Over the last decade, Jason Backe has established himself as a highly accomplished color artist. He is one of the most sought after hair colorists in New York and his appointment book at ted gibson salon, which he co-owns with partner Ted Gibson, is always full. More >>
I recently received a request from a friend of a friend who had a less than pleasant salon experience and asked me for suggestions - see the email chain and pics below. I loved it, what do you think? LMK
Hi Jason,

Great to finally "meet" you... Thank you so much for helping me out--I really didn't want to spend the rest of summertime looking like a cheetah :( I had asked for natural brown or red highlights (possibly slightly lighter, but subtle) and I think the colorist and I had a different understanding. I've attached some pictures of what my hair looks like now--I just got it done last night so I haven't washed it yet. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated :)
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen!
No worries this will be as easy as pie! If you were in the salon, I would recommend a gloss. For at home I say try Natural Instincts. I recommend the Brass Free shades - Brass Free will eliminate the orangey tones and still leave nice variation. By the looks of your before picture, I think you should try Brass Free Lightest Brown, 6.5C - look at the images on the back of the box for the before and after and see if this looks like a good match. If Lightest Brown seems too light try the Brass Free Light Brown, 6C. The darker the color you choose the less variation in the final color you will see. Since you just paid to have highlights you probably don't want to cover them up completely you just want a tone that suits you better. When you purchase it, get two boxes. If you end up needing only one, you can return the unused box or save it to do another "gloss" in 3 or 4 weeks.
When you do your application, start with your hair wet but towel dried. Apply the product from scalp to ends, comb it through to ensure even application, process 8 minutes and then rinse. After you rinse, dry the area that bothered you the most so you can accurately read how the color deposited - ideally you will still have nice variation in color but the orangey-redness will be neutralized. If the red still shows through too much, repeat the application with any leftover product or with the second box of color.
I'm excited to hear how it goes for you!!! Keep me posted
Jason

You are the best!!! You are like the Mother Teresa of hair color! The result came out amazing : ) I did it yesterday and it was truly as easy as you said it would be, and my first time with box hair color too!! I'm totally sold! I used the 6, light brown, and applied it two times.
The second time was the charm, and took away all of that awful orange/red brassiness. I am relieved to finally no longer look like a tiger -- it was a scary 36 hours.
Kathleen
I've been coloring my hair for the last 5 years and nothing's been working. When I go to the salon to do a color it comes out something else. I've been trying medium brown with some highlights and it comes out orange. Salons are very expensive and I don't have the money to do it all the time so I'm asking if you can give me some tips for coloring my hair the way I want it. Thanks!
TrackBack URL: http://www.dailymakeover.com/blogs/cgi-bin/mt/mt-t.cgi/757
hi!!! i have a huge questionnn... the thing is that a year ago my hair had blonde highlights and a last like that like 9 months then i decided to change it so i went to a salon and i asked the guy to cover all the highlights so i said just do it black and he did but my hair turn blue then he tried to cover it with red and my hair was half purple and half blue... OMG!!! iwas pissed so i told him that he had to fix my hair finally he did and now i have black hair but i really really miss my highlights so i was thinking and get highlights this summer again but im not sure if something would happen to my hair... please let me know whta you think i should do ASAP..... thanksss!!!
Posted 1:33 PM on 06/ 3/2009