Okay, here is the deal. This September 6th or so will be the 10-month mark for the last time I colored my hair. I am very happy with the staying power of the Robert Craig product. The color I used was the Chocolate brown. This shade of brown has red tones in it.

The 'problem' is that the color has faded enough to allow those red tones to really show. My ends are reddish, but my 4 inches of roots are ash brown -- absolutely no hint of red. However, you probably wouldn't even notice this fact unless I put my ends right up to my roots. Only then can you see such a color difference.

So, what do you say? Should I just leave it alone since I want to quit coloring anyway, or should I try a brown shade that has no red tones?

ooooh a hard decision. I think it depends on how much having two-toned hair truly bugs you. Since the Robert Craig haircolour seems to be fairly gentle and lasts for months, I don't think it would hurt to dye again.

How long did it take before you noticed any fading on the ends? I used Wella Colorcharm semi-permanent in medium brown back in May, and it was August before the red shade underneath started to show through.

:love:

bunniee

:heart: :DD Bunniee-licious!! - As I mentioned, to the casual observer, the color difference is probably hardly noticable. It may look more along the lines of how natural haircolor varies from roots to ends.

It's hard to say when I noticed the red tones. Hmm.... :rolleyes: The color has just faded gradually over 10 months, but not in a bad way. My hair has pretty much stayed brown. I've not been at all unhappy with how the color has lightened a wee bit. I'm just wondering how much 'redder' the ends will get. My thinking is that if I use a brown with no reds, and it stays in as well as the choc. brown that I used, then perhaps I can get rid of the red altogether. (I love red hair -- but it's icky with ashy roots. :puke: )

However, you probably wouldn't even notice this fact unless I put my ends right up to my roots. Only then can you see such a color difference.

Hollie, my ends are redder than my roots, too. I think that's fairly normal, but also may have to do with that henna glossing I did last September. You can't tell unless I hold my ends up to my roots or do a bun on top of my head (as in for sleeping......I would not leave the house this way! :D )

I think you should leave well enough alone. Who's to say that you will have the same great results with the new color as far as growing out? You've grown out so much already.....keep at it.

My 2 cents, dear. :D (You even got me to post when I was about to log off, lady! :D )

I voted not to dye again. A slight difference in colour between roots and ends is natural, and I don't think it looks bad at all. Especially since you say that you're the only one who notices it, and because you want to stop colouring for good.

My .02 Euros :)

Who's to say that you will have the same great results with the new color as far as growing out?

That's exactly what I've been thinking, too!! LOL

...and because you want to stop colouring for good.

Uhhh...yes, that's true. :rolleyes: :D

Hollie,

I know it's hard, but if you are trying to wean off dyeing then don't dye again.

Just my 2 cents.

Step AWAY from the Hair dye missy! ;) ;) ;)

Come on.. if I can not dye my hair while waiting for the black to fade for a year (which it HAS)... and you've seen my hair color (imagine that PITCH BLACK )... then you know how hard of a time I had with it...

You can do this! Especially since as you said, it's not very noticiable (I cannot spell today).. mine was VERY noticable (i really wish i'd had my digital a year ago so I could show you, but just imagine a permanent marker drawing a line around your head... beneath that line is black , above is brown.. luckily it was semi permanent so as it did that, it also faded, and my hair was chin length)

And like it's been previously stated, who's to say if you'll get so lucky with the non red toned color... besides, if it counts.. I think your color is pretty now, and so far it isn't noticable unless you literally POINT it out to me, and then I'd have to probably still STARE for a few minutes ;)

but hey.. do what makes YOU happy! :love:

.
.
I couldn't find the "You're beautiful regardless, Hollie" option.

:-)

Hollie, honestly, if your pictures turn out as well
as they do with a mere digital camera,
I'm wondering what a professional photographer
would do with you.

You have that artistic look about you and
I've told you this before, but you are a gorgeous
woman. And without makeup!

I can't say about the hair dye, I know
as much about hair dye as I do brain surgery,
but I know that I've seen you in many hair colors,
each one you wear quite well!

So my vote is...take more pictures! :-)

OKay.......not a problem. This is why I wanted feedback. :D I have 10 that say "Don't do it!!!", and 3 that say "Go for it!!" I think you all are right, though -- if I truly want to 'quit coloring', I should let it be. After all, the color match is really good, so why mess with it??

Thanks!!! :rockerdude: :face:

Let me add another vote to the "don't do it" category. :D Seriously, I look at your pics and can't see any "line" or "huge difference" or "anything". :D :D :D :D

Hollie, I've never colored in my life. My hair is medium brown at the roots, fairly reddish on the ends and grey all over — and it's only about 22 inches long. I think it's normal for color to fade from the scalp to the ends, especially on darker hair. Ultimately it depends on whether you can live with it or not.

Blessings,
Carla

1aFii
Medium Brown at Roots, Reddish on Ends, Silver all Over

Hollie,

I'm in the same boat as you except I only have about 2 inches of "new" hair growth. I know how you feel, and I'll probably know even more in a few months. I'm in the exact same situation, the new is a bit ashier than the dyed hair. Not a big difference. I know how picky I am about color (read my journal for a little insanity on that subject), and I think you have a gorgeous color and it looks like it's blended perfectly to me. My experience is that when asking people about my hair they don't really notice until I point it out.

I say grin and bear it. I think your hair looks gorgeous as is, and if it ever gets you down you'll have a growing-out buddy in me. :D

Hollie I've got a late vote against colouring as well.... :)
You are so close to having it all your natural shiny colour that I think you should leave it too.
I'm with you and Laurel, I used a semi perm dark blonde recently to blend in the gold mid-lengths & ends with my natural growth, and already I'm waiting impatiently for it to fade cause it's made my own naturally ashy colour a deeper blonde but still with a gold tone. I'm leaving it alone this time and letting my natural colour shine through.
Keep on keeping on & we'll grow together - BTW your new pic is gorgeous as always.;)

Colouring can be a slipperly slope even if you are trying to 'correct' old colouring. I know, I cn't even remember how many brown dyes I went through to return my lightened hair to something near the original. Not quite like your situation, but I agree with those say don't as you want to stop dying it and that ends are different anyway etc... etc....

we all want what we don't have I wish my hair would have red tones instead of its tendency to go blond. Sigh - I don't know Hollie - I'm sorry.

Hollie,
I can relate. I've just started the not-coloring-anymore journey. You should see my roots! Although, truthfully, my hair is not that bad! Only if you look close, and most people don't. When my hair is up, you can hardly tell. I think if I had been dying my hair blond and then my dark roots were showing up, I'd be going nuts. Then I would have maybe voted differently. But if at all possible, hold off and see what happens.

I remember when I was in high school with waist length hair, and a friend streaked it for me. She did a good job, but I was dismayed at first. With time though, it blended in nicely, and I had nothing to worry about. I think after a few months, the contrast will be less noticeable. At any rate, if you wait, no harm done. You can always color it then. But once you've made that decision and gone ahead - no turning back!!

The thing that is keeping me from worrying is that I plan at some point to try henna. Right now I'm too scared, because I'm afriad that there might be a color reaction with the chemical dye, and then I'll be "clown orange" as someone put it, or ghastly green!

So I'm a two-tone gal now, and darn proud of it!! Join the club!

Tea Lady

dont color, hollie. take more pictures and change siggy every second :D

Hollie, I voted "don't do it", but please keep in mind that I am hair-coloring-ignorant! ;)

The only reasons I say no, are:

1 - when I saw you last I saw NO color difference

2 - I think most people with long hair hair have ends that are lighter or colored differently than their roots. The hair is older and the color has faded. Even if the person has never "colored" his/her hair.

Anyway, just my cheap, 2 cents! ;)

*I* think your color looks GREAT!!! :)

I voted no too.

I didn't see any color difference in your hair and it was something you brought up too, so we all took a gander and thought it was natural. My hair is lighter at the bottom too, I think that's a casualty of sun exposure.

I think I remember that you were wanting to stop the coloring. If you like your natural ash then don't color. But if you like the red tones, then color. Just because you have a crush on Robert Craig, you don't have to use his products! :silly:

I liked your hair color. It is very flattering on you and looks great.

Just because you have a crush on Robert Craig, you don't have to use his products! :silly:

:suspect: :D I don't even know what the man looks like. ;)

..... as the cliche goes......

Stop the insanity!!!

If your goal is to stop coloring, the best time to do it is
right here... right now!

I always liked your natural color more anyway. :D

Hope this somehow helps... probably won't, but what the heck.

:D

I voted don't do it as well.. Because who's to say that after that you still won't need to color "one more time" and then just one more time again.. You know what I mean. You're already well on your way to growing out, and I bet you're the only one who notices anything!
We all here think your hair is lovely

:P

Jollie

Hollie, please please take it from me - no, don't do it! ;)

Melissa

LOLOL I won't I won't. :D

Okay, here is the deal. This September 6th or so will be the 10-month mark for the last time I colored my hair. I am very happy with the staying power of the Robert Craig product. The color I used was the Chocolate brown. This shade of brown has red tones in it.

The 'problem' is that the color has faded enough to allow those red tones to really show. My ends are reddish, but my 4 inches of roots are ash brown -- absolutely no hint of red. However, you probably wouldn't even notice this fact unless I put my ends right up to my roots. Only then can you see such a color difference.

So, what do you say? Should I just leave it alone since I want to quit coloring anyway, or should I try a brown shade that has no red tones?


My hair is always two toned and I haven't colored for years! The bottom one third is significantly lighter and redder than the top. I figure it makes for interesting hair, and I actually get a lot of compliments. Since you want to stop, why not stop now??? You hair will thank you for it! :smile:

It's not likely you will ever be completely rid of the red tones. I tried and tried and tried to cover and diminish red tones in my hair and eventually resorted to bleach.

I suggest not coloring again simply because I think the problem will continue indefinately. Since you say it's barely noticable, I'd probably wait, and then if it became noticable, I would do something.