So, I have been dying it for a while now, BUT I want the black out... should I get it stripped then leave it alone? OR try L'Oreal ColorZap (it's supposed 2 get color out). I REALLY want to put some warm colors in it, like strawberry blonde & honey blonde highlights on top of my natural color... BUT, my Hubby & I are trying for a baby in July 2011 & I won't dye my hair while pregnant, PLUS, it doesn't take well on my hair while pregnant. I heard when you strip your hair it turns it a TERRIBLE color, so, should I strip it, & dye it my natural hair color, so while pregnant & it grows out, NO ROOTS.. ugh... HELP!!

Things that get the color out do their best if you just dyed it. If it's been more than a day, it will give you damage and no results. If you want a healthy pregnancy and no roots, it would be best to bleach it out and tone it till it's natural. The color your hair turns when you bleach it from black will usually be orange, so blue (ash colored) toner will bring you to brown. And when you get to this brown, (I'm assuming that it's your natural hair color), to put highlights will be even more damaging and difficult to lift.

So... I tried Loreal Color Zap tonight... it worked! My hair is VERY dry, but's that's part of doing this 2 your hair! It's a couple different colors though, going 2 salon tomorrow to see what they can do... let you know!!

Yhnx, nut I already used color zap :( BUT I have 2 go 2 salon tomorrow anyway because my hair looks like a rainbow and is SO dry... but black is GONE... I will ask about the toner, and yes... natural hair color is brown ;)

Also, LOTS of docs say its OK 2 dye while pregnant, and lots say its not... I think is fine, I did w/ my 1rst child, it just didn't take...

That's odd that the zap lifted at all. I've tried it, and many of my friend have tried it (this of course was past a day) , and they said it doesn't work. Of course, none of us started at black either.
I'm guessing at the salon they'll want to bleach it out a bit and tone it depending on how orange it is.. Toner is mostly used in the case that you like how light the color is, you just don't want orange, or yellow.. etc Just keep in mind, you can't repair damage. Product will advertise it, but it's actually impossible. The best they can do is throw on a coat of something that makes your hair feel better for a while. And once your hair is bleached enough, it actually melts. It will start to feel like rubber bands at the ends, and it becomes impossible to brush. So, you just have to be careful. I only say this cause you've used the zap (just about as damaging as bleach), you're probably going to have it bleached to get out the rainbow, and then if you want highlights, that's more bleach...
And being pregnant and bleaching.. A few salons I've worked at will not do it for you to avoid lawsuits if anything goes wrong. And I only don't recommend it for the same reason. Also, it doesn't surprise me that it wouldn't take. Sometimes being on certain meds, being sick, or even menstruating will cause color/bleach not to take.