Direct Dye Advice Please Help! Recovering From A Disaster!

[Rhoward]

After a somewhat complete disaster at the salon (think bozzo the clown orange with green tips) I put a demi-permanent red in my hair to cover it up. It has been about a week and its almost completely washed out (to be expected I guess).

I have sworn that I will not let peroxide of any sort touch my poor distressed hair ever again so I am looking into direct dyes, try as I might it appears I simply can not rock bozzo orange with muddy green tips.

My plan is to use red direct dyes until the green gets trimmed out (with my own scissors!) then transition to a brown colour as close to my natural as possible so I can just grow it out.

I'm hoping some of you who are direct dye users/experts can share your tips with me. What brand do you like best? Do you have any application tips? Who makes the best natural colours (bright colours seem really easy to find which is fine for now but...) Any way you have found to make the dye last longer? (I have heard to use a hair dryer on it when it's on your head but that sounds like more damage) Do you find that it doesn't completely wash out or that it washes out completely each time? Has anyone had any success mixing different direct dye colours (from the same brand or different brands) to get something more customised:confused:

Basically anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated, I haven't used a direct dye since high school and am pretty clueless on the subject!

This is the one that I'm putting in this weekend, the packets are cheap but really small so I bought 5 of them, I got the colour rich burgundy, I was thinking about adding a blueberry one to it to help make it more of a cool red and slightly darker. Hope that turns out ok lol

http://www.schwarzkopf.com.au/skau/en/home/hair_colour/colour_products/live-salon.html

[Anje]

I've been praising Adore, largely because it's available and comes in lots of natural shades as well as funky ones. It's got enough protein that I need to condition for moisture afterwards (but my hair is picky about such things) and it's probably harder to use than, say, Special Effects or Manic Panic because it's a liquid and not a cream. But it's decent and it's cheap and it has shades of brown. I can get it for under $5/bottle locally, though I've only done wild colors so far.

[meteor]

I really hope everything will work out with color correction, Rhoward! :pray: :grouphug:


Who makes the best natural colours (bright colours seem really easy to find which is fine for now but...) Any way you have found to make the dye last longer? (I have heard to use a hair dryer on it when it's on your head but that sounds like more damage) Do you find that it doesn't completely wash out or that it washes out completely each time? Has anyone had any success mixing different direct dye colours (from the same brand or different brands) to get something more customised:confused:

Adore has many natural shades.

To slow down fading, try not to wash hair too frequently (clarifying is particularly stripping) and take extra effort to protect hair from UV rays (hats/scarves/buffs are more effective for this than leave-ins with UV filters IMHO).

Ideally, I wouldn't use heat on color, especially direct heat, but I would apply the deposit-only dye for a longer period of time for more intense staining, if that's what you want.
(Direct heat can even change, darken some dyes, see an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYSN8azbF0g)

And yes, direct dye colors can be mixed to achieve a more customized blend. I'd check (ask here or google) in advance which colors you are considering mixing together and which specific color you want to achieve over what base. :)

Best of luck! :cheer:

[Rhoward]

Thanks ladies, this really helps me. I'm kinda excited because if its a total fail and I don't like it, it will actually wash out and I can just try a different colour

[meteor]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that once you dye your hair, it's best to wash hair only with cool-ish, tepid water, since hot water can speed up the process of fading, unfortunately.

I really hope you'll get more specific advice on specific products from more knowledgeable LHC-ers. But it may help if you share photos of your color (it doesn't have to be yourself, maybe just a link to some stock photo with similar color?) and photos of the color you are trying to achieve.

And whatever you decide to do, it's very important to strand-test first :flower: , especially since you have lifted and added color before (it's harder to predict how a dye will take and show up on previously bleached and dyed hair)

[Robot Ninja]

I've only used Adore in purple, but I found the staying power and coverage was pretty good. Of course, this always varies from color to color, even with the same brand.

Make sure you clarify before you dye, and don't condition. You need clean hair to get the dye to stick properly and not be patchy. You may need to condition after you dye, since clarifying is drying; I found I had to do it even with Manic Panic, which a lot of people say is very conditioning in and of itself. You can even add a squirt or two of conditioner to your dye, although that might affect staying power.

A vinegar rinse after you rinse out the dye is supposed to help prevent fading. Wash with cold/cool water, and a sulfate-free shampoo. And beware, pretty much all deposit dyes bleed when wet, and some will rub off even when dry. I've never heard of the one you linked so I don't know how bad it is for that. (Another plus for Adore, it doesn't rub off.)

[Rhoward]

I've only used Adore in purple, but I found the staying power and coverage was pretty good. Of course, this always varies from color to color, even with the same brand.

Make sure you clarify before you dye, and don't condition. You need clean hair to get the dye to stick properly and not be patchy. You may need to condition after you dye, since clarifying is drying; I found I had to do it even with Manic Panic, which a lot of people say is very conditioning in and of itself. You can even add a squirt or two of conditioner to your dye, although that might affect staying power.

A vinegar rinse after you rinse out the dye is supposed to help prevent fading. Wash with cold/cool water, and a sulfate-free shampoo. And beware, pretty much all deposit dyes bleed when wet, and some will rub off even when dry. I've never heard of the one you linked so I don't know how bad it is for that. (Another plus for Adore, it doesn't rub off.)

Thank you I never would have thought of clarifying first or the vinegar rinse - I think I'm going to have to get some Adore!

[lapushka]

If I were you, I'd just try a permanent color as close to your natural as you can get. If you have a dark brown normally, that should not be that hard to do. I'd not mess with direct dye in the mean time as you might have your own disasters with that (it staining and not wanting to wash out anymore, especially on damaged bleached hair, it will *soak* it up like no other).

[Robot Ninja]

If I were you, I'd just try a permanent color as close to your natural as you can get. If you have a dark brown normally, that should not be that hard to do. I'd not mess with direct dye in the mean time as you might have your own disasters with that (it staining and not wanting to wash out anymore, especially on damaged bleached hair, it will *soak* it up like no other).

Permanent dyes don't always work well on damaged bleached hair either, and you're doing more damage while risking another potential disaster.

[meteor]

^ Oh yes! :agree: Permanents use developer, which is damaging. With hair that's been through such serious damage, I'd avoid developer at all cost. :flower: Especially if there was any henndigo in that hair (It can go bluish/greyish green!)

No-developer, true semi, deposit-only direct dyes are fine though. :)

Also, just as an aside, Rhoward, am I remembering correctly (from your recent thread: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=137451) that your hair went orange-green from your henndigo being lifted by a hairdresser who didn't tell you she was using low-level peroxide? Are you ultimately trying to go back to the hair you had before that incident? Are you planning on continuing with henndigo like before? I'm just wondering because... if you want to continue using henndigo... maybe it's possible to simply cover that lifted orange-green with henndigo? :hmm: However, it is absolutely permanent (!) and I would be really worried about the risk of patchiness, full coverage and blending concerns... Just putting this out there in case we have folks who've dealt with similar henndigo issues who could share some insights. :)

[lapushka]

True, but only the bits that are already green are going to interact with that - and there's nothing to be done for that as it is.

Honestly, I'd just maybe leave it alone...

[spidermom]

Some tips I know to prolong direct dyes:
1) Leave it on your hair as long as feasible. I've left it in all day (8-10 hours) before. No harm, just a deeper, more long-lasting color. You will have to be very patient because it can take up to about 6 months for the color to fade away completely. I prefer this, but I've seen plenty of threads "help; how do I make it go away?"
2) Make the first rinse a vinegar solution, then continue with plain cool water.

I've only used Manic Panic, Raw, and Punky by Jerome Russell. The Punky lasted best.

[Rhoward]

^ Oh yes! :agree: Permanents use developer, which is damaging. With hair that's been through such serious damage, I'd avoid developer at all cost. :flower: Especially if there was any henndigo in that hair (It can go bluish/greyish green!)

No-developer, true semi, deposit-only direct dyes are fine though. :)

Also, just as an aside, Rhoward, am I remembering correctly (from your recent thread: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=137451) that your hair went orange-green from your henndigo being lifted by a hairdresser who didn't tell you she was using low-level peroxide? Are you ultimately trying to go back to the hair you had before that incident? Are you planning on continuing with henndigo like before? I'm just wondering because... if you want to continue using henndigo... maybe it's possible to simply cover that lifted orange-green with henndigo? :hmm: However, it is absolutely permanent (!) and I would be really worried about the risk of patchiness, full coverage and blending concerns... Just putting this out there in case we have folks who've dealt with similar henndigo issues who could share some insights. :)

Thank you so much all of you for all your help and advice I really appreciate it.

I definitely don't want to use developer. The evil hairdresser was supposed to be just putting a cool dark red demi in my hair but she did a bleach bath at the shampoo basin without asking me. I think it was the bleach that reacted with the hendigo (I haven't used hendigo for a very long time) I have used developer after my hendigo with no problems (only 3%) but now that bleach has been on it and the green has been found I'm terrified to do anything chemical to it.

I'm also terrified to do anything permanent to it, I stopped using hendigo ages ago (I only did it 3 or 4 times and only once with proper BAQ) because no matter what I did the indigo always washed out within a week (hmmm obviously its still in there even when you think its gone lol) and left me with orange/red hair which doesn't suit me.

I thought the best plan would be to use direct dyes and keep it cool red (blue red/Burgundy) until the muddy brown/green tips have been cut out (I was thinking the red will hide the green better than brown would and I did want it red for a while anyway) then let it fade as much as possible and use brown direct dyes.

I am really concerned about patchiness and having strange coloured hair, I wish I could just say "stuff it" and let it do its thing and grow it out but due to my husbands career I have to appear normal at his work functions, it wouldn't go down well for him to show up with a wife that looked like a deranged patchwork quilt, I'm supposed to attend a function with him tomorrow night (might have to have a headache and stay home!)

Anyway I clarified this morning, towel dried my hair and put a mix of burgundy/blueberry direct dyes in it, its in there right now (bit scared!!) so I thought I'd leave it in for 2 hours do a vinegar rinse and see what I end up with - hopefully something worthy of going out in public.

Never touching developer again, total nightmare lol

[Rhoward]

Some tips I know to prolong direct dyes:
1) Leave it on your hair as long as feasible. I've left it in all day (8-10 hours) before. No harm, just a deeper, more long-lasting color. You will have to be very patient because it can take up to about 6 months for the color to fade away completely. I prefer this, but I've seen plenty of threads "help; how do I make it go away?"
2) Make the first rinse a vinegar solution, then continue with plain cool water.

I've only used Manic Panic, Raw, and Punky by Jerome Russell. The Punky lasted best.

Thank you this is awesome information, a bit of staining would be welcome at this stage lol

[Robot Ninja]

If you're looking for a cool red and they dye you used doesn't cut it for staying power, Manic Panic Vampire red is a good neutral red that is famous/notorious for sticking around forever, and you can mix it with a purple or blue if you want it darker and more cool-toned.

[Rhoward]

If you're looking for a cool red and they dye you used doesn't cut it for staying power, Manic Panic Vampire red is a good neutral red that is famous/notorious for sticking around forever, and you can mix it with a purple or blue if you want it darker and more cool-toned.

Awesome, thank you so much :)

[Rhoward]

I have success! I left it on for 3 hours and the colour is even and very shinny, super happy right now :)

Not risking getting it wet until after my husbands function tomorrow night lol

We'll see how it holds up but today I look like a normal member of society :happydance:

[Robot Ninja]

Yay! I'm glad it worked out for you.

[chantecler]

As far as manic panic goes, I don't know about the red, but the purple I tried lasted all of one and a half weeks/two shampoos on me. My friend uses punky color, and they seem to last much more, though I don't know what sorts of colours they have.

[meteor]

Rhoward, so happy for you! Sounds awesome! :joy:
Shiny and even color sounds great! :D

[Horrorpops]

Yay that sounds like a great result! :o glad you were able to fix that insane hairdressers mistakes.

Also you made me laugh talking about looking normal or like a patchwork quilt haha :p I've known that feeling midway through a hair colour change... "oh God, I have to leave the house but I look mental. How can I fix this?!"
But it's cool to see you have a sense of humour about this :flower: hope the colour stays nicely for you!

[Rhoward]

Just an update for everyone, I washed my hair for the first time since putting the direct dye in it and it's still even and coloured nicely YAY

I did use a colour depositing shampoo in burgundy (delorenzo Nova Fusion) and also I added a tiny bit of colour depositing treatment (NAK mulberry wine) to my regular treatment and used that as conditioner.

So far so good! Once again thank you all so much for your support and advice, I really do appreciate it, you guys are amazing :)

links for pictures of the products I used if anyone is interested

shampoo
http://www.hairhousewarehouse.com.au/shopper/img/DE-LORENZO_NovaFusionBurgundyShampoo_250.jpg

treatment
http://ry-com-au.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/700x700/smushed_9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/u/mulberrywine_250ml_copy.jpg

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Well done for getting your hair looking good again, it must be such a relief for you!

[Rhoward]

Well done for getting your hair looking good again, it must be such a relief for you!

Thank you, you are so right it is a massive relief and also a huge lesson. I can have colour in my hair without using peroxide and destroying it and I can cut it myself. I just hope that this thread reaches someone and they can learn this the easy way from my mistakes and not the hard way from a disaster.

You girls all say the same things, you can't expect it to grow long and healthy if you keep putting damaging chemicals on it, and cutting your own hair is the safest when you want to grow it long. I wish I had listened and acted on this information years ago. Better late than never right?

[Horrorpops]

Yes this is great news! And don't be too hard on yourself I think there is a lot of lessons in life we end up learning through our own mistakes and that's ok (and sometimes necessary! :p)

Sounds like you've got the situation firmlt under control now!