Perking up mousey blonde hair - can you recommend any decent 'OTC' products?

[workatemylife]

From its blonde beginnings, my hair has got darker over the years, and I was majorly tempted to buy something today to try to perk it up a little. But caution got the better of me, so I'm here asking for advice instead.

I've currently got wavy / curly slightly below the shoulder hair. The ends are still blonde, probably of the dark / caramel type, but the area from my chin upwards is looking disctinctly mousey, although still with hints of blonde rather than totally uniform.

I had a look at the John Frieda 'go blonder' range, and the Schwarzkopf lightening spray. I vaguely remember having a bottle of Sun-in in my 20s, and I see that still exists as well. The sprays were quite appealing as a way of targetting some strands, and the John Frieda range touts itself as gradual and gentle (I don't want to wake up in the morning and find that I've gone a bright yellow blonde!).

Have you used any of these (or similar) products and got any recommendations or practical advice? Or a means of saving me from myself!

[Eliza22]

Am watching as I have an appt on Thursday with my lovely hairdresser who's helped me grow out a very highlighted pixie last year to shoulder length (mostly mouse) now. Thing is, I LOVE the shine and health of my "virgin" hair but it feels kinda flat. (See below).

If I were you I'd go to a professional. I did my own, years ago and then spent a small fortune getting it put right.

[workatemylife]

Thanks for the reply Eliza. Your hair looks lovely! Mine is a bit more kinked and certainly doesn't have that shine. You might be right about getting professional advice. If I use a bleach-based product and it turns orange / causes breakage etc then it is a long road back. And a decent cut might actually make it look healthier, rather than reaching for the bottle.

[Eliza22]

Seconding the good cut breathing life into lacklustre hair. I found, when trying to get back to my own colour from full on highlights, that regular cuts helped remove the over blonde at the bottom and allowed "me" to come through.

Take pics to the hairdresser. Describing colour can be hard

[Eliza22]

Posted too soon....

I'm taking this with me on Thursday. Not a million miles away from "me" but just a "perking up", as you say.

[workatemylife]

Thanks for the advice. Hope all goes well on Thursday eliza - the pic looks nice. I've read some other folk online saying that the JF stuff can be drying apollonia, so perhaps that is something else to think about. That, and the fact that with two children around the place, my hair spends most of its time in a french plait! Of course perhaps with a better cut.....

[ELR]

I use sun in I'm 37 and have used it since I was 15, I get the one in the red bottle which is the strongest one. I would never want to be without it!