Got root? Yes, yes I do.
August 15, 2009 1:08 PM Subscribe
I want to color my roots quickly, and won't have time/money to see my colorist. She ordinarily uses Goldwell, and I don't want to bother obtaining and then mixing, etc., the professional product for 3/4" of grey. Given the base color and chemical makeup of Goldwell color, what off-the-shelf substitute would you recommend?
I ask because in the past I've used Clairol after Loreal, or vice versa, and the combination of the base color (green and brown, if I recall, respectively) ended badly for everyone.
If it matters, we're talking a medium red-brown.
I ask because in the past I've used Clairol after Loreal, or vice versa, and the combination of the base color (green and brown, if I recall, respectively) ended badly for everyone.
If it matters, we're talking a medium red-brown.
I'm not familiar with Goldwell. That being said I have heard good things about Fekkai hair color.
More reviews here.
I think the most important thing is the color, not brand. The 1-800 numbers on the side of the box seem to be very helpful, or so I've heard. I would talk to a consultant and tell her what you want to achieve before you color.
posted by Fairchild at 1:29 PM on August 15, 2009
More reviews here.
I think the most important thing is the color, not brand. The 1-800 numbers on the side of the box seem to be very helpful, or so I've heard. I would talk to a consultant and tell her what you want to achieve before you color.
posted by Fairchild at 1:29 PM on August 15, 2009
You can call the L'Oreal hotline for some guidance, but without really understanding your natural hair color/texture/dye history, I don't know if anyone besides an experienced colorist can help you. It certainly matters what color you are seeking. I've had a good experience with L'Oreal's Natural Match in medium reddish chestnut, but I'm a natural redhead who gets a little brassy in the summer, so I use the dye to even out the strawberry blond highlights.
Obviously, only color your roots and your previously-dyed hair.
posted by zoomorphic at 1:29 PM on August 15, 2009
Obviously, only color your roots and your previously-dyed hair.
posted by zoomorphic at 1:29 PM on August 15, 2009
ahem, and NOT your previously-dyed hair
posted by zoomorphic at 1:32 PM on August 15, 2009
posted by zoomorphic at 1:32 PM on August 15, 2009
Best answer: what off-the-shelf substitute would you recommend?
If this is for one event, go to a good beauty supply and get some kind of "hair mascara" you can streak in with the wand provided in the tube to cover your visible roots. Like mascara for your eyelashes, these products completely wash out. They are avaible, btw, at most drug stores, but I am sure the beauty supply has a larger range of colors.
If you are seeking permanent color to completely avoid a salon visit/expense.... this is totally doable. But you are not an expert, proceed with caution.
Most likely, nothing off the shelf in a pharmacy will help you because your previous color has 2 issues... (a) it was a custom mix colour, including some collection of 10, 20, 30, or 40 volume peroxide (cream or liquid) and a custom blend of professional colour... and (b) because your growth is previously treated (many times, I assume) the hair is EXCEPTIONALLY porous below your roots. If you don't color & formula match EXACTLY to the previous dye applications, you will end up a color correction client at your nearest salon asap.
I think one of the bigger worries for your hair issue is a bad reaction between previous color and new formula, as in green highlights. yuck. (been there, btw.)
If you tell us your true base color of hair, and some approximation of what professional color has been used previously (i.e medium ash blonde, etc,) it might be easier to point you in the direction of what professional products you should obtain.
Just be warned, learning to "do" your own roots is a bit of an art, especially when dyeing the back of your head because you are working blind and/or ambidextrous via a mirror...
Not impossible. But more details required if you want to use any permanent or semi-permanent tints:)
posted by jbenben at 7:12 PM on August 15, 2009
If this is for one event, go to a good beauty supply and get some kind of "hair mascara" you can streak in with the wand provided in the tube to cover your visible roots. Like mascara for your eyelashes, these products completely wash out. They are avaible, btw, at most drug stores, but I am sure the beauty supply has a larger range of colors.
If you are seeking permanent color to completely avoid a salon visit/expense.... this is totally doable. But you are not an expert, proceed with caution.
Most likely, nothing off the shelf in a pharmacy will help you because your previous color has 2 issues... (a) it was a custom mix colour, including some collection of 10, 20, 30, or 40 volume peroxide (cream or liquid) and a custom blend of professional colour... and (b) because your growth is previously treated (many times, I assume) the hair is EXCEPTIONALLY porous below your roots. If you don't color & formula match EXACTLY to the previous dye applications, you will end up a color correction client at your nearest salon asap.
I think one of the bigger worries for your hair issue is a bad reaction between previous color and new formula, as in green highlights. yuck. (been there, btw.)
If you tell us your true base color of hair, and some approximation of what professional color has been used previously (i.e medium ash blonde, etc,) it might be easier to point you in the direction of what professional products you should obtain.
Just be warned, learning to "do" your own roots is a bit of an art, especially when dyeing the back of your head because you are working blind and/or ambidextrous via a mirror...
Not impossible. But more details required if you want to use any permanent or semi-permanent tints:)
posted by jbenben at 7:12 PM on August 15, 2009
Best answer: Goldwell is a hard act to follow,very translucent .
I am assuming that your hair is 30 to 50% gray, dark/medium blonde existing shade. Get
boxcolor medium blond 6N and box color red brown 6RB. mix up to 1/2 half part blonde 6N to one part red brown 6RB, this is so your gray won't turn pink, mix with just one of the dedicated developers that come with the color,don't bother about the missing half part, you can use the extra pigment to deposit richer color. Remember light brown is darker than dark blonde. If the 6 level is too light then use 5N - 5RB next time, best too light than too dark.
Good luck.
posted by hortense at 10:32 PM on August 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
I am assuming that your hair is 30 to 50% gray, dark/medium blonde existing shade. Get
boxcolor medium blond 6N and box color red brown 6RB. mix up to 1/2 half part blonde 6N to one part red brown 6RB, this is so your gray won't turn pink, mix with just one of the dedicated developers that come with the color,don't bother about the missing half part, you can use the extra pigment to deposit richer color. Remember light brown is darker than dark blonde. If the 6 level is too light then use 5N - 5RB next time, best too light than too dark.
Good luck.
posted by hortense at 10:32 PM on August 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
Sorry I can't recommend a brand of color I use Goldwell most everyday at work.
posted by hortense at 10:42 PM on August 15, 2009
posted by hortense at 10:42 PM on August 15, 2009
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posted by apricot at 1:22 PM on August 15, 2009