Another hair color question- I need to figure this out by Monday

[Anonymous]

I have been coloring and highlighting/lowlighting my hair at home for around 20 years.

I have black hair and I am 60% gray. I use Naturtint color that I discovered at Whole Foods. I get it in bulk from online stores and that way I don't have to pay shipping and my price per box works out to around $8. Use whatever brand of hair color you want.

When I put in highlights, I put the highlights first (a lighter color in the same color family) and the next day I color my hair with one color all over.

When I put in lowlights, I do the all over color first and then put in the darker lowlights the next day (a very different color family - think deep burgundy lowlights over brown hair).

In your shoes, I would - Match the color that you have for the bulk of your hair right now. Then, evaluate the roots and the patch of faded hair after all-over coloring to see if you need to blend further. ONLY if you think it needs more blending then you should go for subtle highlights/lowlights using colors that are several shades lighter and darker than the main color. I would suggest do that the next day.

I mainly use the cheap (and fantastic) Revlon Color-Silk colors to do the highlights and lowlights. Since I don't need the whole box for highlights and lowlights, I use different plastic containers to mix the amount of color I need. Don't use a heavy hand while adding highlights/lowlights. Less is more. And it is ridiculously easy.

[Anonymous]

I've been coloring my brown/gray hair for many years -- salons, box color in between to do roots, and I tried Madison Reed. If you turn brassy (mine definitely does), be sure to pick a shade lighter and "ash"(I used dark Ash blonde box color for years) - do not get a copper!. By using a lighter box (or MR) color you are not going to lighten the existing dark color you have (you will need to do highlights for that), but I found it covered my gray a little, creating some variation.
You can always go darker, but it is very hard to strip color out, so I would start with a lighter color, even a semipermanent or demipermanent color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been coloring my brown/gray hair for many years -- salons, box color in between to do roots, and I tried Madison Reed. If you turn brassy (mine definitely does), be sure to pick a shade lighter and "ash"(I used dark Ash blonde box color for years) - do not get a copper!. By using a lighter box (or MR) color you are not going to lighten the existing dark color you have (you will need to do highlights for that), but I found it covered my gray a little, creating some variation.
You can always go darker, but it is very hard to strip color out, so I would start with a lighter color, even a semipermanent or demipermanent color.

Thanks for this advice. The Ash term really threw me so that is helpful to know.

I am not brave enough to attempt any sort of highlights or lowlights. I just want to eventually grow out this mess and go for a single process.

[Anonymous]

I would avoid Madison Reed if you tend to go brassy. Something about the lack of ammonia in the product makes all of their shades brassy, even if you choose an ash shade. I learned this the hard way - twice

I've had much better luck with Loreal Color & Co which is also an online color-quiz site that recommends the right shade for you. Although, at this point I'm not sure if any of the online sites offer fast enough shipping to get it to you time.

[Anonymous]

Easy peasy:

Buy a wig and wear it only for the zoom.. boom! done.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, thing big, thing wig! No shame, all the TV stars do that because they look just right on screen. No hair will come close.
https://info.godivassecretwigs.com/photo-gallery


zoom ready in five minutes.

[Anonymous]

I have to admit I'm intrigued by the wigs after seeing some posts here. It does seem like a fun idea (probably not realistic for OP with her need by Monday), but I do kind of want one now.

[Anonymous]

It is highly unlikely that having only one color on your entire head would look good, especially if it's a dark color. That's how you get that awful helmet head look. You're going to need to have varied tones throughout your head in order for it to look good.

[Anonymous]

Go to a salon if you can- make sure not to go too dark, bring pictures of the color you’re aiming for to give them some guidance...

I’m a brunette too and every time I color at home I get to red or too dark. If you can’t go to a salon get a SEMI or DEMI color. Semi may not cover gray but it will give some coverage. Demi lasts a little longer but in theory will wash out (I found it lasts longer than I want it to. I go to Sally’s and use Ion colors. I'm about a level 4 and I get a level 5 or 6 ash. The 5 gets my hair dark, maybe level of 2.

I would just get a brown semi Ion color- gives you shine and some color that will wash out in a few days. Have root spray color and a lot of light behind your webcam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid Madison Reed if you tend to go brassy. Something about the lack of ammonia in the product makes all of their shades brassy, even if you choose an ash shade. I learned this the hard way - twice

I've had much better luck with Loreal Color & Co which is also an online color-quiz site that recommends the right shade for you. Although, at this point I'm not sure if any of the online sites offer fast enough shipping to get it to you time.

Thank you for the heads up in Madison Reed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid Madison Reed if you tend to go brassy. Something about the lack of ammonia in the product makes all of their shades brassy, even if you choose an ash shade. I learned this the hard way - twice

I've had much better luck with Loreal Color & Co which is also an online color-quiz site that recommends the right shade for you. Although, at this point I'm not sure if any of the online sites offer fast enough shipping to get it to you time.

Thank you for the heads up in Madison Reed!

Actually if you go brassy it is because you choose too light of a shade. It happens regardless of the amount of ammonia that is present or not. The shade selection is important. I hope OP chose to go to a salon because of her situation (visible grey that has grown out, which is very tough to color again).

[Anonymous]

I had grey and similar color issues as OP, hadn't had my highlights done since late 2019. I think I'm naturally a level 5/6. I chose a dark ash brown box color - Revlon I think - and followed the instructions. Hair looks great. Sure, I'd love some highlights, but for Zoom, it's just fine.