Hair colour help! (pic included)

[Inthemane]

I'm confused about what to do with my hair and hoping stylish MNers can offer some opinions.

Been unwell so only been dying the grey bit at the crown with light brown dye for the past 18 months as I thought that's what colour it was (after 10+years of dying it red). It turns out to be a sort of gingery light brown colour, more gingery after time spent in the sun. Had a fringe which has been pinned up - definitely needs a couple of inches trimmed off.

Trying to decide what to do with it. Skin is super pale, eyes gray. All online colour test thingys say ash browns and blondes will look good, but past hairdressers seem to try and 'warm' me up with coppery tones. Only been blonde once but it was a yellowish blonde and I looked like a bowl of custard.

I have a hankering for balayage but no idea if it would suit.
Anyone have any ideas?

Hairdressers are obsessed by warming up hair and taking weight out of it. I find them hellbent on both these things and nothing I say seems to dissuade them.

It is much harder dying hair to a cool tone so they tend to gravitate towards warming the hair up.

Your face shape would suit a much shorter style and a cooler tone would look better too. Something like this....

Agreed Stoat... why do they always want to warm things up even when you ask for something else! I had a mullet (not what I asked for) the last time I went, which is why I think it's got so long.

I really like both of those pics Iwanka (amazing username) - thanks. I think I'll take those photos in and go for a consultation with the emphasis on cool and see if I can get someone to listen!

My hair is a similar texture to yours, I have just discovered keratin treatment which your hairdresser can apply, makes hair lovely and shiny and lasted me around 8 weeks.

Balayage could be really nice and less maintenance.
Also Maybe just below the shoulders.
The possibilities are endless. You’ve great hair.

Thanks Sweep - I must try the keratin treatment as my hair has a tendency to want to frizz and anything that makes it smoother and shinier would be a bonus.

I love those colours Corcra, balayage seems like it would be less maintenance as the roots grow out. I don't think of myself as having great hair but maybe I just need the right hairdresser! Thanks so much for your help!

If it's you're natural colour on top where your fringe is pinned back I really like it. It's an interesting ash brown. Consider growing your natural colour out more otherwise stylists will focus on the red colour.

I agree a shorter shoulder length or just above style would really suit you.