Help please! Brassy balayage to ash brown (WITH PICS) :)

Pic 2

Current hair.  Pretty much the same as pic 2, but  a bit shorter.

1)  Do you think light ash brown too light to cover the orange near the top?

Possibly, the orange is quite dark. It’s not going to look anything like the first picture though. It will just be an ash brown, if it works. (You probably realise this, but it’s surprisingly how many people don’t).

2)  Will the bottom be darker because it's more damaged?

Impossible to say. Sometimes it makes no difference. Sometimes it sucks up more dye and goes darker. Other times it’ll take less due and so be lighter! You can only tell by doing a strand test.

3)  Where the heck can I buy a light ash brown demi-permanent hair colour?  I'm in Canada.  Sally's online only has it in permanent.  I'm also looking for specific product recommendations.

Eh, Demi permanent is a bit of a weird area. They do as much damage as a permanent generally but don’t last as long (supposedly). What’s the point? If you don’t want permanent think about using direct dyes. Adore do a very good range with more natural colours.

4)  I don't know much about developers.  What one do I use if I don't want any lift?

There’s no such thing as a peroxide that doesn’t cause any lift. However, the lower the volume the less lift you’ll get (the lower the volume the slower it works). If you want no lift, see my previous comment about direct dyes 🙂

If what you want is the first pic, you need it quite a lot lighter.