I would like to have my natural hair color for my wedding in July.  My current color (all semi-permenants) is only slightly darker and slightly warmer than my natural color.  The last time I used a semi-permanent was mid November.  The colors are close enough, that I don't have obvious roots, but my roots are darker and more reddish than my roots, and the longer my hair gets, the more obvious the difference between them becomes.

The last time I spoke with my stylist about returning to my natural color, she said that there are many ways we could approach it.  She says it is possible to lighten slightly with semi-permanent color, but it would probably have to be done more than once before the wedding.  She also said that she could use a low-amonium permanent color once.  She said that the semi-permanent is less damaging to my hair, but that it is more difficult to get a perfect color match.  She said that my hair is in really good condition and that the permanent color might be a good option for me, even though she doesn't usually reccomend it.

I feel like I have too many choices!  I could leave my hair be, but then I'll always have some differences in color, unless I cut over 15" off.  I could do semi-permanents with the understanding that it may not turn out the exact shade I want or I can go for the permanent which is more damaging, but if the color is correct, I'll never need to color again (that is my goal).

Any advice?

Hi Amanda!

I´ve had your problem sooo many times....not getting married though...
When I really need to find my natural hair colour ( I hardly remember how it looks)I rely on Goldwell semi-permanent colours without ammoniac in form of a foam. You can rather easily find your natural haircolor in their chart.You can buy this product at many hairdressers. It´s mild and holds for 8 washes ( I think).It´s good for refreshing your haircolour in between service.It gives a nice shine I think.One can be used many times for boosting color.

Good luck!!!

A carefully applied permanent color would not do major damage to your hair if only used once.  If you have confidence in your stylist that she can match your natural color, I'd go for it and know that I wouldn't have to worry any longer.  

thanks for the ideas.
fata morgana: your way is probably less damaging, but I don't know if I would want to re apply every 8 washes.  Plus, I don't believe I could lighten my hair color at all with that mild of a product.  I think Bikerbraid's suggestion is most likely the one I'll go for.  I do trust my stylist and she has offered to do a free strand test first (a wait a week or so) to make sure that I'll get the right color.  My stylist is very careful when it comes to hair damage and knows that I am growing it long.

I have a similar problem as it relates to covering gray. I have had my hair hilighted twice to help blend the gray and of course with regrowth there is no end in sight and I am going to end up with fried hair if I don't come up with a solution. I refuse to be gray as I am only 41 and it really doesn't work for me at all. I am toying with the idea of using permanent haircolor to return my hair to its natural color, a med-dk brown and just have my roots done every so often to minimize the damage. If anybody has any ideas for me along these lines please let me know. My hair is in great shape right now and I don't want to ruin it. :-[

Well, I'm planning to do the color change soon (this week or next, depending on my stylist's availability).  I really want to avoid as much damage as possible.  Any advice?  How many days should I not wash it before coloring? Are there any deep conditioners or treatments that I should use afterwards or should I avoid getting my hair wet for a couple days after it's colored?

Hi Amanda!  Have you thought about henna or senna,depending on what your natural color is or what color you want it to be?  This would cause far less damage and is actually good for your hair.  You could check out Catherine's site www.mehandi.com to get a lot of info.
I love Ojon deep treatment or Ouidad deep treatment.  Even Jessie Curl puts out great conditioners that are more natural without the chemicals and cones.

I checked out the site you suggested and it looks like you can mix henna and indigo to make brunette.  However, they said if you add more henna than indigo, you get a warm brown and more indigo will give you a dark brown.  I am trying to match my natural color which is a light ash brown.  I don't think henna could give me that color, plus my hair needs to be lightened slightly to match my roots and henna (as far as I understand) cannot lighten hair.   Also, my stylist told me that with natural and semi-permanent dyes it is more difficult to get the exact color you want.  The whole reason I'm dying it is to exactly match my natural color so I don't have to dye it ever again.  By the way, is henna permanent or would I have to recolor frequently?

I use henna and indigo.  It covers my silver grey and you do need to either do the roots or whole head again.  Nothing is permanent.  As your grows;the roots start to show.  So either ya leave it or ya color it,whether it's henna/indigo or semi-permanent or whatever! ::)  I actually combine henna and indigo together (100g henna and 200 g indigo) and I like the very dark brown I get.  I'd like dark brown or black,but given I have very light skin,the dark might be a bit harsh. :-/ ::) :)