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Original poster

Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!

38 replies

Skinniesandconverse · 27/02/2019 17:17

Hello Smile

Basically I'm beyond bored of my long dark, now slightly greying hair and want a change, without being too drastic.

I've had my consultation and the test strip came out "a little bit warm" apparently, which basically means orangey Confused

The hairdresser said that toner would fix it, but a friend of mine had hers done a couple of years ago and it stayed quite orange. I'm not sure if they used toner or not and I would feel rude asking now, like your hair is what I don't want Grin

So has anyone had this and got the desired results?

Before and after pics very welcome!

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Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 27/02/2019 18:24

Anyone??

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Nothingunpleasant · 27/02/2019 18:27

It’s on its way out though, the trend has passed.

My hairdresser told me that copper was in! Maybe you should embrace your “warmness”?!

drogon1 · 27/02/2019 18:31

I dont think balyage has had it's day yet. It's still very popular and much better than the very out dip dye. Low maintenance too! Go for it but get it done somewhere with a good rep and yes ask for a toner! Any salon worth its salt would do one on bleached dark hair as standard.

Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 27/02/2019 18:40

Tbh I'm not that bothered about being on trend. I just want to look good! Grin

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Marypoppinssidekick · 27/02/2019 20:05

I have this currently on my dark hair, and I hate it, it’s too warm and I have people commenting on it being orange. I’m going to the hairdressers in Friday, normally I have my hair one shade away from black, but it’s getting to be too harsh for my age and colouring now (I’m quite pale.

I love dark hair, I think is beautiful so I’m going to ask for a chocolate brown colour and hopefully I like that.

Graffitiqueen · 27/02/2019 20:07

I have just had a warm balyage done on my hair and I love it. It is quite coppery but that’s what I wanted.

The hairdresser said I could go a bit blonder next time.

HermioneWeasley · 27/02/2019 20:08

I have light brown hair and ash silver balayage. I keep it ashy with purple shampoo.

Lauren83 · 27/02/2019 20:09

I have tried it 3 times over the past 10 years and every time died it back dark as it was too red/auburn

Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 28/02/2019 07:46

Oh, this is not what I wanted to hear. My hairdresser assured me that she could tone the orange out, but the more research I'm doing, the more I'm hearing that this isn't the case.

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bubblegumbottles · 28/02/2019 07:59

I've had it done regularly for about 2 years now, never comes out orange and my hair is very, very dark. Any colourist who knows what they're doing will use the right products, just be prepared to pay for the good stuff

YahBasic · 28/02/2019 08:02

I’ve had it for years now, different colours and shades.

It’s currently a caramel-brown sugar colour but has been ash blonde before.

I get it refreshed about once a year

Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 28/02/2019 08:16

Ok, slightly more reassuring. It does seem strange that it works for some and not for others.

Eventually, I'd love to go rose gold, but I'm not sure you can get away with that after your twenties

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Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 28/02/2019 10:00

Another question-

I actually had a previous consultation, but decided not to go with her in the end, as she seemed very bossy and said she was going to give me a completely new look, which I said I didn't want. Anyway, she had initially booked me in for 6 hours!! Whereas this hairdresser said it should only take a couple of hours Hmm

Is this a bad sign? Isn't that going to be a rushed job? I much preferred this hairdresser, as she seemed to listen more and was very well informed, whereas the last hairdresser was very overpowering.

Thoughts?

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YahBasic · 28/02/2019 11:24

I had mine rose gold for a couple of years - very difficult to maintain though. It would often fade to a weird colour so was regularly back getting it toned.

I’d say two hours sounds quite short - last time it took 5.5 hours for mine plus a cut & blow dry.

YogaWannabe · 28/02/2019 11:30

I’m naturally very dark and it was beginning to age me and wash me out. I started off with balayage and yeah the first one or two goes it was quite warm and subtle but still really nice, then I started getting it done more and higher up so it was totally blonde and now I get babylights to break it up and hide the random few first greys that are appearing!
I’ll have a look for some pics and PM you the transition if you’d like.

I highly recommend and I couldn’t care less about on trend I just like something that complements me and isn’t extraordinarily high maintenance

YogaWannabe · 28/02/2019 11:30

My hair always took 4++ hours

YogaWannabe · 28/02/2019 11:32

You can tone at home too with the likes of Jerome Russell and it will look like you’ve just had your hair colored.
Same with silver shampoo.

Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 28/02/2019 11:38

Yah, yes, that's what I'm concerned about. I think it's a gorgeous colour and I don't mind a bit of maintenance, but perhaps not this much.

Hmm I'm a bit concerned about the time she's quoted now. I'm supposed to have an all over colour and cut too!

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Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 28/02/2019 11:40

Yoga, oooo yes please! That's be great Smile

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StepMuggins · 28/02/2019 11:48

I have very dark hair, with real orange undertones and suprisingly the blonde takes quite well. I think the first time it was a bit orangey but they knew they could get away with lashing of violet toner without turning my head purple basically. It’s actually lasted quite well, considering I don’t take great care of my hair. I haven’t had it done for over a year and i use the cheap touch of silver shampoo, but very sporadically!

Mine takes 5 hours easily!

Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!
gothicsprout · 28/02/2019 12:04

I had balayage done for the first time a few months ago, specifically asking for a more subtle effect with copper/reddish tones rather than blonde as I’m naturally quite dark brown with some red lights. Not pictures of me but here are some I showed her for an idea.

My hairdresser recommends getting a half head the first time, and did say if I wanted a full head next time it would end up more blonde by default. Took about 3.5hours for my colour plus toner plus cut/blow dry? Previously uncoloured hair.

Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!
Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!
Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!
Original poster
Skinniesandconverse · 28/02/2019 12:33

Muggins, that looks nice. Your natural hair colour looks similar to mine.

Gothic, I'd be happy with that. More coppery than red. I think red against dark can look a bit harsh, personally

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endofacentury · 28/02/2019 12:43

This is mine, been having nearly 2 years now, was very dark nearly black to start with but now I have worked up to a lighter brown root and the ends have gone quite blonde but I'm happy with it

Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!
mummabubs · 28/02/2019 13:00

I have naturally quite dark brown hair and have dyed it regularly due to grey hairs starting at 17... I've spent the last six months having balayage done. My hairdresser was very honest in that it would probably go "warm" the first few times due to the dye on my hair having already been warm. I've had it 3 times now, every time it's lifted and gone more blonde and it does take 4 hours (but I have thick hair so it does take a while!) I'd say it depends whether you'd be happy to have it done a few times to get the end result you want? Also second using purple shampoo to keep it as "cool" toned as possible. 😊

mummabubs · 28/02/2019 13:06

Here was my pic after the first time in case you wanted to see 😊 (you know your hair was dire when the salon wants to use you as their "before and after" post on Facebook) 😂😂

My hair was darker than the before pic suggests btw.

Balayage on darker hair. Experiences please!