
Originally Posted by
Mia M
^^^ the virgin hair thing is a crock of shit... Basically, a demi or semi permanent color usually contains a crap ton of moisturizers so it can leave hair in better condition, but it will not restore decolorized hair to a virgin state, much less "better than virgin"- whatever that means.
I currently have hot pink peekaboo highlights, this is my second go around with them. My natural color is a level 4 and I lift my hair to a level 5 copper auburn. My highlights were first decolorized to yellow orange... Unless you're a natural or current artificial color is a level 8 blonde or lighter, you'll have to bleach first, then color.
First time around, my only option for a hot pink was a semi permanent. I was reappling it 2X a week minimum. Advantage, less damage since semi permanent color is deposit only- no ammonia or peroxide. Easy to apply, no mixing needed... just put on a pair of gloves, open the jar, and make sure you apply it evenly. Disadvantage, dramatic color fading after every shampoo- as I mentioned before, the shit needs to be reapplied frequently.
Recently, Redken came out with High Fusion... a permanent color that comes in vibrant tones. However, in order to get it to be a vibrant tone you still have to bleach if you're darker than a level 8- using it on darker virgin hair results in a more natural, subtle tone. Now, I decolorize to an orange and then apply High Fusion with a 10 volume. Advantages: I now only color my pink once every 2-3 weeks. Disadvantages: it's permanent haircolor therefore contains ammonia and peroxide- I'm repeatedly blowing open the cuticle and damaging my hair with every application and it takes 35-45 minutes to process.
Honestly, I like my current color process... My ends are the only parts showing damage- they're brittle and fade more quickly then the rest of my peekaboo's. The rest of the pink stuff is still has elasticity and feels alright. But if your main concern is the integrity of your hair, it's definately not the lesser of the two evils.
Since you have to bleach in order to get a vibrant tone if you have darker hair, even new growth has to be decolorized before coloring... You can just bleach the outgrowth to the line of demarcation, then color the entire head to minimize damage- bleaching is the most damaging to the hair so you don't want to overlap it over and over again.
Also, you'll need lots and lots of protein... I would protein load your immediately hair before and after you color and then once a week between coloring for maintainence. I know you like your natrual stuff, but I highly recommend a lab created protein restorer- something that will penetrate the cuticle. Redken Extreme CAT treatment is an excellent protein treatment that addresses porosity caused by chemical damage and Extreme PPT (if you can get your hands on it)stregthens the inner protein bonds. You would also benefit from in salon Chemistry Systems, too.
To prevent fading, the best thing you can do is shampoo as little as possible. If you don't already have one, get a dry shampoo. I shampoo 2-3 times a week and use Samy Dry Spray Shampoo in between... that Samy stuff is the best $6 I've ever spent!
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