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

[Anonymous]

I have spent the last 30 minutes searching all of the hair color threads and I am really confused and overwhelmed. I was laid off last spring due to COVID and just let my hair grow out while I threw myself into some classes and living through COVID schooling kids with special needs. I had put out some feelers for consulting work but nothing was coming through. We are in the midst of putting our house on the market and moving to be closer to my parents. And this week a possible consulting job comes through with a sales call on Monday. I really need the work, but wow I look bad.

I can do the makeup and outfits. But my hair. I did a test run on Zoom and it is bad. I have dark brown hair, and have been getting by covering the gray at my temples with L’Oreal Magic Root Cover Up in Dark Brown for IEP meetings. That blends well. I just pulled the rest back so nobody could see it. My hair is wavy/ curly so that helps a bit with camouflaging color variations.

I have for years had my hair highlighted (highs/lows) with caramel shades so it was a softer color. Once my job stopped and COVID I haven’t done any of that. I would like to stop the highlighting and return to 1 color. But I need to even out the multiple hair colors I have going on which range from caramel to a dark orangish brown. I also need to cover gray that is growing at both temples and one little spot at the top of my forehead. It isn’t enough gray to go for a deliberate striped effect, it just looks faded.

I have very fair skin and blue/ green hazel eyes. I have used the Bumble and Bumble color gloss in clear and liked that effect.

I need to figure out a home hair color. But I have read some posts that say I should be going lighter, and some say I should be staying dark. I know my hair turns brassy when the color goes wrong. I did the Madison Reed color pick survey suggests Milano Brown 5NAC, described as a dark chocolate brown. I picked the level 5 brown as the best color match for my hair, but my roots are darker than the rest of my hair. My dd was helping me and suggested going darker would make me look like a witch. I also chose the copper as the lighter color, but now am worried that could be too red.

I was focusing on Madison Reed because I can order it online, but am open to any other option that can be ordered. My kids are high risk. My dh is working in another state, but has offered to go to any store to get what I need. But he is color blind, so I would need to provide very clear instructions.

I know I shouldn’t care this much about my hair. This has been a really confidence-shaking year. I just want to look pulled together.

I would be grateful for any advice you can share!

[Anonymous]

I would go in to Madison Reed and have the job done there. Especially since you haven't had color in a while that can affect the application and you want this one to be right. The cost is only slightly more than the mail order. The only thing they do is color.

When I've been there almost no one does the blow dry and there has never been more than 4 people (2 colorists and 2 clients) at a time. It feels VERY SAFE and I am very picky about that. (I am the kind of person who gives dirty looks if your mask isn't properly worn on your face etc)

Look for an opening first thing in the day. I have used the Bethesda shop and I have always been very happy. For the $15 or so more (the difference between delivery and in the salon), I would do it since it means so much to you.

If it means anything I think the color I get at Madison Reed is much better than the color that I get at my uber-expensive downtown salon.

Good luck on the job!

[Anonymous]

PP: how long does it take in-store? Assume no blow-dry.

[Anonymous]

Put on a mask and go to a salon. It will be fine. Really.

[Anonymous]

if you have been growing your hair since spring can't you just pull it back - people will only see the front.

[Anonymous]

I am no longer local. I live in the county with one of the highest infection rates in the country. And there aren’t any mask ordinances here.

So I am stuck with doing something at home. I would pull it back, but I look so much better with some hair framing/ softening my face.

[Anonymous]

Do you take calls with a headset? It has the effect of working like a headband, but without the full-on Alice band vibes. Headset plus a few strands pulled forward?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP: how long does it take in-store? Assume no blow-dry.

About an hour. The application takes 10-15 minutes (yours may be longer because you'll want to discuss your options with the colorist), you sit for 30-40 minutes (depending on your hair) and then your hair is washed. I usually comb my hair and walk out after the wash. Almost everyone has done the same when I've been there.

[Anonymous]

I was also going to suggest Madison Reed color bar. You can get the color corrected and done, and then they can tell you what to order going forward.

If you’re not open to that, I honestly think anything that’s a reasonably close match will look good enough for a zoom call. Madison Reed let’s you contact them, perhaps a consult over phone or email could help you decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put on a mask and go to a salon. It will be fine. Really.

This. Wear an N95 or KN95 or double mask, triple mask, whatever you want..get to a salon.

You need professional help to get things back to single color. You will end up with a brassy mess trying to fix your hair at home.

Tell your stylist you can't be returning for color maintenance and want a good home color routine. They will steer you to a color/product that will work best with what they do to your hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you take calls with a headset? It has the effect of working like a headband, but without the full-on Alice band vibes. Headset plus a few strands pulled forward?

I do use a headset. That is what made me notice the very different colors in front of the headset versus behind it. I was using a ring light and put some light behind me. And it is also what made me try the L’Oréal color spray- it was great for just around my temples in a pinch.

Thanks everyone- I am going to call Madison Reed and confirm what I should order!

[Anonymous]

There’s a few in person Madison Reed stores in the area where you can do a curbside pick up for your color. I am a huge fan of their color. I’d been going to Salons to cover my gray since I was in my early 20s but I started to have allergic reactions. No issues with MR and great coverage.

[Anonymous]

copper will be red, don't do copper if you turn brassy

[Anonymous]

There are zero boxes that you can do, on hair that hasn't been colored in a long ass time before Monday.

Mask up and go to a salon with pictures. You need at a minimum a balayage and perhaps a bit more. Then talk to the stylist and find out the correct root color to do coverage in between. Boxes will make you look brassy 99% of the time on a zoom.

Or just get a ring light on Amazon and hope for the best.

[Anonymous]

I have similar coloring op, also a brunette and pre covid used to spend a lot on dual process organic hair color at a salon,.and have since used box color, a few different times, a couple different shades like many have during this period. Compared to what I have known, they all look too dark and none of it is ideal. Over a couple of months, it lightens but none of it looks as good as when done in the salon. So either accept the limits of box color or go to a salon. It's very hard to get a nuanced brown shade at home. That's been my experience.