High-lift over high-lift

[MadHatter]

Ok so I get that color doesn't lift color. One cannot dye one's hair brown and expect to go blonde the next day by using a "blonde" dye.

So what's the story with high-lift dyes? I know they lift out the natural pigment more than your "standard" box dye can.
I have used a high-lift dye (L'Oreal Superior Preference Sun-Kissed Caramels), and it lightened my virgin hair to a pretty gold color (didn't do just a whole lot to the hennaed lengths, but then I didn't expect it to). If I use it again, will it lighten the hair further? My thinking is that it will, since it will lift out pigment that remains from the first go-round. Am I wrong?

Sorry if this has been asked before. I tried searching to find an answer to my question, but nothing readily came up.

[Shorty89]

I'd assume they have some sort of bleaching/colour removing agent, but I'm not positive. I'm no colour expert.

[kathl33nhanlon]

Like you said generally the answer is no. If you did a highlift color that doesnt have a lot of controlling pigment (to keep it from getting too brassy), and if you did it a long time ago, it could lift more. The risks would be exposing your hair to a strong product and getting damage but no result, getting some lift but it might be uneven because it has dye on it, or if there is a lot of pigment in the color it could turn your hair blue-ish.

I would do a strand test on some hair on the back underside of your head on quarter inch section of hair before doing your whole head. Just mix a little of the color in the same ratio as the full size amount of product (usually 1:1 or 2:1, so if there is 2 ounces of developer and one oz of color it would be 2:1)

[Jo Ann]

You might, MIGHT, get one more level lighter, but I wouldn't bet any real money on it. All a high-lift dye will do the second (and subsequent) times is add more pigment.to your current dyed color. A strand test, as Kathl33nhanlon suggested, will bear this out.

If you want to go lighter,, you's probably have to use bleaching powder and developer first, then tone in the color you want. As an alternative, if you've used the same color more than twice, you will probably have to remove some (or most) of the current dye pigment with something like Color Oops and then use a lighter color to get closer to what you want without bleaching. Don't be shocked if your hair is a reg-gold or orange color--all a hair color remover will do is remove the PIGMENT, not change the color level of your hair once the pigment is gone. Forewarned is forearmed. For example, if your hair was medium brown and you tried a high-lift color to get it light blonde, when you remove the pigment, your hair will have the undertones of the level you lightened it to. Here's a chart, so you'll see what I mean:

https://content.naturallycurly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/blonde-undertones-650x400.jpg

Whatever you choose to do, don't forget to deep condition after you're done--your hair will thank you!

[lapushka]

Ok so I get that color doesn't lift color. One cannot dye one's hair brown and expect to go blonde the next day by using a "blonde" dye.

So what's the story with high-lift dyes? I know they lift out the natural pigment more than your "standard" box dye can.
I have used a high-lift dye (L'Oreal Superior Preference Sun-Kissed Caramels), and it lightened my virgin hair to a pretty gold color (didn't do just a whole lot to the hennaed lengths, but then I didn't expect it to). If I use it again, will it lighten the hair further? My thinking is that it will, since it will lift out pigment that remains from the first go-round. Am I wrong?

Sorry if this has been asked before. I tried searching to find an answer to my question, but nothing readily came up.

Normally with color you can "lift" one shade. High lift means it's usually 2 shades that you can lift your natural (I say *natural*) color. It does not work on dyed hair either (just as the regular ones) unless you want to totally ruin your hair.

[Jo Ann]

Like Lapushka said, "high-lift color" uses a more concentrated developer, like a 30-volume or a 40-volume to get the lighter color.

For example, I used a high-lift color to lighten my hair--it went from a medium brown (about a color level three) to a dark golden blonde (about a color level 7). When I did it again (same color), my color level went up by one (to a level 8 ) and the color lightened a little bit. A third attempt (again, same color) made NO difference.

[MadHatter]

Haha sorry, long time no update, but here is an update if anyone is interested:

I used a couple of other high-lifts. The first one I used subsequent to that first one I mentioned (the sun-kissed caramels line) lightened my hair quite a bit (moreso the non-hennaed growth, but there was some change in the hennaed length). The next one I used acted as you all said it would. It lightened my hair some, but not dramatically. Both of these were "blonde" high-lifts.

After taking a little break following the high-lifts, I went on to bleach powder with 20 volume developer. I don't know anymore how many times I've bleached the hennaed areas, but it was more than one time :D Some areas got an additional application of bleach, and those areas are at present completely blonde, no trace of orange, just the residual pale yellow that any hair will retain after having all pigment removed. The areas that still have henna are a pale cream-sicle orange when not toned. When I apply a heavily pigmented toning conditioner, those areas are a light, shimmery wheat color.

The overall color I'm left with now is a very pale blonde for the first several inches of hair, transitioning to the wheat color mixed in with the pale blonde in the bottom half (I cut a solid 6 inches to bring everything into a better proportion). The effect is akin to an ombre. I like it. I have been keeping up with the roots, as big a PIA as it is. I think blonde suits me very well, just as well as henna did (just a different look), so I'm willing to put in the time and care.

[Ylva]

MadHatter, would you like to show a pic of your blonde hair? It sounds very pretty! I love seeing different kinds of blonde hair.

[veryhairyfairy]

I'm also very interested in your results! :popcorn:

(<Is on a 3 year plan to gradually grow out henna- getting impatient lol)

[Dark40]

I agree with lapusha and Jo Ann. High-lift colors have bleaching aids, and they have color developer of 30 or 40 volume, and it will lighten your hair more.

[lapushka]

I agree with lapusha and Jo Ann. High-lift colors have bleaching aids, and they have color developer of 30 or 40 volume, and it will lighten your hair more.

She already did it, Dark40. ;) It was a success. I am so interested in a picture, because I would love to see what the results are. Maybe if I some day want to do it, I won't be as scared to try.

[MemeAimee]

Personally, I did high lift a few times, and each consecutive time my hair got a bit lighter. I actually got out to a bleach blonde color with it. I did have a set of highlights, so that helped it look even lighter. I used the Wella Highlift 12N Blonde. I find the quality of the product makes a difference in how light you get. :)

[MadHatter]

https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj538/CypressQuery/20181011_015759_zpsumh3e8rz.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/CypressQuery/media/20181011_015759_zpsumh3e8rz.jpg.html)

I think this one's probably as good as it'll get for showing the different tones. The hair on the right side of my head is pushed over the top and draped over the left, so you can see the two tones next to each other

[MadHatter]

This'un didn't work

[MadHatter]

https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj538/CypressQuery/20181011_015732_zpstu7a9jkh.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/CypressQuery/media/20181011_015732_zpstu7a9jkh.jpg.html)

https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj538/CypressQuery/20181011_015828_zps39xfrpdw.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/CypressQuery/media/20181011_015828_zps39xfrpdw.jpg.html)

[MadHatter]

https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj538/CypressQuery/20181011_015856_zpsll6xzb4a.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/CypressQuery/media/20181011_015856_zpsll6xzb4a.jpg.html)

https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj538/CypressQuery/20181011_015640_zpsv8ftrril.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/CypressQuery/media/20181011_015640_zpsv8ftrril.jpg.html)

[MadHatter]

Sorry to take so long posting pictures! I kept putting it off because the process of getting pictures from an Android onto a Mac is a PIA, LOL.

[veryhairyfairy]

Oh wow thanks for sharing! It looks incredibly well-toned for post-henna and the color looks great on you! :thumbsup:


<sarcasm>this isn't enabling/tempting at all lol</sarcasm>

[Ylva]

That looks great! :)

[littlestarface]

Woah it looks so different from your siggy, you got it really really light. I'm shooketh.

[lapushka]

It looks great! :)

[MoreSky]

Oh my, it’s beautiful and I agree blonde suits you. After I read your process, I was kind of cringing to imagine the results, but you did a great job. Hope the maintenance isn’t a bear.

[lapushka]

Oh my, it’s beautiful and I agree blonde suits you. After I read your process, I was kind of cringing to imagine the results, but you did a great job. Hope the maintenance isn’t a bear.

^^ This! I hope maintenance is OK too. How's that going?

[MadHatter]

Thanks everyone! The maintenance IS a bear. I'm still figuring out the best toning regimen (how often to use purple conditioner and how long to leave it, mostly). I've settled on a good root touch-up method that doesn't result in over-lapping (it's time-consuming, but it preserves the health of the hair pretty well). I don't have to worry about detangling so much - I just let it dry completely, then comb it, and it's never an issue. But I like the color so much that I'm willing to do the maintenance :)

[lucid]

It looks great! I'm curious about maintenance as well, I hope you do keep this post updated :D