Red Hair Color Help

by Michelle
(New Jersey)

I am trying to achieve a very bright, almost punky copper red mahogany color. Its like a copper red with a hint of purple and very bright. I used Feria Rich Auburn Red, and it washed out in a week. Now I have a light auburn dull color. I bought professional hair color level 6 intense auburn with a 20 developer. But my test strand looks very light and dull still. How can I get it dark deep red?

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Gosh lady. Red hair color is infamous for washing out quickly. That's why it's so important NOT to wash your hair a lot in the first few weeks. Shampoos that contain sulfites are harsh on your hair and will remove color.

For the most lush, vibrant colors, use a 10 volume peroxide instead. To make your own 10 volume peroxide, simply mix your 20 volume with water 1:1. (If you started with 2 ounces of peroxide, you will still only need 2 ounces of peroxide. Leftovers can be thrown away.)

Then try the color again. You might also try a 5 volume peroxide. Use the same method as above to do it yourself, starting with the 10 volume peroxide.

Here are a few more tips on:

How to keep your red color longer!

Wash your hair no more than two or three times a week.

Use a gentle shampoo or shampoo's that are especially formulated for color treated hair.

Use shampoo's that are free of sulfates and sulfites, like Loreal Everpure. For super sleek hair, use L'Oreal Eversleek.

Conditioners help close the cuticle of your hair strands, which helps your hair hold color longer.

When you color your roots, don't color the rest of your hair each time. Coloring over previously colored hair, can and will change the color.

If you want to refresh the color, use toners, semi permanent colors, (using the same brand and same color as the permanent), hair glazes, or use a soap cap with any leftover color you have when you color your roots.

Don't know how to do a soap cap? Learn more in my hair color guide!

Make sure your hair porosity is not a problem before you use red hair colors. If your hair is porous, hair color won't hold! You must improve your hair porosity before coloring for the best results.

Don't buy iridescent colors. These will make your hair glow!

Removing red hair color can be extremely tricky. Lifting red color too quickly will give you pink hair. For the best results, use a hair color remover.

By the way, great picture! Love the red hair!