Any Naturals That Color Their Hair?

chrisanddonniesmommy

chrisanddonniesmommy

New Member
Hey, Ladies!

I have the itch to color my hair a reddish tone (more auburn really) since I'm bored with naturally dark brown/black hair and red works well with my complexion. However, I never colored my hair (with the except of henna, if that counts) while transitioning or natural (I'm a newbie). I did color my hair while I was relaxed. Any help or tips in this area would be greatly appreciated? Would I have to use protein treatments afterwards? What has been your experience as a colored natural?
 
Are you looking at a semi permanent color? demi-permanent? or permanent?

Semi is obviously the least harsh because it is more of a coating of the shaft. Where permanent is going to go into the cuticle layer.
 
I color mine all the time and I use Textures and Tones by Clariol. You can get at Walmart. It works nice on natural hair and I get great color.
 
If you have used henna be sure it was body art quality. If not box or salon color may melt your hair off. I have colored many times as a natural & used henna before &after and it was fine. My hair doesn't do color very well anyway. Once I started to grow out the color I got impatient & cut my color out every time.
I have used tones & textures but it was a bit drying even with dc'ng afterwards. I have used another box colo feria and the color was vibrant &Dc that came with it was awesome. I also tried dark & lovely &that was a nightmare.
Overall I am done with color b/c for me I cant have color & retain length since I get choppy happy when I have color.
 
I've used permanent, semi, demi and henna on my hair and for me, permanent is not worth it. :lol: My hair always ended up a dried up mess and ended up having to do a mini transition.

I currently use demi-permanent color to cancel out the red from my past henna use and my hair likes it. I never use box/drugstore colors due to past bad experiences with it. I only buy the kind where you have to mix (from Sally's) but you also have more control over the color and most real DIY formulas are less messy that way.
 
red is a lovely colour but the problem i find with it is it fades so easily:ohwell: .
i started off as red, almost blood red( developer at 20% volume and an intense permanent red dye) but my hair turned copper over a month:lol:- i actually do not mind now

i sometimes do a henna treatment on the coloured half of my hair if i want a vibrant red look.

ETA- you will have to treat coloured hair as relaxed hair in terms of regular protein treatments, moisture is also important too.
i hardly really did any protein treatment until i started playing with colour and i noticed the top half of my hair (coloured) responds to protein more than the second half which (not coloured)
 
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chrisanddonniesmommy said:
Hey, Ladies!

I have the itch to color my hair a reddish tone (more auburn really) since I'm bored with naturally dark brown/black hair and red works well with my complexion. However, I never colored my hair (with the except of henna, if that counts) while transitioning or natural (I'm a newbie). I did color my hair while I was relaxed. Any help or tips in this area would be greatly appreciated? Would I have to use protein treatments afterwards? What has been your experience as a colored natural?
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I do - only highlights in the crown area.

I've learned over time - whether relaxed or natural, my hair will suffer damage because of color - HOWEVER I look so washed out without it so I sacrifice. My crown area is still healthy but I have to really step up my hair care in that area. I'd suggest monthly protein, weekly DEEP conditioning and keeping an eye out for scraggelly (sp) ends.
 
momi said:
I do - only highlights in the crown area.

I've learned over time - whether relaxed or natural, my hair will suffer damage because of color - HOWEVER I look so washed out without it so I sacrifice. My crown area is still healthy but I have to really step up my hair care in that area. I'd suggest monthly protein, weekly DEEP conditioning and keeping an eye out for scraggelly (sp) ends.
Click to expand...
^^^ Agreed 100%! I reward myself when I reach length goals by getting my hair colored/ high-lighted etc:gorgeous:. As a natural, I have discovered I really had to step up my protein game (reconstructors + heavy like Aphogee). I already had a habit of weekly DC (thanks to @HaleeJ ;) + sealing) but I rigidly adhere to the things we talk about here like CWing, PSing, sealing, DCing, etc. I also use reconstructors on a regular basis thanks to @Noni's advice.
Oh, I use whatever brands I like some salon quality, some store bought like Dark & Lovely, Clairol, etc.
 
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I love chiming in on these types of threads :lol: I've been a colored natural since a few months post BC over 2 years ago and to me,its not that much of a hassle and I've been red for most of the time. It does fade,but my color is always still very prominent. I always use box dye and moisturizing treatments following them. If you have any questions,I'm here to help :yep:

Sent from my Android...Boom.
 
Prudent1 said:
^^^ Agreed 100%! I reward myself when I reach length goals by getting my hair colored/ high-lighted etc:gorgeous:. As a natural, I have discovered I really had to step up my protein game (reconstructors + heavy like Aphogee). I already had a habit of weekly DC (thanks to @HaleeJ ;) + sealing) but I rigidly adhere to the things we talk about here like CWing, PSing, sealing, DCing, etc. I also use reconstructors on a regular basis thanks to @Noni's advice.
Oh, I use whatever brands I like some salon quality, some store bought like Dark & Lovely, Clairol, etc.
Click to expand...


Really Prudent1 - and from the looks of your Avatar you've successfully retained length. Do you have an all over color?
 
Does color change your curl pattern?
Also how long does semi permanent color lasts? Why do people choose permanent over semi-permanent?
 
bumping for more responses --- I am just trying to keep my grays under control. I have been using henna but I'm growing weary of it. Any suggestions for me? I was thinking of Sebastian Laminates/Cellophane semi-permanent color and also I thought I read about Aveda color. I need help soon cuz the grays are chomping at my knee caps (way past my heels)!
 
^^I tried to stick with semi-permanent this time around but it's not going to work for me. It's only been 2 weeks and my front is as gray as it was 2 weeks ago. I really am not into apply color every 2 weeks. Not sure what I'm going to try next. Henna is not for me. :nono:
 
LadyPBC said:
bumping for more responses --- I am just trying to keep my grays under control. I have been using henna but I'm growing weary of it. Any suggestions for me? I was thinking of Sebastian Laminates/Cellophane semi-permanent color and also I thought I read about Aveda color. I need help soon cuz the grays are chomping at my knee caps (way past my heels)!
Click to expand...

Sebastian Cellophane is pretty on the hair, but it did nothing for my grays. If it did it washed out within a week. Demi permanent color is better but its riskier.
 
greenandchic can you explain how demi permanent works? What are the risks? How do you do it? Do you have to use bleach, peroxide, or developer?

I've been using Jazzing Black Cherry to cover my greys, but I'm sick of the red run off every time I wash etc. and the frequency of re-application.

TIA
 
MileHighDiva Demi permanent is another way of saying "partial permanent". Its stronger than semi-permanent but milder than permanent. Its has no ammonia but it does have a very low peroxide content. It can't really lighten your hair much (if at all) and it has much better gray coverage than semi-permanent.

You use a developer. I've always mixed my own (never a box color) so my experience with that is pretty limited.

Caution should be used if your hair is damaged. I've always treated my hair like I used a permanent dye (protein, DC, etc).
 
greenandchic said:
MileHighDiva Demi permanent is another way of saying "partial permanent". Its stronger than semi-permanent but milder than permanent. Its has no ammonia but it does have a very low peroxide content. It can't really lighten your hair much (if at all) and it has much better gray coverage than semi-permanent.

You use a developer. I've always mixed my own (never a box color) so my experience with that is pretty limited.

Caution should be used if your hair is damaged. I've always treated my hair like I used a permanent dye (protein, DC, etc).
Click to expand...

Does it wash out like semi permanent?
 
I used permanent box dye for the last 10 months. I havent experienced anymore problems, but I do hard protein's monthly and I deep condition and trim regularly.
 
NikkiQ said:
I love chiming in on these types of threads :lol: I've been a colored natural since a few months post BC over 2 years ago and to me,its not that much of a hassle and I've been red for most of the time. It does fade,but my color is always still very prominent. I always use box dye and moisturizing treatments following them. If you have any questions,I'm here to help :yep:

Sent from my Android...Boom.
Click to expand...

Me too...Soft Sheen Carson Auburn #407 i believe...I prepoo, DC (moist. & protein), cowash or lo poo, and steam weeky. I haven't had any problems.

ETA: This is my 6,000th post! Yay!
 
I want to try the new Shea Moisture Color. Does anyone know where I can buy it online? Or where I can find a list of the Target's that sell it?

I guess I should try some of the Targets in the more urban areas.
 
I have light brown highlights at the top and I really like it. I have had my hair dyed (highlighted between blond/light brown) the past two years. I thoroughly researched my colorist to make sure she was competent. My hair is fine/thin so I have had to stay on top of moisturizing/protein (deep conditioning).

I have had minimal breakage and I think that was mainly because of my rough handling. Even with breakage, I don't care, its just hair and it will grow back. I just will be gentler. Overall Im happy with my decision. I want to enjoy my hair and since I started coloring and being a little less restrictive, I like my hair now. I just say find somebody who knows what they are doing and stay on top of taking care of it since its a chemical process. Do what you want, enjoy your hair.
 
I love, love, LOVE hair color and get my highlights re-touched every summer at the salon. I don't know what my hair stylist uses and frankly really don't care. All I know is that when I leave my hair always looks fly, the color never fades and I get tons of compliments.

I do Aphoghee 2 step treatment every 3 months or so and use Silk Dreams hair care products which is full of light protein as well. Deep condition after every wash.

I only get highlights in the crown area and because my stylist keeps my layers long, the color seems evenly distributed throughout my entire head. I love this picture of Beyonce's color (yeah I know it might be a wig/weave) but our skin complexion is very similar and my goal is to get my rollersets/braidouts to look exactly like this.
 
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I try to dye my natural hair black/darkest brown anytime I am wearing it. My natural color is about a 4, with two patches of red but I prefer black so it doesn't look 'dusty'.

I usually only use Garnier Fructis foam, but the last time around, I picked up a permanent unintentionally. I applied it and it was fine, but to be on the safe side, the next day, I applied Aphogee 2 min reconstructor to my hair (a mixture of Aphoghee 75% and Organix coconut conditioner 25%) left it in overnight. The next day, I mixed baking soda with my curl junkie, put it in for about 15 mins, rinsed, applied some s-curl, Garnier rehydrate and glycerin, and twisted.

My hair feels great and it has been a few weeks (I was concerned about side effects of permanent color).

Oh, I did my brows too, but didn't leave them on long lest my skin be stained black and I look like a big idiot!
 
I use permanent dye on my hair as well and I love it! Sometimes I experience a little bit of dryness but nothing that can't be remedied with a protein and moisturizing treatment. I use professional brand dyes from Sally's such as Ion or loreal.
 
Im thinking about going back to my Manic Panic Vampire Red i used to use when i was relaxed. I think it would be nice for Fall...its basically a rinse but it lasts for a while.

How are you all applying it to curly hair? Wet or dry?
 
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