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Thread: Lighten Dark Hair

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    Lighten Dark Hair

    Okay, so I have dark brown hair. It's virgin hair in really good condition.

    I want to go 2-3 shades lighter to a cool brown colour. It's just a little too dark so I want it a bit lighter and maybe get rid of some of the red tones.

    I know I should go to a salon. And I might end up doing that. However, I have had good results with home colour and am stubborn. I would be doing a strand test anyway, so it's not the end of the world if it goes horribly wrong and I'm okay with being out 10-15 bucks to try it.

    So...how do I go about this? Would a regular colour work, or do I have to bleach first?

    Do those hi-lift type colours work and if so, what are some good brands?

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    God/dess Nautilus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    as a fellow brunette...

    don't do bleaching at home yourself... especially the first time. go get some foils done at the salon first....

    otherwise, you risk the dreaded orange-head.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    I am stubborn like you, but I would def. go to a salon. Only do it yourself if you are dark and are re-dying or already dark and are going slightly darker.
    But don't use an ash color b/c It gave my hair a green tint lol.

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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    I bleach my own hair but I have been doing this since I was a kid. Please please don't do it yourself like the other gals said. At least go to the salon this very first time.


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    Yeah, I ruined my hair at home too. I've been highlighting and coloring it at home since I was 13, so I thought lightening the whole thing would be easy for me. Well, I turned it calico! The trip to the salon to fix it took more than 3 hours, and cost twice as much as it would have if I had gotten it done there in the first place.

    I think the rule of thumb is that if you want to go 3 shades different than your original color, you shouldn't do it at home. I think most hair color company's websites have pictures of what constitutes a difference in shade.

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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    Go to a salon. I have very dark hair and you can see how blond I am in my sig pic. I tried to do this in high school once and it didn't look nearly as good. I am always happy with it now getting it done professionally. There is no guess work or worrying about how it will turn out. Also, when your hair grows, you will have to do your roots and it is much easier for a professional colorist to match it up perfectly than to do it at home.

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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    LR, how did you achieve that color? Thru foils? And how long did it take? Your base color is pretty dark, huh...like level 3 or 4? I'm trying to decide if I want to continue with the blonding process and I'm not sure if I do. I kinda want to just go soft black. Ohhhh what to do what to do???

    Circe, when lightening hair...I think most stylists recommend doing foils instead of one big monochromatic lightening.


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    ^ I am dark so I only use foils. I wouldn't recommend doing it any other way to be honest.

    Are you blond now LSM?


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    ^^I've been getting foils since December 05. I do a partial highlight and keep all the hair from below my ears dark. I have it toned to a caramel shade and have the very light parts in front (beyonce was my inspiration) toned a very light beige shade. There is a pic of my natural color on this page:



    I miss my dark hair and I'm in the same boat as you. I love being blonde and know that once I go back to dark, I'll have to wait awhile before going back to blond. So I'm thinking I'll stay blonde for the summer, then throw in some low lights, then go completely dark for winter. I wish it was easier to go back and forth! But my hair is finally healthy so I don't want to ruin it.

    Oh and I have an excellent colorist in the PHX area if anyone is interested.

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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    Quote Originally Posted by seraya View Post
    ^ I am dark so I only use foils. I wouldn't recommend doing it any other way to be honest.

    Are you blond now LSM?
    No, I have caramel highlights from 3 1/2 months ago and beige blond highlights from 4 weeks ago. Like LR, from the ears up only. My next appointment is this friday...and I'm not sure if I should get more highlights or go soft black (I once had my hair done rich dark brown with soft black lowlights and I frickin LOVED it!!!) Ohhhhhh my stylist is going to kill me! haha

    Quote Originally Posted by LatinaRose View Post
    I miss my dark hair and I'm in the same boat as you. I love being blonde and know that once I go back to dark, I'll have to wait awhile before going back to blond. So I'm thinking I'll stay blonde for the summer, then throw in some low lights, then go completely dark for winter. I wish it was easier to go back and forth! But my hair is finally healthy so I don't want to ruin it.
    I know, I feel so whiney about the whole thing but it's really bothering me! Maybe I will just go super dark hair and get a tan. Most girls will be blondish for the summer...I like to stand out and be different. (which explains why I got highlights in the dead of winter. ha)


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    Quote Originally Posted by LoveSexMoney View Post
    No, I have caramel highlights from 3 1/2 months ago and beige blond highlights from 4 weeks ago. Like LR, from the ears up only. My next appointment is this friday...and I'm not sure if I should get more highlights or go soft black (I once had my hair done rich dark brown with soft black lowlights and I frickin LOVED it!!!) Ohhhhhh my stylist is going to kill me! haha
    OOh I so remember the thread about the black lowlights, you remember you posted about it here years back when you were considering it. I bet you look real purrty with the caramel though!

    See I was the same way I started off with a few blond/caramel highlights and then just wanted to add more... It becomes addictive. And then I went jet black for 6 months and lightened it again. I'm suprised my hair hasn't falllen out! I haven't touched my hair during this pregnancy but now summer/spring is coming i'm itching to do something, just haven't decided what.


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    Quote Originally Posted by LoveSexMoney View Post
    I know, I feel so whiney about the whole thing but it's really bothering me! Maybe I will just go super dark hair and get a tan. Most girls will be blondish for the summer...I like to stand out and be different. (which explains why I got highlights in the dead of winter. ha)
    Oh I so feel you. As soon as the beyonce look took off with WOC I stopped with the blond.

    You can never ever go wrong with beautiful dark hair and tanned skin. Oh sooo exotic. That will always be my fav look.


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    oooooohhhhhhhhhhhh you've convinced me now!!!


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    Default Re: Lighten Dark Hair

    Yeah, well like I said I know I should go to a salon. But I wanted to mess around with home colour and a strand or two of my hair first.

    For example, I know there's hi-lift colours supposedly can bring you up a shade or two, without bleaching so I was hoping for recommendation on that kind of thing, if it's possible. I really don't want to bleach at home and I'm wondering if I can lighten my natural colour a bit without it, but I guess not.

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