How can I make my highlights less blonde?

[WonderLime]

I went to the hairdressers yesterday to have a half head of highlights. I did ask for it to be toned as a dark, warm blonde however it’s definitely more of a bright blonde. Especially in some lights some strands look platinum. And I have very dark hair naturally so it doesn’t look well blended.

I always have a trainee do my hair, and usually it’s fine as they are well supervised but this time I’ve come away and it’s not great. It’s too bright and I want to tone it down a bit.

It was far too much hassle going to the hairdressers as I have a 3 month LO, so I can’t really go back. Is there anything I can do to tone it down without messing it up completely?

You really should go back and ask them to fix it. They should do it for free, most salons offer free second appointments within a certain time frame to correct issues the client is not happy with.

It won't take anywhere near as long as highlights. They'll probably stick a toner or a semi-perm colour over the top. It should take about an hour.

If that's really not an option you could try using a true semi-permanent colour at home. It won't lift the dark bits it will only colour the highlights. Look for something you need to mix like a colour mousse or colour refreshing conditioning treatment.

Sorry, look for something you don't need to mix.

Anything you have to mix contains peroxide or ammonia which will slightly lighten your darker hair and might leave it looking a bit brassy. I also wouldn't risk using peroxide or anything harsh over bleached hair unless you are a trained professional.

Osmo and Revlon do colour enhancing conditioners and Boots probably sell colour mousse.

I personally would ask the hairdresser to fix it. Failing that leave it for a few months then dye it black as it grows out.

Unfortunately going back is not an option. It’s a 1 + 1/2he return trip, and I don’t have a babysitter. DP came with me yesterday and took DS into town, but he had a meltdown (DS, not DP) as he wouldn’t take the bottle! So definitely won’t be reattempting that again until he’s a bit older.

I will go for a little wander around Boots today and see what I can get. There is part of me that things ‘fuck it, I’m dying it violet’, but I have feeling that will be a disaster to sort out when it washes out!

There's something you can do, I did it before, but I just can't remember if it was purple shampoo or blue shampoo

Go to a pharmacy and ask, I'm sure they will know.

Purple and blue shampoos tone out yellow and orange respectively. That'll leave OP looking even brighter.

She needs to add tone, not take it away.

As for colouring violet with Crazy Colour or the like, it will fade quite evenly but as it gets to a lighter violet, the colour will work as a toner, eliminating any yellow in the highlights and will leave them looking white. Although, it's not that harsh on the hair, so you could just keep topping it up until the highlights grow out.

I recently used nirvel / makki colour mask in grey and it went quite a nice minky brown over yellower blonde bits. Did go very grey on the pale bits so might be risky. I think they have other colours, including violet

Rinse in stewed tea? I used to tone my white streak down (blond hair) by rinsing in stewed camomile tea. I think my mum used to tone down her greys with ordinary tea. You could easily try either. I just used to take the tea pot into the bathroom!