't be able to tell what the color looks like. Yah I get weird when the scisors are mentioned... lol Thanks for your concern
As for the make-up I will probably try both. Lighter and darker. I use Bare Minerals so it's easy to have a tan on my face one day and not the next. I use a 'tan in a bottle' product on my body to even out the parts that don't get in the sun.
I'm so psyched... now I have to wait tho...
But it's ok. Anticipation is good and when I am ready it will be even more exciting. Before and after pics it is... I promise...
I feel as though I got some really good information from you even though I know hardly anything about hair coloring.
Do you mind if I ask how you learned so much about it?
Thanks so much again
MaxineB
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I have been reading everything I could get my hands on in terms of colouring for about 10 years now. I began my hair journey (*rocking in my chair*) many moons ago when I began using a blonde colour on my Level 1 hair to get it lighter, Then I discovered Frost & Glow and mixed in some highlights! Oh boy, that was the beginning of the end! haha. Once I discovered the effects of bleach and how it could bring my dark hair up to platinum, I was hooked. For a long time, I used highlights on my base and just did my highlights every month or so. But, I hated the brassiness of the highlift. so i added in more highlights -- cut through the brass. This worked like a charm! I absorbed pages and pages of stuff written on goblonde.net and behindthechair.com and eventually experimented with double process. I'm trying to see how long I can grow my hair with it being bleached pale blonde on top and light brown underneath. so far, it's doing well.
You know, it's funny because I've been approached by several ladies asking where I got my hair done and if I would do theirs (*bragging here! ). I said 'no way!' I love doing hair and colour, but on MY head (and maybe my Mom's). I hate the idea of messing up someone else's colour and then doubting myself and hating haircolour. I'm going to stick doing it 'just for fun!'
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MaxineBrandywin
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I hope I'm not driving you batty. I just want to make sure I get what I'm supposed to do.
) what's the best way to maintain that color? Any special instructions on re-coloring the already colored locks? Won't this be a totally different thing? will I need a filler again?
My common sense tells me that after the first few applications it will last longer and longer? And even become more stable and have a better tone? 
How does one do a truly effective strand test anyway?
lol Thanks for your concern