To dye or highlight? The adventures of beng blonde

[RugbyWidow7]

One for the blonde ladies. I have been highlighting my hair forever, but at more than £100 a time, it's not an economical option. We're trying to save money at the moment so what I'm keen to know is, does dyed blonde hair look good? I've never dared to do it and don't know anyone who does. I'm a mid blonde with several colours in it. I'm scared of the roots, a brassy look etc. Am I missing a trick?

Does anyone dye and achieve a semi-natural look and if so what do you use, would you recommend dying over highhlighting? Thank you!

[Eliza22]

This is my dilemma at the moment, too. Marking place....here.

My own colour is quite ash blonde but the mixture of high/lowlights I have are costly and show roots after 6 - 8 weeks. So, I wondered, like you OP, if dying all of my hair, was possible. Then I think, I'd end up with having to dye it every 6 weeks and the condition would be awful.

One option would be to return to your natural colour all over but, at the front, have some highlights subtly scattered, like when a blonde's been in the sun. That way, you're still getting the lift of brightness around your face (that I miss) when it's just my own (flat) ash blonde.

Watching.....

[RugbyWidow7]

Totally agree with you about worrying about the condition, but really can't face going back to my natural drab dark blonde colour.

Hopefully somebody will enlighten us -

[TattyCatty]

I went from a half head of blonde highlights that I'd had for years to all over colour, but brunette rather than blonde. The condition of my hair has been fantastic, as no bleach involved, but the regrowth is just as much of an issue as it was with highlights. When I was blonde (my natural colour is dark blonde), I was getting dark roots, but sadly after a few years of being brunette, I am now getting grey roots!

I'm actually considering going lighter again now, with highlights at the front and working towards natural colour at the back. I figure that the grey will be less obvious coming through into the blonde.......

[RugbyWidow7]

Bump?

[TattyDevine]

I actually think if you do a "base colour" at the roots, you can do your highlights less often. I recently went from a level 6 brown (lightish brown) to full head of highlights. Knowing I'd get roots, when the roots came through, I used an 8.32 (light golden "irredescent" blonde) which is basically a light golden blonde with a shot of violet ash as a reflect to stop it looking yellow).

This blended it in nicely. I should be able to do this at least once or twice before needing highlights again, and then it will be a t-section. Then, in another 4 or 5 months I can have a half head.

So it can be done. And its is better for yer hair like

[TattyDevine]

Just for reference I am basically a mid honey blonde at the mo with a light golden brown base and about 30% grey.

[TattyDevine]

When I say blended it in, not only did it take the "dark root" feeling away but it blended away the greys

[Rockchick1984]

I use a box dye and achieve a natural l

[RugbyWidow7]

Which brand do you use tattydevine?

[Rockchick1984]

Ooops!

Natural looking colour. It helps that I'm naturally very pale, and look like I should be blonde

I make sure to use an ash blonde dye, and do it once a month so hardly any obvious regrowth. I use a chamomile shampoo and conditioner which keeps it looking fresh.

People are always surprised that I'm naturally a brunette

[RugbyWidow7]

Ooh interesting rock chick - do you use a particular brand? Is ash the blonde colour to use then? I'm not sure I have ash highlights...

[OTheHugeManatee]

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I've gotten good results with using Sun-In Super and only applying it to the top section of my hair.

Basically, you part your hair wherever you generally wear the parting, then pick up the top section of hair around the parting (the hair covering around an inch of scalp all round, iyswim). Then tie the rest back with an elastic, leaving the top section loose, and apply Sun-In to the loose hair. Then blow-dry it until you get bored you've lightened it a bit, then wash and condition like mad.

It probably wouldn't work if you had dark hair, but for my mousy blonde with a reddish tint it works a treat and looks nicely sunkissed.

[Rockchick1984]

Rugby I don't just stick to one brand! At the moment I'm using Nutrisse, but also like Feria and Preference. Generally blonde dye shades are either ash or golden - golden tends to be a bit more yellow and warm toned whereas ash is cooler and more silver toned. I find ash shades to look more natural, and my hair doesn't go that brassy hue once the colour isn't so fresh.

[TattyDevine]

I use Loreal Majirel 8.32 which is a professional dye. I have to mix it with 20 volume peroxide (6%) in a 1:1.5 ratio. Its the biz, much easier than a box dye to use.

[debbyharry]

I had highlights for ages but grew bored and they started looking too pale so decided to dye all over.
I used L'Oreal Preference in Florida 7.3 (honey blonde) and it's exactly what I wanted....natural darkish blonde and the highlights are still showing through but are muted. I will have a few more put back in in a few months but the upkeep is nothing compared to what it was.

[GladbagsGold]

I solved this by getting my hair cut SHORT and have gone to my natural colour. Its much nicer than I had remembered it. Am going grey gradually and naturally. Go on I dare you...

[RugbyWidow7]

Thanks Ladies. Tatty is that dye easily available - I.e. Boots? I spoke to my hairdresser about it and he thinks my hair would dye well (in salon) - don't suppose he'll recommend a box dye! I spent £120 yesterday in the salon and that was without the blow dry as I didn't have time before collecting ds. Seriously having a re-think! It does feel like a much bigger leap to box dyes though. - argh!

[imour]

i had highlights for years till eventually nearly all head was blonde , i used a home hightlighting kit , recently dyed it all over , £5 every 4 weeks to do the roots , nice and easy baby blonde is a great colour , it has multi tones so is not a block of colour and looks natural .

[Eliza22]

Imour....can you let us see? Your colour? I'm desperate for an alternative to the £££ of hairdresser highlights!

[imour]

hi sorry been looking for a pic that shows the colour to its advantage but they are all face on and i do not want my mug shot on here , if i zoom in and crop it doesnt show colour so well , have a look at nice and easy baby blonde and it goes exactly the colour on the box .

[Eliza22]

Thanks!