Hair dying advice needed please

[Uranus]

Is anyone an expert on home dying?

Bit of background: Have had salon highlighted hair for a few years. It got really blonde (I'm naturally a light-mid brown), and a couple of months ago I thought it looked too brassy, so in a moment of madness I bought some colour in Boots and dyed it dark brown. (Was told I'd have to go dark otherwise would risk it going green!).

Have now realised going dark has been a mistake. Easy conclusion to come to, as everyone tells me it doesn't suit me!!

SO am thinking I might lighten it to a honey/caramel blonde or even just a mid brown colour. I'd like a colour that has some shimmer/dimension to it, not just a solid block.

Firstly:

1. Can this be done by home dying, or do I need a salon?
   
2. Any products you can recommend for the effect and colour change I want?
   
   I have spent all last night and this morning on the Loreal, Clairol and Garnier sites and I am confused as hell!!

[Hassled]

You can buy a home-highlighters kit (I can't remember who does it - Clairol?) which is a right faff and tbh by the time it was done I was wishing I'd gone to a salon.

This looks quite a useful site re the best way to do it. Maybe if I'd read this first all would have been OK .

If you have the money for a salon trip I would do that. Otherwise - it is do-able, but make sure you have no helpful DCs around and plenty of time.

[Jewelsandgems]

I would only go for a gloss colour, or a vegetable colour. Both are semi-perm I think. If you go with anything stronger, you could be stuck with a wierd colour (not even a ok brown)

If you put a gloss colour onto it, the actual colour may not look that different, but the little shiny particiles in your hair will show a lighter colour to the effect should appear a little bit lighter and brighter.

But I thnk the best decision for your hair is to just leave it til you have a good 6 inches regrowth, go to salon, have a good amount cut off, and then ask them what to do with regards to colours. They may just suggest a golden tint semi for now, and then you can build up to a colour you want again.

I know 6 inches sounds like a long time, but it is winter coming up, get a few vry cool winter hats n a bright colour (red looks great with dark brown) and next spring you will be ready!!

[lulumama]

i have home highlighted my dark brown hair with blonde highlights which was a bit of a disaster, as the hihglights were too thick and i had half blonde (top) and half brown ( underneath ) hair.. but it was okayish. used a kit from superdrug, cannot remember what it was claled, but they do a hot pink one too, which is still in my bathroom cabinet, wiating for me to pluck uo the courage!

get someone to help you if you do it yourslef

[Uranus]

Thanks Hassled. That is a good site. My DH will help me Lulumama, so I won't be doing it myself.

If I just buy a warm blonde shade of dye, do you think it will take on my dark hair?

[Uranus]

Sorry Jewels - that last question was meant for you. (re warm blonde semi tint)

[Jewelsandgems]

I think the best you can hope for may be orange (and it may not cover evenly)

[Uranus]

ORANGE!!!

I'd get fired if I went into work with Orange hair!!!

[Jewelsandgems]

Sorry the use of the word orange a bit flippant - more like a gingery-brown (with a slight orange hue)

[BBBee]

going from a dark dye to a lighter colour is quite hard as you are trying to lift the colour.

I would go to the hairdresser if you can afford it and then take it yourself from there.

[harleyd]

nothing will work unless you pre-lighten it. believe me, i have tried every colour and make under the sun, and still am left with very dark hair. im now thinking i will have to go to the hairdressers to get it done properly, im scared of home pre-lighteners

[Uranus]

Thanks for all your advice. It looks like a trip to the hairdressers it is then.
I don't have an issue with paying salon prices - I just can't find a decent hairdresser since moving towns last year. Hence the self dying my hair brown in a fit of pique after the hairdressers made it too bleachy blonde.