Hair Color: First timer! Help!

[CelticAmethyst20]

Ok, my natural coloring is Medium Brown hair with (natural) golden and red highlights, Hazel (brown/ green/bronze) eyes, and very pale skin with warmer undertones. I have never dyed my hair before but have always wanted to be a redhead! I'm now more comfortable with the idea of dying my hair, but I'm not sure what color or shade to dye it. If I do dye my hair, I would be more tmepted to dye it redder. Please help me with suggestions!

[China Doll]

I would suggest getting it done at the hairdressers who can advise and guide you. If you've already got nice natural tones (which it sounds like you do), then rather than dying your whole head, low lights might be more effective. Dying hair one colour can actually make it look rather flat.

There's nothing wrong with dying your hair at home but because of your inexperience coupled with your not knowing exactly what colour would be best, I would just go to the hairdresser. I've dyed my hair varietys of colours throughout the years and for the last five years or so have always gone to the hairdresser and the results are always better than when I used to do it myself, (and I actually wasn't too bad at it due to the enormous amount of practice I had!).

[mccfluff]

and do a patch test please i burnt my ears...... (so now i cover my neck and ears with barrier cream before i dye it and take anti hystamines beforehand)

[craft1948]

I've been shocking pink.........and er peacock blue......and a few others, but have always had it done professionally.

[tamborine]

cut a pinch of your hair and try the process; if you're not satisfied then use the professionals......that's what they train for.

[mormess]

I use the Schwartzkopf Live Red permanent. I tried red first using a colour mousse which is really easy to use and washes out within about 10 washes. Using these you can try out any colour you like.

When it came to permanent, I just took the plunge. DO take a patch test as it says on the packet as some people have horrific reactions. And put vaseline around your hairline and over your ears. Don't let the vaseline touch your hair as it'll stop the dye going in.

I love my red hair! When it comes to touching the roots, I only mix half the packet and use a toothbrush and tub to work it in. Good results every time.

Hairdressers just cost a fortune in my opinion. Admittedly if you want it to look "natural" they can do a good job with streaks etc but let's face it who looks natural these days!

[tamborine]

".....Hairdressers just cost a fortune...." its a profession like any other and takes years & £££s to qualify and more eons to build a clientele.

Toothbrush? says it all ;)

[mormess]

No, I appreciate that Tambo. I know a trade takes years to learn and they charge accordingly. But if I get a good result and lots of compliments with my toothbrush then that's the way I do it!

I'm just not a hairdresser-paying kind of person.

[tamborine]

mormess...use a broom if it suits but dont knock another's trade.

[mormess]

Tamborine, my wholehearted apologies. I did not knock the trade, not ever. I said they cost a fortune but they can do a good job. That's not knocking a trade. It's just my preference to DIY.

[craft1948]

Having had some DIY disasters I don't mind paying the professionals....

[BBBE99]

Once you dye it once, it will become second nature.
You can always dye it back, too

I I could, I'd dye my hair black, but I don't have it in me...

[het18_]

as a hairdresser myself.. we train for a reason,
i suggest go to a salon near by and have a chat with the stylists
doing it yourself can result in so many problems it not worth it especially with red colours
obviously u can get banding with any colour but red fades so much quicker they are best done professionally.
i wouldnt go straight in with bright red maybe start with a very warm brown an go redder and redder each time. do it gradually then u no when u feel u would like to stop!
as for the toothbrush comment.. all i can say is oh my god!

[het18_]

also just a warning reds are harder to cover with another colour, if you had it bright red you would most probably have to bleach it and then put another colour over the bleach to get rid of it. its not as easy as people think!

[China Doll]

It's especially good when you decide to dye your hair blonde having previousl always dyed it red.... It was about the I switched to hairdressers...

[tamborine]

An all over colour will cost approx £40 in a salon and last 6weeks - less than £1 per day for glamour and healthy hair. Should take around 2hrs to do & no tinted towels, skin & hands to worry about.

[alexdo21]

I think your natural hair color suits well on your feature. But if you want to go for something different then visit at http://www.hairstyles...ur/hair_colouring.htm