Going from darkest brown to red - possible to do?

[MissWednesday]

Hihi...well, I'm naturally a very light blonde (almost white in some parts) and have been dyeing my hair a very dark shade of brown/black for about 10 years now.

Recently I've been toying with the idea of get my hair dyed a lovely, natural-yet-vibrant red colour....kinda like Kari's from Mythbusters.

But I have no idea if this will even be possible, or if it will ruin my hair! Also, what colour do I ask for if I decide to get it done?

Please help - need new hair!

 

[pavement]

The color that will suit you best depends on your skin tone.

I have very dark hair and have dyed it red several times in the past. I even had a medium/light red once. But be forwarned that red is hard to maintain. Plus you may need to rethink your make-up options. I tended to look like a dead fish.

I think you definitely need a consultation if you've been dying your hair already. I'm sure it's doable, but the damage is sure to increase. Dying mine red took a few processes. And even my naturally dark hair was left pretty damaged.

If you do go for it, I'd suggest using Sebastian Colourshines in a red tone in between touch-ups to keep it looking fresh. It's a hair gloss that enhances color. It leaves your hair smoother too.

 

[MissWednesday]

Thanks so much pavement!

About the looking like a dead fish - I'm deathly pale as it is, so I have no problems there covering up that problem with make up/blush etc.

I guess I'm just concerned that my hair will become like straw from having to bleach the black out and end up being a cheap-looking red, rather than a natural red...if that makes sense?

 

[kissablekae]

i went red last spring. i had light brown with blonde highlights, dyed a medium red over that and it went like dark reddish brown..i'm fair as well and its was way too dark so i lightened it with light brown and ended up looking like more of a natural red head red versus that cartoony red.

i think your best bet is to go to a salon! especially if you are starting with dark brown hair. and since your fair i would suggest a bright/light red, nothing too deep or solid? parts of my highlighted hair showed through as a lighter red, i think it looked better than just solid.

 

[daniellat]

Gosh y loove red hair..i was a redhead for six months and i loved every minute of it. although everyone told me i looked great (like somebody would tell me i look horrible) my mom hated it....her strong opinion and high maintainance won. i have dark hair naturally...and after red i went back to my roots..literally. id say go for it...consider your skin tone. if you really really want it red do it, but i have to warn you...it vanishes so quickly, youll have to dye it like every two weeks to have a great color.

I did it myself at home, my hair is naturally dark brown and i went for a dark copper blonde and it turned out pretty nice and even. i think red hair stands out, well it kinda goes with my personality, thats something to consider too.

Have fun girl! please tell us how it came out

 

[kissablekae]

^ i agree. when you first color it, its sooo vibrant and lovely but you kind of have to redye it every month cuz it fades so fast. i only had to for two half months. but its a pain to try to get all of the red out of my hair afterwards!

 

[modelbehavior228]

you will need to strip the borwn dye out first, bleach the remaining tinges of dye out, use a color filler, and then dye. In other words, HIGH TAIL IT TO THE SALON!

 

[modelbehavior228]

^ i agree. when you first color it, its sooo vibrant and lovely but you kind of have to redye it every month cuz it fades so fast. i only had to for two half months. but its a pain to try to get all of the red out of my hair afterwards!

My hair is so damaged that red permanent dyes fade out in three weeks COMPLETELY and demi and semi dye won't even take on the tips.

 

[MissWednesday]

Well, I did it! It took the hairdresser 6 hours to get the black out of my hair but they finally got it a perfect shade of copper. I have a photo - it looks a bit darker in this picture - imagine a more vibrant red. I think it suits me

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[daniellat]

you look so pretty!! ill dye my hair again..as soon as i go back to school first thing as i land, ill go to the beauty shop.