Dying over highlighted hair? Looking for advice =)

[Gabes_mommy]

Hi everyone,
I used to highlight my light brown hair with blonde highlights, but the last time I had it done my stylist had raised her prices by like 40% with no warning so I decided it was just too expensive. Now my hair is all grown out in the front and on top, but the length is still blonde. I decided I actually really like my natural color and I want to just keep it light brown.

Can I safely dye my hair myself? If so, what is the best way to determine which color will best match my natural color? Will the color ever fade out and let the blonde show through again? What brands are the best?

I haven't dyed my hair myself since I was 13 when I dyed it bright crayon red, so understandably I am nervous.

Thanks!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I'd say just go look at the boxes and find the color closest to your own natural color. Dying your own is easy... and as far as the blonde, it should be gone once you dye over it....

 

[HelenePA]

I'd find a shade that is closest to your darkest hair. That should make the blonde semi even with the other stuff. Just get permanent color not semi and it should not wash out.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I dyed my own hair all the time when I was a teenager... well until some of it turned green. I had blonde highlights in my dark brown hair and when I went to dye over it with a brown color the blonde ended up greeen

I went to a salon to have it corrected and the stylist (my good friends older sister) explained that some dyes have a green or red base and if you dye over one base with the other you can often end up with green or reddish hair. She talked about it like it happens all the time, some stylists even make the same mistake when someone comes in that isn't a regular and they misdiagnose the original color. Of course this was probably 12-14 years ago so I'm not sure how much has changed since then.

Could you go to the salon to get it dyed back to a color very close to your natural color just once and then do the upkeep on your own?

 

[KimR]

Even permanent color can sometimes fade. It will help if you use a sulfate-free shampoo and wash with warm (not hot) water.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I dyed my own hair all the time when I was a teenager... well until some of it turned green. I had blonde highlights in my dark brown hair and when I went to dye over it with a brown color the blonde ended up greeen

I went to a salon to have it corrected and the stylist (my good friends older sister) explained that some dyes have a green or red base and if you dye over one base with the other you can often end up with green or reddish hair. She talked about it like it happens all the time, some stylists even make the same mistake when someone comes in that isn't a regular and they misdiagnose the original color. Of course this was probably 12-14 years ago so I'm not sure how much has changed since then.

Could you go to the salon to get it dyed back to a color very close to your natural color just once and then do the upkeep on your own?

Eek! I've been trying to avoid a trip to the salon to save money but I may have to bite the bullet and do it.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Has anyone tried this recently?

Any brand recommendations?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That is exactly what I did about 3yrs ago. I still have not dyed/highlighted my hair.

Pick a shade as a pp said that matches the darkest part of your hair. Box job will lighten up.

It is so nice to just go and get nice haircut.

I am not gray yet at 44, so that makes a difference. Plus I have the added bonus of rubbing my hair into my siblings face. They are all gray and I am the oldest. Makes for a nice trade off.

 

[Buckalew11]

Do not try to use permanent color. Use a semi or demi.

How blonde is your blonde? How much is on your ends? (") How heavily were you highlighted?

Most likely, this will not be hard to do. Just do not use permanent hair color.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Here's a picture off my hair right after I had it highlighted:

And a picture from last week. My hair is in a ponytail so all you see in this picture is my natural color:

 

[Buckalew11]

So basically you just have golden blonde highlights on your ends. About how many inches?

 

[Gabes_mommy]

So basically you just have golden blonde highlights on your ends. About how many inches?

My hair is shoulder length now and it is the last 9-10 inches, so quite a bit of hair. I look downright skunky when I wear it down. DH even agreed that I need to dye it and he usually never comments on my hair.

 

[Buckalew11]

If it were me, I'd use a semi permanent color and do a color close to your natural color. Your blonde doesn't look bleached out enough to be filled first which can cause the newly colored hair to look muddied. If it is really bleached out and light you may want to put a little red color into it first and then apply a dark blonde light brown color.

What you will be doing is sort of like toning this blonde down and you are trying to match your natural color. if you apply permanent color to your hair to fix this, you will have to color again and again because you will have regrowth and a definite line of demarkation.

So, if it were me, I'd apply the product evenly to the ends only and watch it very closely. It should "grab" the color but you will need to leave it on long enough to take the color. Better light than dark, better to need to reapply than not. Then you can reapply the color, if needed again, as it fades off. It will most likely be darker in the beginning and lighten as you wash.
Again, do not go to dark and do not apply an ash color. Keep to the golden undertones. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Thanks for the great advice. I am going to give it a try this weekend.

 

[ohiomom28]

The past few years I have had my hair darker and about once a year I put highlights in it. The last time I had it dark again I had it professionally done so the blonde was covered. She used a red tone and while it wasn't close to my natural I liked it. It faded and slowly you could see the blonde highlights some. I have colored it myself at home since and can still see where the blonde was. It looks natural though. Just be careful...I have turned my hair orange and green. It can be tricky sometimes.

 

[mickilee]

Dont use anything with ash written on the box. It will turn your blonde ones red or orange.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I've been using a shampoo in color for highlights. It has 10% peroxide so it isn't harsh. I haven't highlighted my hair in a handful of months. I might look for the shampoo in color in a darker shade for Fall. Haven't decided.

I like it because it isn't a real big commitment, and it's easy on my hair.

I hope CathrynRose sees your thread. She told me about the shampoo. It was made by Big Sexy Hair, but it's a discontinued line now. I stocked up before it was all gone. I think the shampoo was $8-9 dollars a bottle. There are other brands that do the same thing. Anyway, she told me a trick about shampooing the hair, putting a plastic bag over it for 1/2 an hour, and then rinsing. I do it maybe once every 2 weeks. I use it as a shampoo a few times a week too. (I do condition well.)

I love it. It does the trick for me!

 

[binny]

Dont use anything with ash written on the box. It will turn your blonde ones red or orange.

Doesnt that depend on what base it is to begin with?
I cant use golden hues with mine because I go RED.

I like the 100% colour line myself, I only go a bit lighter than my regular colour though so you cant really see a line.

Buckalew Im curious as to why no permanent colour?