Is my hair light enough to take on the pravana vivids blue dye?

Not at all I'm afraid. You need blonde hair for blues to show up.

thanks for replying- if I got it to a light brown, would that show a navy blue? the blue I want is not bright but more of a navy shade?

I may do another round of a bleach bath- I think I should get it to a light brown?

Even for a dark blue you need dark blonde hair, over actual brown you will have a very muddy  blue or just a sheen of blue which only shows in some lights.

You can, however, always strand test to see at what point you get a blue you'd be happy with.

Even for a dark blue you need dark blonde hair, over actual brown you will have a very muddy  blue or just a sheen of blue which only shows in some lights.

You can, however, always strand test to see at what point you get a blue you'd be happy with.

Ah I see, it makes sense 🙂

I wondered if I opened to use my pravana vivids tube to do a strand test,  and did not use the whole tube- would it cause the tube to expire very soon? i.e. once opened it should be used within a few weeks?

From the sounds of things Bleach bathing is going to take some months, and I dont want to damage my expensive pravana tube for a strand test?

Semi permanent dye is fine to keep after it's opened, as there are no chemical reactions which take place 🙂

Semi permanent dye is fine to keep after it's opened, as there are no chemical reactions which take place 🙂

Thats great, no need to worry then-!

I forgot to ask you a simple thing about bleach bathing (BB)-

1) Is it advised to use a clarifying shampoo or not for the last time I wash my hair- in the week I will be bleach bathing?
2) Also Is it advised to use conditioner or deep conditioner(with cones) in the week before bleach bathing (after shampooing for last time prior)?

I hope this makes sense!

It really doesn't matter what products you use. Bleach will get through everything so you should be fine.

Don't wash your hair for as long as possible before bleaching so that you have a buildup of oil to protect your scalp.

For a color that dark you could try just lightening to a level 5 (your hair will look orange, not light brown, since bleaching will remove your natural pigment) and trying the dye over that. Then if the result was satisfactory you wouldn't have to lighten more. You would have to top it up more frequently than with blonde hair, though, lest (like Marthakins said) muddy tones start to show.

For a color that dark you could try just lightening to a level 5 (your hair will look orange, not light brown, since bleaching will remove your natural pigment) and trying the dye over that. Then if the result was satisfactory you wouldn't have to lighten more. You would have to top it up more frequently than with blonde hair, though, lest (like Marthakins said) muddy tones start to show.

Ah thanks, I can try that on the test strand 🙂

Btw, if I decide to do sections(chunks) of hair blue/ or (highlights) instead of the full head, is it best to use straight bleach or bleach bath?

thanks again!

I think a straight bleach with good quality bleach powder and 20vol developer would probably be best. You will probably have to do multiple bleach baths to get it light enough which would be fiddly.

I think a straight bleach with good quality bleach powder and 20vol developer would probably be best. You will probably have to do multiple bleach baths to get it light enough which would be fiddly.

Thanks for the good advice- will keep it in mind!  *hugs*

You're welcome 🙂 feel free to update with any new questions

Hey Sugarpills!  I saw your message but I totally forgot to respond.  It's been a little crazy here, I'm sorry.  But, I agree with everyone-- you'll need to lighten more.  Keep us updated!!! See you on LHC  <3