Dying hair a lighter colour at home?

[Fanfeckintastic]

I have naturally very dark hair but at the moment I have casting creme gloss in mahogany over lots of highlights. If I use colour b4 it will probably bring it back to it's almost highlighted colour though will more than likely be quite orangey.

I'd really love a way of doing my hair at home that's not just dark or red colours. Like a golden brown or something? Is this even possible to get right or do I need a hairdresser? I don't fancy doing lots of mixing or going to salon shops so I'd be ideally looking for a standard box dye. Does anyone do this?

[mjnh12]

I am watching this closely as have same problem.
Can anyone help?

[itsbetterthanabox]

You can use a dye that has pre lightner in it. These bleach and colour in one. Results could be orangey though hard to tell.
Another option is to bleach your hair with a low bleach solution and then use a colour over. Casting creme gloss would be good to use in a dark golden blonde or light brown.

[KissyBoo]

You just buy a prelightener - so something like Loreal super blonde. Do that process first to remove all traces of previous dyes then rinse and dry hair. It will be peach/easter chick coloured at this point but don't panic!
Go over it with a 5.3 permanent shade. 5.3 is chestnut brown.

When it comes to do your roots the permanent dye should lift it enough but if not buy Majirel with 30 vol cream peroxide (search on here how to DIY) and that will do the job.

[Fanfeckintastic]

Thanks everyone, I'm just out of the hairdressers I got ballyage done and it's actually really nice and natural looking. When she was looking through my hair though I could really see the amount of places I missed when doing it myself and my hair is insanely thick so I don't think I'll ever do it at home again!

This way is cheaper too as I don't have to worry about roots but still has a bit of the lighter colour to brighten me up.

[losthermind]

i am naturally dark , and have been able to lighten my hair to blonde at home.
i stripped my hair with a pre lightener, but i wrapped my head in cling film then kept blasting heat onto it over a period of 2 hours. i then put a clairol dark blonde on which comes out more of a light brown due to the hair being extra porous from stripping. i then just kept buying the lighter shades over a period over 3 months to gradually get my desired colour, that way there was no danger of my hair turning a horrible colour

[itsbetterthanabox]

Don't use permanent. It doesn't cover as thoroughly and you don't need it.
Don't put heat on bleach. You will trash your hair. Even if you don't burn it the first time it will significantly weaken hair so you are much more broken to breakage and split ends.
If you are bleaching or pre-lightening use a deep conditioner once a week after that contains protein. The tresseme keratin masque is a good cheap one.

[KissyBoo]

You do need to use permanent or you will get a green hue when a semi washes out.

Not that it's relevant now! Glad you are happy with the outcome from hairdressers.