Back to Black...errr Blue!

Hi lovies!

I decided to switch up my hair color. I've been cutting my own hair for the past couple of months and felt liking spicing up the color routine from the typical dark dark brown. I've put color in my hair in the past and I normally keep it dark. I didn't want it to be boring or one dimensional so I decided on a lovely BLUE BLACK. It's pretty much black but there is a slight tint of blue, more so in the sun. It's work friendly but still fun. I did my research and this is what I ended up with:

All products were purchased at Sally Beauty. I have a Beauty Rewards card so I received a discounted price on all items. I also had a 15% reward coupon that I used. I used a 1:1 ratio for color to developer and left it on for about 25 min. I then rinsed until the water was clear and then conditioned. Left the conditioner on for about 5 minutes, rinsed and then blow dried.

Hair Color:

Ion Color Brilliance Intensive Shine Demi Permanent Creme Hair Color in Blue Black, 2.5 oz tube $3.99 (I used almost two tubes, about 4.5 oz)

Ion Sensitive Scalp Developer, Volume 10, 8 oz bottle on sale for $1.99. Normally the 4oz is the same price (4.5 oz of developer used as well)

Manic Panic After Midnight Blue, $8.49 (this is an extreme dye that typically works best on pre-lightened or bleached hair. Most people will get a bright navy blue color. I didn't lighten my hair at all and just wanted a subtle blueness on my bangs and tips)

Hair Supplies:

X-Large Clear Mixing Bowl by Sally Beauty, on sale for $1.99

Two Clear Tint Brushes by Salley, $.99 each

Hair Care Products:

Ion Color Solutions Color Defense Shampoo, $5.39 -- I haven't used this yet so I have no clue if it's an okay product or not!

Ion Color Solutions Deep Daily Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair, 100% Vegan - Paraben Free, $8.49 -- This stuff is very think and lux. but is still easy to comb through. I like it A LOT!

Okkkaaayyy...so this is what I started with:

(Pretty dark, but kind of Mary Jane boring!)

And this is how it ended!

(This is pre-flat iron. All I did was blow dry and then I took this pic)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, I really like this color and probably will re-use most of these products. Since it's a demi-permanent it will not last as long as a true permanent so touch ups will be needed to maintain it. I was really impressed that the Ion color had no smell and is ammonia free. It didn't dry my hair out at all, and left it very soft and with great shine. For a hair dye, I found it to be gentler than most. It's a creme so there was no dripping and the product was easily smoothed onto my hair with the tint brush.

The Manic Panic was disappointing because I thought that it was at least show up a tiny bit! I sectioned off my bangs and alternated the Manic Panic and Ion color for this area. Then after every section I put Manic Panic on the tips. I really wanted the blue to hit more in those areas but not have me looking like a giant smurf with blue all over my head. Well, it didn't show up at all! Once again, it's because this product is designed to be used on pre-lightened hair and my hair was pretty dark. In the future I may lighted a few layers on the bottom and throw this on to see how it looks, but I'm in no rush.

Happy Hair Coloring!