Well I got home today all prepared to lighten my hair from a golden level #5 to a neutral #7 (Ion Color Brilliance levels).  So, first thing I did was use a color remover to remove the #5G permanant dye that was on my hair.  This seemed to work very well and left me with medium orange hair where the previous dye was.  When I added the final step and applied the 10 vol. developer my hair toned down a little so I am sure there was still some dye in it but it was still at least a level lighter than my unprocessed roots.

I ran a few errands and 2 hours later proceeded with the permanant color #7N with a 30 volume developer.  I applied the mixture to my roots for 7 minutes then combed it through the rest of my hair and left if for 20 minutes more.  When I rinsed, I was left with a color nearly identical to what I started with!  Maybe 1 level lighter than what I had before, but with a redder tone.  Basically, I ended up with a medium to light auburn when I was going for a medium neutral blonde!  Where did I go wrong?  Is there any thing I can do to get my hair lighter now (or soon) without damaging my hair?  I was planning to apply some hi-light streaks tomorrow.  If there is a fairly simple remedy to lighten my hair 1-2 levels, then I will hold off on the highlights until I can lighten the base.  However, if there is no simple solution to the base color being too dark, I may proceed with the highlights anyway!

 I really do not want to put my hair through too much more processing but would really like a more blonde look going into summer.  Please help me decide what to do next!!!!?!!!!

I guess that at least I am lucky to be left with a hair color that I can at least live with for now.

So, I could do the colorfix again, then bleach to the lightness level I want, then apply a permanant color again?  How soon can I do all of that after just applying a permanant color today?  How can I be sure to have a result without to much of any one tone (red/gold/ash) when I color again?

Bleach really confuses me.  What is a good, slow (so I can monitor the color) bleach for a DIY to use?  Since I am wanting to bleach again later for highlights I will definately need to watch how quickly my hair lifts closely!

Hi:  Before you do anything else, you may want to read Claude's sticky on the basics of haircoloring.  She explains so much so well...

The coloring process is really a combination of factors.  I think that key to current color problem is that you started with an orangey base (after the colorfix) but only applied a neutral color to it.  If you review Claude's post, you'll see that to counteract an orange, you'll need to use a color with a blue base.  Doing so will produce a more natural tone -- probably that "neutral" you are seeking.  However, do always take the time to do a strand test.

I had a similar problem last summer.  I ventured into the world of home color with no experience or knowledge.  I used the over the counter box kit "L'Oreal Color Experte" unfortunately in a golden tone which resulted in a lighter strawberry blonde color.  Now, after gaining more knowledge on the color wheel and the coloring process, I know that the kit added gold/red tones to my already present natural gold/red tones --- pumped up the volume so to speak!

I tried to remedy the situation with lots of highlights.  It did seem to neutralize the color a bit, but lots of highlights can be hard on your hair.  Over time I switched colors to more neutral and later ash shades.  I wasn't ever truly satisfied until I found this board, starting going to Sally's and began experimenting with lots of test strands (and lots of bottles of colors).  Through trial and error I found the right combination to lighten my hair to the correct shade and prevent the "pulling" of warm tones.  Color is about enhancing tones already present in your hair or counteracting those tones if you don't like them (as in my case minimizing the "warmth" or gold/red in my hair). 

It's a long process, but kind of fun once you get the hang of it.  I'm sorry that I can't give any advice on what to do next.  I sense that another colorfix round might be necessary to remove the applied dye.  Then you'll probably need to experiment with blue based colors to see what will minimize the warmth left from the color fix.  As Aubergine says your hair is probably porous now and from what I understand, porous hair pulls color more (resulting in a darker tint than what you might expect) so you may want to choose a higher level color to apply.  Good luck!  Maria

Thanks, all.  Yep, I will be paying more attention to doing strand tests first.  I knew that I would need to use blue to counteract the orange but for some reason I was in denial about the orange and my fear of having dull ashy hair (like my natural color) took over; so, I didn't use a light enough color with an ash tone.  My roots being darker did complicate things.  I knew that my hair was going to be more pourous after the colorfix, but, knowing that I still had to get my roots to match the rest of my hair, I threw caution to the wind and just colored blindly thinking that I had reduced the processing time appropriately...NOT . 

Maybe now that all my hair is at least the same level of lightness (I think/hope...we'll see) I will have more patience when searching for the right color and strand test, if that makes sense. 

So, I will do a colorfix, then bleach if necessary (strand test first to find my processing time), then find a lighter shade than the results I want containing tones that will counteract what I am left with after the bleach (strand test first!).  All the while making sure to use good deep conditioners between processes!  Whew!

Wait a minute!  I am more concerned with pulling enough color out than too much.  If I am going very possibly use a bleach anyway, would it be better to skip the colorfix and go straight to the bleach with a strand test? 

Suggestions for what bleach to use? (reminder: I am wanting a natural medium blonde base before highlighting) Thanks!

Boy!  The longer I think about this the more confused I get!

OK, since I am so worried about bleach, I think that it is still going to be better to do the colorfix first...I may not want my hair any lighter.  If I do then I will suck it up and do the bleach.  I will just be sure to choose a color with the appropriate tone to counteract what I am left with after the colorfix and I will be sure to do a test strand before committing my entire head.

My question is this:  If indeed I am satisfied with the level of lightness in my hair after the colorfix would I select a toning color lighter than the current level or the same?  If I use a lighter color do I go 1 or 2 levels lighter?  What volume developer would I use for my test strand?

OK, so I am nuts...I have spent all day thinking about this and have gotten little to no work done...Thank you all for your time and advice!

Hugs,  Sandy