Darkening hair

[Sergio]

Well, my ''problem'' is that I have brown hair with a little bit red glow in it. You could say it's brown/maroon hair. Especially in summer, with the sun, there's more red glow and I really don't like it. So my question: how could I remove the red glow or darken my hair withouth dying it? Is there a shampoo or natural products that can help?
Thanks:cool:

[bunnii]

You could try molasses, I do this sometimes and it works well, here's a thread about it - http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=163&highlight=molasses+rinses

And there's various rinses you can do, i've done tea and coffee, both worked ok but the tea was drying for me. here's an article from Nightshade - http://www.forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=2

HTH :)

[Sergio]

Thanks, I'm definitely gonna give it a try.:D
Only one thing: besides the darkening effect will it not increase the red glow? Maybe this is a stupid question but I'm a layperson in this.:o

[bunnii]

hmmmm I think it couldn't hurt. I found my hair went more browny with molasses and coffee rinses.

[Tabihito]

Definitely going to have to try this as well. I find the line between my chemically dyed red and my natural dark brown disconcerting. Even if it only makes the red a bit darker, it'll blend better. Wouldn't be such a problem if the darned developer in the dye hadn't had some sort of lightening agent in it, which is my biggest beef with it. A dark red wouldn't have been as noticeable.

[Sergio]

Well, it doesn't work for me.:(
Are there other options?;)

[ktani]

Welcome to LHC!
From reports, the conditioner works better than the shampoo for evening out colour, http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=26659/Clove_conditioner/Aveda/Conditioner. Neither product is designed to cover grey hair. Wearing a hat will help prevent the sun from bringing out the red in your hair. Good luck!

[Sergio]

Thank you, I really like this forum!
I'm gonna give this a try;)

[ktani]

Thank you, I really like this forum!
I'm gonna give this a try;)

You are most welcome!

[Sergio]

Well, your suggestions had worked a bit, but nog enough for me.:( I have tryed many natural products, but the most of these products don't work. I am now considering to buy ''Unred'', which is a product of Ardell. Do you think ''Unred'' will work for natural (non-dyed) hair too?
I'm sorry for my bad english.:o

[ktani]

Well, your suggestions had worked a bit, but nog enough for me.:( I have tryed many natural products, but the most of these products don't work. I am now considering to buy ''Unred'', which is a product of Ardell. Do you think ''Unred'' will work for natural (non-dyed) hair too?
I'm sorry for my bad english.:o

I am sorry to hear that those choices were not enough.

I looked into Ardell Unred a while back. Here is what a hair stylist had to say on the subject of that type of product.

"The colors .... in a shade book .... concentrates or additives and are unstable when used by themselves or used excessively in a color formula. .... isn't always "what you see is what you get" with drabbers. They aren't meant to stand alone ...."
http://www.behindthechair.com/forum/displaythread.aspx?DID=9176

In other words, products like Ardell Unred are designed to work with hair dye, not on their own.

You have a natural red tone to your hair. Your hair has been lightened by the sun and the red is showing through. You can get your hair dyed to cover the red (or do it yourself) if you really dislike it so much. The Ardell Unred can be used with that or a hair stylist can just use the right shade to counter your natural colour.

The hair dye will fade out or grow out depending on the type of hair dye you decide on.

A possible option is to add the Ardell Unred to a colour conditioner that already contains temporary dyes. I am not sure how effective that may turn out. It would depend on how much dye is in the conditioner as well as how much of the Unred you use.

Note: A number of drugstore shampoos and conditioners aimed at hair colour are not colour enhancing products. They are colour preserving products. While they may add a bit of colour, they are not the same thing. Read labels carefully and ask questions to hopefully, well trained cosmetic staff. I do not believe that you will find what you need in any of those products.

[ellen732]

Loreal Artec is a professional line that makes semi-permanent color conditioner and shampoo. deposit only with no peroxide. I have the same problem with my brown hair having a somewhat reddish cast and I use the cocoa bean conditioner in that line. I mix it with a bit of regular conditioner in my hand and leave it in for 2 minutes. I use it about every other time I wash my hair.

[ktani]

Loreal Artec is a professional line that makes semi-permanent color conditioner and shampoo. deposit only with no peroxide. I have the same problem with my brown hair having a somewhat reddish cast and I use the cocoa bean conditioner in that line. I mix it with a bit of regular conditioner in my hand and leave it in for 2 minutes. I use it about every other time I wash my hair.

I had read that the line was discontinued. I am glad to read that it works for you!

[AreWild]

I'm no expert, but what about amla? It helps ash out the warm tones when using henna, but I've never tried it. Would it work on natural red?

[xxmeganxx]

I have heard applying oil often helps darken/even hair out naturally. Oh and try Amla oil. Its made from Indian gooseberrys, its smells but apparently its very good. I have used it only a few times but using it often is supposed to slightly darken the hair. You can buy it in Indian food stores.