How quickly can I go lighter from dark brown?

[Elephantina]

I had balayage done for the first time a week ago, and I love it (before and after attached).

I do want to go gradually lighter and lighter with it though, I have a lot of grey through the front now. I know I can't do it overnight from my natural colour, the colourist said it would take time and I'm happy to do it in a kind of ombre manner - but when I asked if I could book in for a subsequent appointment to lift it a bit more in a few weeks, she sort of shrugged and said, you can if you want to!

I took that to mean I shouldn't, if you see what I mean? What would be the normal process, can I not go once every 6 weeks to keep lifting it or is it more complicated than that? I have purple shampoo etc at home for toning, but I wouldn't try anything else myself...

I think everyone's different. I went from mid brown to platinum/silver in one go. Mine's short tho. Not sure if that makes any difference.

Your hair was exactly the same colour and length as mine and your new colour is exactly what I want! I'm booked in next week, so hopefully I'll have a similar outcome🤞

One thing I did hear though, was that purple shampoo won't really work as a toner long term. Eventually you'll need to get it properly re toned.

Did you have an all over darker colour at the roots then, to cover the greys? This is what I'm having. Well, basically my natural colour.

How light do you want to go? I suppose if you're putting bleach on your hair every few weeks for a while, it's going to take it's toll on the condition of your hair.

Also, maybe your hairdresser just thinks it looks nice as it is, so maybe doesn't get why you'd want to go lighter. Obviously it's completely your decision though

Love your hair Elph! It's beautiful!
Maybe the hairdresser thought it would be extravagant to get it done so soon? Or maybe you should live with it a bit, then get lighter as we go into spring/summer?

Hi Skinnies, I saw your post and went to put my before and after up for you, but didn't have it on my iPad. Glad you've seen it now!

No, I had no other colour at all, only the lift/tone treatment on the lengths. I am worried about the condition of course, my hair is pouffy and porous so over-treatment would weaken it for sure - I just wanted to make my greys a bit lower maintenance, by going lighter and higher until a few strategic "highlights" would disguise them. At the moment the bayalage isn't high enough to do the job, so me badger stripes are still in situ!

I have quite pale, cool skin and hazel eyes, and I had it much lighter about 18 years ago - I'd forgotten how much I liked it lighter, the hairdresser thought I could pull it off with my colouring. I'm sure she was being cautious though, it's very sensible. The last thing I want is to burn my barnet off.

Oh, and thank you Trending!