My hair has been about every color under the sun; however, I have fair skin and hazel eyes so I've been able to successfully get away with them all.  When I was younger, my hair was dark reddish blonde and I would use Summer Blonde on it to lighten it.  Then I went through a brunette stage for a few years before letting it grow out.  When it did, I discovered my natural hair color had darkened to a reddish brown.  Now I ocassionally put an auburn or dark brunette rinse in it but don't use anything that contains peroxide.

I think if you have some physical characteristics that are commonly found with certain haircolors, you can get away with it even if it's not your natural color (like light eyes and light hair or fair skin and red hair).  It's when people try to really push the extreme that it looks unnatural (blonde hair with dark eyes and skin, for instance).  Let's not forget tho, that unnatural can sometimes look pretty kewl, like Shakira's hair for instance!

Oh, I've used everything from Loving Care to henna to coffee as long as it doesn't have *any* peroxide in it.  Staying power depends on how often you do it and how often you wash your hair, but nothing without peroxide lasts long.  Depending on the method you use, you can sometimes add some to your every day conditioner to make the color last longer.

Yes, lemon can be drying, and it can also lighten your hair if you apply it and sit in the sun.  I just use the coffee the same as the directions in the Hair Care Recipes Cookbook:

http://www.longlocks.com/hair-care-recipes-cookbook.htm

Why don't you just use the coffee to rinse out your conditioner? ;)

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Good idea! Thanks Rapunzel  :)

I *love* Loving Care but I think it is being discontinued in favor of the "low peroxide" types of dye, as there are very few colors available anymore.  Very unfortunate for those of us who refuse to dye our hair with any kind of peroxide products.  Loving Care was a great way to temporarily switch between auburn and brown for fun without fearing any damage whatsoever.