coloring natural red hair
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Sun Jan 16, 2005 2:23 pm

Hi everyone.....I have natural red hair and blue eyes with very pale skin. Unfortunately, I have found through my life that these attributes are not preferred by many(especially men) and since I am still single, I am considering making a change. I wanted to try something subtle at first so that I don't look very different and weird. Any suggestions? I don't know whether to add lighter or darker shades through my own color. I don't want to look totally washed out and would like to enhance my appearance with added dimension perhaps..........I also don't want to "shock" those that know me well. Shock

Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:01 pm

Hello,

I have reddish brown hair blue eyes and very fair skin. In the summer my husband and I love to go the beach; however, the sun causes my hair to turn more red than brown- I guess you could say it looks auburn. I usually have my hair colored to get rid of the red. I would recommend going with a shade of brown- Blonde would be too big of a change. The older you are the lighter the shade of color. I have noticed as I get older that darker shades of brown show my age in my face. There is a salon called color experts- it's a franchise. They could give you a consultation and help you decide which color is best for you. There prices range depending on the experience of the hairstylist. Good Luck!

free skin care · Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:58 pm

jeez...I've spent the last 20 years dying my hair red! I love it! Been a blonde...god they are soooooo ubiquitous and insipid and everybody is blonde now...even black people! If you must dye your lovely hair...go darker...more unusual and mysterious, that will get men to notice you. Maybe you should just give your natural colour a bit of oomph first though and see if that helps. Red is sooooo lovely, makes me wanna cry to think that someone hates something that I so desire! Crying or Very sad

Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:40 pm

Thanks for the input. I was leaning toward darker rather than lighter, but will consider some sort of low lights if that seems appropriate. Playing with my color does make me nervous.... Confused

Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:46 pm

I guess I should state that I really don't mind my natural color at all, but I have found that VERY few men will date a natural redhead(I have been told about this a lot in my life). I'm not sure if it's the hair or the combination with the "I'll never have a tan" skin! Crying or Very sad

free skin care · Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:47 pm

Tressa makes a product called Watercolours that's a shampoo with pigments, if you want to tone down the red. The more you use it, the most pigment will be in your hair. Once you stop using it, it'll wash out after a week. I used it when my blonde went really brassy. I put up some info from their site on this thread already:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4211

Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:15 pm

Thanks much! I checked out the thread and now don't know which to choose.... Laughing

free skin care · Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:34 pm

namrib,

I take a very cautious approach to hair colouring. When I was 14 I used Sun-In and turned my hair piss yellow (literally), that's how I got suggested to try the watercolours by my hairdresser. Now I only let my hairdresser colour my hair and I always use hair products with sunscreen during the summer.

I suggest trying this if you are unsure and don't want to commit. I'd probably go with "Mocha Drench Deep Brunette"

free skin care · Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:35 am

I've been dying my hair red for about 5 years now....was blonde but got fed up, now I'm going darker and darker plum/damson colours..Might have the same colours as Sharon Osbourne next time!

free skin care · Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:48 pm

Namrib, WHERE do you live? On Mars?? Red hair is GORGEOUS, and I've never heard men say they didn't like it. In fact my boyfriend has suggested that I dye my hair red on several occasions! Honestly, if I had naturally red hair I wouldn't touch the color. Perhaps go in for a makeover to get suggestions for great colors to wear to complement your coloring? I would suggest working with what you have rather than working against it.

free skin care · Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:28 am

namrib wrote:

I guess I should state that I really don't mind my natural color at all, but I have found that VERY few men will date a natural redhead(I have been told about this a lot in my life). I'm not sure if it's the hair or the combination with the "I'll never have a tan" skin! Crying or Very sad

Maybe you need to get your skin in tip top condition? I'm guessing that you are pretty pale and maybe a tad freckley? (every one in my family has red hair except me...I do have the skin colouring though Laughing

) Use a C serum to even tone, exfoliate to clear up dry patches and moisturise to keep it soft. I assume that you already use sunblock, but if not, start now! Make sure your hair is in good condition too.
If men don't go for you with red hair, it's cause they are shallow w@nkers...and therefore not worth it. Red hair is beautiful and unusual and should be revelled in Smile

Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:54 am

Thanks everyone for the input. Actually, my skin is in pretty good shape (I'm 38 but most think I'm under 30) and I take good care of my hair. In fact, many people (ie. women) think I am very attractive. I have just found that many men won't date a redhead---I know, I know, they are shallow. But that is my reality and I don't like being limited in the type of man that will date me! I just thought a little change might make a difference... Confused

free skin care · Tue Jan 18, 2005 9:33 am

i'd just like to point out that the link above will not get you through to the man of your dreams. I think it was cyberspace trying to tell me something!
I'm sorry you are having such lousy luck with men, give it a go and see what happens!
in the meantime, there are loads of gorgeous reds here!

http://www.redandproud.com/famous%20redheads%20media%20A-L.htm

free skin care · Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:11 am

I have red hair and blue eyes and pale skin prone to freckles. My whole life I have been teased and called names - it seems it is still socially acceptable to be abusive about someones hair colour - I think it's probably the only prejudice that is still not seen as one! ( Its still seen as fine in the UK where reds are about 2 - 3% of the population, to take the p*** out of redheads and treat them somewhat as freaks even in the media!
However as I have got older I have learnt to love my colouring (if not the 3" layer of SPF I have to wear in the sun LOL!), if other people don't like it that's fine - I have personal preferences to the 'type' of look I consider attractive too, as does everyone! (Incidentally I've found fellas either LOVE your hair or dislike it - there are loads of gorg redheads (think Nicole Kidman).
Check out these websites before you dye you hair -www.realmofredheads.com & www.justforredheads.com (a cosmetic line just for us!).
If your still set on colouring it though, please don't try blonde (it goes orangey) or black - I've seen some scary results from both just go a shade or two darker/auburn etc)

Walk with your head high and revel in your rarity (reds are a dying breed) - confidence and being happy with your self is attractive!!

Very Happy

Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:50 am

Lucia, thanks for your support and understanding. It's nice to know that someone else has "lived" the redhead experience and can identify with the downside. Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:24 am

Namrib,
Totally - even as a 6 year old I remember being asked by kids at school why my mum dyed my hair(LOL?!?!)and growing up suffering being called everything from 'GingerNut" and "Duracell" to names which are unrepeatable in polite company! I tried to ignore/laugh it off but it does hurt and it does get you down. On the plus side I've had lots of compliments about my hair and my previous boyfriends have loved it (I got nick named Timotei by some guys at college - after the shampoo advert - who liked to sit behind me in lectures and then walk by and stoke my hair - bizarre!!). My husband loves my hair too and can't understand why I freak if my freckles explode in the summer!!:O)I've even had people say to me - if you have children I hope if they're redheads they're girls, its not so bad on girls (what sort of attitude is that - so sad).
But bear in mind lots of people get teased/abused, be it about the size of their nose/chest/the fact they have braces/spots their skin colour etc. I figure the folks who hand out this abuse are probably insecure about their own looks.
Anyway enough of all that - have fun and enjoy your colouring - I'm sure your gorgeous - your a redhead! Very Happy

free skin care · Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:57 am

Hi namrib. Im sorry to read your predicament. I have been dying my hair for over 20 years (am too 38 ) And like Lianne I also went through the sun in saga. I dyed my hair auburn for years, it was a lovely colour but it also took me a good few years of dying hair a different colour without the auburn showing through. It was a red colour for so long it would be back to it after 2 weeks. Now I just go for natural brown and although its just brown (as opposed to light, medium or dark) its very dark. But I like it and brunnettes are the fashion colour now. What you need to remember is once you dye your hair with a permanent colour, theres no going back cause after 4 weeks your red roots will be flying their flag. Its an ongoing process from there. Same with low lights. Obviously its cheaper to get a colour in the supermarket than go to a salon once a month, but in your case, I think I would seek professional advice for the first colour. Then you could try and match it up after that with a good brand colour. Also, what style is your hair. How about going for something funky and really up to date, Im sure the men will be flocking to take you out. My last thought is why not give yourself a nice sprinkle of self tan, it doesnt have to be drastic but with a light golden glow on your skin, it will make you look completely different, alive and vibrant. Sometimes pale makes you look a bit poorly.
Whatever you decide, good luck, remember if you colour your hair it will be a huge difference and if you dont like it, it can always be rectified. (Just make sure you have the following week off work just incase Laughing

Just kidding). Keep us updated

free skin care · Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:32 pm

I’m a green-eyed, fair-skinned redhead, too! Although, like Lucia, I was teased for my haircolor, I utterly adore being a redhead. Do you know how many women spend a small fortune to try to attain hair color like ours???? Redheads are gorgeous and unique! I wouldn’t change my coloring for the world...although I have to confess that I’m starting to go grey so I’ve been augmenting my natural red hair with regular visits to the salon, both to cover the grey and make my red even more stunning and beautiful!!

Namrib – be proud of your coloring and walk with confidence! If some men are so shallow that they can’t look beyond a woman’s hair color/eye color/bra size, etc., then those men are not worth having in the first place!! BTW – it’s been my experience that men find the dichotomy of “fire” (my hair) and “ice” (my pale skin) utterly irresistable. Smile

I truly believe that if you will end up regreting it if you color your hair. But if you’ve got your heart set on seeing how the “other half” (i.e.: blondes or brunettes) lives, then I would suggest that you use a semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color first, before doing anything drastic. These types of hair colors fade out after 30 shampoos, leaving you with your original hair color. Then if you decide you liked life better as a blonde or brunette, you can use a permanent hair color to make the change permanent...although, as Cindi says, once you do so you’ll have to fight the battle of “tell-tale” roots for the rest of your life!!

Anyway, that’s my 2¢ on the matter....
Carrie

free skin care · Fri Feb 25, 2005 5:51 am

Hi Carrie! wave

Nice to see another redhead on her! Very Happy

Namrib - what did you decide to do in the end? Very Happy

Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:06 am

Nothing for now! Laughing

I seemed to have chickened out.. Rolling Eyes

Maybe I'll just wait until I have to cover grays! Shock

free skin care · Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:35 am

Hurrah!
I'm pleased! Very Happy

Redheads united!! Laughing

free skin care · Fri Feb 25, 2005 7:38 am

Oh, Namrib – there’s one other thing that you can do if you want to test-drive a new hair color. This is even less of a ‘commitment’ than using a demi or semi permanent hair color! Several salon haircare lines make “color enhancing” shampoos and conditioners. These products actually contain dye/pigment that gets deposited on your hair. Obviously the effect is going to be subtle, but you can use one of these products to slightly change the color or tone of your hair.

For example, if you used a color depositing shampoo/conditioner formulated for brunettes, you can darken your natural hair color to make it more auburn or chestnut/mahogany (i.e.: brownish). If you used a formula for blondes, you can make your red hair more “tawny” or golden (i.e.: strawberry blonde). The great thing about these products is that the effect only lasts for 1-2 shampoos before it fades completely out and you’re returned to your normal hair color. Let me know if you’d like me to recommend actual brands for you to try....

HTH,
Carrie

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