What level of developer should I use with L'Oréal Majicontrast Magenta Red?

If I remember correctly I used 20vol on dyed dark brown hair, so underneath the brown it was already light/lifted and my hair turned out SUPER bright. Check my timeline pic (https://www.haircrazy.com/timelines/anouksz/2014/2/13/51739/). I used the red and magenta shade 50/50 and you will just use red, so that will make it more pure red than my picture. But I think you just need 20vol, or even 10vol because you want it to be a bit darker. I think the packaging says you need to use 30 or 40vol but absolutely don't do that, better use a lower volume peroxide and leave it in a bit longer. I never used coconut oil underneath it but I don't think it will do harm to the process.

If you use a lower volume developer and the colour comes out a bit dull, just top it up with a semi red dye to brighten it! :)

I hope this helps! :)

Thank you very much!

So the Magenta Red really isn't the right choice? I saw people using the Majicontrast in Red and most of them had very, very bright red hair which I don't want but I guess if I use a lower developer and don't leave it in as long, it won't turn out like that but will have the tone of red I want.

Also, I'd like to use Manic Panic for touch-ups over my hair but I'm not sure which shade of red to use? Should I use a bright red over my hair or a dark red???

i would do a strand test with both and see what you get, that way no guess work. as far as touching up with MP maybe try something like rock n roll red, or vampire red

kaitlynmarie wrote: Thank you very much! So the Magenta Red really isn't the right choice? I saw people using the Majicontrast in Red and most of them had very, very bright red hair which I don't want but I guess if I use a lower developer and don't leave it in as long, it won't turn out like that but will have the tone of red I want. Also, I'd like to use Manic Panic for touch-ups over my hair but I'm not sure which shade of red to use? Should I use a bright red over my hair or a dark red???

Do they have a Magenta Red color? I thought they just had Magenta and Red, separate. But for the end result you want you should definitely use the Red! If you use a lower developer you have to leave it in a bit longer, because it works slower than the high volume developers. But I agree with @Dizzinea, do a strand test with both and time it really well, so in that case you know what kind of developer you should use and what time to leave it in for!

Good luck and show us the end result! :)

Oops, the page gave and error but posted anyway!

And also, how many tubes do you think I'll need for long, thick hair? I was thinking mahbe buying 3 just to make sure I have enough to do it all in one go. Thank you both for your answers. :)

Ok, do you you personally think it'd be better to lighten my hair up with bleach and then go over with a red dye or do you think I might be able to get away with going over my brown hair as is with a bright red dye? I just don't know if that'll work but I'm kind of afraid to use straight bleach on my hair.

I don't know that you can get your goal colours with just a regular copper red dye, since I think it won't have enough lift for such a dark brown.

@mistressfromhell, I think your colour ended up way brighter because you started from a lighter red base, so you got a bit more lift. I think 10-20 vol on a dark brown should give a nice scarlet tone.

As for amount, I'd definitely get at least 3.