Yikes! What did I do to my hair?!?!

[Anonymous]

I have been coloring my own hair for many years due to early graying. It has been getting darker and darker through the years so i decided to try a slightly lighter shade. Now I have chucnks of black hair, mixed in with reddish brown hair and light brown roots. I checked the archives to find a colorist, but most of the recommendations seemed to be in pricey DC and Behtesda or in VA, which is a little too far for me.
Can anyone recommed a colorist to fix this mess? I live in Rockville and work in Gaithersburg and would probably travel farther out if someone really raves about their colorist. But, I really hope to not spend a whole lot of $$$ (hence the home coloring).

[Anonymous]

I was an avid hair dyer in my teens and had this problem more than once. I swear I used to dye my hair twice a week totally different colors at some point I can tell you that there is really only one fix and you can either do it yourself or have a colorist do it. There is a product called efasol (ph. - can't remember spelling) that will gently strip the color from your hair. You can actually watch as it goes back through all the colors you've dyed your hair backwards. Once it is an acceptable color, you wash it out, ideally wait a day and dye it the color you want. If you leave it too long your hair will just turn yellow-orange. There are a few other similar products out there. You used to be able to get it at Sally Beauty Supply. I know you may be hesitant to touch your hair again, but I found that I could manage it as well as the most expensive colorist. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Going forward, only dye your roots for 2 months out of 3. On the third pull it through for the last 5 minutes only.

I dyed my hair for years starting in my early 20's. I finally stopped two years ago and it is amazing. I am 90% gray, with dark "highlights" - I have actually been asked on the street and in elevators where I get my hair done. I don't know why I spent all those years on chemicals - the general public seems to love my gray. It might be because I am in reasonably good shape otherwise - no fashion model for sure, but not looking like I chew straw when I am thinking.

[Anonymous]

If you are still there, Cahra's at the Rio at Washingtonian is good. Pricey though. Hope things worked out.

[Anonymous]

pr partners is reasonable for color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been coloring my own hair for many years due to early graying. It has been getting darker and darker through the years so i decided to try a slightly lighter shade. Now I have chucnks of black hair, mixed in with reddish brown hair and light brown roots. I checked the archives to find a colorist, but most of the recommendations seemed to be in pricey DC and Behtesda or in VA, which is a little too far for me.
Can anyone recommed a colorist to fix this mess? I live in Rockville and work in Gaithersburg and would probably travel farther out if someone really raves about their colorist. But, I really hope to not spend a whole lot of $$$ (hence the home coloring).

Diane at Roberto Lewis Salon in White Flint is affordable and does a great job. You can also check www.yelp.com for actual reviews of salons. Yelp is great.

[Anonymous]

Patti at Today's Image in Burtonsville (about 10 N on Rt 29) is great and so cheap compared to Bethesda and DC. There is a Target around there and The mall in Columbia with LL Bean and Nordstroms. You can make a day of it in the suburbs. If Patti in not available, Tabitha is good too. There is also a lady there that I've gone to randomly on Sundays. She is a bit more conservative with color -- more into all over color as oppose to highlights.