Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies

trebmal

I have naturally very dark hair (almost black) and am thinking I want to do a drastic color change because I'm bored and it's spring and that's apparently how my brain works.  haha
So how light can I go?  (Or "should" I go without looking ridiculous.)  I have an olive complexion.
I don't know if that makes much sense at all and I am sure I should probably just ask my hair stylist but I thought I would get knottie opinions first. 
I cut my hair VERRRRRRRRRRRRy short last May (which was a HUGE mistake) and I want it to grow out, but my hair grows sooooo slow and I know coloring it won't do me any favors in that department, so I don't know if the trade off would be worth it.
So I'd love to hear what y'all think!
Thanks ladies hope your Wednesday is going great!

MLekathLEEN

I would try not to go more than a few shades lighter than what you are. With that being said, my HS BFF had almost black hair and she bleached it platinum blonde. It looked fantastic on her.
You could also do highlights. I love when people with super dark hair do red highlights.

DanieKA

How healthy is your hair now and how much money do you want to spend. Being a dark haired woman myself, I have had cravings to go caramel like beyonce in the past. But there is no way a $9 box from a grocery store is going to cut it. I'd have to go professional for that job (my hair is black as well). It would work with my skin tone, but I can't really justify the cost. 

If you have an olive complexion, I wouldn't go blond. I'd stick to what MLekath said and take it up a few shades. 

I like Jessica alba's hair color in most of these pictures. The second one the best.

http://jessica-alba-hair-fashion.blogspot.com/

But I think she looks crazy as a blond, like in the fourth and last image on this site. 

http://celebhairstyle.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/popular-celebrity-hairstyle-jessica-alba/

I don't particularly care for J. Alba, but when I googled olive complexion she popped up. Good luck. 

Beads921

I would stick to going only a couple of shades lighter as well. You could highlight it after colouring to make it look a bit lighter yet, but still natural. I do think your stylist would know best, and would have a better idea of what would look right with your complexion.

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:85935246-7346-4cc3-b11f-20587ddc5a61">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]How healthy is your hair now and how much money do you want to spend. Being a dark haired woman myself, I have had cravings to go caramel like beyonce in the past. But there is no way a $9 box from a grocery store is going to cut it. I'd have to go professional for that job (my hair is black as well). It would work with my skin tone, but I can't really justify the cost.  If you have an olive complexion, I wouldn't go blond. I'd stick to what MLekath said and take it up a few shades.  I like Jessica alba's hair color in most of these pictures. The second one the best. <a href="http://jessica-alba-hair-fashion.blogspot.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://jessica-alba-hair-fashion.blogspot.com/</a> But I think she looks crazy as a blond, like in the fourth and last image on this site.  <a href="http://celebhairstyle.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/popular-celebrity-hairstyle-jessica-alba/" rel='nofollow'>http://celebhairstyle.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/popular-celebrity-hairstyle-jessica-alba/</a> I don't particularly care for J. Alba, but when I googled olive complexion she popped up. Good luck. 
Posted by DanieKA[/QUOTE]
Thanks so much! 

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:85935246-7346-4cc3-b11f-20587ddc5a61">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]How healthy is your hair now and how much money do you want to spend. Being a dark haired woman myself, I have had cravings to go caramel like beyonce in the past. But there is no way a $9 box from a grocery store is going to cut it. I'd have to go professional for that job (my hair is black as well). It would work with my skin tone, but I can't really justify the cost.  If you have an olive complexion, I wouldn't go blond. I'd stick to what MLekath said and take it up a few shades.  I like Jessica alba's hair color in most of these pictures. The second one the best. <a href="http://jessica-alba-hair-fashion.blogspot.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://jessica-alba-hair-fashion.blogspot.com/</a> But I think she looks crazy as a blond, like in the fourth and last image on this site.  <a href="http://celebhairstyle.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/popular-celebrity-hairstyle-jessica-alba/" rel='nofollow'>http://celebhairstyle.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/popular-celebrity-hairstyle-jessica-alba/</a> I don't particularly care for J. Alba, but when I googled olive complexion she popped up. Good luck. 
Posted by DanieKA[/QUOTE]
Dang it, hit the button early. I am the same on the money part.  I don't want to spend a lot to get it done or on upkeep so I knew I'd have to go to a pro.  I will probably just leave it and let it grow, but I am bored with it!  Thanks again for looking up those pics...you're awesome. 

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:911652f2-4fa2-41b3-805c-25e4653aad92">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I would try not to go more than a few shades lighter than what you are. With that being said, my HS BFF had almost black hair and she bleached it platinum blonde. It looked fantastic on her. You could also do highlights. I love when people with super dark hair do red highlights.
Posted by MLekathLEEN[/QUOTE]

ooooh I never thought of red..I like that, too.  Never considered it for myself though. Thanks a ton!

SeaTea02

I have almost black hair too. I have been told by several stylists that the only way to lighten my hair would be to bleach it first, which would be pretty damaging. It has never seemed worth it. 

sparkles88

I would look into getting some red highlights or a red tint added if your hair is dark. I have a friend with olive skin and dark hair who did a red tint, and it was gorgeous. I also have another friend with olive skin and dark hair who dyed her hair blonde. It was atrocious: very fake and orange. Her skin tone definitely could not pull it off.

Also, have you considered signing up for Groupon or LivingSocial email deals? You can usually get discounts to spas and salons through those coupons, so that might be an option for a way to see a professional stylist if you're tight on funds.

MLekathLEEN

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:7214cdce-b3f9-472b-8550-3cd3ca59817c">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I would look into getting some red highlights or a red tint added if your hair is dark. I have a friend with olive skin and dark hair who did a red tint, and it was gorgeous. I also have another friend with olive skin and dark hair who dyed her hair blonde. It was atrocious: very fake and orange. Her skin tone definitely could not pull it off. <strong>Also, have you considered signing up for Groupon or LivingSocial email deals? You can usually get discounts to spas and salons through those coupons, so that might be an option for a way to see a professional stylist if you're tight on funds.
</strong>Posted by sparkles88[/QUOTE]

I got a Brazillian Blowout for $30 on Living Social once. WINNING! ;)

sparkles88

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:03f8baf5-3988-42f3-89aa-8aa0141e5d11">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : I got a Brazillian Blowout for $30 on Living Social once. WINNING! ;)
Posted by MLekathLEEN[/QUOTE]


Haha, same here! I got a shampoo, rosemary scalp massage, deep conditioning treatment, cut, and style at a pretty fancy salon for $30 on Groupon. It was regularly $85 <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-surprised.gif" border="0" alt="Surprised" title="Surprised" />

leia1979

Your hair sounds a bit like mine in color. I will warn you that mine goes orange and then yellow if I try to lighten it. No matter how ashy a dye or toner I use, it's still a really warm shade. If you like a red tone, you could go a little lighter with a red-violet base, which will help it from going orangey-red as fast. If you don't go too light, the orangey isn't bad, it's just a copper color. If you want to go one to two shades lighter and not red, be sure to pick up an ash color (blue or blue-violet base).

I like to buy hair color from Sally's so that you can see the base color. Stay away from Wella, though. It has a lot of ammonia and that will blow open your cuticle. If you go to Sally's, only buy 20vol developer. You only need 30 or 40 when bleaching or using high-lift color.

SKP82

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:4998421a-b2a2-4b70-a548-28651c6afcf6">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : Dang it, hit the button early. I am the same on the money part.  I don't want to spend a lot to get it done or on upkeep so I knew I'd have to go to a pro.  I will probably just leave it and let it grow, but I am bored with it!  Thanks again for looking up those pics...you're awesome. 
Posted by trebmal[/QUOTE]

If you don't want to spend a lot on upkeep, I wouldn't go lighter.  Even if your hair grows slowly, you will have to have your roots done at least every 6 weeks or so.  I have been coloring my hair for years and am so tired of maintaining it, so am in the process of going back to my natural hair color (and it <span style="font-style:italic;">is</span> a process).

I understand what you mean about being bored with your hair, though.  I feel like that every season and either chop my hair off or color it a drastically different  color.

Maybe you could just get a good cut?  Have your stylist shape up your hair and change the style a little.  That might help.  He/she doesn't have to cut a lot off (since you're trying to grow it out) to change the style a bit.

Good luck!

leia1979

I totally agree with SKP. Of course, you can be like me, only go a shade lighter and live with the roots for three months at a time. 

You can also just add a tone. You can use a demi-permanent and add a red or burgundy tone to jazz it up. I just looked it up and saw my favorite brand discontinued their red shades (boo!). I'd recommend L'Oreal Colorgems dark burgundy red if you wanted to try a red shade.

http://www.lorealtechnique.com/gems_03.shtml

SKP82

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:6fd14e51-7be8-407d-8b99-7c40e86b3dc3">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : LOL, I have been coloring my hair for a lot of years. <strong>It's been a lot of trial and error, along with some wacky color disasters </strong>(including bright yellow for one day). I love to talk hair color, so ask me any time!
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]

This completely.  I would NOT recommend doing any lightening to your hair yourself.  The only thing I would say you could be safe with is a demi-permanent or a toner (and those won't lighten your hair). 

Like Leia,  I have been coloring my own hair for a looong time.  At first it was great because I wasn't straying too much from my natural color.  But when I went dark and wanted to go back to my natural color (medium blonde), it was a DISASTER.  I ended up stripping the color from my hair and re-coloring it.  It was a horrible color (very red and gold tones) and completely uneven (a different color at my roots than the rest of my hair) and damaged my hair <span style="text-decoration:underline;">a lot</span>.

I ended up going to my stylist and he put a toner on my hair to neutralize the redness and even the color from my roots to the rest of my hair.  It looks great now, but I won't be doing any more of my own coloring.  It's a mess (literally, trying not to get the color on anything in your bathroom), and honestly, between all the trials and errors, I probably spent more than I would have if I had just gone to the stylist in the first place.

aah009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:10fc83a0-03b2-4193-8685-85cfdba139a5">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I have almost black hair too. I have been told by several stylists that the only way to lighten my hair would be to bleach it first, which would be pretty damaging. It has never seemed worth it. 
Posted by SeaTea02[/QUOTE]

<div>Exactly. My mom is a hair stylest and she would bleach their hair first then go back and add brown high lights.. But you could also just do high lights. I would rather do that first then bleach because it does ruin your hair. Red is awesome..Since I am a red head:)</div>

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:d725ebf7-514b-4ab6-bf66-5c3b6ca4b2a5">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]Your hair sounds a bit like mine in color. I will warn you that mine goes orange and then yellow if I try to lighten it. No matter how ashy a dye or toner I use, it's still a really warm shade. If you like a red tone, you could go a little lighter with a red-violet base, which will help it from going orangey-red as fast. If you don't go too light, the orangey isn't bad, it's just a copper color. If you want to go one to two shades lighter and not red, be sure to pick up an ash color (blue or blue-violet base). I like to buy hair color from Sally's so that you can see the base color. Stay away from Wella, though. It has a lot of ammonia and that will blow open your cuticle. If you go to Sally's, only buy 20vol developer. You only need 30 or 40 when bleaching or using high-lift color.
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]
Ok I'm going to have to print all of that off so I remember it all, but dang, you know your stuff! Thanks!

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:16935037-dc42-4d0c-9dbe-c9b9799b82eb">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : If you don't want to spend a lot on upkeep, I wouldn't go lighter.  Even if your hair grows slowly, you will have to have your roots done at least every 6 weeks or so.  I have been coloring my hair for years and am so tired of maintaining it, so am in the process of going back to my natural hair color (and it is a process). I understand what you mean about being bored with your hair, though.  I feel like that every season and either chop my hair off or color it a drastically different  color. Maybe you could just get a good cut?  Have your stylist shape up your hair and change the style a little.  That might help.  He/she doesn't have to cut a lot off (since you're trying to grow it out) to change the style a bit. Good luck!
Posted by SKP82[/QUOTE]
GOOD CALL!  I know myself well enough to know that if I am bored with it now I will get bored with it no matter what and KNOWING that lightening it would ADD to my upkeep just makes me more leary.  Thanks again.  You ladies rock.

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:7214cdce-b3f9-472b-8550-3cd3ca59817c">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I would look into getting some red highlights or a red tint added if your hair is dark. I have a friend with olive skin and dark hair who did a red tint, and it was gorgeous. I also have another friend with olive skin and dark hair who dyed her hair blonde. It was atrocious: very fake and orange. Her skin tone definitely could not pull it off. Also, have you considered signing up for Groupon or LivingSocial email deals? You can usually get discounts to spas and salons through those coupons, so that might be an option for a way to see a professional stylist if you're tight on funds.
Posted by sparkles88[/QUOTE]
I am signed up for both, sadly I am in rural America and the closest deals are close to 3 hours away.  Might make for a good spa day mini vacation, though. 

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:d0794cff-01ff-4618-ae60-dda835a02bcd">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I totally agree with SKP. Of course, you can be like me, only go a shade lighter and live with the roots for three months at a time.  =) You can also just add a tone. You can use a demi-permanent and add a red or burgundy tone to jazz it up. I just looked it up and saw my favorite brand discontinued their red shades (boo!). I'd recommend L'Oreal Colorgems dark burgundy red if you wanted to try a red shade. <a href="http://www.lorealtechnique.com/gems_03.shtml" rel='nofollow'>http://www.lorealtechnique.com/gems_03.shtml</a>
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]
YAY, I will DEF check into this...

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:fb9a94ae-b914-472c-9336-d7331d98ceaf">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : Exactly. My mom is a hair stylest and she would bleach their hair first then go back and add brown high lights.. But you could also just do high lights. I would rather do that first then bleach because it does ruin your hair. Red is awesome..Since I am a red head:)
Posted by aah009[/QUOTE]

Yeah, like PP said, I think that just sounds like too much for me...

leia1979

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:82ff7cc6-50ee-4212-9e38-d2cea745afd7">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : Ok I'm going to have to print all of that off so I remember it all, but dang, you know your stuff! Thanks!
Posted by trebmal[/QUOTE]

LOL, I have been coloring my hair for a lot of years. It's been a lot of trial and error, along with some wacky color disasters (including bright yellow for one day).

I love to talk hair color, so ask me any time!

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:af1fa7b9-3a0e-418d-ba76-33f9a28662c5">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I tried to go red once with an over the counter. My hair was purple. 
Posted by SeaTea02[/QUOTE]OH NO!!!! 

leia1979

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:108bbb99-6f92-40e7-9f63-bb40c32f86dd">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I went to the L'oreal website and I think I will try this color...
Posted by trebmal[/QUOTE]

Hard to tell from the box, but is that a permanent color? If your hair is really nearly black, I think a level 5 is too light.

For reference, level 1 = black and level 10 = platinum blonde. My hair is naturally very dark brown, and I consider it level 2.

Of course, drugstore box dyes don't always lay it out that nicely and sometimes have their own funky definitions.

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:f12e566b-a52c-4d0f-8db8-99e57d3128ed">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]Make sure your eyebrows match your hair, there's a girl a one of my classes who's incredibly sweet but has bleach blond hair and dark brown eyebrows. EDT for clarification: and I think it doesn't look very nice. 
Posted by Sparrow87[/QUOTE]

Well, my hair is nearly black, therefore my eyebrows are black and I am bored with my hair so it won't really be possible for me to match my eyebrows to my hair color any more than they already do, but I know what you mean.  I won't go toooo drastically light. 

aah009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:af1fa7b9-3a0e-418d-ba76-33f9a28662c5">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]I tried to go red once with an over the counter. My hair was purple. 
Posted by SeaTea02[/QUOTE]

<div>I actually liked it like that. You should do it again:)</div>

SeaTea02

I tried to go red once with an over the counter. My hair was purple. 

trebmal

I went to the L'oreal website and I think I will try this color...

Sparrow87

Make sure your eyebrows match your hair, there's a girl a one of my classes who's incredibly sweet but has bleach blond hair and dark brown eyebrows.

EDT for clarification: and I think it doesn't look very nice. 

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dark-haired-beauties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:72ccef72-fd66-4079-9a0c-1c8813b253aePost:73653398-c858-47a8-81a2-4d22a90df581">Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dark Haired Beauties and/or Hair "Wise" Ladies : Hard to tell from the box, but is that a permanent color? If your hair is really nearly black, I think a level 5 is too light. For reference, level 1 = black and level 10 = platinum blonde. My hair is naturally very dark brown, and I consider it level 2. Of course, drugstore box dyes don't always lay it out that nicely and sometimes have their own funky definitions.
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]
I honestly have no idea.  I don't know that I saw it anywhere on the site.

leia1979

I'm pretty sure Preference is a permanent. Usually they'll say "permanent" or "level 3" on the box.

If you're going with a drugstore brand, maybe Natural Instincts. It will say "level 2" or "semi-permanent" or "washes out in x shampoos." Semi (or demi) permanents still never completely wash out, but they are less damaging to your hair. Look for something that says "no ammonia," because ammonia is one of the more damaging chemicals.