Anyone have experience with hair coloring? - Bring on advice, stories, preferences etc

[Dr.Research]

Last year I had my hair dyed purple professionally and it was awesome! This time, I want the lower part of my hair dyed blue. I'm going to have a relative who's more familiar with the process than me.

I did research on bleach and color brands but do any Kiwi's have any suggestions? I was leaning toward Manic Panic Flash Lighting bleach and Punky Color in Atlanic Blue.

I found this http://www.wikihow.com/Ombre-Hair which seems like a legit way to get the look I want. Another question- my hair is shoulder length, so does anyone have any suggestion on where I should start the color?

And if anyone else wants to chime in with stories, horror stories, tips, or anything else related, please share

 

[trashpanda]

I can't help with your ombre as I've never done one, but I've been dying my hair since I was 16.

I've had much better results with lightning my hair with Beyond the Zone's lighting kit than Manic Panic's.

Punky Colours is my favourite semi permanent hair dye, but I've only used red based colours so YMMV.

 

[Motherboard]

First thing's first, I'll share a horror story involving hair bleach.

My hair used to be down to my mid-back, until it went through a harsh bleaching job in preparation to dye it blue myself--not a grand idea. Because of my hair being dry and dead without me knowing, it not only made my hair break off where it was dead, but the newer hair that remained picked up the color rapidly enough to turn black in minutes. Then I had to bleach it back out and get a pixie cut.

I'm a natural brunette, and natural hair color seems to tie in to how the color gets picked up. Also, while Manic Panic is pretty good, I'd recommend a demi-permanent dye instead, like this. Demi-permanent has always lasted longer for me than semi-permanent, and fades out gradually to the point where it's not noticeable until weeks later.

I've tried Manic Panic before, but it never stuck as well. That could just be my hair, though. Oh, and this is the bleach I used before. It was more gentle on my hair than this other stuff I'd gotten a looong time ago.

I've had my fair share of hair disasters, but I've got the hang of it now for the most part. (I actually plan to dye the undercut part of my hair purple, and the longer side auburn, like this alien chick.)

Spoiler

 

[Rabbit Bones]

I like Quick Blue bleach. I think L'oreal makes it. But the Simple White Sallys brand works just as well. Whatever you do though, DON'T use a 40 level toner. 20-30 depending on the color of your hair will suffice. After you've bleached, use a deep conditioner - it helps it feel healthy. One of the best things you can do for your post-dyed hair is invest in a very good daily conditioner, because you're going to need it. As far as dye, I like Manic Panic for dangerhair colors. After Midnight or Rockabilly Blue are pretty close to the one you listed. They last forever. I've had Manic Panic Enchanted Forest in my hair for two months, and it's still very vibrant.

Spoiler: This is why I say don't use a 40

It was EXACTLY as frizzy and crunchy as it looks.

 

[fire_fly]

Okay, a few things:

1. Unless your hair is really dark, like natural black, don't use over a 20 volume developer, Low and slow is the way to go. And you can use a little oil (either the kind you use in your hair if it's pure, or even extra virgin olive oil) as a buffer; it'll slow the processing time down, but it keeps the bleach from tearing your hair up too badly.
2. I have no personal experience with Punky Colors so I can't speak to it's effectiveness (my preference is Manic Panic although one of my friends swears by Punky Colors) but any direct dye's longevity will be determined by the shade, the condition of your hair, and your aftercare. Blue molecules are very large so you may have trouble keeping the color vibrant, but if you use good products and treat your hair like it's made of glass, you should be fine.
3. Don't use heat if you don't have to. I learned to love my natural texture because I was using direct dyes and I figured out that heat makes them fade faster, so I locked my flat iron away. Even the fashion colors that are oxidative (i.e. Schwarzkopf's Pearlescence line, the Kenra Metallic series) tend to be affected the same way.
4. Ulta has the Sparks shampoo and conditioner for direct-dyed hair, as well as the UV protection spray. It would be worth the investment, at least for the UV spray; Pravana came out with a similar product a couple of years ago and it really made a difference for me. I couldn't use the shampoo and conditioner because I was allergic to something in them but I always keep a bottle of that spray when I'm using direct dyes.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit this tomorrow, but hopefully you find this helpful! Please feel free to ask me questions, it's literally my job to know all this stuff (I work in a professional beauty supply) and I'm licensed.

 

[Bogs]

@paintingatree how do you keep your hair so vibrant?

 

[Dr.Research]

Okay, a few things:

1. Unless your hair is really dark, like natural black, don't use over a 20 volume developer, Low and slow is the way to go. And you can use a little oil (either the kind you use in your hair if it's pure, or even extra virgin olive oil) as a buffer; it'll slow the processing time down, but it keeps the bleach from tearing your hair up too badly.
2. I have no personal experience with Punky Colors so I can't speak to it's effectiveness (my preference is Manic Panic although one of my friends swears by Punky Colors) but any direct dye's longevity will be determined by the shade, the condition of your hair, and your aftercare. Blue molecules are very large so you may have trouble keeping the color vibrant, but if you use good products and treat your hair like it's made of glass, you should be fine.
3. Don't use heat if you don't have to. I learned to love my natural texture because I was using direct dyes and I figured out that heat makes them fade faster, so I locked my flat iron away. Even the fashion colors that are oxidative (i.e. Schwarzkopf's Pearlescence line, the Kenra Metallic series) tend to be affected the same way.
4. Ulta has the Sparks shampoo and conditioner for direct-dyed hair, as well as the UV protection spray. It would be worth the investment, at least for the UV spray; Pravana came out with a similar product a couple of years ago and it really made a difference for me. I couldn't use the shampoo and conditioner because I was allergic to something in them but I always keep a bottle of that spray when I'm using direct dyes.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit this tomorrow, but hopefully you find this helpful! Please feel free to ask me questions, it's literally my job to know all this stuff (I work in a professional beauty supply) and I'm licensed.

Thanks of all the advice
I've heard blue is tough to keep, so that's why I only plan on doing the ombre. I'm prepared to not wash my hair as often and avoid product.

I never use heat for anything so no worries for that

EDIT: Since you're a pro- how much do you think I need to color? The Punky Color jar is 3.5 oz. I figure since my hair is shoulder length and I'm only doing some if it that one jar is enough.

 

[melty]

I've been bleaching my hair for many years, but I always go to a stylist. I had some blue in my hair awhile back and I guess its hard to keep but I think red based colors are harder. What I like to do is mix a little bit of dye with conditioner, and use that once in awhile to refresh the color. I don't know how healthy this is though. Also, if you want a more pastel color, you can take any dye like Manic Panic and mix it with a white conditioner until its a nice pastel color.
Definitely wash your hair less! Dry shampoo is your best friend.

 

[Dr.Research]

I've been bleaching my hair for many years, but I always go to a stylist. I had some blue in my hair awhile back and I guess its hard to keep but I think red based colors are harder. What I like to do is mix a little bit of dye with conditioner, and use that once in awhile to refresh the color. I don't know how healthy this is though. Also, if you want a more pastel color, you can take any dye like Manic Panic and mix it with a white conditioner until its a nice pastel color.
Definitely wash your hair less! Dry shampoo is your best friend.

I've heard about mixing color and conditioner. I have plenty of dry shampoo and am not afraid to use it!

 

[fire_fly]

Since you're a pro- how much do you think I need to color? The Punky Color jar is 3.5 oz. I figure since my hair is shoulder length and I'm only doing some if it that one jar is enough.

It kind of depends on the density of your hair. My hair is very thick and coarse so it takes a lot to color it, but people with finer hair wouldn't need as much.

 

[Dr.Research]

It kind of depends on the density of your hair. My hair is very thick and coarse so it takes a lot to color it, but people with finer hair wouldn't need as much.

My hair is super fine so just one jar. Thanks!

 

[yasscat]

I HAVE ARRIVED. Been dyeing my hair since I was 13. I haven't done box dye or dyed my hair at home since I was like 16, though, so I can't help you out much there. Buuuut Pravana Vivids are dabes for the ~fun colors~ imo. I hated Manic Panic (not sure if it was just how my body reacted to it but it always washed out right away, every single time I used it, and I tried several different colors of Manic Panic), and ngl I haven't even heard of the other brand

 

[fire_fly]

I HAVE ARRIVED. Been dyeing my hair since I was 13. I haven't done box dye or dyed my hair at home since I was like 16, though, so I can't help you out much there. Buuuut Pravana Vivids are dabes for the ~fun colors~ imo. I hated Manic Panic (not sure if it was just how my body reacted to it but it always washed out right away, every single time I used it, and I tried several different colors of Manic Panic), and ngl I haven't even heard of the other brand

I like the Vivids a lot and can get them for really cheap where I work, I just didn't love having everything I owned including myself stained green so I switched... I had to practically sell my soul to get that Goddamn green out. I tried the "Emerald City" formula:

I loved it but it's much easier to just slap some "Enchanted Forest" on my head and call it a day. Manic Panic has actually improved a lot in the last few years, though. I started using their colors when I was a senior in high school and I've seen a huge difference in how the color applies, how long it lasts, etc. Plus I can get it out a lot easier than Vivids, and since I change my hair all the time, that's something to consider.

I think the only colors that people talk up a lot that I haven't liked were Directions and Special Effects. Directions didn't last that long and it took some really intense processing to get the Special Effects out of my hair. And even then, there was still some staining on the ends that had to be trimmed off, after two rounds of color stripper and high-lift color on top of that.

 

[yasscat]

I like the Vivids a lot and can get them for really cheap where I work, I just didn't love having everything I owned including myself stained green so I switched... I had to practically sell my soul to get that Goddamn green out. I tried the "Emerald City" formula:

I loved it but it's much easier to just slap some "Enchanted Forest" on my head and call it a day. Manic Panic has actually improved a lot in the last few years, though. I started using their colors when I was a senior in high school and I've seen a huge difference in how the color applies, how long it lasts, etc. Plus I can get it out a lot easier than Vivids, and since I change my hair all the time, that's something to consider.

I think the only colors that people talk up a lot that I haven't liked were Directions and Special Effects. Directions didn't last that long and it took some really intense processing to get the Special Effects out of my hair. And even then, there was still some staining on the ends that had to be trimmed off, after two rounds of color stripper and high-lift color on top of that.

I don't have a problem with Vivids staining anything except my own skin and whatever I'm wearing when I sleep. It takes about...two? Three? weeks until my hair doesn't bleed dye onto my neck/shoulders/etc and the collar of my pajama top, but I will gladly pay more for the extra staying power of Vivids. (I also don't change my hair very frequently anymore--last year, I had lilac hair, then I grew it out to my natural color, and just a bit ago, had it dyed to what it is now (some mish mash of Vivids in green, blue, purple, pink--oil slick style).)

I can absolutely see Vivids being a pain in the dick if you change your color often though, especially the cool colors.

 

[fire_fly]

I don't have a problem with Vivids staining anything except my own skin and whatever I'm wearing when I sleep. It takes about...two? Three? weeks until my hair doesn't bleed dye onto my neck/shoulders/etc and the collar of my pajama top, but I will gladly pay more for the extra staying power of Vivids.

See I wash my hair, at most, every other day (and that's in the dead of summer) and everything I use is designed to help me keep my color intact, so fading isn't a huge concern for me. I'd rather have to go through the trouble of making a toning mask (great if you have all-over color, I have three in different colors lol) than have to deal with that level of staining.