Dying dark brown hair lighter?

[Sallystyle]

I have dark brown hair with a hint of red in it.

I want to go lighter but don't want to go to the salon.

Is it possible to dye it lighter without having to bleach it first? If so, what shade should I go for?

If it's very dark brown, you'll probably need to pre-lighten it to get it more than a few shades lighter.

If you're only going for a few shades, then bear in mind you'll need to pick a blonde colour (say a dark blonde) to give it the lift you'll need. Don't pick the colour you're aiming for, it won't lighten your hair enough - this is what makes it a bit hit and miss if you're doing it yourself.

Don't forget to do a strand test first btw. What kind of condition is your hair in? Have you dyed it before?

If it's got red in it that makes it a bit harder if you don't want it to turn gingery or brassy.

eek in my experience you need to go to an experienced colourist

if you try to do it yourself it will turn out orange

trufact

oK. I think I will go to the salon at some point

I have been dying my hair red for years but it has all grown out now.

Thank you.

Eeek, see my thread I just started about hairdresser turning my hair ginger!

I actually paid to have the colour taken from dark to light and it still went horribly wrong

I would say don't attempt it yourself but I kind of wish I had now!

Don't go to a salon, they'll fook it up!

If you want to lighten it a couple of shades get the lightest blonde shade in clairol nice n easy. Ash based if you don't want and red/gingery tones. Golden if you want red/golden tones. I'm very anti-salon at the moment!!!

i just messed my hair up yesterday. i went from dark ash blonde with highlights and tried to go light ash blonde. it went an uneven colour with a green tint. i went to sallys to get advice and they said they couldn't give advice and to get a salon to do it. i wish id never messed with it, this is the first time ive tried to do blonde myself and there seems to be just too many things that can go wrong.

how light do you want to go?