Loads of Lightening Questions
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: Hair Color
Forum Description: The tricks and tribulations of changing your hair color
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=62648
Printed Date: July 29 2025 at 1:46pm
Topic: Loads of Lightening Questions
Posted By: DanaCO
Subject: Loads of Lightening Questions
Date Posted: October 05 2008 at 4:46pm
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Hey Everyone!
I have some questions about lightening and thought I would enlist the help of you color divas. I am about a natural level 6/7 currently dyed to about a level 4. I have just been using boxed dyes all willy-nilly since I didn't know any better and am a starving student. Now, I am thinking I want to go blonde and become a girl next door, LOL. J/K, I don't think I want to go that light, but, would like to maybe get to a level 9/10. My plan is to first head down to Sally's and get hooked up with some One 'n Only Colorfix to remove some of this junk from my hair. The question is, then what? I have done so much reading, but, I just don't know what option is best since if the Colorfix works- I only should need to lift 3-4 levels. My questions are as follows... I will number them so as not to confuse myself or others... 1) Should I bleach or use a hi-lift blonde? 2) Which is least damaging- bleach or hi-lift? 3) What are your opinions on brands? I have heard good things about Clairol and Wella both. Has anyone tried Kalaidocolors? They supposedly bleach and tone at the same time. 4) If I pull red, but, still ultimately want a small amount of gold, should I use a blue or violet base, lift to yellow, and then add a small amount of gold back in? If not, what might be a better option? 5) If I did a bump the base technique to lift one level from my natural color, could I lift the remaining 2-3 levels with a regular color other than hi-lift? 6) After all is said and done and my color is lifted- should I use a permanent toner or a demi? It is all so confusing! I just want to lift to a nice light neutral blonde with a few slices of gold blonde in the least damaging manner. There are so many products to choose from- my head is spinning and I haven't even had a cosmo yet, LOL.... There are so many cool toners, part of me just wants to bleach all the way and play around with toners for awhile before I commit to a particular shade. Any thoughts? |
Replies:
Posted By: karen s
Date Posted: October 06 2008 at 9:34am
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Wow a big job ahead, lol. I have heard of the colourfix, but never used it some same its great some say not so.
As your a level 4 now dark brown and had loads of colours in between, hi lift wont lift any colour out your hair , it will need to be bleach, but the problem is getting past the red stage, which is difficult. I can not say to you to use the colourfix as I have no experience with that particular brand.
Personally I would suggest you go blonde gradually with hi lights and I know you are a student and salons can be a bit expensive, I know I work in one, lol, but our prices are pretty good, shop around and get the cheapest price.
I am only advising this as it is a major colour job going from dark brown to blonde in the one go, is not going to happen sorry this is my professional opinion, however I am sure many here will say rubbish, but the condition of your hair is the most important thing hear.
However others will give you their experiences, but I will say just be careful.
Karen. ------------- karen sanderson |
Posted By: DanaCO
Date Posted: October 06 2008 at 12:11pm
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Thank you, Karen! I agree- I am concerned about damage. I guess a lot depends on how well the color remover works. I will try that first and then judge what to do accordingly.
I have heard conflicting things about contributing pigments. I have read that you need to tone with your natural pigment in mind and some have said tone with the pigment of the color you are lifting to in mind. I know everyone pulls warm when they lighten, but, I *really* pull warm tones (even when going darker actually). Any color that says "warm" or "gold" will be red on my hair. Anything that says "neutral" will be auburn or strawberry, which sucks because I would like a small amount of gold. I may try the Clairol Kalaidocolor bleach. The have a toner added and come in both a blue base and a violet base. The question is, which one? |
Posted By: karen s
Date Posted: October 06 2008 at 12:21pm
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well, I would use the blue, as you will pull loads of orange, so you will need the blue. Violet is used only to tone yellow out of the hair.
Good luck with the colorfix, I have heard some people need to apply this twice for best results, see even as a professional, even I learn something new, hehe.
Karen:) ------------- karen sanderson |
Posted By: borne.blonde
Date Posted: October 06 2008 at 4:09pm
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I agree w/ Karen even your natural level would be difficult with HL as they do add color, displace color & will possibly fade in the end to brass/orange. The Neutral & Blue Kaleidocolors lift up to 5 & the others up to 4. I purchased the blue but haven't played with it yet. BUT, I suspect with how you describe your hair the lightness you seek would occur with testing a gentle bleach & a toner (on swatch) to see what you would like to do. I have Tested Cremelights, Complements, Born blonde, Instant whip, Wellite. The cremelights has up to 5 level lift too (Like the Kaleidocolors) yet leaves an odd yellow LOreal cast & didn't bleach the the two or three pure red strands I have[weird] and doesn't seem economical. The cremelights also was like paste & difficult, but smelled delicious. The others work nicely & may take two sessions with 20/30 vol to be pale yellow or yellow stage you desire. But as you said for the colored parts already that will be difficult & a remover is recommended (haven't tried these). |
Posted By: DanaCO
Date Posted: October 07 2008 at 1:30am
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Thanks again, Karen. I will let you know how it goes. If I do the Kaleidocolor, I will opt for the blue.
BornBlonde- Thank you for the advice as well. The Kaleidocolors do seem like an interesting product. I have read some great reviews on them, but, I have seen a few people also say they are damaging and that just doing a bleach and tone separately is a better choice. It does seem counterintuitive that a bleach would work with a toner in a single process. Oh well, I am going to try the Colorfix first and go from there. I am bummed I didn't have time to pick it up today. Anyway after I get as much color out as possible, I can go in several different directions. I might do something like the Instant Whip with 20 or 30 V. I imagine I could also go the Wellite or Clairol 7th Stage and just lighten to the desired level and remove. That wouldn't be any more damaging than a bleach that lifts five levels, would it? |
Posted By: borne.blonde
Date Posted: October 07 2008 at 2:32am
You can take clippings from your hair , tie with tape to test. For example, in a glass / plastic bowl 2 tsp. of Color Charm developer, Ion Developer (easy on scalp), Clairoxide or Pure White Creme Developer, ¼ tsp. (equivalent of 2 envelopes of Lightening Booster or Protinator with Ultra-Blue, and 1 tsp. Lady Clairol. Mix until creamy). *For me I would be using less than or up to one packet of booster probably* Slow is ok if it is gentle. Being efficient with a product takes time & that is ok. Those little Kaleidocolors packets are cheap I think. It is good to test different things & how it makes the hair feel. I have tried colors that felt STIFFY & I definately am glad I tested. A good way to see how come you go to a professional or do exactly as instructed and test is to leave bleach on a test clipping for an extended period of time or color for that matter OMG... Rubber band city. You know those elastic beading threads...or wet noodles is how the hair turns when the bonds are destroyed & that is enough to grant much testing.Remember research research & be comfy with what you are doing... Hair condition must be evaluated. Maybe you could even go to a preliminary consultation or a few & see what they suggest. If you note ingredients on back of products each is similar or you can view online @ drugstore.com etc... http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165958&catid=28903&aid=337953&aparam=clairol_nice_n_easy_bor&CAWELAID=61279506 |