Quote - ...throw away your conditioner and stick the Blinn node into Alternate_Specular.

I have no idea why I didn't try this before.

Try this: http://www.sharecg.com/v/30625/Poser/HAIR-Colours-CREATOR---Poser

The Hair Color Creator by Abacus3d.  Basically, it works in the materials room making shader adjustments.  There are TONS of presets included as well for all sorts of effects.