How can I go blonde, at home, without my hair developing orange tones?

Question

My hair is medium/dark brown with red highlights. Every time I try to it turns more orange. I have tried leaving it on longer and that did not work.

Answer 1

You really do need to get it done professionally because, with brown hair, you need to do a two step process to strip your natural color and then put in the blonde color that you want. Brown hair will always lift to orange first and the kits that you buy for at home use will never get you to blonde without orange tones. Trust me! I've tried it plenty of times!

Answer 2

Here are 2 suggestions you can try. First, adding a drabber to the haircolor will keep you from getting so many of the warm 'brassy' reddish tones. Or, and probably the better option, would be to use a 2 step process (especially if you have fairly dark hair and are trying to go really really blonde), that is a process where you first lighten the pigment nearly all the way out of your hair and then you add the color that you do want in a second process...it is time consuming, but works very well.

Answer 3

If you're looking to do it yourself:

Go to Sally Beauty Supply, not some place like Wal-mart. I would recommend buying any of the ION colors, they work extremely well. Make sure you select an ASH blonde hue. Nothing with gold tones. If your hair is dark brown, select a color that's almost white if you want a light blonde. You will still have a slightly orange color, but it won't look un-natural. You will have to purchase the developer seperately. This is the main reason you do not want to buy products at Wal-Mart and whatnot-the volume of developer in those prepackaged dyes is all the same. For dark brown or black hair, you need 30-40oz developer (I would recommend 40 if you want to avoid orangeness). 20oz developer will only lighten your hair a few shades above what it already is. You mix 2 ounces of developer with whatever color you've chosen, apply it to your hair, and wait about 45 minutes.

If the color still comes out brassy, you need to buy a toner. This can also be purchased at Sally Beauty Supply. Clairol Complements is a nice line. You will need to purchase both the color for the toner, and the color prompter. Mix equal parts together and apply to your hair for up to 15 minutes.

If you STILL have brassy hair, or it is not as light as you want, a last resort is bleach. This is best done PROFESSIONALLY, however it can be done yourself. I would not recommend this, as it can damage your hair and leave it straw-like if not done right. To do this, again go to Sally's. Buy a product called "Quick Blue". It comes in a little blue packet. Mix this with 2 ounces of developer (30 or 40 oz). It will make a light blue paste. DO NOT put this all over your head. Instead, do highlights all over your head. Applying the mixture to sections and then foiling them, applying low heat, is the best way to go. DO NOT leave the mixture on for more than 40 minutes. If your hair is already lightened and you're correcting the color, you will probably only need to leave it in about 15 minutes. Check the color periodically, until it lightens to the amount you want. The end result will be a light, almost white, blonde.

Make sure you condition your head after dying. A hair masque will work wonders for your hair if it is dry and brittle from dying. Leave it in for at least 5 minutes (though i've left some in for up to an hour and have been more satisfied with results) and then rinse. leave in conditioners are also extremely helpful when conditioning the ends of hair to prevent split ends. As far as good shampoos/conditioners go: Bed Head TIGI-Self Absorbed Shampoo & Conditioner is the way to go. They include tons of vitamins that are extremely good for your hair and repairs hair making it less dry and brittle the more you use it.

If you straighten your hair, I would recommend investing in an ion straightener as well to prevent heat damage additionally ruining your hair. And instead of blow drying, air dry your hair or just blow dry the roots on a low heat setting.

Answer 4

I naturally have dark brown hair.. I did the same thing you did.. i dyed my hair at home&put blonde in it.. BAD IDEA!
it turned my entire head bright orange!
get it done professionaly! when you have naturally medium/dark brown hair and you put blonde in it !!yourself!!.. it strips the color out and it takes from 1 1/2 years to 2 years to get back your normal hair color..mine is back now.. but go get it done professionaly :-)

lol

Answer 5

Red tones are very difficult to overcome. You need to choose a color of blond that has ash tones in it to 'neutralize' the red in your hair. It would be best if you 'go blond' gradually to the lightest shade you desire than to do it all at once. Please don't leave hair color applications on your hair longer than the directions; it may cause severe damage to your hair and/or scalp.

Answer 6

i doesn't threat a do-it your self pastime exceptionally even as lifting the hair, there are alot of places that you'll bypass to which aren't any the position close to as extreme priced as an upscale salon, wise kinds at walmart, some tremendous clips do colour mastercuts in the mall, you dont unavoidably ought to interrupt the commercial organization, maximum of those places will cost you round 40 greenbacks in accordance to you length, so i'd check out those places first!

Answer 7

You need a toner to tone down the orange. Mine used to do it too. Check with the Beauty Supply. I think I used it after the initial color was finished and rinsed out.

Answer 8

Get it dyed professionaly!