Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

I know that blondes/light haired people generally don't have much trouble getting various shades of red, but what about somone with medium brown hair, like me? The one time I went to a salon, the results were nothing like the picture I brought in. Is it true then that I will need to bleach my hair first, then apply my desired color? And if that's so, then what would upkeep entail- bleaching AND coloring my roots? I'm looking for very intense, non-natural color, not just some hint of red, and if I'm going to shell out big bucks for it, I want to know I can get the results I want.

For an example of the color I'm considering: http://punkfuckers.com/pics/goth7.jpg.

Thanks, guys! I'd specifically like answers from medium-brown haired people who have went to a similar color with success (or failure), though all answers are welcome.

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

I didn't go to your site you put up to see the color,but as a stylist I can give you some information. Depending on what the stylist uses as products to produce the color you want will depend on if you have to bleach. I have done some pretty intense reds and seen them done without having to use bleach. It just depends. I would probably say that if it is as intense as you say and it is a very unusual color of red then you may have to bleach it.

My advice ...either go online or look in the phone book for salons that use top of the line products. They do list the products they use if they are quality. Redken, Matrix, etc,etc. Call the salon and ask if they charge for a consultation. Some do and some don't, it doesn't mean anything either way. Skill and talent are what you are looking for,along with how much you like the stylist. When you are making the consultation appointment ask for the stylist who they believe will be able to achieve what you are looking for. BTW keep looking if you don't feel like they are on the same page as you and if you don't feel comfy with them. You need them to give you some eye-to-eye contact and suggestions. They should look at your skin tone and eye color to decide the tonal value of the red. If you feel they know what they are doing with those tips then you have found your stylist. So, wait until you have found the right person and then she will tell you if you need to bleach it to achieve what you want and it's also possible...depending on what you have already done to your hair that you may not be able to do it due to the condition of your hair. Have you done any chemical treatments on your hair? If so, then she probably won't want to bleach. Lots of things a stylist has to know before doing this process.

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

I will give you a consultation for free if you live in the OC area of Southern Cal. Email me. Report It

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

i should hope so

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

If you are willing to allow them to bleach your hair, you can have any color you like. Bleach is pretty hard core. I have almost black hair but managed to make it pink, blue and red using bleach.

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

ok! i had medium-to-dark brown hair and recently dyed it VIBRANT red. Yes, you have to bleach it first- make sure you get one of the stronger bleaches available. Then dye over the bleach- make sure you use permanent and not temporary colour. If you already have dye in your jair you should consult the lady at the drugstore, but if it's natural, you should have NO problemo.

As far as touch-ups go, the first time I touched mine up I used red dye that had peroxide built-in, and put in on my roots for the first 20 min or so, then worked it through the rest of my hair. The roots were a *bit* darker but still looked good. The next time, my hair had faded out a LOT (reds will do that), so I just bleached and dyed the whole thing again and it looked very uniformly coloured. If you don't mind a bit of roots for a while, I'd space out the bleaching as long as you can- healthier on the hair that way.

Oh, and if it fades and you want to give it a boost without using permanent dye, those 8-10 washes haircolours will do the trick.

Good luck! I LOVEEEEE my red hair!

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

yeah

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

maybe..

Can I Successfully Dye My Hair Red?

don't bleach your hair it will be damaged