Can we have a hairdresser AMA?

[PrincessBuggerPants]

I'll start with my questions:

Which is a better choice for doing my hair dye tinted roots? Henna or box dye?

How bad an idea is it to give myself an undercut on a short, layered bob?

I would like to know how to trim my fringe.

Hairdresser here!
Never ever henna unless you want your hair coloured professionally again (well until it grows out). It reacts with salon hair colour and peroxide.

If you do go for a box. Depending on how thick your hair is you may need two. And if your covering white hair make sure its says that it does. Start with dividing your hair into 4 sections, begin applying at the front if covering white. Roots only first in the last 5 to ten of development time being down through the ends to refresh your colour. Doing this means your ends will not overly mean the colour and will help to avoid colour build up.

I dont recommend doing your own undercut aa often its not cut straight across but cut follow either the shape of your head or the shape of the cut. It can go wrong very very quickly. Even when some by professionals.

Fringe Trim - use a small pair of sharp scissors. I recommend watching YouTube videos but go for ones posted by a hairdresser or artistic team. Best to leave it on the longer side and use scissor.tips to point cut in as that easier to work with than a wonky blunt line. (Good luck)

Sorry dont know how to reply individually

Or where my paragraphs went. Sorry

Thanks @extremity1

Now I've watched some videos on fringe trimming, I have decided to let mine grow out. I'm not feeling brave and I don't want to make it worse. They make it look so easy!

Oooh I have a question pls! I have naturally dark blonde hair which I ombre'd with bleach blonde for a while but have been box dying it Mango Twist for a while now. I'm now fancying Ash Blonde ombre, or maybe silver...how would I do that? Is it possible?

I used to trim my own, full, fringe all the time. I used the twist and cut method, it was easy. Look on YouTube. My main advice (for any home hair cutting actually) would go for a tiny bit at a time. You can always cut a bit more off but you can't stick it back on!

Oooh I have a question pls! I have naturally dark blonde hair which I ombre'd with bleach blonde for a while but have been box dying it Mango Twist for a while now. I'm now fancying Ash Blonde ombre, or maybe silver...how would I do that? Is it possible?

You need to tone it using a purple/blue toner. Is the Mango Twist a permanent dye? If not, wash it out and then use a toner to get it more ashy.

I’ve somehow agreed to my DD10 dying the ends of her hair bright pink (then getting them trimmed when she goes back to school).
What’s the best dye to do it please, she’s got light brown hair?

You need to tone it using a purple/blue toner. Is the Mango Twist a permanent dye? If not, wash it out and then use a toner to get it more ashy

It's permanent. If I use the toner what's going to happen to the colour in the interim?

Creme - it sounds like a salon job to me. In order to get a clean tone it would have to be gentle cleansed. Definitely a no go at home. I have over 15 years experience and I would never ever attempt a job like that without being in salon. You could possibly tone it by as the colour is on warm side already you would only flatten it slightly.

@Cheerbear23 - I personally would not colour a child's hair under the age of 16. It can go horribly wrong. They tend to be more prone to reactions. All colour products from reputable brands will all say to patch test and not for under 16's.

Usually when colouring pink you would ideally need to prelighten (bleach) the hair to a very pale blonde before colouring. Pink's are notoriously difficult they tend to fade out very, very quickly and need to he reapplied weekly/biweekly. Which can get costly.

For a 10 year old I'd recommend using hair chalks or a gel colour you dont tend to need to patch test with these (check before application in case one is recommended) and they (usually) wash out in one go. They are super easy to apply and you just blowdry style them in. Fantastic in plaits.

OK my natiral colour was wild rodent . Highlights from 16. Am nearly 60 and following the delish family pattern of white at the front and still darkish at the back

For about five years I've disguised the grwys with blonde, ash brown and caramel highlights, more recently every 5/6 weeks. Ahem it needs doing and probably have about 1/2cm growth at present. Quite white at front.

Would the violet shampoo one can buy brighten it a bit? I've no intention of self colouring.

Any recomme dations of discreetly letting in a bit more grey - gracefully.

It's permanent. If I use the toner what's going to happen to the colour in the interim?

Probably nothing. If it's permanent you will have to bleach it again (eeeeeek!)

@OhTheRoses that's a hard one without seeing your hair. A violet based shampoo will definitely help to brighten up the colour and keep any yellow tones at bay. But, may over accentuate the white root area. It really depends on your white hair distribution. Another alternative or a use along side product would be a root touch up spray in a light blonde/blonde shade. You can get these anywhere that sell hair products. Simply shake and spray lightly over your parting and hairline, let it set a minute and gently brush in to blend. These will come out in one wash.

@extremity1 thank you. Is there a touch up spray you recommend. The pne I tried made my hair feel sticky and dirty. May have been L'Oreal?

Can I cut my own hair? I was meant to go at half term and it was too long then, but DD brought an infestation of nits home from school so I had to cancel.
I usually have mostly a one length cut to my shoulders, it’s about 3 inches longer. Is there a safe way DH can take some off without messing it up totally.
The weight of my hair irritates my bad neck, 3 more months and I’m going to cry!

If I wanted to cut my own hair, what a the best way to take an inch off shoulder length hair?

@OhTheRoses- I'd probably recommend the reccomend the loreal tbh it can last until you shampoo next. They all tend the feel a tad tacky to begin with. You may have been spraying too close or too thick. Spray about 8- 10 cm away. The key is then to use an old toothbrush or mascara wand to gently brush it in to your root area to blend.

Cutting your own hair- personally I wouldn't do it. I haven't had mine cut since January and didn't get a chance before we closed. I'm gonna wait.

If you do cut your hair you'll need decent scissors, sectioning clips and a comb. And someone else who's got a bit of confidence.

Make sure hair is freshly washed and conditioned. Never ever spray down. You wont get and even cut. Use sections no bigger than a inch. Make fingers and scissors are parallel with the floor. Again watch some YouTube video's from reputable sources.

A bad haircut looks worse than dry or split ends

Me too please! What would your advice be to someone with a full head of tape extensions in and no way of getting them out in lockdown? They've been in 6 weeks already

Thank you!

Thank you extremity. Think I'll just manage or risk the violet stuff. Does the effect fade if it highlights the silvers?

Oh can I ask a question too. I have mouse with grey hair that I have highlighted/sometimes a bit of bleach too, done in the salon. It was overdue being done before lockdown! Can you recommend what to use at home to hide the grey / lift the colour a bit? Many thanks x

I'm so tempted to do a Demi Moore in GI Jane. Nobody's going to see me for the best part of a month so if I ever want to know what I look like as a skinhead, now is the time!

Unfortunately I don't have Demi's face so this could go horribly, horribly wrong

I have a pixie cut, which is cut by my hairdresser every 5-6 weeks. Was due to be cut on Monday. I know not to cut it - I'm not that stupid. Anything I can do to make it look less like a helmet as it grows?