Gone is the Blonde! any tips for embracing the dark side?

[AdelaideJo]

After pretty much 2 decades of being on the highlights wagon (half head, full head, regrowth misery, dry ends etc etc etc and endless money pit) I have today had a choc brown tint on my long hair and I love it!

Just wondered if any of you ladies have taken this step and wether or not you had to change much in the way of make up or clothing colours.......also, wether you felt like "you" and did you stick with the dark shade for long?

[wingandprayer]

Congratulations! I've done this before and was very dark brown for about 4 years. Regressed with blonde highlights again now but with good dollop of low lights

I would definitely get thee to a department store and get your makeup reassessed. I ended up using completely different blusher and less dark eye makeup. Would also have a wardrobe appraisal. Some clothes just won't work and some whole new colour options might now be possible. Perhaps go somewhere they do the free personal shopper service?

[deaddei]

I am a naturally dark brunette, but for years had highlights, lowlights, all overs- you nameit.
Am now my natural colour with a little help from Aveda colour, and love it. I am pale skinned and dark eyed, and am into berry colour lips at the moment.
Definitely second going to a make up counter (Bobbi Brown is my fave) and llok at clothes too,,

[mangobanjo]

Been on the brunette bandwagon for 3 months now and am loving it. I just had my first top up of colour at the hairdressers. I love my new colour it suits my personality better - not everyone else does so its important that you like it in order to carry it off (thats what my hairdresser said). I am pale with blue eyes and now wear navy, greens and jade and berry colours. I went into mac and asked them to recommend a new lipstick and they gave me a plummy one which makes my eyes pop. I think it takes a bit of experimentation to sort out your new look but it can be fun/

[Bingtata]

That is interesting mangobanjo, I'm pale with blue eyes and have always dyed my hai blonde but am now thinking of going darker - I love plummy berry colours so you are inspiring me!

[AdelaideJo]

Cool...... I am liking it very much....I live in an area which is very much "land of the Blonde" (except its not Scandinavia ha ha ha) and I got so sick of it being a great look for about a week and then looking Bet Lynch-brassy with not-subtle regrowth about 2 weeks later. Plus the time in the salon drove me INSANE; hours and hours sat in foils.

(hope this rant doesn't preceed a reversal in a weeks' time when people tell me how awful I look - I know my parents are going to flip their lid!).

[mangobanjo]

adelaidejo that is exactly why i changed too. Every time i went on the school run or to an indoor play center i noticed so many women with shoulder length highlighted hair and although they all looked great i decided that i was bored with that look. I ruminated over this for about a year before i took the plunge and in doing so was pretty sure about it. I must admit i had a lump in my throat when i was waiting for the result and it was a shock at first but i love it now and would never go back.

[kittya]

I went dark brown four months ago and shouldve done it years ago.

I have green eyes and mid/pink toned skin. I went to Mac and got a full make over. They do a powder blush which is practically orange and it looks amazing on. I also bought two different green eyeshadows. I have to say, its the best way to go about it. Dont spend money on loads of cheap bits, buy a couple of good pices and then go to Rimmel to top up!!

Im so happy that I can now dye my own hair. Its so much cheaper and looks just as good as the salon.

I might add that I got afew good inches taken off at the same time, its now chin length and that also made a huge difference.

[ruthie76]

I had a semi-permanent colour yesterday

Went from grown out highlights - naturally dark golden blonde - to a copper red!

Still trying to get used to it.

Hubby hates it
Son is strangely impressed that mummys hair colour can change.
Mum & Dad hate it but are glad it will fade and I can go back to my "natural" highlighted state.

[HouseOfBamboo]

I reckon if you're naturally dark brown (or anything approaching it) then it's best to stick with it.

Much easier, cheaper, and more flattering. You can stick with make up and clothes colours that suit your natural skin tone, which also requires far less effort and thought.

[AdelaideJo]

Hmmmmmm I've got up this morning and I'm having really cold feet .

Not sure if this is because I've got out of bed, no make up on, into bright sunlight and I look like a washed-out ghoul!!!!

Is this a normal reaction?

/rushes to get showered and made up before looking in any more mirrors/

[HouseOfBamboo]

Don't take any notice of first thing in the morning mirrors, they are evil

What's your natural hair colour?

[AdelaideJo]

hahahhaha i'm ready to face the day now but I still don't like it much.

As a child I was yellow-blonde. In adulthood, my hair turned that special shade of London Tube train 'mouse' colour (seriously!).

This is waaaaay dark; and didn't take so well at the roots which are a bit coppery. I now look, with my paper-white, freckly face, like a ginger lady who has dyed her hair black.

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!

[colditz]

you will need all new makeup, except maybe your foundation.

if you change your hair more than 2 shades, you change the way it interacts with your face (IMO) and you will need new eyeshadows (stronger colours) and new lipsticks (warmer colours) and possibly a bronzer if you don't already use one.

[colditz]

I would suggest you buy a bronzer, a good blusher, some dark brown mascara, a warm rusty lipstick, and some warm goldy green eyeshadows.

Don't try to choose all these yourself, take a very honest friend with you or ask the boots/make up counter staff for help.

be prepared to spend about £40

[HouseOfBamboo]

It does sound as if you may have gone slightly too dark if your hair is naturally quite a bit lighter.

You can lift out a lot of the colour at home using a product like Colour B4 (I think it's called) - they sell it in Boots if you have access to that.

But probably worth sticking to for a while at least to see if you get used to it, and if different make up etc helps.

[AdelaideJo]

Thanks. I think it is slightly too dark to pull off as I have literally not a bit of colour in my face.

i only tend to wear mascara, foundation and blush anyhow and fortunately the Lancome Teint Miracle is helping out a bit. I only ever wear blackest of black mascara. I do like make up but look really odd in eyeshadow!

I'm going to give it a wash tonight anyway because I don't like the scent of the salon's shampoo plus have been given a really flicky 80's style blow dry.

God, what a moaner; I was all buzzed about it yesterday as well.

[AdelaideJo]

Incidentally Ruthie76 had a radical change yesterday by the sounds of it; would love to hear what she thinks this morning!

[TracyK]

When you go dark on top of years of highlights - does the dark fade really quickly?

I've been tempted for ages but reckon 25 years of highlights will have made my hair really porous.

[kittya]

Please persevere with it. It sounds like you have gone a similar colour to me and it will go abit lighter once you wash it. Go to MAC, as I said earlier. An orangey blusher with their mid bronzer dusted lightly over the face. The person on the counter will do it for you if you explain what you have done.

It will turn out fine!!

[ruthie76]

I am a bit shocked this morning to see it in cold light of day.

Think it is a tad too red for me but also am thinking it is just so different from highlights that it will take a while to get used to.

As my hubby said - oh I forgot your hair was that colour on waking up yesterday morning!

I think I will perserve and maybe try a more brunette colour next time.

p.s. If it is a semi permanent colour I used to find that a VO5 hot oil treatment would lift the colour out!

[AdelaideJo]

Thanks for all these replies! ruthie today I feel a little better; I'm noticing that if I'm under fluoro strip lights I want to scream with regret but in a soft light I love it! Its super dark though....

kittya I am definately hearing you; have bought Mac before so will look for a blush. Today I'm wearing a pinkish Nars multiple which is ok but not doing much else; I want to emphasise eyes without shadow.

Today on the train I kept my hat on! Its amazing what years of blondeness does to you.

[AdelaideJo]

Thanks for all these replies! ruthie today I feel a little better; I'm noticing that if I'm under fluoro strip lights I want to scream with regret but in a soft light I love it! Its super dark though....

kittya I am definately hearing you; have bought Mac before so will look for a blush. Today I'm wearing a pinkish Nars multiple which is ok but not doing much else; I want to emphasise eyes without shadow.

Today on the train I kept my hat on! Its amazing what years of blondeness does to you.

[GeorginaWorsley]

I did it last year after a few years of highlighting/lowlighting.
Am naturally mid to dark brown with brown eyes.
I noticed evwry thirty/forty something woman was a highlighted blonde so decided to revert to my brunette roots!

[kittya]

I saw some pictures of me today with long blonde hair. I did not recognise myself but I still prefer my new look!!

Its rubbish that blondes have more fun!