Experimenting with Hair Color

I was doing my usual perusing of the hair products at Target a couple months ago and came across SheaMoisture's hair color. When it came out a year ago I stalked Target until I got tired and forgot about it. But every Spring I get a little antsy with my hair and crave change, so when I saw it, I jumped on it! And the more natural the better! This dye has both natural and certified organic ingredients, and no ammonia or sulfates. I had dyed my hair with Bigen's "Oriental Black" (my staple for many years) about a year ago so I was pretty sure the SM color would not take. Since my hair was so dark I went with their Medium Chestnut Brown color as it claimed to make black hair more brown. The end result wasn't bad, except some of the very tips of my hair were still black, naturally the roots took more. It was a subtle change where in the light you can see it and in the dark you can't. I liked the actual SM hair color system, it made my hair feel nice after. It also came in a great box and inside all the products were in a cute sachet with a tie, I guess that's why it's $14.99 which is pricey for any hair color I've ever used. We must also be paying for the organic and natural properties as well. I didn't mind if it meant my hair would be healthier. I actually kept the boxes. I may just rip off the flap with the artwork to keep instead. Apparently they're in the process of changing the boxes and it's been on clearance at Target's across the country. Not mine though since they claim they only recently started carrying it! I believe they're changing the boxes because a lot of people were having problems deciphering the actual hair color based on the water-color images. I personally don't see anything wrong with it since on the back they show you what color your hair will turn out based on its original color. Photo or water-color, you're not guaranteed the color on the box anyway.

Box and contents

L: Twist-Out, you can kind of see the color along the hairline
R: Wash-n-go, you can see the color a bit more

A month later I got a hair cut (I'll do a post on that later) and I tried their Reddish Blonde color to see if I could boost my color. 

L: is the Medium Chestnut Brown,
R: Reddish Blonde

It did but being the person I am, about a week or so later I started applying semi-permanent rinses to make it more vibrant. I make a mixture of various Adore and Jazzing orange/red/brown colors. I love this technique because every other weekend when I mix it, it comes out a different color! Fun fun! Buuuut this past weekend I got bored again and decided I wanted to finally try Manic Panic High Voltage Classic hair color. I've been wanting to for years and their color palette is ah-may-zing. I decided on Psychedelic Sunset and Cleo Rose, two of their newer colors, to put in the front only. I didn't want to go nuts doing my whole head. 

I first lifted my hair color with Clairol's Basic White B2 lightener (single pack) and Pure White Creme Developer in 30 volume (recommended for "extra lift"), not until it was white but lighter than it was, so more of a light orange/red. I purchased both at my local beauty supply store, the developer I had from before since it's a big bottle. I made sure to get those black ends too. I parted the bang on a slant and applied the Cleo Rose more to the bottom and the Psychedelic Sunset more on top. I used foil to keep them separated and sat under my hair dryer for about 20mins. It came out great! I love it! And those colors blend nicely with the rest of my reddish/orange hair (which I also re-applied). It's more tame with a wash-n-go style, but when it's more fro-like, watch out! Especially in the sun! Even my 6 yr-old son noticed and he doesn't notice a lot ;) I would say based on the color swatches above and my results below, it's pretty accurate. SCORE!

L: Wash-n-Go from the night before.

R: Close-up of the colors

Same day, more fro as the day went on

I imagine I'll have to re-apply the colors quite often, especially since wash-n-go's are my current "thing". That may get old quick having to deal with the foil and parting accurately so we'll see. I'm going to buy 2 L'Oreal color-protecting and preserving products and give those a shot, their Advanced Haircare Color Vibrancy Instant Shock Treatment and their Advanced Haircare Color Vibrancy Dual Protect Spray because I washed my hair last night to get it more "tame" for work with a wash-n-go and already I can see a difference in the color. Or it could be because it's in wash-n-go mode as to why the color isn't as pronounced, or the bright lighting in my office:

I also have to suck it up and wash it with more colder water. I've read on various Manic Panic reviews that that's key. The thing is I wash my hair in the shower and I like the water...well not "colder", lol. I just went outside and it's definitely still bright, must be the lighting in the photos. 

I think this is it though as far as coloring for the summer...*cough cough*...unless I decide to add a little purple...hmmmmmm ;)