Colour Me Red...ish!

For years I have wanted to play with colour in my hair, but was so afraid of the damage that would be wrought. My hair can be compared to a desert most times, and so I have to put in extra time, effort and moisturizer to ensure it stays hydrated. This prone to dry-ness syndrome that is the natural state of my hair, coupled with dye, did not seem like it would be one of my better plans. So I shelved it.

But HALLEGLORY! I took it off the shelf!!!

After a year of protective styling and avidly caring for my tresses, I decided that my hair was strong enough to handle the blast of colour. Although the decision was made I was still quite nervous about the process as well as the results, so I consulted with some natural hair gurus I have in my friend circle. I was advised to look for semi-permanent as well as ammonia free dye. For weeks I searched for the perfect color combinations that would give me my desired look (bright deep red...I know it sounds strange but I could picture it in my mind). In the end I ended up with Copper Penny, Bright Red and Burgundy from a brand called Via. Well to say the results were below expectations were an understatement. There was more dye on my clothes than in my hair! The only times you could catch a glimpse of the colour was in the sunlight, and I had to give up on white/light coloured clothing, because once it came into contact with my hair...it was all over. Unfortunately my job requires me to wear a WHITE lab coat at all times, so the collar and  upper back of my lab coat were constantly stained in a light shade of pink.

First attempt...barely there

After the long wait for colour I decided I would not settle for half-way. Go big or go home...right? So I did some more investigating and was informed by a co-worker that the brand Textures and Tones works well for natural hair. I became excited all over again  because I actually saw the results in her hair. However, for the sake of my hair I waited about two months to try out the Textures and Tones. This was perfect timing since that time frame fell in line with my BIRTHDAY!!! So the plan was red hair for b-day. Again I had to hunt for just the right colour combinations, which in the end did not matter anyway, because although I bought Bright Burgundy and Ruby Rage, I mixed two bottles of Ruby Rage accidentally (mixed while I was not wearing my glasses...and now you all know I'm as blind as a bat). I realised too late and had no choice but to go with it. In the end it turned out amaze-balls!! I'm super excited about my red hair and can't stop checking it out in mirrors or any reflective surface really...vain much! LOL!

The Red Hair!