"I know you think you're above colour theory, but you're not"—Wild encounter at Sally’s + Advice needed for Bright Winter DIY!
I recently found out I am a Bright Winter, and after a lot of testing, I’ve realized a dark, cool espresso is what looks best on me. I went to Sally’s to grab supplies for a DIY transition, and I had the most intense encounter with an employee.
I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted. I politely declined help several times, but the employee followed me around the tiny store, even following me after I told her my boyfriend was waiting in the car. When I picked up Wella 050, she lost it. She spent 20 minutes grilling me, eventually flailing her arms and telling me I "think I’m above colour theory" because I didn't want to "fill" my hair with red first. She even tried to explain to my boyfriend that "I just think I know hair, but I don't."
My Goal: The coolest, near-black espresso possible. My Formula: * Wella Colorcharm 3A (Dark Ash Brown)
- 10 Volume Developer
- Wella 050 Cooling Violet Additive
My Current Hair: * Naturally dark roots.
- Currently a warm/golden brown with some highlights.
- History: Previously dyed variations of red and orange, which has been balanced out into the current golden brown for the last year or two.
The "Advice" I was given: The employee insisted that if I don't dye my hair 8G, 8RG, or "Ruby Red" first, my hair will be green in a week. She was adamant that no matter what, I require a red/orange "filler" step.
My Questions for the experts here:
- Given that I already have a warm golden brown base with old red/orange pigments underneath, do I actually need a filler?
- Is 3A (Ash) + 050 (Violet) over golden brown a recipe for disaster (green), or is she over-applying the "filling" rule to hair that already has warmth?
- Would a Level 8 filler (like she suggested) even do anything if I'm going down to a Level 3?
I've done every spectrum of hair colour myself and paid for pro services, but this interaction really got under my skin. I just want my Bright Winter espresso!
