Going red? Yay or nay?

[Maverick494]

Hi all,

I guess I got inspired by all your beautiful hair pictures floating around these boards. I also got infected with the "I want red hair" virus

So now I ask you experts what you think of it.
- This is my current haircolor:
It's a warm, caramel brown.

Anyway, I'd love to try out red. But I want to stay natural, so I only want to add some red tones to my already warm haircolour. So it pretty much becomes brown/red (auburn).

The farthest I will go is a burgundy color, but even though I love that color, I'm thinking it will be high maintenance.


So what do you guys think?

1. What would be the best way to go?
My mom said that maybe I should start with some inconspicuous red streaks. Or should I colour all my hair at once?
2. Which colour should I take?
3. Henna or semi permanent hairdye/casting?

Thanks in advance all!

[tinti]

Maybe some kind of copper tone? That'll probably look good. I'd say go with some streaks first to see if you like it. That's what I would've done if I should have changed my color without nowing how it suits me

[squiggyflop]

try a washout like manic panic first.. that way if you hate yourself as a redhead then in 10 or so washes you will have your normal color back and will not have ruined your hair..

[Angeletti]

I think red would be really pretty on you whether you do streaks or overall color. I would try a semi permanent first before Henna, because from what I've read henna is a lot more permanent and if you didn't like the color then you would be stuck for a while with it, but at least you can wash out the semi color after so many washes

[May]

Use a demi like Herbal Essences Natural Instincts.

[GRU]

Go ahead and do a trial run with a wash-out dye, but after that, you can't beat henna, IMO!

If you don't want to go the burgundy route, you can do a mix of cassia/henna for a more subtle red tone. And I think your original hair color is ideal for going red.... it will be beautiful!!!

[amaiaisabella]

I agree with squiggyflop. Try a wash-out color first. Burgandy is a beautiful color on hair, speaking from experience, but it may not always match your skintone. It took me quite a few rounds of bleach and my hair still has some strawberry tones once I decided to get rid of it- so, be very sure this is what you want! That said, if henna's permanent benefits came in a clear tone, I'd be all over it, because hands down it was the best thing for my hair since avoiding heat

[Anje]

I like henna, but I'll agree with the others that a wash-out color (level 1 or 2, not 3, from the boxed hair dyes) first would be a good move if you don't already know that you'll look great as a redhead. Henna glosses are a good way to go if you decide you just want a touch of red, while henna+cassia tends to make a bright coppery orange. Be aware that chemical red colors tend to fade really fast, while henna is usually impossible to remove.

[triumphator!]

I agree with the sudden need for red hair. I hope it works out. Post before and after pictures for us, and good luck!!

[GRU]

henna+cassia tends to make a bright coppery orange

Not necessarily!

Starting out with brown hair, there's no way for henna or cassia to lighten the color without bleaching the hair first, which isn't the OP's intention (at least, not from what I read).

A brunette can't go straight to orange from henna or henna+cassia.