- Jan 5, 2011
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Just make sure the brown you pick has a red base (it'll either say it on the bottle or the store person might be able to tell you). The base isn't really something you'll see so much as something that will tell you the undertone and how it will react with your already colored hair. Red cannot make any weird colors other than orange, and dark brown just plain isn't going to make orange - that's only a concern if you're going lighter. But if your stylist used a blue based blond, and you use a yellow or ash based brown, you'll get green tones. Same with the opposite - if she used yellow or ash blond and you use an ash or blue based brown, you'll get green.
If you can't tell what the base is, choose a brown with words like mahogany, burnt, etc. It may turn out more Auburn than you'd like, but that is way better than green.
I've been coloring my own hair for over 20 years, and once upon a time I was a licensed hairdresser. If I go to Sally, I use wella colors if I'm sure I'll like it and want it to last, and L'Oréal colors if I'm trying something new that I'm not sure about (they fade quicker).
I always use 40 volume developer, but I'm old and don't care... You should use either 20 or 30. The creme is less messy, so get that if you can.
As was already said, the damage will be no different. It's all damaging. Just get some good conditioner and keep it moving.
This probably scared you more, but really it's easy. My sister has been paying an arm and a leg to get her hair colored for years. I showed her how to do it herself and she's never looked back. :)
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