Color-treated (and growing) Support Thread

[Artemis]

Oh, and another question I have for ya:

Gym and I were discussing "lift-and-deposit" on relaxed hair, and I was curious a/b how you'd go a/b doing this. Basically I am determined to get my blue-black hair to stay blue-black Is it that you have to lift the hair a shade or two and then re-deposit a blue base and then rinse with black, or are we thinking a/b it too hard

I used that dumb Bigen in November and my hair is dark brown again I know its the new Bigen I used because the old stuff I used from last year is still on my ends. There is straight up inconsistency with that product (for me) and I am never touching it again. I am thisclose to using either Colorsilk or Loreal Color Gems -- haven't decided which yet.

Thanks girl

 

[SoOoNY]

OMG Tracy... your hair is beautiful... I pray my hair looks half as good as yours one day... im going to your boot camp regi and its about to be my BIBLE! Im not highlighting my hair til it gets healthy again but your hair gives me hope that it is possible...

Your hair took my breath away...

 

[lovelygal]

Tracy, I love your hair and color, what color did you use on your streaks the first time and the second time when you made it darker and what's the name of the dye

 

[SilentRuby]

Thanks, Artemis for starting this thread, Gymfreak for your great input, and Tracy for giving me the hope that I can have healthy highlights again. I feel my honey blond streaks coming back on

But ONLY in the top

 

[Tracy]

You are thinking about it too hard. But that isn't your fault. Cosmetic companies and stylists can sometimes make color entirely too complicated with all their terminology.

Lift and deposit color is simply permanent color. That's the action permanent color takes. It first removes some of your natural color, and then it deposits a different one. This removal step is what differentiates it from semi and demi perms - neither remove any color they only deposit (hence their other confusing name - deposit only color). I've used Colorsilk and I find it a little harsh. Textures and Tones is my favorite brand of at home permanent color. I would try that one in black. But be aware - your hair shaft will ALWAYS release color after it's applied and therefore it will always fade. That second color was cranberry red a week before I took that picture. All color will fade that way. Especially after 6 weeks or so. That's why color touchup appointments are every 6-8 weeks. I recommend finding the least damaging formula that gives you the color you want, and then just having it reapplied as often as you prefer to maintain the color you want. You can also consider using a color deposit shampoo or conditioner to help boost your color between applications.

And thanks for the compliments!

Oh, and another question I have for ya:

Gym and I were discussing "lift-and-deposit" on relaxed hair, and I was curious a/b how you'd go a/b doing this. Basically I am determined to get my blue-black hair to stay blue-black Is it that you have to lift the hair a shade or two and then re-deposit a blue base and then rinse with black, or are we thinking a/b it too hard

I used that dumb Bigen in November and my hair is dark brown again I know its the new Bigen I used because the old stuff I used from last year is still on my ends. There is straight up inconsistency with that product (for me) and I am never touching it again. I am this close to using either Colorsilk Loreal Color Gems -- haven't decided which yet.

Thanks girl

 

[Tracy]

Tracy, I love your hair and color, what color did you use on your streaks the first time and the second time when you made it darker and what's the name of the dye

Hey lovely.

The highlights are Aveda color applied by an Aveda color prefessional. I happen to know my formulas, but they won't help you because they are based on my natural color AND color I already had on my hair.

Usually though, my highlights are created using a 10 volume developer mixed in equal parts with conditioner. Then a semi-permanent color is deposited on top of them to tone. The one that was used on me this latest time was a combination of 7N and a dark red orange if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Tracy]

Thanks, Artemis for starting this thread, Gymfreak for your great input, and Tracy for giving me the hope that I can have healthy highlights again. I feel my honey blond streaks coming back on

But ONLY in the top

You're welcome Pemuny.

Personally, I believe that color is FAR less damaging than relaxers. There are some people who's hair just won't take it (with or without a relaxer) but I think many more people could enjoy color if they were 1. willing to take even better care of their hair than they did before 2. they choose the right formula for their desired result, hairtype, color and condition.

 

[Tracy]

Yay! Good to know I don't need to worry a/b that! Full speed ahead w/the oils and dc-ing w/heat

Easy. Oil definitely leaches color. I don't recommend heated oil treatments on hair when you're trying not to reapply to often.

Oil makes it slide right out of the shaft.

 

[Artemis]

You are thinking about it too hard. But that isn't your fault. Cosmetic companies and stylists can sometimes make color entirely too complicated with all their terminology.

Lift and deposit color is simply permanent color. That's the action permanent color takes. It first removes some of your natural color, and then it deposits a different one. This removal step is what differentiates it from semi and demi perms - neither remove any color they only deposit (hence their other confusing name - deposit only color). I've used Colorsilk and I find it a little harsh. Textures and Tones is my favorite brand of at home permanent color. I would try that one in black. But be aware - your hair shaft will ALWAYS release color after it's applied and therefore it will always fade. That second color was cranberry red a week before I took that picture. All color will fade that way. Especially after 6 weeks or so. That's why color touchup appointments are every 6-8 weeks. I recommend finding the least damaging formula that gives you the color you want, and then just having it reapplied as often as you prefer to maintain the color you want. You can also consider using a color deposit shampoo or conditioner to help boost your color between applications.

And thanks for the compliments!

Ah, ok! I understand now . I guess I will go with either the T&T or the Loreal Color gems (demi). I plan on using the Joico K-pak Hair Repair System right afterwards. I love that stuff

 

[Artemis]

Easy. Oil definitely leaches color. I don't recommend heated oil treatments on hair when you're trying not to reapply to often.

Oil makes it slide right out of the shaft.

Ok. I thought so, but wasn't sure erplexed. What I've been doing is apply the oil (room temp) heavily to my hair, let it sit for 30 min, then go and shampoo, etc. I do this maybe once every 2 wks...

Is this ok?

 

[Artemis]

Also, Tracy, how do you feel about clear rinses used as a cuticle treatment? Should this be done? If so, how often?

Oh, I feel like I'm in class

 

[Whimsy]

Oh my goodness this thread is just what I needed!

 

[Missi]

And also,
1. What products over the long haul do you find help keep your hair in balance? (More moisture-based, more protein-based, or a balanced mixture of both-Aveda DR is a good example of balance mix)

• moisture products help keep my hair in balance: after coloring but i usually do 70% moisture and 30% protein

2. [For those who relax] What types of relaxers (no lye v. lye, mild v. regular, etc) do you find are best compatible with color-treated hair? (This is long-term)

• I use lye in mild: most relaxers say use mild if your hair is colored: i use Fiberguard cause its top of the line & i love the benefits it gives: ex: 25% more stronger hair compared to others.

 

[Country gal]

I am really considering getting my tresses colored. I had a positive experience two years ago. I am really considering doing it again.

 

[gymfreak336]

Thanks for responding Tracy

 

[Tracy]

Ok. I thought so, but wasn't sure erplexed. What I've been doing is apply the oil (room temp) heavily to my hair, let it sit for 30 min, then go and shampoo, etc. I do this maybe once every 2 wks...

Is this ok?

Yeah, it's fine. I'd just make it a "treat" and not a regular weekly or daily thing. Not adding heat does help though.

Gymfreak - you're welcome!

 

[Tracy]

Also, Tracy, how do you feel about clear rinses used as a cuticle treatment? Should this be done? If so, how often?

Absolutely. I've used them, and advocated them, for years. Particularly if you color and relax. And especially for this purpose - closing and sealing the cuticle in a more permanent way than can be managed with conditioner, and thereby protecting the innermost layers of the hair shaft, as well as the cortex.

Whether there's pigment in the rinse or not is a matter of preference, and of course some are better than others, but ammonia and peroxide free semi-permanent glaze type rinses do more good than harm to most types and conditions of hair, IMO.

I've done them as often as monthly.

 

[gymfreak336]

Absolutely. I've used them, and advocated them, for years. Particularly if you color and relax. And especially for this purpose - closing and sealing the cuticle in a more permanent way than can be managed with conditioner, and thereby protecting the innermost layers of the hair shaft, as well as the cortex.

Whether there's pigment in the rinse or not is a matter of preference, and of course some are better than others, but ammonia and peroxide free semi-permanent glaze type rinses do more good than harm to most types and conditions of hair, IMO.

I've done them as often as monthly.

If you don't mind me asking, since sebastian re-did colorshines, what do you use now?

 

[Tracy]

I use Aveda's pure tone pigments.

If I couldn't get that I'd use Adore's old formula. If I couldn't get that I'd get Sebastian online. I've stocked up on some, just in case I need it.

 

[haircrisis]

Tracy, OMG, your hair is gorgeous and the cut is growing out beautifully. If I ever get color again (I had a horrible experience this summer after years of sucessful coloring), I will follow your bootcamp to the letter.

 

[Tracy]

Thx, HC. Good luck to you.

 

[gymfreak336]

Bumping

 

[cocoaluv]

Bumping

Thank you soooooo much you are the bestest!!! I am here searching with loca and we both couldnt find it in search.

 

[Ambitious1013]

Easy. Oil definitely leaches color. I don't recommend heated oil treatments on hair when you're trying not to reapply to often.

Oil makes it slide right out of the shaft.

I am glad that you said this because I had no idea. My hair responds well to oil treatments. This will be very helpful for me now since I am not coloring my hair as often as I use to.

Your hair looks great Tracy!

 

[gymfreak336]

Doing the bump

 

[Healthb4Length]

Bumpity bump...

 

[Msmia]

What brand and color is everyone using to lighten their hair?

 

[Artemis]

I don't lighten, but there is a member on the board, Marbel, I think her name is. She uses Clairol Luminize to lighten her hair without the harsh effects of bleaching, which is a NO-NO. Maybe do a member search for her so you can check out her Fotki.

My stylist is a color addict and she mentioned this brand, but that only pros should use it on your hair (of course ) She also recommended that the best box home color to use is Textures & Tones, which quite a few of us on here use.

HTH

 

[BlondeByDesire]

I'm color treated and relaxed for over 8 years, no problems here.

 

[Artemis]

^^ Hey, there you are!!