Why Hair Turns Orange When Going Red/Brown-Red:
* Underlying Pigment: Your hair has underlying pigment. Even though your hair looks brown, it has underlying tones of red, orange, and yellow. When you lift color (like when you're trying to go lighter with highlights or covering with a different color) you're essentially revealing those underlying tones.
* Lack of Red Pigment: Dyeing your hair a brownish-red is basically putting a red tint on your brown hair. Because you have blonde highlights, the color may need more red pigment in order for the red tint to not be too bright and to cover your blonde highlights. If there's not enough red in the dye to counter your hair's existing tones, you get orange or brassiness, especially in previously lightened sections.
* Hair Porosity: Porous hair, which is often damaged or previously lightened (like your highlighted hair), absorbs color unevenly and tends to fade faster. This can lead to the red tones washing out quickly, leaving the orange tones behind.
* Quality of Dye: Cheaper dyes are more prone to fading and can contain lower quality pigments, which are more likely to result in unwanted tones.
* Existing Highlights: Your blonde highlights are already lacking red pigment which can cause the dye to not deposit correctly.
How to Prevent Orange Hair:
* Go to a Professional: This is the *best* way to avoid disaster. A professional colorist can assess your hair's current color, porosity, and underlying tones to formulate a custom color that will achieve your desired brownish-red without turning orange. They'll also know the best products and techniques to use.
* Choose the Right Shade: Select a brownish-red dye that is a *level or two darker* than your current hair color, and is *cool-toned.* A dye with *cool-toned* should have words like "ash" or "smoky" to counteract the underlying pigments of orange. Also, look for dyes that specifically state they are designed to cover or neutralize brassiness.
* Fill the Hair: This is a technique professionals use. Because your blonde highlights have little to no red pigment, it may be difficult to get the red to deposit properly. That's why the hair needs to be filled with red pigment first before dyeing it brownish-red.
Important Considerations:
* Strand Test: Before applying the dye to your entire head, do a strand test on a hidden section of your hair. This will give you a preview of the color and help you adjust the dye or process time if needed.
* Aftercare: Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner to prevent fading. Avoid washing your hair too frequently. Consider using a color-depositing conditioner in a red shade to help maintain the color and vibrancy between dye jobs.
In conclusion, your mom's concern is valid. Orange tones are a common issue when going red or brownish-red, especially on highlighted hair. However, with careful planning and execution, you can achieve your desired color without ending up with orange hair.