Color: Yes or no?

[greenandchic]

I have been itching for highlights in the front for quite a while now. I give up the idea every time I have flashbacks from when I had highlights done in 1994 when my APL hair eventually broke off from it. The color was lifted quite a bit and my hair was brassy. In addition, I pressed my hair weekly during a time when "heat protectant" wasn't in anyone's vocabulary. You used grease to press and curl so that may have been a factor....

Lastly, I didn't know what protein treatments was. I used whatever shampoo and conditioner that was on sale at the drugstore or salon store. My hair did improve when I discovered Redken Anti Snap, but it was too late.

With that said, now that I don't use heat, know the importance of protein, and wont lighten my hair within an inch of its life, I'm still afraid because my hair is fine to medium, not coarse.

Thoughts? If I highlight my hair, should I plan on not having it longer than it is now in the front? I will see a color specialist to get a "professional opinon", but wanted to here from the real experts first.


Color ideas:

 

[pisceschica]

If I was you I would go with the second picture. It's noticeable but subtle which means less damage and you can go longer between touchups.

That last picture is kind of brassy like a copper. And anyone who has any artificial red color knows it fades the fastest but is also the hardest to get rid of.

I would just say as long as you have a very through consultation with a good stylist who knows what s/he is doing you will be fine. If you get highlights I would NOT get it heavily highlighted that is when I find that damage is the worst. Do maybe 12-14 foils through the top to start.

 

[greenandchic]

Thanks pisceschica! I didn't know that about red...

 

[greenandchic]

 

[virtuenow]

Yes w/quality products and regular moisture.

 

[topnotch1010]

Yes w/quality products and regular moisture.

/\ /\ I second this!

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[NikkiGirl]

No, not for me! The last two times I had my hair colored. It broke off around the hairline. My hair is very fine there and both times I had it professionally done. But I am thinking of trying it now that I am natural. It could have been that my hair cannot handle being double processed. I was relaxed the prior times I colored! Who knows! But I love color. @topnotch1010 has beautiful color!

But if you decide to get it done, please post pics!

 

[StarScream35]

No No No..............if I had one regret..............it would be the highlights. Yes they make your hair look amazing but all the other problems just aren't worth it. Mark my words, you will have breakage no matter what!

 

[snillohsss]

Personally I say no. Color was the worst decision I made.

 

[gn1g]

I LOVE COLOR, but my hair doesn't. Buy the spray I quess or add little bits of colored weave.

 

[greenandchic]

NikkiGirl - If your hair is very fine, you may have issues as a natural too. If you do color your hair, I want to see photos too!

gn1g - I would look a HAM with any kind of weave since my hair is natural. I was thinking of this temporary hair color/highlights by Alterna, but not sure if it would work on curly/kinky hair.

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

Color scares me personally though there are several heads that are healthy and beautiful with it. I colored with streaks and every place I streaked washed down the drain the same night I did it smh. Plus for me, coloring is just too much upkeep and maintanence. If you don't feel you will be able to stay on top of thins, be dedicated to it, I wouldn't color. And actually I did finally color my hair again with a box color, natural instincts a few months ago. I had no issues and my hair was in great condition after using. This I plan on doing again soon. I know that this isn't anywhere near the real coloring you plan on doing but it's the only thing I'm comfortable with.

 

[greenandchic]

I tried the ole honey and cinnamon hair lightening experiment a few days ago and the section lightened by one half level after having it in my hair overnight, LOL.

Je Ne Sais Quoi I feel I can stay on top of my hair since I do anyway, but its possible that all the work could be for naught.

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

It is possible but if you know that going in and stay on top of everything hopefully you won't have anything to worry about. It's a tough decision!!!

 

[greenandchic]

It is possible but if you know that going in and stay on top of everything hopefully you won't have anything to worry about. It's a tough decision!!!

It is! Especially since I'm bored to tears with my almost monotone hair. I am a very slow grower so its not like I can afford to lose some...

 

[topnotch1010]

NikkiGirl - If your hair is very fine, you may have issues as a natural too. If you do color your hair, I want to see photos too!

gn1g - I would look a HAM with any kind of weave since my hair is natural. I was thinking of this temporary hair color/highlights by Alterna, but not sure if it would work on curly/kinky hair.

There's no such thing as temp highlighting. Once you do it, it's done. Again, as long as you lighten it slowly (1-2 levels at a time) you shouldn't have a problem. Don't do it with a box kit and 20 vol. is the highest level developer that should be used. 20 vol. can lift and deposit color at the same time. It works slow and safely too. Whomever is doing this, make sure that that's what they're using.

 

[greenandchic]

There's no such thing as temp highlighting. Once you do it, it's done. Again, as long as you lighten it slowly (1-2 levels at a time) you shouldn't have a problem. Don't do it with a box kit and 20 vol. is the highest level developer that should be used. 20 vol. can lift and deposit color at the same time. It works slow and safely too. Whomever is doing this, make sure that that's what they're using.

Its a color that washes out. It doesn't really lighten the hair...

Kind of like the hair color sprays.

 

[topnotch1010]

Its a color that washes out. It doesn't really lighten the hair...

Kind of like the hair color sprays.

Oh ok. Gotcha. Whatever you decide, let us know and tag me.

 

[greenandchic]

Oh ok. Gotcha. Whatever you decide, let us know and tag me.

Will do!

 

[StarScream35]

May I suggest Henna?

 

[greenandchic]

May I suggest Henna?

I use henna already for strength, but it does almost nothing for me in terms of color.

I do have some natural sun highlights where the henna sometimes show up. Here's an older photo of the color.

More henna color...

 

[Blairx0]

I have low po hair, so color didn't cause my hair to break, but was something I quickly grew tired of and was glad to be rid of. Option number two has the subtly that won't look bad as it begins to grow out and could satisfy your color lust. Though I must admit I love option number 3, but it seems like too much to keep up with.

I know this may seem silly. But do you remember those spray colors is the aerosol cans? They still have them at my BSS. Maybe you could do a test and see how you like it. The color washes out. But I will warn you they are super messy until they dry which, when I was 15 and in love with these things, took forever.

 

[greenandchic]

Blairx0 LOL I used the spray colors in my teens too. My hair was pressed so it was easier to use than say, now with the curls. It was a mess and I would spray my scalp sometimes by accident! I didn't realize they still made them.

 

[Blairx0]

Yes they still make that stuff for the desperate teens and experimenters. I imagine or would be difficult to apply evenly to curls ( when I did it I was relaxed) but then again that stuff was always diffcult to apply. Maybe you could try cinnamon to lighten your hair? That would in keep with your green challenge and smell a lot better than that haphazardly shooting spray.

http://www.hairgurl.com/2010/07/cinnamon-does-lighten-hair.html

 

[greenandchic]

Yes they still make that stuff for the desperate teens and experimenters. I imagine or would be difficult to apply evenly to curls ( when I did it I was relaxed) but then again that stuff was always diffcult to apply. Maybe you could try cinnamon to lighten your hair? That would in keep with your green challenge and smell a lot better than that haphazardly shooting spray.

http://www.hairgurl.com/2010/07/cinnamon-does-lighten-hair.html

I did try cinnamon a few days ago. It did lighten the section by a half a level or something like that. I can keep doing it and see what happens.

 

[Blairx0]

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

Can you give a little more info on the honey and cinammon process?

 

[greenandchic]

Can you give a little more info on the honey and cinammon process?

After looking up some recipes and instructions online, I used:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup plain conditioner (basic, like Suave)
3 tbsp cinnamon

I applied it in a few sections to freshly washed hair and left it in overnight. The honey and cinnamon has a very low level of peroxide that activated with a liquid - in this case I used conditioner.

 

[GreenEyedJen]

I have VERY fine hair, and I say, emphatically, NO WAY! If your hair is fine, I think one needs to stay away from chemicals of any kind. I hate that I dyed my hair. It looked great, but it was over a year ago and I'm still recovering from the damage. Had my hair not been really healthy to begin with, I'm sure ALL of it would have broken off at the root, not just some.

 

[GreenEyedJen]

^^^Oh, should have read the whole thread first. Glad you did it safely.