Dark brunette to blonde your stories please

[Milly90]

hi all looking for some experiences of going from dark brown/red tinge to blonde

I have an appointment following restrictions lifting and I am keen to "start the process"
I understand its a long process to get good results but what I want to know if
What was stage 1 like were you ridiculously orange? Im seeing horror stories online

Did it damage your hair badly
If you have medium brown natural hair how bad was regrowth?

How many sessions could I realistically expect to go from a dark brown to say a dark/honey blonde?

Thanks everyone

Did mine myself at home.
Stripped the colour with a kit.
Bleached it using bleach london products. I had to do it twice!
Used neat purple shampoo on it as a toner.
Wasn't hard in fairness

A lot depends on the hairdresser - have you had an in person consultation with them (pre-lockdown)? Some are more cautious, so want to do it over 3-5 sessions. Some have the philosophy that it all ends up being the same amount of bleach anyways and do it in 1-2 longer sessions.

For what it's worth, I was to cheap to pay for the multiple sessions to go blonde so did it with a box bleach/dye at home over two weeks. And I have dark brown hair naturally. It definitely went a bit orange at first, but a good toner and purple shampoo should make it okay for the awkward in-between time.

Opalex has also made a world of difference for me.

wow thanks for the responses. My hairdresser os a woman that I know and we have video chatted recently so she could see my roots (!) And pre lock down we socialised regularly so she knows what my hair is like

So interesting that you did it at home yourselves

I think my hairdresser is the cautious type she is saying this will take a few sessions but it could also be that she is trying to manage my expectations just incase we dont get the results in try 1 or 2.

Thanks for the replies

Just to manage your expectations - if she's said a few sessions, there's no way it'll be done in 1 or 2. As that's a much different approach. I'd plan on it taking 3 with a hair dresser

I started with balayage which I hated. Then added more highlights over 3 sessions. I’m super blonde now but the regrowth is a pain. I have to go every 8 weeks max and it takes 4 hours each time. My regrowth is insane now as it’s been so long so I’m rethinking and going for a mushroom blonde ombre.

Mine was done by Toni and guy and it was ruined. I went from past my shoulders to some parts chin length.

Is that because my hair just can't take it or because it may have been done wrong? I'd love to go back blonde or mushroom. Especially now the greys are starting to appear.

@nancybotwinbloom Was that in one session? Did they do a strand test first? (I haven't heard great things about T&G hair colourists, though)

Make sure your colourist is very knowledgeable. Mine started me with a half head of highlights, then re-touched them after 6 weeks and then 6 weeks later did a full head of highlights that were slightly blonder.

I'd never go back to a Toni & Guy salon. Two bad experiences and eye-wateringly expensive.

It was highlights, then more highlights a month later until I was more or less blonde.

No they did a patch test but no strand test.

Yes i think 3 sessions will be a realistic starting point with my hairdresser think she wants to do it very gradual and thats ok! Thanks for the responses i really love that mushroom shade!

@nancybotwinbloom Highlights should, in theory, be gentler than a full scalp bleach - so does sound like they just didn't know what they were doing.

Do your research on hair colourist - I've found that smaller, independents tend to be the best (but that may just be who's in my area). I'd expect them to do a strand test though, if your going significantly lighter - so they can see how your colour lifts.

I'd also want someone that uses Opalex. At least for me, that made a big difference. The hair colourist does no1&2 during the session, and get no3 for at home after. I'd probably also suggest using no3 for a couple nights before going in for a bleach session - just to give your hair the best chance of staying in good condition.

I’ve naturally very dark brown hair and I’ve been every shade of blonde over the years including platinum. Yes can and does ruin your hair for instance mine will now frizz in the rain where it wouldn’t have before.

Damage depends on what you are starting with/what type of hair you have. If your hair is fine and wispy you need to be cautious, same if your hair is curly. My own hair is pretty good at putting up with a lot of abuse and luckily has never snapped, but bleaching can make it dry, but is in pretty good condition despite years of highlights.

If your going to bleach your hair, do not wash it for a day or two before hand. This will help your hair maintain its strength and it will also take the colour/lighten better. Once it’s been bleached/highlighted/coloured leave it as long as you can before washing it next. Invest in some deep conditioning products Redkin Anti Snap is brilliant as well as their protein spray. Get a good heat defence spray too, if you blow dry/straighten or curl your hair heat defence spray is essential. Purple or silver shampoo is great for keeping your blonde from going brassy but do not use it all the time, it is quiet drying so use once every week or couple of weeks.

Being blonde is lots of work in terms of keeping up with roots. Highlights are easier to maintain as roots growing in are less noticeable. I’m terrible at getting my roots done, I definitely don’t go every 6-8 weeks like I should, my hairdresser is lucky if she sees me once every 3/4 months, she probably hates me . Speaking of which with highlights so say you get a full head done first time, next time you can just do half a head or even just a T-section and rotate so that your not always highlighting your whole head. It works out cheaper and is easier/quicker.

Turned orange and wirey. I wish i hadn't bothered. It now feels rough.