Caramel/dark blonde highlights on brown hair?

[errormessage]

I have naturally dark brown hair that can go a bit reddish in the sun. I also have quite a few greys and regularly use a dark brown dye. I'm getting fed up and really like the idea of caramel or dark gold highlights but would this work, or will I end up with lots of orange streaks? Problem is. I really can't afford a professional colourist so it would have to be a DIY job. Can anyone please advise?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

No advice but tomorrow I'm taking the plunge and using some Superdrugs hughlights (the less blonde one) on my dyed but IRL mid brown with grey hair.



It might be fabulous
It might see me running for an overdye
It might be 50 minutes + pulling time that I'll never get back

[errormessage]

Ah, good luck! Would love to see how it turns out!

[NoStannisNo]

I think home highlights are actually quite difficult to do on dark hair. The bleach supplied often isn't strong enough to get really blonde first time, so you have to do it twice otherwise it is just orange. The problem with this is that unless you get the exact same bits again, which is quite hard to do, then you will just end up with more orange hair. You will then keep trying again and again until your whole hair is just orange (not the bitter voice of experience here, oh no!)

My experience with home ombre has been similar - I have had to do it twice to get the desired effect, but obviously with ombre its much easier to make sure you do the same bit twice.

I feel your pain though - I have tonnes of grey and really don't want to be forking out for professional colour all the time (hence all the DIY jobs!)

[Newbrummie]

I would never do highlights at home it's just asking for disaster

[GinUpGirl]

I wouldn't do at home highlights unless you are very well practiced - not just with home dye, but highlight technique.

I have just had my hair (very similar to yours) highlighted with a warm caramel using the balayage technique and it looks beautiful.

No way I could have done it myself.

[PuppyMonkey]

I had similar a few years ago at hairdresser and it's quite a faff to get the effect. Bleach first, wait for it to take, then dry off, then apply the actual shade, wait for that to take and make sure not to bright, dry off and style - all for the bargain price of £90.

Also, the first time you do it is one thing, it's trying to do the same thing again when your roots start showing that's the big one.