Direct dye madness... Poor Rita

So Rita, my pinked out doll head sat over night after being shampooed. Today she came with me into the salon. Bad news. She still has vibrantly pink hair.
Here's what I've tried:
Our high-lift series for dark hair with the lightest possible shade and double 40 volume. (the strongest peroxide we are allowed to use. (processed for one hour)

Joico color break with 30 volume.

Pure acetone

Baking soda, bleach and detox shampoo: this seemed to lift some color out but not enough to put a color over it successfully.

Currently we are trying a lowlight with a blue/green pigment additive to try to tone down her pink. When I did this in the past it turned purple. The only coverage was black.

Not sure what makes up these direct dyes. But I would personally avoid them at all costs. Please stay tuned as trials will continue! Or let me know if you have any ideas!

Phase 2

Ok so my doll friend, Whom I have carefully named Rita, has been bleached, processed & shampooed. I used Joico moisture shampoo with no conditioner. Splat directions tell us to dry the hair completely. So I did that and then proceeded to color the whole head pink. I did it without a bowl or bush. Just the applicator that was included as this is how it would be done at home. The kit came with gloves but the pink bled through so I have pink fingers and forearms. I used clorox clean up with bleach to clean my doll head. It worked but I doubt you'd want to use it on your face. But to each their own. Either way this stuff stains!!

So splat directions again have processing guidelines. For color lasting 1-6 months process for 30 minutes. For 3-4 weeks 10 minutes. I'm guessing most will go for the longevity. So I'm processing 30 minutes.

Side note: after bleaching the one side of the hair I checked the condition of the locks. Not great. The ends were snapping off in my hands. Splat suggests on dark hair that it's left on for 50-60 minutes.

Direct dye trials

Hi friends! Ever seen those punky fun colors in people's hair and thought... That's cute, fun, interesting whatever. Well I am here to tell you that they are not. We are seeing pink (more often than not) come into the salon. Girls wanting it out... We can't seem to remove it. Professional... Walmart bought... Doesn't matter. It won't go anywhere. So I've asked for advice & am coloring a doll head to try different suggestions or ideas.

I've purchased splat hair color from Walmart $9.

I have a natural blond doll head. Roughly a level 9/10. I currently have bleached out half of her head with the bleach mixture included in the splat kit. Which includes a warning to not let the mixture sit for more than 2 minutes without use. It could cause the bottle to burst. Ummm.... Scary. So this is where I'm at now. Splat timing suggests 30-35 minutes processing time on blond hair. Stay tuned...

The classics are back!

So I've decided that my "next thing" will be to read or reread classic novels... I think my first may be my fave The Great Gatsby. But I'm not sure. I also need to relive To Kill A Mocking Bird. I will report back with my lovely thoughts on my classics quest. Suggestions are very welcome.

And I will do this the old fashioned way. No kindle or what have you. (I don't own one) Just pages and myself. (I'll probably use electricity, but I feel that's okay)

Bridge over troubled waters.

Hello friends!
It's been too long.l Sorry I guess sometimes life gets in the way of life. You know?

Yesterday was my 3rd family retreat with Camp Soaring Eagle. If you've read my posts before you know that these particular events serve families of recently diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. Families that have more to worry about than PTA, prom dresses and math homework. They deal with meds, chemo, needles and hospital rooms. My service to these people is to provide beauty services to the parents while very capable volunteers and CSE staff show the kids a good time.
These are the people I would like to mention today. In a world full of selfish acts I am honored to be amongst such giving beautiful people. CSE is run like a tight ship, every detail of the days are scheduled and planned in order to maximize the fun. This is made possible by the camp director and his wife. Two amazingly beautiful people who never fail to amaze me with their enthusiasm & excitement for the children. Joining these two are a group of volunteers. Men and women who give their time to make these camps possible. I love to watch them interact with these special children. People who go with the flow and share their compassion. From archery to arts and crafts, golf and games there is someone there to teach, encourage and share the love. Like I said I am more than lucky to be amongst these people. They are an inspiration. And while they help the kids to forget their troubles they also help me. I love to know that these people are out there. Living amongst the rest of the world and putting love out into the universe. I love to look in their eyes and see the dedication that they have. No one has an agenda other than to have the best time possible. Every event I have been involved in I have loved seeing the strength of the families and kids. The love they share is always with me. The other half of this is the people who make it possible. People I whom I know have lives, family, friends and problems of their own but for a few hours can let it go and share love with people who really need it. So thanks to all of you for making me a better person. You are my inspiration.

"God is good and in all things you can find something amazing in it."
(a quote from one of the mom's)