How to achieve the 'Ombre' look

Hair: Christel Lundqvist
Photography: John Rawson

Dear Hair Doctor,

My hair is bleached blonde all over and my natural colour is a medium ash blonde (level 8). I really want to go more natural but am scared of the hairdressers in my area messing it all up.

Anyway I really want the 'ombre' hair (dip dyed) as in this example so half of my head is my natural colour (at the roots, downwards) then gradually going lighter. What would you recommend and how would you do it?

Sara Priestley, UK

Hi Sara,

I would recommend that firstly you find a salon with a good reputation and then book in for a colour consultation with the colourist prior to booking the service. That way you can be sure that you understand the process and what is achievable on your hair.

A great idea would be to bring in a picture of the colour you desire and your colourist will be able to suggest tones to suit your skin tone and natural colouring.

The 'ombre' colour you desire, which is sometimes called root stretch or dip dye, is created by placing a dark colour on the roots which is then blended into a lighter hue through the mid lengths and ends. This is very on-trend and perfect for the summer months.

Christel Lundqvist, HOB Salons

Hi Sara,

Firstly, the ombre colour is very on-trend right now! It is a great, wearable look but definitely must be left in the hands of a confident colourist. If I was doing it, I would run ribbons of colours that are similar to your own or deeper through the roots and mid-lengths of your hair, making sure I left out the pre-lightened ends. I would do this all by eye and make it a very visual technique. Afterwards, I would gloss the ends with a soft cashmere beige blonde because if the contrast is too much it can look a little over done. The beauty is in the blend with this one!

John Clark, Brooks+Brooks Hairdressing

Hi Sara,

The 'ombre' look is right on-trend this summer, however there are several influencing factors when applying this technique to pre-lightened hair such as hair condition and porosity. It's important to establish exactly what target shade you want and for your colourist to decide if it is achievable. Bleached hair is more porous and prone to colour fade so a shampoo formulated to protect and condition bleached hair is essential. I recommend L'Oréal Shine Blonde shampoo and masque.

For the application I would gently backcomb the hair through the mid-lengths, and apply the darker shade on the roots and mid-lengths, really working it into the backcombed areas to prevent patchiness. Then, the lighter colour would go on the ends. It may be possible to leave the ends your existing colour.

Michelle Lawley, Royston Blythe

Hi Sara,

The dipped coloured hair is reference from the grunge era; this was achieved by growing the roots out to give this band down the mid lengths.  To achieve this on current light hair, the procedure would be to add your natural colour or a dark blonde/light brown in a way to create a band effect on the light blonde hair, a skill which is done in a freehand way. You would need a consultation first with a specialist technician and strand tests must be taken to show you the possible outcome.

Nelson Brown, Browns

Hi Sara,

You need to have a full consultation with your colourist as the process of darkening blonde hair is a process of two colouring treatments; firstly putting warmth back into the hair as the process of bleaching removes all of this and any colours put straight over this will have a green hue! Secondly the chosen colour is then applied. Both of these processes will leave out the ends to produce the dip dye effect. You need to check your hair is in a moderately good condition also so that the colour will take.

Clare Lodge, Paul Edmonds