How often can you color hair darker??

[TDoll]

Hey guys! Some of you may remember my post a few weeks ago asking for hair color advice when wanting to go darker from highlights. Well the color turned out perfect (I posted some pictures on that particular thread). The color is still covering the blond highlights and it still looks pretty dark, but of course, it's fading a little.
So basically, here is the problem. I want to get it colored again before we go to Vegas on July 11th. I originally colored it on May 21st so it'll be at like a month and a half by that point. I had planned on doing the color myself last time just to fix the color, then going to a pro this next time and thereafter. However, it turned out so great... I'm thinking about saving some cash and just doing it myself again. But maybe going a little darker.
Questions:
Is it safe to color it again that soon at home?? I'm planning on using the Loreal Preference color again since it worked so well. If I went to a salon to get it done, would the color really last that much longer than the Loreal??

Thoughts please....TIA!!

[sinergy]

If you go to a salon they will probaby put a demi or semi permanent color on it, that isnt as harsh as a permanent color and chances are it will still fade, because you didnt fill the color before you put the box dye on it anyways. you can possibly go a little darker now, and it might not fade as bad if you did it yourself.

[jenjunsan]

That is right at 6 weeks which is about how long I used to go between at home colorings. The biggest benefit to going to a salon when going darker is that they do your roots first and the color the ends the last 10 minutes or so. I'm not coordinated enough to do that at home and just slathered it all over my head at the same time and I ended up with hair that was much darker at the bottom and looked horrible. If you have the patience and ability to do that at home, then go for it!

[TDoll]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenjunsan

That is right at 6 weeks which is about how long I used to go between at home colorings. The biggest benefit to going to a salon when going darker is that they do your roots first and the color the ends the last 10 minutes or so. I'm not coordinated enough to do that at home and just slathered it all over my head at the same time and I ended up with hair that was much darker at the bottom and looked horrible. If you have the patience and ability to do that at home, then go for it!

My hair is pretty dark to start with, so coloring the roots first shouldn't be a huge issue (at least I don't think).

I sound like a dork, but I can't believe how brave I've gotten with the hair color thing. There was a time when I would have NEVER EVER EVER colored my hair myself. I think the great results I got the first time I tried it are to blame...lol.

Do you guys think it will be damaging??

[prettybaby]

well store brand haircolors have the highest ammount of ammonia, which is pretty bad for your hair, which means that you may not notice the damage at first but after awhile, it will get worse and worse. if you want to do it yourself, go to a beauty supply place, and pick your color, mix with 10vol developer, and follow directions inside the color box. It will save your hair in the long run, trust me!

anyways, HTH!!

[TDoll]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prettybaby

well store brand haircolors have the highest ammount of ammonia, which is pretty bad for your hair, which means that you may not notice the damage at first but after awhile, it will get worse and worse. if you want to do it yourself, go to a beauty supply place, and pick your color, mix with 10vol developer, and follow directions inside the color box. It will save your hair in the long run, trust me!

anyways, HTH!!

Yeah, thats what I was kinda worried about! I've heard the box dyes are more harsh. I just got so excited about spending $10 as opposed to like $70 or $80!! Aw poo...I think I'm just gonna stick to my original plan, suck it up, spend the extra cash on HAIRCOLOR instead of MAC, and make an appointment at Aveda. lol

[Obreathemykiss]

You can still do it at home, just go to a local beauty store and mix it yourself. You can at least get better quality than boxes from Walmart, you know? Do like the above poster said. I have never had issues, mine always turns out the way I want it. For some reason it's the opposite when I go to a salon!

[Sexy♥Princess]

going darker again so soon won't hurt u. going lighter would though.

just invest in some really good hair conditioner/shampoo and a good protein spray to keep ur ends strong n from splitting.

[elib067]

you shouldn't have a problem doing it yourself this soon! I have fairly dark hair, mine is also really resillient and thick, and i've colored it a bunch in like a week period. long story short i went to a salon and got it colored dark dark brown but with all my red undertones it turned fire-engine red in like 3 days. after that i colored my hair myself probably 4 times in 4 days. i didn't see a difference in texture or anything unusual besides the fact that my hair was twice as thick (coloring is a great way to make thin hair thicker).

also there are boxed dyes that are ammonia free if i am recalling correctly, herbal essence maybe?

in all of my experience of getting my hair dyed from the time was was 13 (i had swimmer's hair that would turn golden blonde with my dark black features, not pretty) the box stuff has lasted longer and truer to what you think it will turn out. a lot of salons use toners which will enhance your undertones and can make your hair turn funky colors that weren't originally intended.

i also highly recommend not shampooing everyday and using a conditioner that was made for color treated hair. overall you should be fine so do it yourself!

[sinergy]

The texture of everyones hair is different, so the way your hair reacts to being over colored will be different from the way someone elses does. If you go to a colorist who knows what they are doing you wont have problems. The thing is that even colorists can get sloppy and not formulate right for your hair and your undertones and thats when people end up with what they dont want. Or if your stylists knows there is something that cannot be done to your hair, she should be firm enough to tell you it wont work, instead of doing what you want and then you hating it. I dont think using drug store hair color is safe in the long run, or good for your hair. But I do hair, so of course Im prejudiced! And like everyone else, I used to do my own hair for the longest time at home, till I Over Did It, it did eventually change the porosity of my hair, and I just had to cut it all off. The thing is you cant pull those drug store colors all the way thru to the ends, its not good for your hair. Permanent hair color does not fade off, it has to grow off. for the first time yea its fine, your changing your color, but after that if you do it too often and pull it through your hair is going to react the same way that bleached hair does. At salons there are just more milder toners an d glazes that are available that are made for colored hair to refresh color.

So again, I just hope your hair and anyone else who does it at home, comes out the way you want it, and if you are going to the salon, let us know how it goes!!

[TDoll]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice! Although it does sound very tempting to spend a lot less doing it at home, I think I'm going to go to the salon. My hair is in really good condition and I would hate to mess it up!
I probably won't go for another few weeks, but I'll update when I do!
Thanks again!