Highlights, toners etc

[GingerAle1]

Always a popular subject...hair colour again!

I am of Indian origin and have a total monocolour. It's not the darkest black but I'd like to add some interest to it.

I had highlights a few times about 25 years ago. It was 2 hours max at the hairdresser, no faffing, some dark brown with a hint of gold.

Couldn't afford to keep it up though I did really like it.

Now much older, going grey a bit so looking to dye anyway.

Went to a few hairdressers and now being told "it's very difficult to colour Indian hair, it's colour resistant, it will need a toner, you will be here at least three hours".

Is this one of those things where they've added in lots of unnecessary steps? It was so straightforward when I did it in the past. I saw a post on here from a lady of Chinese origin whose hair had been dyed blonde. It can't be that hard?

They aren't saying "no" but three hours in the chair makes me groan. Two was bad enough.

I know MN hates box colour but root touch up is the logical step for the grey. Is it worth trying a colour kit with bleach though, see if I can lighten my hair a bit?

Also, one of the hairdressers said the toner costs extra but she has to do it - to be fair, she is the cheapest and nearest, so she's just telling me more than the others did?

It might be they think I'll be in tears if it's not an exact colour match to what I request, but I'm not that type of client. I just want to liven up the sheet of black. In winter especially I find it really makes me look older and tired.

any advice? Thanks.

I can’t comment on Indian hair specifically as I am white, but I have a balayage on my naturally dark brown hair and I can confirm it does take 3 hours. It takes my stylist about 45 minutes to apply the bleach, foils and root colour in between the foils, that then sits for 45 minutes before being rinsed out. Then my toner goes on for another half an hour, so by the time my hair has also been cut and blow dried it’s three hours.
Bleaching dark hair can turn it orangey which is why they’ll be recommending toner but if you’re against having a toner maybe you could ask them to do a strand test to see how it lifts with just the bleach?
I don’t have a toner at each hair appointment but if I do, I get charged an extra £12 so check the breakdown of the prices.

Thanks Strawberry, that's useful to know

have you got long hair? 45 mins to apply seems quite long, my hairdresser was quite quick in the past.

So you don't always have a toner? That's interesting in itself. I was told toner would be £28.

I'm not against it, I just think it can be done quicker so why don't they do that.

Strand test with bleach is a good idea, they should do an allergy test anyway, so perhaps I can ask for that at the same time.

i could maybe have a T section and it won't take as long?

Hi. I’m Asian with natural dark brown hair which is going grey. I’ve been having balayage type highlights for a couple of years now with a view to gradually go lighter overall so the transition to going grey will be easier.

When I had the full works (root touch up and foils with bleach) it would take up to 4 hours. It takes time to section the hair and weave superfine highlights, paint the bleach on and wrap in foil (yes you will need foils as it helps the bleach lift better). The. If you are having your roots touched up that takes a further 20 mins+. I don’t know the technicalities but I believe it’s better the bleach is left on longer but at lower concentration to minimise damage to the hair).

So about another 45 minutes to develop, wash, toner, cut, blow dry and style. You will probably need toner otherwise the highlights will look orange and then need to use a blue or purple toned shampoo at home occasionally to maintain.

I’ve now decided to stop the root touch up and embrace the grey so at my appointment last week she added more highlights underneath (not T section) but used a very ashy, smoky toner so it will all blend in as the grey grows without a harsh regrowth stripe.

I do think some Asian women can easily fall into the trap of colouring their hair very dark brown/black as it goes grey and it can look very ‘blocky’ and harsh. Please don’t bleach your hair at home - find a hairdresser that understands Asian hair and go for a consultation/strand test.

Thank you Moo
My hair already is a block colour though, so if I opt for box dye to cover grey it will be the same.

Maybe my hair will take it to it quicker but they also maybe used harsher bleach 25 years ago so that might account for the longer time now.

the highlights didn't look orange before though. People seem concerned about brassy tone, why is that? Brassy tone would still be a nice change.

I won't be asking for a cut so that saves some time I guess. I don't have much grey but feel conscious of the ones around my face.

Ooh
found this
tempted...

maybe a home hairdresser would apply it?

https://www.garnier.co.uk/our-brands/hair-colour/olia/highlights-for-brunettes