From Natural to Red to Brown

I apologize for this long story. But it needs to be told. In September 2011, I decided I needed to dye my hair red. Not just any plain old red, but I took my long blonde virgin hair to the salon and ended up with this:

After I decided I couldn't afford to maintain it at salon price, I turned to box dyes! Worst idea ever!

I then let it sit for a month or so, and found out about L'Oreal Hicolor Highlights in Red, like everyone else. I'm not saying it messed up my hair. It messed up my outlook on hair dye. Nothing could (and still can't so far) compare to how easy this was.

I LOVED that hair dye. I had that color for a year and a half. Then I moved and moved again and nobody would hire me because my hair was too bright. So I dyed it brown in December 2012. But before that, I stripped the red out as best as I could.

I had a plan of attack for the brown. I wanted it a pretty Kristen Stewart color. I went to Sally's with color in mind that I researched for a week. Then they changed my mind (I need to stop listening to Sally's employees) and I bought Ion Color Brilliance in 4N. That on top of my golden stripped hair turned it green/ash.

I was livid. I went back to Sally's and bought a red to neutralize it. After doing a test strip though I decided against it, and to just let my hair lighten in time. I also used the at home "Vitamin C" lightener twice, and it was really nice. Now I'm onto dying it Orange....