Hair toner question - planning to neutralise the brassiness

[stachelbeere]

Today I decided to finally tone my red hennaed length to a cooler tone and also make it a bit darker.

I'd like to use a semi-permanent colour from a brand such as Manic Panic - the problem is, Manic Panic is not available in my country
What is available though is a brand called La Riche Directions, here is the link to their website: http://www.lariche.co.uk/

My question is: does anyone have experience with this brand? Is it like MP? I don't want to damage my hair at all (I heard MP doesn't cause any damage) which is why I'm seeking your advice

if I go through with this I'll be posting about the progress here

Thanks in advance

UPDATE!

I FINALLY went through with it! After a lot of hesitation and strand tests I carefully applied the blue toner on my hennaed lengths and I was very very careful to fade out the blue around where my natural hair starts and I am happy to report that the transition is flawless it took me a few long hours to apply the toner though (especially since I was on the phone for a good half hour inbetween sections hehe) but it was so worth it! I'm planning to keep the effect up by mixing some blue toner with my conditioner once it starts fading. I really got used to the two toned look that I had with the henna and I sort of miss it now at the same time I LOVE the effect and I've had a great hair day today.

Here are the pictures:



The "Before"
Because the 'after' pictures were taken in my bathroom (I have really favourable lighting there hehe) I struggled to find some 'before' pics from there. The closest I got is a pictures of a section of my hair and what my hair looked like with flash.



aaaand the "After".



inbetween - my super profesh dyeing technique :P



Bonus: my new profile picture from "the life of a bun" [with my not-so-red-anymore bun]



the result in natural light

[AmyBeth]

I used Manic Panic in Enchanted Forest to tone my henna hair. I used about 1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 cup conditioner for about 10 minutes. Directions looks very much like Manic Panic so it should work. I wasn't worried about trying it because it is non-damaging and it will wash out eventually. It worked so beautifully for me to tone the redness and it did make my hair a bit darker.

[stachelbeere]

thanks AmyBeth.
was it staining a lot? should I be prepared for a huge mess or is it alright? also, for my length I think that 1/2 cup conditioner would be faaar too much. Do you think 1/8 cup would be enough? Do I have to coat the hair thickly?

oh - and do you have pictures?

[RainbowBowser]

I've heard Directions is similar to- if not better- than Manic Panic as far as colour goes. Its definitely a standard semi-permanent hair colour. I don't know the details of damage however.

[Applegirl84]

I also tone brassiness with manic panic (shocking blue), but I use a different method. I mix a tsp of dye with about 6 cups of hot water and just dip my hair into the bowl. Then I dry it with a black towel and keep it in for 10-15min (while I clean up). Then shampoo and condition as usual. Yes it stains. I use gloves and wear a black shirt and use dark towels.

[Arctic]

I have used Directions, but have not used other, similar brands, so I cannot compare. One thing's for sure: unless you bleach your hair first, it doen not damage it, it's more like conditioner. Good luck!

[stachelbeere]

thanks everyone. i think i'm going to buy blue and yellow and mix them together, that way i'll be in control of the exact colour

[Juniper.]

I've been wanting to do this since I saw Applegirl84's thread about toning her hair with blue Manic Panic, but I've been a little worried about it turning my hennad portion darker than my roots (which can look pretty light in some lights).

Please let us know how it goes stachelbeere (pictures too!) - I can buy Directions in my city so that's what I'll also be using if I decide to go ahead with it.

[stachelbeere]

Alright Juniper! I'm ordering the colours tonight - I've chosen "Atlantic Blue" and "Daffodil". Then I'll mix them until I get the desired green tone (1 part yellow to 2 parts blue, I think), add to my conditioner and I'll do a few strand tests first... I'm getting excited about this!

[oatmealpie]

I used Directions mixed together with Adore and had similar results (conditioning, color) to Manic Panic. I think the color bled and faded a little less.