I have been coloring my hair at home for several years, and consider myself pretty good at it. I usually stick with the package directions, and go for a color that is close to my natural shade. Recently, however, I diverged from this boring (and recommended) routine.
It was time to color my hair again and I wanted something different. I was going for the hair color of Spiderman's girlfriend, Mary Jane, (played by Kirsten Dunst in the recent films), because I liked the melon tones of her red hair. I did some research into what shades were available, but couldn't find that color. One day at the drug store, I made an impulsive purchase. The color on the box somewhat resembled Mary Jane's hair and was called "Fearless Color" shade #44, Radiant Ruby (deep red). Something about it didn't seem right, but I was in a fearless kind of mood, so the advertising won out over common sense.
After recovering from the initial shock of the clown red that resulted, I contacted the "color experts" number listed on the package. I told them all about Mary Jane's hair, and how it seemed to me that the picture on the box resembled the color I wanted. I knew what they were going to say - that the color result depends on your starting color. Mine was already a golden red - which intensified #44. The color expert put me on hold, presumably to consult with her associates on my dilemma. When she returned she told me to mix 1 oz of "Mocha Splash", 1 oz developer and 1 oz regular shampoo. She said to shampoo this concoction into my hair, and this would "tone down" the red. "But what about that Mary Jane look?" I asked. I was told that I would have to wait four weeks and let my hair "rest". I had a flashing image of my hair in Hawaii, lounging by a green sea in a polka dot bikini.
Somewhat disappointed, I went back to the drug store for the Mocha Splash and was alarmed at how dark it was. I called back the color experts, but got another associate - this time a man. As I painfully went back into my story, I quickly learned they already had a "color file" on me! "Won't this just turn my hair brown? I don't want brown hair," I asked with concern. No, he said. Just keep it on for the recommended time, and it will tone down the red. So I did. The result was that the very dark brown went to my drier ends, creating a "reverse skunk" effect. I now had blazing red hair with brown tips. Lovely!
I did not give up on my Mary Jane look, and after four weeks I called the color experts again, and was told to buy #108 (Golden Red) and #110 (Light Auburn), and mix 3/4 of 110 with 1/4 of 108. It helped a little, but did not diminish the brown tips. For that I had to get a haircut.
It's interesting to me how advertising can work on us. "Fearless Color" has a double entendre. On one hand it means it's "foolproof.” On the other, it taunts us to be daring, to go boldly forth into that fearless red night. It’s a brilliant slogan for packaged hair color. As a result of being influenced by these words, not only did I buy one box of color, but three additional boxes to rectify my original mishap. Even though the manufacturer offered discounts, the bottom line is I spent four times as much just to get my hair back to presentable. As for the “Mary Jane” look, I think I’ll just let my hair stay in Hawaii.
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