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Original poster

ColourB4 - any tips

23 replies

CarrotFingers · 23/06/2017 13:22

I'm naturally a mousey dark blonde, but I've been having my hair dyed a medium brown for ages - this colour has lots of red tones. It looks nice at first then fades to a brassy browny red which I'm not happy with.

I'd like to get rid using ColourB4, has anyone used it? I've done my own colour lots of times before but never removed it. I'm hoping to go back to a dark blonde/light ash brown shade when I dye it again after. I've got long hair so have bought 2 boxes.

OP posts:
Tiare · 23/06/2017 14:43

You seem to know this, but I'll say it anyway as I see loads of posts from people who use Colour B4 and are disappointed they don't see their pure natural colour :)

Colour B4 will strip any dye from your hair. But it cannot change what your hair looks like underneath. If you're seeing reddish-orange tones, that means your hair was bleached a little in the past by your previous dyes, and taking off all the dye will unveil that raw reddy colour.

So you might need to use Colour B4 and then have a semi-perm or a toner to hand to put on top.

Which you seem to suggest you have bought already, so yay.

I guess my only tip will be the smell is HORRENDOUS, really quite traumatically horrendous, but it isn't 'a chemical' nor is it damaging. It just takes away dye molecules by shrinking them and allowing them to wash away more easily, it's surprisingly gentle. But wow, the smell.

Original poster
CarrotFingers · 23/06/2017 16:01

Thank you! Grin I've read you can't dye straight on top, you have to leave it stripped for a week or two, or it gets darker again? Or would a semi-permanent dye straight after definitely be ok?

I seem to always be left with reddish tones in my hair no matter what dye is on. I guess I'll brace myself for it to look worse before it looks better (hopefully!)

OP posts:
Isthatwhatdemonsdo · 23/06/2017 16:41

Use a clarifying shampoo before you use colour b4. This removes hair products and gives a better result. You will have red/orange tones once it's removed. You can use a semi permanent wash out colour while your hair recovers. As long as you follow the instructions properly you should have no problems.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 23/06/2017 16:47

You do have to spend ages washing colour B4 out. I'd say at least 40 mins with your head stuck under a shower. It really smells!

I'd advise a dark ash blonde semi permanent dye after. Dark blonde is essentially light brown and any dye with "cool" or "ash" in the name will have tones that neutralise red.

Original poster
CarrotFingers · 23/06/2017 17:06

I've heard it smells of rotten eggs! Bleugh. Thanks everyone - will grab some clarifying shampoo and a semi-permanent dye tomorrow and give it a go over the weekend!

It can't go any worse than when I gave myself peach coloured hair on Christmas Eve a few years back...

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 23/06/2017 17:27

I used B4 just a few days ago... after my hair turned semi-perm black .. make sure you follow the instructions to the word.. apply the product to your hair in a warm room.. once applied cover your hair in clingfilm then add a warm towel too... wait the full 60 minutes then..
this bit is vital.. shut your bathroom door and start your shower .. heat the room up.. and get in the shower before removing the clingfilm.. to start the buffer process ... rinse for 5 mins.. buffer product for 3 mins... rinse for 5 mins... buffer again... you'll be fine.. then condition... good luck x

Gemini69 · 23/06/2017 17:28

Carrotfingers is correct... there's a weird chemically aroma.. sticks to your hair... I'm still smelling it.. and it's been 4 days since I used B4 xx

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 23/06/2017 17:34

I used the Colourless max effect remover last week and it worked a treat, but my "natural" colour underneath is much lighter than I remember due to the effects of 20 years of colouring without a break. That also stinks like rotten eggs. So if you can't get Colour B4, or the Colourless is cheaper, I would recommend it.

fourballs · 23/06/2017 17:34

Colour B4 is one of the worst products I have ever used. I do not say that lightly.

Have you read reviews of it?

I would honestly save yourself the smell and the hassle and go to a salon and get it sorted properly.

Dibbles1967 · 23/06/2017 17:40

I've tried it & thought it as rubbish.

I used the Scott Cornwall Decolour (got it from Boots £12.99) and was really impressed. My hair is darkest brown lots of dye & this actually took it back to a really nice light shade, lovely condition also.

Whilst you can colour straight away, I would recommend choosing a colour a few shades lighter than you actually want, as your hair will be quite porous & your end colour will not be what's on the box!

Original poster
CarrotFingers · 23/06/2017 19:37

I've read reviews and they're mixed....it does seem messy and smelly but I hate the colour as it is, haven't really time to go to a hairdressers ATM 😕

OP posts:
Libitina · 23/06/2017 19:41

I've used it twice on bright red hair dye and had no problems.

Yes, it smells. It REALLY smells, but if you follow the instructions to the letter it will work.

As said previously, you won't go back to your natural colour who even remembers that!, but it will strip old dye out.

It won't work on henna though.

JJ73 · 23/06/2017 19:50

Will it work on permanent blue black dye does anyone know? I have grey hair all over and have been dying it black for years, but would love to be able to change the colour..a lovely trendy grey or pastel but maybe I'm hoping for the impossible!

pinkblink · 23/06/2017 19:54

I shoved a box colour on straight after using colour before,

pinkblink · 23/06/2017 19:55

Obviously wasn't finished there... 😂
I dyed straight after using it and it was fine, hair lovely and soft & shiny, smelly as hell though haha

Rikalaily · 23/06/2017 19:57

Rinse it wayyyyyy more than the box says! I did mine over 2 months ago and it still smells of eggs when it gets wet!

Gemini69 · 23/06/2017 20:39

I believe it does... works on Permanent colours... have a look on YouTube... there are lots of videos of people actually filming the process haha

Original poster
CarrotFingers · 23/06/2017 20:45

I'm hoping as long as I can get it lighter, I can then use a semi permanent light ash brown on it to cover up the ginger. I love ginger hair but it doesn't suit my skin tone!

JJ I had that colour hair once when I was younger, managed to not wash it off my properly so I had a lovely dark blue scalp for a while. And I got it all over my mum's new bathroom floor Blush

OP posts:
chelseapritch · 23/06/2017 20:56

I have the same natural colour, and used the exact same colours in my hair, atm it's a dark brown with a tiny of red in the sunlight. I've had red, Brown and blonde on my hair. I used 3 boxes of Colour B4, and it turned my hair ginger a few hours after using it, then it just turned back to the colour before I stripped it. Each time. I even used the shampoo before. It absloutley stinks and it's completley useless, doesn't do jack shit, personally I wouldn't waste your money on it

Original poster
CarrotFingers · 23/06/2017 21:06

Oh really Chelsea? I must admit I am having second thoughts now, with people saying how smelly it is. I couldn't easily go to the hairdresser but I have a young baby who would need my boobs while I was in there, but as she sleeps on me a lot I don't want to subject her to an eggy smell AND a mum with really weird coloured hair Grin

OP posts:
Judydreamsofhorses · 23/06/2017 21:26

I used the Scott Cornwall stripper product, which I think is essentially a bleach bath - it worked perfectly, and I was fine to colour straight away with a permanent colour. My ends were dry and needed trimmed but otherwise fine. I'd set a timer for the rinsing - it's a LOT longer than you actually think!

chelseapritch · 23/06/2017 21:52

@carrot I went to the hairdressers for a quote on stripping and 're dye, although I wanted to go back blonde/ombre, I do think they were pulling my leg with how much they were charging lol, that's when I bought 3 boxed from Bodycare, did all 3 within a week and I won't lie, when I first did it, my hair was extremely ginger, but it went back dark brown after about 2 days, really confusing lol. It just left my hair really brittle, and I ended up having to cut most of the ends off as even the first box completley killed it off. I'd definitely recommend going to a known hairdressers lol, and I'm sure they won't say anything about the boob. My local accept it. Hope you get it stripped soon!!

Gemini69 · 23/06/2017 21:57

OMG Chelseapritch ... that happened to mines too.... I thought I was imagining things... my hair was substantially lighter immediately on completing the treatment... blow dried it.. fully intending to give it a rest until the following day.. and try a very kind lighter brown...

Get's up the next morning and I swear my hair is darker... the next day darker again... FF to today.. and it's back to 'not black' but a deep chocolate brown.... I'm not imagining this... Im happy with it but I'm glad I didn't attempt colouring the next day ..

p.s Yes hair salons charge an arm and a leg to strip your hair of colour... x

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