Long dark hair to blonde bob?

[ApplestheHare]

I've got naturally dark, curly hair that's grown to an horrendous length during the pandemic. It's grown to beneath my bra strap and I feel like I've got an animal pelt on my head. I can't wait to have it chopped! Over the past year I've had a lot of greys come through so I think I'll start dying it whatever happens, but would it be mad to go from long, dark hair to a blonde bob? I really fancy a change!

Following because I want to go lighter but don't know how realistic it is.

I was originally a medium to dark brown and when I started to get grey hairs in my 50’s gradually went lighter. In the last there years have gone to blonde by Milkshake hilift. I love it.
Mine has grown out of a chin length Bob over lockdown though as I got fed up of having to turn it under at the ends! It’s about collar bone length and just right.
Bear in mind though that your roots will need to be done every 6 weeks. I thought by my age, 64, the grey would be coming through more silver but no, it’s still mainly brown and shows up a lot ( especially in lockdown)

And this strength of hilift to get it to blonde takes 70 mins development so all in all it’s a very lengthy appointment.

I have dyed my hair for years, blonde through brown, through red and back to brown. At some point I was vaguely aware that I was starting to go grey but lockdown has shown me that I am in fact very very grey!

I have been dark brown for the last few tears but think I might start going towards more blonde in order to mix they grey in a bit better.

Go for a change. What’s the worst that can happen - you grow it out and dye it a new colour.

Fab, thank you so much for the responses. Part of me thinks just go for it, what's the worst that could happen? The other part thinks I'm too old to make frivolous decisions and should stay a serious brown...

I doubt you are as old as me! I didn’t think I’d have “ long” hair again at my age but I’m embracing it

Hilifted medium dark brown to blonde

Obviously I’m due for roots and trim, this is now and last appointment was beginning of December

I did exactly this. Took a couple of long, expensive appointments at the beginning. I've reverted back nowadays but kept the blonde for around six years and my hairdresser always did a good job.
A lot of upkeep though, not just the roots every six weeks, but also keeping the colour fresh in the last couple of weeks before the next appointment.

It’s really expensive if you do it properly. I’m the same - long dark hair, naturally curly. Took a 6 hour appointment to go blonde with follow ups.

I did like it (went ashy and have tried a more golden look, depends on if you’re warm or cool toned - see trinny if you’re unsure) but the regrowth stopped me maintaining it as the costs were just too high especially as like you I have greys.

Now I use John Frieda foam colour to cover greys on my natural colour and just invest in a really good cut every 4-6 months.

I would say definitely do the chop, it may be enough as a change. Then once you’re used to it (2-3 months) and if you still want a colour update go nuts.

I’ve done this over the last year, between lockdown gaps!

It’s been a slow process (I was box dyed brown) and I’ve had around 3 or 4 sessions of bleach full head highlights. I’m almost there. I’m a lightish blonde now, although it’s not fully ‘clean’ blonde yet.

My hair before deciding to go blonde starting was probably the longest I’d had it in a while & I had the intention of growing it longer. But with bleaching it isn’t kind to the hair so I’ve had a few really good trims along the way every time I’ve had it highlighted. I am toying with the idea of getting it cut to my shoulders but not quite sure yet.

Yes the other thing is roots, especially in lockdown and they do seem to come through quite quickly!

I have done this with a couple of hairdresser appointments but I maintain with box dyes only in shades in the 8 and 9 range. Plan was hairdresser every 6 months but what with lockdown I've done it on box dyes only.

I just do roots only for 20 mins, spread ro about half length for further 5 and rinse.
I am naturally mid brown & grey.

Hmmm, thanks for the tips and stories everyone. It's been so helpful reading through the replies. I'd totally forgotten about the maintenance aspect of dyed hair so I need to think that through. I really want to go for it!

Do it! I think lots of people want a massive change after being locked in for so long.

I have done this and it looks so much better; although the roots have been pretty horrendous at points as a result of lockdown 😂

I started with cut and balayage, then gradually added more blonde each time I went (every 6-8 weeks) because I liked it and wanted more... until before I knew it I was having full head of foils, but just having some highlights/balayage looked much better.

I’d gone blonde previously in one session many years ago and it took my hair years to recover and grow out, so was really nervous about damage this time round, but it hasn’t damaged it in a noticeable way this time round (no breakages, dryness or general Garth-vibe 😱)

I’ve always had a problem with keeping it cool toned as my natural hair is so dark, but Fudge clean blonde shampoo & conditioner was recently recommended on here, and it’s absolutely fabulous- definitely recommend this if you gfi! And you might as well, because if you don’t like it, you can dye it back

Following this. I've got long dark brown hair which is dyed even darker with box dyes. But I'm sick of the grey roots looking so stark against the dark hair and want to go lighter. I've asked a hairdresser who has said it will be a big job but I'm a bit clueless what this really means in terms of hours and money.

Also watching with interest. My consultation isn't until May, but I'm currently getting it prepped in case I do decide to go lighter, so using lots of high end/highly rated treatments and masks, plus no straightening.

I'm nervous though, as my hair is already quite dry with a bit of breakage from a previous balayage.

Hopefully my new hairdresser will be honest and say if she thinks my hair isn't healthy enough to take more bleach.

OP, if your hair isn't already damaged and you don't mind taking extra care of it post bleach, just go for it. As a pp said, the worst that will happen is you don't like it and you can fix that eventually.

Okay so I’m taking the final step. I’ve emailed my hairdresser and told her I want my hair blonder all over. She emailed me back and said yes she can do it but it won’t be full head highlights just an all over colour. But my roots have obviously come through which at a guess are probably like a warm 6/7, then I have the rest of my hair which is all over bleach highlights so I obviously have strands mixed in where there hasn’t been highlights which are still dark. Now I’m not a hairdresser so I’m not the professional but I would have thought I’d need bleach highlights to get my hair lighter blonde? Definitely at the roots and also at moment it’s still got a bit of a yellowy look especially through the lengths. I don’t want it white blonde though. I’m assuming she knows what colour to put on though I did send a pic so maybe it’s a high lift one!

Just have to be patient now!

TrashKitten10- I went lighter through sessions of full head highlights from box dyed dark brown. Took about 4 or 5 to get where I am now but every head is different. Slowly and use Olaplex, I believe that’s why my hair hasn’t broke off!