Does ColourB4 work?

[Thurlow]

I put a red on my hair months ago and it just doesn't seem to take any other colour over the top now, staying resolutely pale brown. Will ColourB4 ruin my hair, or is it ok?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Colour b4 is fairly harsh but if your hair is in a good condition it won't damage it. Use a very rich conditioner afterwards.
However, red is notoriously difficult to remove from hair completely so it may not return to your natural colour. It may end up a light gingery brown.
For best results, colour strip and then use a dye in the colour you want to be.

[jimblejambles]

My friend uses colourb4 a couple of times a year. She says it stinks and doesn't always get rid of all the red.

[Thurlow]

Thanks! I really wish I hadn't tried the red as it didn't take properly anyway. But was planning on redying dark brown so hopefully this will help. Noted on the good conditioner afterwards!

[MrTCakes]

I tried colour b4 last week. My hair was dark brown but had a lot of red in it - this stuff stripped all the colour and turned it a very light brown/ginger. It looked fine once I put an ash brown over it and most of the red has gone now.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

MrT has the right idea, to avoid red tones go for an ash brown or dark ash blonde. Be aware that dark brown home dyes come out very dark, almost black.

[Thurlow]

I actually want to go a very dark brown/black - I put Nice & Easy's Darkest Brown on the other day and it did almost nothing! This red does not want to shift Will that not work with ColourB4?

[gruffaloshmuffalo]

I used it and it worked brilliantly on the red, but my hair stunk for weeks after. It was awful. Even after deep conditioning etc. I'd still use it again if needed though

[JoyceDivision]

isn't there a vitamin c homemade hair dye stripper you can make? I'm sure I've seen it mentioned on mumsnet... try googling that?

[Isthatwhatdemonsdo]

Try Scott Cornwall Decolour Remover. You may have to use it a couple of times.