"Oh no!" or my hair woes - YouLookFab Forum

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"Oh no!" or my hair woes

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I have decided to dye my hair today. I have been using henna for more than a year now because I felt that conventional dyes leave my hair dry and lifeless. I have been buying Chestnut henna from the health store and really liked the results: my hair became more alive and thicker and I don't have those awful grey roots anymore.
I thought that health store brand of henna is not very strong and decided to try another brand. I bought Chestnut color henna from an Arabic store and gave it a go today.
Result? Awful! This chestnut henna became BLACK on me. No chestnut in sight at all!
The worst thing is that there is nothing I can do about it. No other henna color with work with black and I cannot use a conventional dye over henna. I am doomed to be a brunette for at least a month now. I really dread going to work tomorrow. I guess I will avoid looking into the mirror for this time.On the positive note I don't need to bookend my black boots or leggings now...:-(
My hubby says it is not too bad but I think he is trying to make me feel better.
Rant is over - thanks for listening!

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37 replies

Latest reply was from cheryle (Dianthus)

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

It doesn't look too bad. Maybe a stronger make-up in the mean time?

Makrame

Veteran

Well, to be honest, I don't think this looks bad at all. But this is coming from a brunette, so take it with a grain of salt. Maybe you can consider this mishap as a fun opportunity to experiment with color?

MsMary

Veteran

Oh, no!! It doesn't look all that bad, but man! What a shock!!

Hugs!!!

Deborah

Veteran

Sveta, I understand how you must be feeling but trust me you look lovely.

I think the dark color of your hair, contrasts beautifully with your fair skin. A suitable shade of red lipstick would look awesome too.

Isabel

Veteran

Oh, I am so sorry. That just stinks !!

Yes, I think that darker eyebrows will be enough. I know it is no consolation, but it is a good color on you..though you weren't going for dramatic I know.

Might it be possible to use a super clarifying, stripping shampoo ( does that even exist ) ?

Jem

Veteran

That would be pretty stressful! But, actually I think it looks pretty. Did you do your eyebrows too, or were they already that color, because they match? I agree with maybe some stronger makeup. I think it looks pretty amazing, but I see how it would be shocking when you weren't expecting it.

Note to myself, try henna. I'm having the same problem with dry hair, etc.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I know how traumatic it is when your hair is not how you want it, but it really looks nice on you (Bond Girl nice!) . I agree with Anna - darken brows a tad and some makeup - maybe just lipstick on your fab lips and you are set. Not that I think you need it, but I've seen a product in the drugstore called "Oops" that removes dye, but not sure how that would work with Henna?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the consolation, ladies!
I have already darkened my eyebrows in these pictures, added some blush and eyeliner. I think I can go a bit stronger too.
Also I am experimenting with outfits for the week. I think I need deeper or brighter colors or white near my face to counteract the dark hair. The question is: do I have enough of those to go for a couple of weeks?
Every time I look into the mirror I don't recognize myself. I must look pretty stressed because my hubby keeps telling me it looks fine
I really don't want to try anything drastic in terms of chemicals on my hair: it my age it cannot take it anymore... I guess I have to resolve myself to be a brunette for a while...
Again - thanks for your therapy!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks perfectly fine. I echo the suggestion to try more make-up. My sister used Henna on her hair for years and years and I know how unpredictable it can be. Pretty difficult to work with and you can't dye over it, it won't hold.

Linda

I am a new enough subscriber that I have never seen any "before" photos, Sveta. I think this looks lovely on you. I side with those who say, "go ahead and consider it an experiment" and a chance to wear some stronger colors!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sveta, I think you look lovely! I know it's a shock and not what you hoped for, but it actually works very well and knowing you, it will look even better when you have styled it the way you like.

Hang in there. It WILL fade out.

PS I know this feeling...I have had some horrid dye jobs, both home and salon.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Honestly you have such strong and stunning features that you can totally carry this off. Still I do understand your frustration! I like the idea of a stronger brow and lip, but really you look great as is.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

How about some clarifying shampoo like Neutrogena? It might help to wash out some of the dark color.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

What a shock! But you look great! Fun to try a new look, even if you weren't meaning to.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Honestly, I think the color is not bad at all on you! I agree that the thing that would really help is darker eyebrows.

My hair turned out darker than I expected on my most recent salon trip, and it's an adjustment to be sure.

Deborah

Veteran

Sveta, if it makes you feel in better some years back I decided that black was cool and I would dye my blonde hair blue black!!! Big mistake!! My hair was the same bobbed style as it is now and it took me well over a year to return to blonde. I thought my story might make the month of being a brunette seem not so bad

ManidipaM

Veteran

Sveta, you don't look shocking, you look beautiful --- but I can completely understand the horror of ending up a different colour than you expected and hoped for (I turned my black hair crimson once, with the wrong henna mix, so I do feel you!)

If you want to let the colour leach out faster, a couple of suggestions --- try putting some plain yogurt in your hair, put a showercap on for half an hour, then wash out. Also try adding a spoonful of vinegar or lemon juice to a glassful or so of water to rinse your hair with every time you wash it --- this should effectively be your last rinse. These are ingredients used by those who prefer redder (hence paler) henna here, so it should help lighten yours as well. Washing with chamomile tea might help too.

Also, be sure your shampoo is ph-balanced --- henna dyes darken in a basic reaction. Hard tap water is another culprit.

sarah

Veteran

Sveta, I think you look great, but I'm sorry you've had such a shocker. How frustrating! It sounds like Manidipa has some good suggestions if you decide to try to lighten. I was going to suggest lemon juice, too, but only because it turned my hair back to blonde after it turned green once in a swimming pool. But it sounds like she has experience with henna.

You'll be FINE tomorrow. Don't worry.

Anonymous

Oh, you're so beautiful, you can carry it off! Chin up!

taylor

Veteran

Take heart, it will fade:) You can highlight over henna if you have a competent stylist!
henna is a vegetable dye not a chemical one so you should be ok should you decide to highlight.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Boy, I've been there, so I know how you feel. I think it looks nice--really. Hopefully, you can find some way to enjoy it as a change for the time being until this grows out. Try thinking of it as a "fun" experiment.

((hugs))

MNsara

Veteran

Aww, Sveta - I'd be totally peeved about this if it were me -- but trust us when we say it really looks very nice on you!! I think I also prefer your 'usual' shade, but this dark brunette is lovely with your fair skin and lip color! It reminds me of the most beautiful in the land -- fair Snow White

If you can increase the mascara/eyeliner a bit like others have mentioned, I bet within a week, you'll get over the shock, appreciate the beauty in it, AND even see the color lightening up a bit.

((more hugs of empathy))

Kate

Veteran

With your beautiful facial structure, you can make anything work, Sveta. Just consider your black hair your newest accessory and play with it for the next month!

Marley

Veteran

Sveta - it really doesn't look that bad - and with your beautiful facial features, you could get away with any color of hair! I'd just look at it as a creative experiment for the next few weeks. See what you can come up with - color-wise in your clothing choices, as well as with your make-up. Have fun with it and chalk it up as a great opportunity to look at your wardrobe in a whole new light - AND as I already said, have fun!

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Sveta, I don't think it looks that bad but I do understand how you feel! I use henna also and find that batch to batch can vary a lot.

Have you tried a vinegar rinse? It may help make it less intense.

san

Veteran

No chestnut, but you look stunning with this hair color!! Maybe it was a lucky mishap. Please don't worry about going to work with this darker color because it is beautiful on you. Maybe you will get used to it and decide to keep it this way. I honestly love it on you. How fun to add a bit of drama to your look, it's not too over powering at all.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for your kindness!
Actually I tried vinegar rinse yesterday after I have seen the result but it did not make difference This morning I am sitting here with yogurt in my hair and 30 min on the kitchen timer - just like Manidipa suggested: hopefully it will lighten it a bit...
However I resolved myself to work with what I have - and maybe to make some lemonade out of these lemons. I tried to wear my bright red dress with black opaques and shoes before but it felt too heavy. Maybe now with this black hair it will go better?
I am off to experimenting and thanks again for your help. YLF rocks!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Fingers crossed, Sveta! I'm hoping hard for you that this wasn't one of those pre-treated hennas or one with indigo in it --- but if it doesn't work out, hope you'll show us how you rock the dramatic red and black.

Anonymous

My deepest sympathies! I can only imagine how you felt.

Eeveryone at work will probably assume you did this on purpose because it looks MUCH better than just *ok*, I think it looks FABulous! Not what you intended, to be sure, but it's quite striking on you. Maybe you can play around with your clothes and colors for a bit before you try to highlight it at a salon. Sometimes the best things happen after an accident like this. I really like the way you did your eyeliner in the picture. It's so soft, yet dramatic. Wait a minute, aren't you the Soft Dramatic, lol?

Good luck making your *lemonade*!

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