The Best of HairTalk #2 Hair Color Topics With William

Introduction

If you ever visit the Hair Boutique's Hair Talk Board you know that just about every topic pertaining to hair care is covered.

One of the big topics is always hair color. How to apply it, what is the best shades, what is the best products and what to do with you want to recover your hair back to your original hair color.

One of our most frequent "experts" is William who helps many of the Hair Talk visitors with their hair color questions. Because the board scrolls down so fast, many newcomers don't get to see some of the great messages that have been posted in the past.

This Best of Hair Talk captures as many of William's posts regarding hair color that I could find.

If you have any interest in hair coloring topics you will enjoy this Best of Hair Talk article. You may also enjoy reading William's article Hair Color Tips that he graciously donated to the Hair Boutique.

Thank you William for taking time out of your busy life to share your hair color wisdom with all of us at HairBoutique.com.

Hair gloss

Posted By: Alexis Monday, 1 February 1999, at 12:58 a.m.

Hi I wondered if anyone has tried a semi-permanent hair gloss or glaze? You put it on for about 20 minutes and it leaves a glaze over your hair that is supposed to protect it and make it very shiny. I just had it done to my hair and I don't know what he used, but it really didn't work.

I will make sure to post it when I find out what kind it was.

Also has anyone heard of the Jazzing Clear hair gloss by Clairol and or Shades??????

Thanks Lex

Posted By: william Monday, 1 February 1999, at 8:00 p.m. In Response To: Hair Gloss (Alexis)

TO LEX RE: SHADES

I have been using REDKEN SHADES for several years and I have not found a better color, period! Whether used as a clear 'glosser' as you describe or as a totally different shade, it is the best for color retention, conditioning, and for covering of roots and tintbacks/lowlights etc.

It is totally intermixable with a wide selection of colors. I simply cannot say enough good things about it! Sometimes when very 'fine, resistant hair' is treated with a similar type product, but NOT Shades, it will not 'take' well because of the very 'tight' constrictive cuticle.

A 'clarifying' treatment should be used before any salon chemical service (coloring or perms) are done.

Also on fine hair/resistant hair, processing for 20 minutes under a hot drier and cooling for 20 minutes afterward will help the depositing of the color.

william

help Curly get a good Cut and Color

Posted By: Marlena Saturday, 23 January 1999, at 10:08 a.m.

Hi,

I'm looking for a good place to get my mop cut and colored. Looking for a salon in either the NCY or Phila area. Only there are two catches:

1. I've got curls, most stylists screw em up!

2. I'm only 17, so I don't want to blow my entire college fund on this. So nothing over $200.00.

I'm also a bit scared because I plan on going from brunette to blonde, so I'd prefer a colorist that will work with me.

*Marlena*

Posted By: william Saturday, 30 January 1999, at 7:40 a.m. In Response To: help Curly get a good Cut and Color (Marlena)

Call Beth Minardi at Minardi and Minardi in NYC. There is no better colorist!

william

hair color

Posted By: jane Monday, 25 January 1999, at 11:12 a.m.

Can anyone tell me what a "prism" is in hair color terminology? My hair has been over-highlighted so it looks like an all-over color and is too bright.

I wanted to add some darker streaks to break up the strawberry blonde and break up the outgrowth. My hairdresser put a darker "prism" on, then rehighlighted.

At the salon it seemed like it looked better to me, but five days later my roots still look dark and I don't notice much difference overall. I've been using good color shampoo, but do you think it could have washed out? Any suggestions on how to get darker streaks?

Thanks!

Posted By: william Thursday, 28 January 1999, at 12:46 a.m. In Response To: hair color (jane)

To Jane;

Have your stylist use Redken Shades EQ. It is a much longer lasting color than the Matrix Prisms color, also tell her/him to put you under a hot drier for 20 mins and then air cool for 20 mins before shampooing the Shades out during the coloring process, checking frequently to make sure the color is not "taking" or grabbing too quickly.

William

Getting back natural color

Posted By: Sandra Wednesday, 27 January 1999, at 1:55 p.m.

I posted this before in response to an older thread, but thought I should start my own.

My hair is dyed auburn and I want my natural color back to light neutral brown. I've tried dying it brown with permanent tint but it only gets darker, still red. My hair is a couple inches past my shoulders.

Karen suggested to someone else using vegetable coloring on the regrowth until the roots become manageable. (This would take a couple of years, at least). Would it be better to do this than to just remove the color and re-dye? I'm not sure how much stress the ends can take, they are a little damaged.

A couple more questions: what is vegetable color? Is Redken Shades EQ a type of vegetable color? Is this an at-home procedure, or salon-only? Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks,

Sandra

Posted By: william Thursday, 28 January 1999, at 12:32 a.m. In Response To: Getting back natural color (Sandra)

To Sandra:

Sandra, Redken Shades EQ is a professional only color. It is not a vegetable type of color, such as henna etc.

To try to guess at a correct formula for your problems, try this; Your description of "auburn" is a little vague. To correct the red tones in your hair use a "level" or lightness of color shade in the same number of steps lighter than your designer "target color, " is a way from the current color. This can be confusing, so pay attention!

If your hair is a dark auburn, level 5, and you want a level 7 dark neutral blonde, use a "level 9" ash blonde to tone down the reds in your hair.

The reason that your hair is going darker when you apply color, is it is much more porous and readily accepts color much easier, which results in a deeper "depositing" of the color pigments.

To try to combat this use a good intensive conditioner just before coloring and lightly rinse, towel dry thoroughly before coloring and apply color to the midshaft and roots first and to ends last, in this order. Post and let me know how this comes out.

William

Hair Color VERSUS Long Hair

Posted By: Janet Green Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 1:42 p.m.

I want to color my hair light blonde, but I also want it to keep growing longer. But I was told that if lighten it, it will damage it and not grow long. But look at celebrities like Pamela Anderson-she has super light blonde hair and it is still super long. How does she do it???

I was thinking of lighening my hair (is is medium brown) with a powdered bleach/30 vol. peroxide mixture (without a toner afterwards to cut down on the damage).

Is this a good way to do it? is there any way to have it bowth ways-to have really long hair that is really blonde? And how do you think Pam does it??? Thanks for the advice!

Posted By: william Tuesday, 26 January 1999, at 12:21 a.m. In Response To: Hair Color VERSUS Long Hair (Janet Green)

To Janet; From a professional standpoint DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING THIS TO YOUR HAIR YOURSELF!!

This is a pro only job here and you can totally ruin your hair trying this!. That fact that you are THINKING! because you are asking for advice is great!

Just keep on thinking-keep the gray matter on the job a little longer. A double process "blonding" is what you are needed to get this light of a blonde, with a careful toning to get the desired "tone" of blonde.

This is a HIGH COST, HIGH MAINTENANCE, HARD ON YOUR HAIR PROCESS!!.

Are you willing to pay the prince?? -in dollars? in time?, and most importantly in the life expectancy of your "double processed" hair? You had better think twice and breathe in deeply between sessions and make sure that this is not too high of a price to pay for "the bleached blonde look".

If after all of this, and you still want to pursue this course of action, find the best colorist you can and be sure to get a before and after picture taken, and cut off a lock of your hair and tape it to the back of the before picture, then in six months take them out and look, at your hair now and then and see if I didn't try to steer you in the right direction. Think about it very carefully!

William

Any experience with Redken Shades?

Posted By: Debra Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 6:44 p.m.

I've been highlighting my hair for a few years, and I'm tired of the dryness and breakage despite weekly protein pacs, regular moisturizing and trims.....plus we have well water which gives my hair a LOVELY greenish-orange tint.

I'd like to go back to my natural brownish-blonde shade to minimize roots and (hopefully) salvage whats left of my hair before I either willingly shave my head or go bald from all the breakage and hair loss!

Someone suggested I try Redken Shades Colorback EQ, or to have "low-lights". Which would be healthier for fragile hair? Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Posted By: william Friday, 22 January 1999, at 7:33 p.m. In Response To: Any experience with Redken Shades? (Debra)

To Debra: Re; REDKEN SHADES EQ I know that if you and the rest of the readers have been reading my posts for the last six months, that I sound like a 'Shades EQ' salesman!

I use this product every day and it is wonderful!

I have NEVER! repeat! NEVER! had a bad experience with Shades EQ! Please have your stylist use Redken 'PRE-ART' clarifying treatment to remove mineral deposits from your hair before coloring.

And do cut the bad ends as ness (after the coloring please). You may have to cut more than you want to now, but go ahead and do it.

It will save you from having to cut a lot more later, if you don't and the hair keeps on splitting up the shaft. There is practically any color combo possible with the intermixable formulas available in Shades. Post if you need more help.

william

hair color problem

Posted By: michelle Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 2:11 a.m.

I am a dark blonde who used to get foil highlights, then got talked into doing an all over blonde color. No bleach was used. But the new color is much lighter than my natural. I am kind of happy with this mega blonde look, but I just realized I can not afford getting my roots done every 4-6 weeks, plus I am pregnant and want to cut down on my coloring.

Now what do I do? !!!! I know growing this out will be painful and look horrible. I have a short hairstyle, layered bob.

My first idea was thinking of waiting as long as I could until it is really noticeable, then have my stylist do only some sections of the roots with foils, one shade darker than the last color she applied and continue doing that every 2 months until I get back to the way it was.

My second idea was having her wait until enough of my roots grow out to get my natural color, then maybe having low lights in a shade close to my natural color put in to make the roots blend in with the much lighter ends.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please post them. I don't think I would be up to a color correction at this point, my sister had that done, by a very good stylist, and it was a disaster.

Posted By: william Friday, 15 January 1999, at 1:56 a.m. In Response To: Re: hair color problem (michelle)

To Michelle; Sorry it took so long to get back with you. You can go as dark as needed in one session if you want. Depending on how fast your hair grows will give you the answer to that question.

You can redo the shades as often as ness, your stylist will know to shorten the processing time slightly and to apply the color to the midshaft first, then the roots and lastly to the ends. There are so many wonderful colors in the Shades EQ line that you can intermix them to obtain literally any color desired. Trust me!

You will love it!

william

Peroxide Misconceptions

Posted By: william <[email protected]> Monday, 11 January 1999, at 10:22 p.m.

A very common misconception heard a lot is "the peroxide ruined my hair". This is not true!!! While peroxide in its various forms is used in most haircolor as a 'developer' to activate the coloring formula, it in itself not a damaging chemical WHEN USED PROPERLY!

This is the key! Peroxide 'opens' the cuticle of the hair so it will 'accept' the new color pigment, as well as activating the color where it will "develop". Where the problem comes in is when people who lighten their hair think that the longer that you leave it on or the higher the "volume" is used will lighten their hair faster or lighter is basically untrue!

Remember--I said when used properly-- the higher volumes are meant to be used ONLY with color formulas that are formulated to be used with the higher vol of peroxide by design! If the hair color you want is not achievable with the proper vol of peroxide, then what you really need is a 'double process' color which uses pre-lightening or 'bleaching and toning' back to the desired shade.

With the Proper use of modern Hi-Lift and bleaching products especially 'oil type' bleach minimal damage will occur when USED PROPERLY. But, there is no such thing as totally damage free coloring as this.

Most 'deposit only' color uses a very low vol of peroxide to activate or develop the color. This is as damage free as it gets! I would strongly recommend this type of color in most applications. I hope that this clears up some bad information.

william

Re: hair color problem

Posted By: Lindsey Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 4:35 p.m. In Response To: hair color problem (kitty)

I just highlighted my hair and it turned orange, what can I use that I already have to fix it?

Posted By: william <[email protected]> Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 8:53 p.m. In Response To: hair color problem (kitty)

To Kitty; Try Shampooing several times with Prell shampoo. Do not dry with heat as this will 'set' the color more. Also never judge a color until it has had 48 hrs to oxidize to the air.

william

TO WILLIAM hair color disaster/plus bad cut

Posted By: upset Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 3:44 p.m.

I found a "deposit only" color by Clairol, it did have peroxide in it which scared me a bit. I got light natural blonde shade, not an ash or gold shade, but a neutral.

I applied it to chunks of hair, but not all over. I timed it as they said to, then I combed it all through to blend it a bit, then immediately washed it. It looks a lot better, in fact I love the color, but whoever to achieve this color again after all this hair went through.

The bad haircut, in fact, looks 100% better. My hair has shine and it looks like someone infused gold into it, but not brassy, orangey or yellowlike, just a nice natural shade. Some of the old light color is mixed in. It feel healthier. Amen

Now, how do I prevent this "deposit only" color from washing out? Will I be able to re-apply it in a month or so? I think my roots will look a lot less obvious with this color on.

I would eventually like to switch back to highlights only....every 3-4 months, when will it be safe to do that again? I am going to search high and low for a good color experts, so I will tell them what I did with my hair and have them do a strand test!. Just curious of what to do until then. Thank you for all or your help.

Posted By: william Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 8:45 p.m. In Response To: TO WILLIAM hair color disaster/plus bad cut (upset)

To Upset; I am glad that the deposit only color did the trick for you! To prolong the life, use a for 'colored only shampoo' and conditioner, and try to refrain from shampooing any more than ness. I really like Redken "shades shampoo in the right shade to match your hair."

This will accentuate and help keep your color. The great thing about deposit only colors is that as they 'wear' they do not leave a harsh color demarcation line.

In the case of your hair this will be more noticeable because of the previous color, but still plenty acceptable. Also you can reproduce your color when it fades by 'refreshing the color' and timing it slightly shorter to reproduce the same effects. (There will still be some of the 'deposit only' pigments left. william

Posted By: william Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 11:25 a.m. In Response To: hair color disaster/plus bad cut (upset)

To Upset Sorry that you have had a very bad salon experience. Maybe I can help you survive this. You stated that you had a Sally's beauty supply store nearby, you have a couple of ways of working with your problem. You could use a product called Uncolor or Metalax to remove the permanent color. This will NOT return your hair to its "before colored" color, it will strip the color that was applied,but will reveal the changed 'base color'.

This is what your hair color was before the last color plus the permanent change that the developer in the color created to the 'base'. However this is tough on your hair. A second solution is to do a color correction to 'color back' your hair. This is a very tricky process sometimes for a pro, let alone a novice. I would advise against it for the home colorist.

A third option which I would recommend that you try, is a color "overlay", where a color such as Loreal Naturelle or other similar 'deposit only' color is applied over your color as it is now (not stripped).

This is a relatively easy process and the combination of the translucence of this type of color 'overlaying' and combining with your color as it is now will "create" a new color that is a 'blend' of colors.

This will take a little trial and error to blend the right amounts of different colors to achieve the right end results. I am so happy to see that you have enough experience/common sense to do strand tests. (Something that your stylist certainly didn't have!)

With this type of "deposit only" color, timing is not super important down to the minute as is a permanent color is, the longer you leave this type color on the more 'depth' of deposit you will get.

More than one color can be applied to weave or highlight/lowlight as needed to correct your "monochrome" color as it is now. I use Redken Shades EQ extensively to do the same type of correction, but they are a salon only product.

The "deposit only" colors will leave your hair in much better shape than a permanent color will and use about 2 shades lighter than you want the finished results to be (because your colored hair will "grab" the color quicker because it is more 'porous' than virgin (uncolored) hair. An intense conditioning program should be started also to help keep your hair as well as possible after all the coloring.

I have written an article dealing with some of the basics of color that should be of help to readers of the Hair Boutique, that should be out soon.

If you have any more Questions please post or email me and I will try to help. Please post and let me know how this worked for you if you try it.

william

tired of highlighing

Posted By: Debi Monday, 4 January 1999, at 12:52 p.m.

I'm the one with major breakage due to over-processed highlights and want to quit getting the highlights altogether. What is the safest way to go darker again (I'm naturally a light brunette) without further damaging what is left of my hair? Thanks for any suggestions!

Posted By: william Monday, 4 January 1999, at 11:52 p.m. In Response To: tired of highlighing (Debi)

NO PROBLEM!! Find a salon that uses Redken Shades EQ color and color back using Shades for Relief at a reasonable cost and great conditioning. william

Highlight or All-Over Color

Posted By: Jeanie Friday, 1 January 1999, at 11:00 a.m.

I'm 27, have "winter" dark-blonde hair, with no graying. I am try to decide between highlighting my hair or lightening it all-over with a permanent color (lighter blonde). I'm rather conservative (in the Air Force) and can't have anything "wild"...but really need a pick-me-up.

Any suggestions? At-home or salon? Highlights or all-over? Thanks!

Posted By: william Friday, 1 January 1999, at 10:16 p.m. In Response To: Re: Highlight or All-Over Color (Kelly F.)

To Jeanie; Foiled in highlights will work very well on your color hair if done in a salon. Also "Redken Shades Above" can also be used either in an all over color or as a highlighting color for only a 'one level of lift' for a very subtle change and unsurpassed after color conditioning of your hair.

william

perming and coloring

Posted By: Patti Wednesday, 16 December 1998, at 8:26 a.m.

My hair is in need of both a color and a perm. Which should I do first. Which brand of perms and coloring are best when doing multiple processing?

Posted By: william Wednesday, 16 December 1998, at 8:38 p.m. In Response To: perming and coloring (Patti)

To Patti; Normally you should do your perm first and then a couple of weeks later (during which an intensive conditioning program should be instituted), do your color. A reverse of this is true when bleaching or using a "hi-lift" color process.

I heavily recommend that only a VERY EXPERIENCED stylist do this because of the potential major damage that your hair could receive if an amateur tries to perm and color at the same time or does not know all the ins and out of this procedure!

If you are not lightening your hair, I recommend Redken Vector Plus perms and you can immediately use Redken Shades EQ color either as a part of the perming process or immediately afterwards for great, conditioning color/perming in the salon.

How do I go back to my natural hair colour.

Posted By: laura Wednesday, 2 December 1998, at 2:59 a.m.

Hi,

I dyed my hair a while ago. Not thinking of the consequences. Now that it has started to grow back it looks terrible. What can I do? cutting it is not an option as I have long hair and would like to keep it.

Any suggestions?

Posted By: william Wednesday, 2 December 1998, at 5:58 a.m. In Response To: How do I go back to my natural hair colour. (laura)

To Laura Re; Your Color Problem: You were not very specific about your color, is it a permanent color, a semi-permanent or has your hair been "lightened" by bleaching?

Please try to describe your hair in detail as to what it has been subjected to in terms of chemicals and what color it was when it was before it was colored and what color it is now, and I will try to do my best to help.

william

Posted By: laura Thursday, 3 December 1998, at 2:58 a.m. In Response To: Re: How do I go back to my natural hair colour. (william)

Hi William,

Thank you for responding. My hair was dark brown before I dyed it. I used a permanent dye called "Nice N Easy' by Clairol. It added a red tint to my hair. Any suggestions?

Posted By: william Saturday, 5 December 1998, at 9:23 p.m. In Response To: Re: How do I go back to my natural hair colour. (william)

To Laura, RE: Returning to your color, Since your natural hair was a dark brown,(probably a 'warm' shade because of your mention of the brassiness or orange in your new color).

When you try to color your hair (read lighten) more than a couple of shades brown hair goes through several steps in the lightening process, one of which is orange, red -yellow etc several distinct shades or "levels" of color from darkest to lightest that you achieve with whatever product that you are using. Usually what most people do is think of haircolor as "hairpaint"! NOT!! NO WAY!!

Haircolor works in conjunction with the natural tones which are present in your hair or with the "ALTERED" color that is present in chemically colored hair. This is why many people wind up with haircolor disasters because they did not take this into account (or know to add this into the haircolor equation!!, before they colored their hair.

Try to use a deposit only hair color to correct your hair like Redken Shades. It is totally mixable to come up with your own formula to correct your color woes, and will leave your hair feeling much better. This is a salon only product. william

Home coloring vs. salon coloring

Posted By: Jen Bahney Friday, 4 December 1998, at 6:24 p.m.

I picked up an interesting tip today and thought I'd share: I went to my long hair salon today to consult my stylist about a color correction. On a whim last weekend, I had used L'Oreal Feria in a copper red to color my hair. While the ends turned out fine, the hair on top of my head near my part looks carrot-orange.

My stylist explained that chemicals, conditioners, etc. sink into the hair fastest wherever it's the warmest. )That's why it's recommended that you wear a heat cap whey you deep condition). he said that the scalp is the warmest area for hair growth and the color sunk in faster there than my long ends.

I'm sticking with professional coloring form now on because they know how to time it right. My stylist recommended that I use a clarifying shampoo and lots of conditioner for a couple weeks to get the brassiness out. Then he's going to use a darker semi-permanent color to even out my tone.

Hope my experience helps other thinking about coloring their long hair.

Posted By: william Friday, 4 December 1998, at 9:34 p.m. In Response To: Home coloring vs. salon coloring (Jen Bahney)

To Jen: Re; your hair color problem; Jen your stylist is right on what he told you. However, there's more to it than what he said. It is true that color will be more "aggressive" due to body heat close to the scalp when applied.

This is especially true of long hair when 'piled' up on the scalp during the coloring process.

The long hair acts as an 'insulation' blanket holding in the heat close to the scalp, causing the color to process much faster at the scalp than at the mid-shaft or ends. Also, the ends usually are much more porous than the mid-lengths or scalp areas and will "grab or take" much quicker than the rest of the hair usually.

To combat this, colorists should do a "test strand" checking the processing timing required to produce the correct tonal values.

Color should be applied to the mid-length first, scalp area next and ends last, depending on whether depositing (usually darkening or toning), or lightening, usually in the same order unless the roots are much darker than the lengths. Sometimes, even a lighter shade is used on the ends, to even out the color differences caused by different porosity of the hair from scalp to end. Protein "fillers" can be used to help even out multi-porosity in the hair.

What I have tried to explain is usually too technical for the budding home haircolorist, but is how it really is.

By the way, this exact problem is why Redken invented "Color Fusion Process" to take into account these problems.

william

ANYONE...HELP ASAP, ASAP, ASAP

Posted By: Tara Wednesday, 25 November 1998, at 8:59 a.m.

I originally had very dry, shoulder length medium brown hair. I now have reddish/brown roots (1 inch) and 5 inches of black/brown hair. Now even dryer!. I used home coloring product and have screwed up my hair. I just want my old mousy brown hair back. I was thinking of going to a pro. I'm afraid that having corrective coloring done will completely ruin my hair and face loosing it. If anyone has any kind of advice or know of anyone I can go to for help in the New York area, please respond A.S.A.P. I'm desperate and don't want to look like this anymore.

Posted By: william Friday, 27 November 1998, at 10:33 p.m. In Response To: ANYONE...HELP ASAP, ASAP, ASAP (Tara)

To TARA; your haircolor disaster. The best thing to do would be go to a pro to get the problem taken care of. In lieu of that go to a beauty supply store and purchase some Metalax haircolor remover and use it according to directions. Follow up with an intensive conditioning program to try to save your hair.

If you did not use a permanent hair color but a semi-permanent use Clairol uncolor also available at the beauty supply store to remove the color. What you will have when you use these products is the "altered base color of your hair". If you used a permanent color it may be significantly altered from your natural color.

Haircolor is not "hairpaint" and many a girl has found this out. The combination of your base color and the color in the hair coloring product combine to produce its own 'unique' color. After you have stripped the color off of your hair it will be much more 'porous' or willing to accept color pigments. This means that it will usually take a color at least 2 shades or levels lighter to return to the desired color.

Also the amount of time that it is left on can vary greatly from recommended timing.( it will always be less than 'virgin uncolored hair'.) This is not intended to be a lesson in haircoloring corrections but a warning not to just pour on colors one after another.

Also DO NOT use a permanent color on hair as overprocessed and dry as yours! If you do, you may wind up as the next Bald girls pin up! Use only a semi-permanent color to "tone back your color."

william

Hair color disaster

Posted By: Carron Saturday, 21 November 1998, at 1:45 p.m

Please Help!!!!!!I finally got up the nerve to get my gray covered and went to a professional this summer to do it. The first time was great. The next time i went in for a touch up, she turned my hair red. I have been going to a different salon ever since to get this corrected (I am naturally a medium brown). This has been going OK with only a little red left Until today!! My regular stylist had to have surgery so someone else did it for me. She said she would match my roots and use and ash tone to get rid of the red. Well the problem is now I look like Loretta Lynn. I have tried to get back to the salon and they are closed until Tuesday. I am too embarrassed to leave the house.

Posted By: william Saturday, 21 November 1998, at 9:33 p.m. In Response To: Hair color disaster (Carron

RE: Carrons color problem, Carron DO NOT start pouring color onto your hair! You did not say what type of color was used on your hair, whether it was permanent or semi-permanent. Either way it can be "stripped" by using Clairol "uncolor" or "metalax" permanent haircolor remover.(availible at beauty supply stores). This should be left to a pro no matter what you think right now. It is also hard on your hair. What you should do is start an intensive deep conditioning program to help get your hair back in shape for whatever you decide to do. Use Redken "PPT and Extreme" conditioner applied to freashly shampooed hair and leave on 20 mins min. Best to wait for your regular stylist or her reccomended substitute.

william.

How can I get Blonde hair???

Posted By: Carrie Friday, 13 November 1998, at 11:28 p.m.

I have naturally medium brown hair. I have tried everything to get blonde hair. However, all I can get is that brassy color. I heard that I need to actually strip my hair of all color and then dye my hair the desired color I want. Is this true??? If anyone can help me, please direct me in the right direction.

Posted By: william Friday, 13 November 1998, at 11:49 p.m. In Response To: How can I get Blonde hair??? (Carrie)

RE: Getting Blonde Hair/To Carrie and others: Many people who lighten their hair think that hair color is like "paint" that they can "paint on" the color on the box and that is what they will get. WRONG!

Haircolor is a combination of 'levels and tones' both what is naturally in your hair and what is in the 'bottle'. Hair can only be lightened a certain amount with a "single process" color and anything more than that is done with a "double process"(lighten with bleach and then toning to the desired color).

You CANNOT!!! keep pouring on color after color onto your hair or you will have no "hair" as we know it before long! Repeated permanent coloring on the same hair will severely damage it!!! A trip to a pro who is a color specialist can save your hair from further damage and give you the color you want, provided your hair is in good enough shape. william

hair darkening

Posted By: Jessica Wednesday, 11 November 1998, at 1:40 p.m.

My hair is bleach blonde and chin length, I really want it back my natural colour (dark brown), can I dye it back, if so what with?

Posted By: william Friday, 13 November 1998, at 11:32 p.m. In Response To: Re: hair darkening

Jessica/ Hair darkening Try a salon that uses Redken Shades EQ to tint back with. This is a 'salon only' color that is availible in many intermixable shades and can be custom blended to bring back your hair to what ever shade you want in most cases. If you cannot afford a salon and have to do it yourself, be careful! Haircolor is not paint! It interacts with the level of color that is left in your hair after you lightened it. The "base level" is very important to take into consideration when choosing a color. This is a job best left to a pro to correct. Try to find a beauty supply that has a detailed color chart and better yet a 'swatch sample' to compare your "lightened" hair color to find out what level and "tone" it currently is. Clairol and Loreal have good selection guides explaining the Color Wheel and how it affects color selection. Good Luck! email me if you have any questions.

william

Re: Henna advice, please

Posted By: Amy Monday, 9 November 1998, at 5:57 a.m.

Does any have advice on whether or not to use hnna as a conditioner and highlighter? Will it help or harm the hair? Does the color ever fade away? If henna is a good thing for brunettes to use, does anyone have advice on a brand that is consistently good? Many thinaks in advance!

Posted By: william Monday, 9 November 1998, at 5:57 a.m.

To Amy; In response to your question about henna: THINK TWICE BEFORE USING HENNA! Henna is the oldest haircolor known to man. It was used extensively in ancient Egyptian times,but there are some long term effects that you should think about before using!

Henna can improve the appearence of your hair(make it shiny and color it. However it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to completly remove from your hair once it has been used on it except for cutting all affected hair off! It also prevents any other chemical services (ie perms other colorings to be performed) on your hair EVER, until it is cut off.

There are many good products on the market that will do as good of a job coloring your hair, such as Redken Shades EQ and do not have any restrictions on your hair styling plans for your hair, now or in the future.

Shades has a wonderful color selection and can be intermixed to customize a color for any application and with the use of "Shades Above" gentle one step lightening can be achieved on most colors.

william

What's your experiences with FOILING?

Posted By: def Thursday, 15 October 1998, at 5:49 p.m.

Hello it's defgo,

For those of you who haven't read my previous messages, I am a student who will be graduating from hairschool in December. I'd like to hear other stylists'experiences with foiling.

My techniques are still basic, so I'd like to learn other techniques that I might be able to apply to my own. Tricks and tips of the trade. I know that there are a trillion ways of sectioning and weaving and slicing and applying, but I'd like to hear it from you. Your suggestions and comments are much appreciated.

defgo (john)

Posted By: william Sunday, 18 October 1998, at 7:49 p.m. In Response To: What's your experiences with FOILING? (def)

def; foiling tech suggestions; Here are a couple of tips I can share with you; when highlighting long hair do not apply any color/or bleach to the foiled sections until all sections are seperated and weaved out.

Apply color to the topmost foils first in the bang area and center top, then the front sides with the lowerback and sides last.

This will give a lightened 'halo' and a more natural lightened by the sun look.

Protect hair outside of foils by brushing on a good conditioner before starting to apply the color. If you have large foils or a large amount of foils to do you must work quickly if working with bleach or a hi-lift product.

Here is where a good assistant is needed or use large hair clips to secure the foils upward to keep the above foiled sections out of the way while applying color, on very long,thick hair secure unfoiled sections with hair clips as in pincurls to keep them out of the way.

Sometimes you can only do a section at a time, rinse and then continue on to other sections.

As with any color process, timing is ultra important for great results. Good luck. William

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Original Publication Date: 11/18/01 - Revised Publication Date: 05/22/10

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