What did I do wrong with this hair color?

Hello everyone!

I'm new. My hair is a natural level two dark brown.

I bought a tube of L'Oreal Hicolor Highlights. The color is "ash blond." The label says it lifts 3 - 5 levels on medium brown to black hair.

I snipped virgin hair from the back of my head and did a strand test with HiColor and a 30 volume peroxide in the proper ratio and processed for 30 minutes, as required.

My hair stayed dark brown! Not one difference.

I also tried it with a 40 volume peroxide and a new strand - it turned a slightly lighter brown, barely noticeable. I also used a new 30 volume peroxide just in case my others had gone bad. No change.

So what's the problem? Why can HiColor supposedly turn even African American hair blond but it can't even lighten my dark brown hair?

Hello :)

Actually, the package called for 2 parts 30 volume to one part highlighter. I used the 40 volume as an experiment to see if it made any difference on the strand. :)

I only tested virgin hair, but I do have some reddish auburn highlights in my hair that have grown out about three inches.

I will definitely try your suggestion. :)

If I had it my way, my hair would be a cool light brown with ashy highlights. But that might be out of my league. :)