I want my strawberry blonde hair back

[Gnorga]

I'm not sure if I can talk about my hair in this section of the forum or if I am allowed to talk about my hair on HCW period.
If this isn't allowed..I'm sorry. Delete it.

Anyways...
I'm not sure what I should do with my hair.
It is naturally strawberry blonde.
Right now it comes down to my bra clasp in the back. It is this nasty black.
I want my real hair color back. I don't want to have to let it grow though and have half blonde, half black hair.

What do I do.

I don't really want to spend hundreds of dollars at a salon.

I am dying my hair every 3 weeks to cover up new growth and I just don't want to do it anymore.

I don't even like my hair black.

I only continue to color it because I feel silly with blonde roots.

Any suggestions?

[JulieDB]

You would have to have the color stripped out and then re-dyed. I don't know if this is something you could do at home or not. You may have to go to a salon.

[Lori63]

You would have to have the color stripped out and then re-dyed. I don't know if this is something you could do at home or not. You may have to go to a salon.

My mom did that at home and it was a disaster!
How do feel about having shorter hair for a while? I'd cut it shorter to get rid of the black that I can.
I'd definitely go to a salon; but then again my hair stylist is the ONLY thing I spend money on. I am frugal in all other areas but my hair color is something I don't attempt at home.
Good luck!

[Gnorga]

How do feel about having shorter hair for a while? I'd cut it shorter to get rid of the black that I can.

I'm probably going to get it but at my shoulders..maybe like a bob.
Keep trimming it until it is all my color.

I've heard too many horror stories with the stripping stuff

[FunnyFace]

Stripping with bleach can be disastrous, but color remover from Sally's got a lot of great reviews. It's gentler and will should not strip every last bit of color or protein from your hair. You may not get it blonde right away, but you would be able to lighten it and then use a lighter shade.

If it turns out medium brown I'd use a light brown permanent and then highlight. Then it will be easier to get back to your natural by using a semi or demi until it grows out since semi only deposits color and washes out gradually and demi can slightly lighten, but doesn't go deep into the cuticle like permanents with 20, 30 or 40 volume.

If it turns out yellow, golden, orange blonde after the color remover then I'd suggest to go ahead and use a Light Champagne Blonde which should give you a medium strawberry color. Then if there is a demarcation line after a month or so again use a demi/semi that won't change your natural color permanently and will just blend it all together for the next year or so since it takes about a year for your hair to grow 6inches.

I have a friend that turned her light/medium brown to very dark brown and is trying to get it lighter. She's done highlights at a salon only a few times which has helped. The first time turned out nice the second was strange and splotchy and I noticed it with the third time too. She does have quite a bit of gray which presented another challenge you may not have.

If you have a salon do it keep in mind there are horror stories there as well. Ask others about their salon if you like there color and/or style. Obviously stay away from mall type salons, but also know the more expensive aren't necessarily the best either. Many salons may even refuse you service because of the extremeness.

EDA: Another option is just to color it two levels lighter each time every six weeks with a 20 or 30 volume. Just remember to adjust the time or peroxide strength between the regrowth and previously colored. Do NOT use 30vol repeatedly on the ends. Ask me how I know.

[mommaof2kiddos]

I feel your pain!!! I am also a natural blonde and I dyed my hair black at home. When the roots came in, I used a black root touch-up and it didn't take. So I got a new box of black and tried to do the roots, it only took a little color, so then I had mostly black hair and grayish looking roots. When the next wave of blonde root starting showing, I had to go get professional help. I spent $200 to get several inches cut off (helped a lot) and then she added in a lot of gold color - she didn't want to give my hair further damage with stripping she said.I had the option of highlights as well, but I was already upset with myself for having to spend this much to get it fixed after thinking a $4 box at home was fun. My hair turned an auburn color, and I get a lot of compliments on it especially if I'm standing in the sun. The roots are growing in again but they aren't nearly as noticeable as blond with black! It's going to be a gradual process to get back to blonde.

I wouldn't do anything further at home if I were you, just go get some help lightening back to strawberry blonde. Best wishes!

[Gnorga]

Thank you guys for all the help!

I'll let oyu know how everything turns out

[Gnorga]

This is a dumb question but
when my hair grows back...it will be the exact same color...right?
Natural hair color doesn't change unless to gray?

[Gnorga]

I always remembered my hair being strawberry blonde...maybe its just been too long since i've seen natural color

[Jessi]

Maradee~
If you don't want to spend a fortune on getting your hair stripped at a salon go to a beauty school near you. They do it for cheaper. Just a suggestion.