What undertone is my hair? *Pic*

[hemolymph]

I dyed my blonde hair with a demi permanent "dark blonde" that turned a dark rich warm chocolate brown! So needless to say I've washed my hair a dozen times in two days trying to get the dye out. Some parts have lightened up significantly, but it's still way darker than I like on myself.
Problem #1 was there was a lot of red in it for some reason, so I got a dye additive to take out most of the red. It seems to have worked a bit.
So now, my hair looks like this (and I absolutely hate it). But I can't tell what undertone it is. Is this what you would call "brassy"... is it gold, or red, or neither one?

Next to my pic is my "goal" pic (hubbys hair). That is pretty much my natural color except I get natural high lights once it's grown out a bit, so it's more blond. So that is my "base" color that I am trying to get back to.

Can anyone help me categorize my current color to help me get to my goal color?

Thanks!

Current:
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w153/OnesOnTheWay/help.jpg

Goal:
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w153/OnesOnTheWay/goal.jpg

[Asequui]

From the first pic it looks to have golden undertones. In order to get it back to your original color you'll likely want to go with something that has "cool" or "ash" in the title. Keep in mind, however, that when putting color on top of color it will not come out exactly like the picture on the box/swatch.

Now, keep in mind, I'm a newbie and these are just my best guesses. I'd definitely wait till some of the more experienced members weigh in. Also, since you used a demi rather than an outright permanent color it may be possible to get it back or close to your natural color by natural means, but again, I'm not sure.

Speaking as someone who has had many a haircolor come out wrong, I hope it works out for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[Yozhik]

I'd also call your undertone goldeny or reddish, but I'm afraid I have utterly no experience in dyeing hair. Hope all goes well with you and you get the color you're hoping to attain!

[hemolymph]

Ok so we have 1 for golden!!!

There are toners I can buy to cancel out the golden that would hopefully ash it a bit... but just gotta make sure that IS what it is..

I REALLY appreciate it, thanks!

[hemolymph]

Sally's has a dye additive to remove "RED & GOLD" where as before I just used the RED only one. So if people keep saying gold I will buy that one and give it a go.

[Asequui]

Indeed they do. Now, I will say to definitely be sure to do a strand test, especially using the additive. I used the No-Red in a red hair color once, at a Sally's employee's suggestion to take out unwanted brass and it actually turned a really beautiful medium red shade into a dark reddish brown. Again, color on top of color...Absolutely strand test.

[spidermom]

I agree - it's gold. Wait awhile before you start messing with the color, though. More of the dye may come out.

[mellie89]

I think that color is gorgeous, actually. Personally, I would leave it alone. I'm willing to bet that it will wash out/fade to the point that you won't have any visible demarcation line, then you can just grow your natural color out. It's less risky than continuing to mess with the color.

(I bleached my hair after a semi-permanent left it strawberry blond. If I had just left it alone, the color would be long gone, but instead I still have several inches of damage to show for it.)

To answer your question, I agree that you've got some golden undertones going on!

[chelssix]

You might try toning it with something violet or blue based- blue would cancel out orangey tones while violet would cancel out a yellow tone.

[hemolymph]

I think that color is gorgeous, actually. Personally, I would leave it alone. I'm willing to bet that it will wash out/fade to the point that you won't have any visible demarcation line, then you can just grow your natural color out. It's less risky than continuing to mess with the color.

(I bleached my hair after a semi-permanent left it strawberry blond. If I had just left it alone, the color would be long gone, but instead I still have several inches of damage to show for it.)

To answer your question, I agree that you've got some golden undertones going on!


Well at least someone likes the color-- thanks! :o But it just doesn't go well with my skin tone. I have really ruddy/pink/flushed skin.. especially my cheeks. The red/gold tones make it worse!! I feel like I can't go with out some foundation on my cheek or I look really harsh featured!
I read that "cool" tones should stick to ashes/platinum/ or unnatural bright reds... and for me, I agree!!!

Thanks everyone for the advice =) I really appreciate having multiple opinions!!
I definitely *wont* be dying it again, the worst I'll do is tone with developer/ammonia free products so it won't damage.

I am going to pick up some prell shampoo and and switch out my sulfate free shampoo for it to help the fading process.. maybe once it's faded more I will do a toner for the gold...

*Sigh* one of these days I'll have the hair I want!!! As long as I stop messing with it LOL (virgin natural long hair!!)

[Toadstool]

Anti-dandruff shampoo removes colour. It looks golden to me too.

[Gypsygirl]

I would call that a very dark honey blonde. So yes...definitely a golden undertone.

[dropinthebucket]

Level 7 - Golden Dark Blonde, or Lightest Golden Brown. If you can hold off a while, using Darkest Ash Blonde or Light Ash brown over that might work pretty well - the Light Ash Brown will be darker in tone (closer to a level 6) than what you currently have.

[Henrietta]

Maybe this thing will help you?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colors#Brown

[Asequui]

Okay working on first cup of java for the morning so I may be off base...but doesn't chamomile help lighten hair? Or would that put too much gold in there?

[Night_Kitten]

I think this color looks very pritty :)
Before you go for toners, have you tried hot oil treatment? It may help to remove some of the color, especially since the dye is not permanent
Also, maybe a shampoo with blue in it (like the one used to remove yellow tones from silver and white hair) can help...

[GRU]

What about trying a baking soda wash, shampoo, and ACV rinse?

My understanding is that the baking soda will raise your cuticle so the shampoo can wash out more of the color, then the ACV rinse brings the pH level back down again to smooth the cuticle back.

I'd definitely do more washing and give it a skosh more time before doing any more coloring. (and I also like the color -- pity it doesn't work for you!)

[VintageBrooklyn]

Level 7 - Golden Dark Blonde, or Lightest Golden Brown. If you can hold off a while, using Darkest Ash Blonde or Light Ash brown over that might work pretty well - the Light Ash Brown will be darker in tone (closer to a level 6) than what you currently have.

I second this! I used to be a trained hair colourist and was going to write almost the same thing! He he! :)

[lapushka]

A demi permanent color is going to fade with time:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_coloring#Demi-permanent_hair_color

So why not have some patience. I wouldn't mess with other colors right now. You're probably only going to make it worse.

[Dani]

I have been through this same exact situation, and I have the same hair color and skin tone as you also. My natural hair is grown out nearly three inches so far, and you can barely tell there is a color difference from the semi I dyed it before (to try and match and grow out). This is what you do:

1. Get a violet shampoo for use once a week or month or whatever you'd like; that will take out any gold and red tones just fine.

2. This new color will fade considerably within the next two weeks, and I bet you'll be very happy with that color and you'll be able to keep on growing out your natural color from this just fine.

That is it! Give it time and chill, and I bet you'll love the color in a couple weeks (less than that, most likely- dye fades quick! Especially this type.)

Hope that helps a bit. :D You really don't need to do anything special, except get a violet shampoo or condish (which is just my recommendation, since it has worked fantastically for me), and wait a bit. That is all, seriously! And especially with growing out natural color and not dyeing anymore, etc., I have been there and done that countless times- right now too, but more determined than ever! - and the absolute best thing to do is to LEAVE IT ALONE. And you are already on the right track. ;) I should put this in my sig: "Growing out dye or highlights? Leave it alone. That's all you have to do." :p

[LoveMyMutt]

I agree, let it fade for a while. I find that demis are darkest the first week -- the second week it will be much lighter.

In the meantime, look at the drugstore for Roux Fanci-Full Blond temporary color. It's a violet toner. That will take out some of the brassiness. It won't damage your hair, it only lasts till the next wash.

[GRU]

In the meantime, look at the drugstore for Roux Fanci-Full Blond temporary color. It's a violet toner. That will take out some of the brassiness. It won't damage your hair, it only lasts till the next wash.

If you have trouble finding it, Sally's carries the full line of these (just saw them there last night).

[Fractalsofhair]

I'd call that a medium to dark blond actually.

I think the undertone is golden, but not brassy at all.

[hemolymph]

Yay! Thanks everyone for the great advice. I appreciate it. I am going to snap pics once a week to see my progress.. make me feel better.

[MissMB]

I have no clue, but your hair color looks very similar to mine. I do consider mine rather brassy though. I love your haircut!

[-simply Venus-]

Yours is really warm, his is ashy and cool.