Is Robert Criag a semi permanent color? - Page 2

CurlyStephie · 11-18-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurliLocks

When is your appt?

Saturday (tomorrow) late afternoon. I'll try to post pics this weekend!

CurliLocks · 11-18-2011, 11:46 PM

Good luck! have fun!

CurlyStephie · 11-20-2011, 11:17 AM

Hi Ladies,

Trying to learn how to attach thumbnails. I hope I did this right. If not, I'll try again! The biggest difference I saw was in the back of my hair. I'll post those first:

CurlyStephie · 11-20-2011, 11:32 AM

Hi, okay yea I know how to attach thumbnails now

!!

The first picture I post is PRE-DEVA cut. The next picture will be the one in the car driving home from the cut (and trying not to crash while taking a picture -- hence the weird look on my face). The last ones are taken at night, at home and the lighting is terrible, but should give you the idea.

The biggest difference I see is in the back of my hair, but overall I am curlier. They were able to dry me under the dryer without frizz, which is amazing to me. Vickie is super knowledgeable and passionate about Deva Cuts, and Deva products. She took a LOT of time explaining how to use the products, and giving me tips and tricks. It was a very low key, friendly, non pretentious environment which I loved. Vickie really knows her stuff, and for those who live in the Orange County, CA area, I highly recommend Vickie at Curls On Top salon in Laguna Beach, CA. Okay, now for the pictures:

CurliLocks · 11-21-2011, 12:42 PM

It looks great CS! It is more curly, and the ends don't look scraggly or thin. Good cut!

And although the color is off on that one pic, it does show the texture and cut well.

Hmm, maybe I'll have to schedule a cut whenever I get back down there to your area.

CurlyStephie · 11-21-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurliLocks

It looks great CS! It is more curly, and the ends don't look scraggly or thin. Good cut!

And although the color is off on that one pic, it does show the texture and cut well.

Hmm, maybe I'll have to schedule a cut whenever I get back down there to your area.

Thanks CL! It's definitely curlier. So I forgot to mention the color. I guess that's a good sign since I only wanted to cover grey, and not have it "stand out" at all. They only colored my roots, which is good. It's a tad too light, but it's fine.

Interestingly, she advised me how to touch up the roots if I need to on my own. I've never had a stylist suggest this, and I thought that was very cool of her.

So.... Next time, I'm going for it! I'm going to do the RC as you explained! Thanks again for such detailed info. Let me know if you come down, Laguna is lovely and I could go with you :-)

Oh and she told me I was Boticelli curls. It seems to me I have a mix?

have a great Thanksgiving!

CurliLocks · 11-22-2011, 08:27 PM

I forgot to ask about the color too. You can't really see any difference in the photos, so I guess it matched well.

What type of tips did she give you for root touch-ups?

And I will definitely be in touch whenever I head down your way.

That would be fun to have you along for a haircut too!

I wish you a happy Thanksgiving too!

gardencurls · 11-23-2011, 11:16 AM

Looks fantastic!

I want to post here as well because (thanks to CurliLocks) I am very successfully using Robert Craig. I've colored with it 5x now, and I couldn't be happier. I've been strictly CG since August, in order to heal my hair from years and years of torture. I could tell from the first time I used RC, by its lack of odor and obvious gentleness, that I wanted to be able to make it work. I've had a lot of experience with coloring my hair, so I knew the trick was in figuring out its quirks.

The first time I used RC, it didn't cover gray. The next time I used the wrong color, and it turned purpelish, which is not flattering on me. The 3rd time I used it, I mixed a red and a brown, and it became very very dark and unhighlighted, like I was wearing a wig of fake hair.

CurliLocks intervened here (cyber hug!).

My problem was I used the RC just like an ordinary, high lift coloring and I didn't know how this type of deposit-only color worked (it's not like semi-permanent deposit). I learned that if your hair isn't completely clean, the color will not absorb, or it will absorb too much and then wash out quickly. I have medium/low porosity hair, so I need my hair to be completely dry so it absorbs color better.

I went on the RC site and I bought a bowl, a couple of brushes, and the nifty little "mixer" thing they sell. Rather than shake the squeeze applicator and apply, I now mix the powder in warm water with the mixer and pour the coloring into a bowl. This makes a HUGE difference, because the color is mixed way more thoroughly, and it can expand enough to become a foamy mousse, similar to the texture of whipped egg whites.

Then I brush it on my roots (and I lightly brushed my whole head to lighten after the dark disaster), but I apply only enough to cover my hair. I brush a little extra on the grays, but I don't soak my head in coloring. (I wind up with a lot of leftover dye, and I never, ever did with drugstore hair coloring). Then I put on a plastic processing cap, and a towel over that, and wait an hour for gray coverage.

It's amazing! This stuff has no odor and it's extremely gentle. It rinses out clean within 5 minutes and it doesn't transfer to towels or clothing, etc. My hair feels softer after coloring.

I think, in addition to having really clean hair, getting the product properly mixed to that foamy texture is the trick to getting this right. Also, lightly coating the hair and not bunching it or soaking it allows for even penetration and doesn't gunk up the product so it washes out.

I really hope more people can have better experiences with this coloring because it's SO much better not having to inhale the fumes from other permanent coloring, and not have to turn hair into straw or destroy curl pattern in order to cover gray or get new colors!

Edit: forgot to say - I'm using #13, Coppery Golden Blonde, which is about the last color you'd expect for someone with naturally very dark hair. However, RC colors come out dark, so this adds red highlights to all my hair, and it makes my grays coppery auburn. They look like natural highlights! I need to post a better pic, because my avatar doesn't show the color well.

CurliLocks · 11-23-2011, 02:28 PM

What an excellent post gardencurls! ((cyberhug)) back!

I'm so happy that you have found the tricks to make the Color work so well for you.

I love that little mixer, it does make it much foamier! I have a bowl and brushes but I usually just squeeze it out of the bottle and rub around with a gloved finger. Maybe I should try the brush again to compare.

Please do post new pictures, I'd love to see!

CurlyStephie · 11-26-2011, 07:44 PM

Hi Curlilocks and Gardencurls,

Thanks for the great messages, ladies!!! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I had it at my house, and it was wonderful and tiring!

Okay, so I have to tell you that the color situation was a bit disappointing as they used Schwarzkopf instead of Organic Coloring Systems. They said it was better at covering grey. It's a bit brassy looking, but not overly noticeable. My hair does seem a bit drier, and I now have a bit of an issue with tangles that I never had before, but, I'm not dealing with grey! No way!

Her tips for coloring were:
1. Never use box color.
2. Get the tubes, high quality color
3. If I'm only covering grey roots, there's no reason I can't do it myself.

I thought that was nice of her to recommend that as it's something she obviously makes money on, that she was encouraging me to do myself. Perhaps because I was coming from relatively far away?

This salon was a nice experience. I didn't quite know what to expect, but it was very small, with only two people working there. It was low key, unpretentious and intimate. I loved that.

So I am totally going for it next time -- and doing the RC color myself when I need a root touch up. I think I can do at least as good a job as they did, especially with all of the GREAT detailed advice from you ladies!!

I have to say as the days have gone by, I've realized I really love this deva cut she gave me! I will go back to get my next haircut from Vicky at Curls On Top in Laguna without a doubt. My hair is MUCH curlier!

Oh, one side note, I started using AG:Recoil. Wowzer, that has made my hair so curly and allowed me to keep the curl going all day and even into 2nd day hair. So exciting.

So, that's the latest! Curlilocks, let me know if you decide to head down south for a cut -- and I'll join you! Enjoy your weekend!

gardencurls · 11-27-2011, 02:34 PM

Hey - I live in South Orange County, too! I've had my eye on Curls on Top for some time, and now I know I'll give it a try when I need a cut again. I wish I'd known about it before I chopped my own hair in frustration right before I went CG...

Your hair does look gorgeous - both color and cut

LeanneM · 11-27-2011, 03:28 PM

CurlyStephie, your hair looks gorgeous!!

I went to Vickie at Curls on Top back in May, and loved how she did it! I haven't been back, though, since I live in San Diego and want to go to someone closer to home. (It was an hour drive each way to get to Vickie.) If anyone is thinking of going to her, I definitely recommend her!

CurliLocks · 11-27-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurlyStephie

Her tips for coloring were:
1. Never use box color.
2. Get the tubes, high quality color
3. If I'm only covering grey roots, there's no reason I can't do it myself.
................

So, that's the latest! Curlilocks, let me know if you decide to head down south for a cut -- and I'll join you! Enjoy your weekend!

Good tips, but rule #1 does not apply to Color by Robert Craig.

It IS a salon quality color that he chooses to make available to the public online because I believe he was tired of clients complaining of bad dye jobs.

And it can't come in a tube because it's a powder that mixes with water. Just some info.

And I will let you know if I ever head down.

CurlyStephie · 11-28-2011, 06:06 PM

Gardencurls and LeanneM

Thanks for the kind words -- I'm really thrilled I stuck it out with CG method because boy oh boy did I go through some uglies in transition! Lol! I would totally recommend he as well. It took me an hour too, but it's so beautiful there it was a nice drive

I'm sure there is someone in San Diego for you though, LeanneM. Gardencurls, where are you in O.C.? I'm in Yorba Linda.

Curlilocks, I am so excited to do the RC next time -- whatever form it comes in. As I said, I'm not overly happy with the color. It's okay for now, but I'm doing it myself next time. I do however love love love the cut!!!

Guess I'll just have to haul my cookies back and forth to Laguna from now on!

Oh well! It's worth it! Have a good week ladies!

CurlyStephie · 10-02-2012, 12:15 PM

Hi Curlilocks,

I finally did it -- colored my hair myself for the first time. I used the #7 Robert Craig Golden Chestnut as you suggested. I'm really happy with it!. I wish the grey had come out a tad darker, so I might leave it on for 1 hour next time instead of 45 minutes, but I'm really thrilled with the result. I was surprised at how easy it was. I was concerned I would come out purple or do something really wrong.

Thanks again for the great advice and encouragement!

I'm going to try to attach thumbnails. The first picture is from the night I colored it, but it is indoor lighting - not the best. The second picture is from the next day, but it's outside, so it gives a better sense of the color. Thanks again!! Stephanie

luvmylocs · 10-12-2012, 12:00 PM

i know this is an old thread but i just wanted to come in and share my love for robert craig. i learned about it from naturallycurly years ago and it's been good for me. i tried using something i could get in stores and i just didn't like it as much. my hair feels better with robert craig and i have no issues of dryness or breakage so i'm sticking with robert craig from now on!

btw, i use chocolate brown.