Using Majimèches to highlight hair

Hair: Paul Edmonds and Clare Lodge
Photography: Armin Weishet

Dear Hair Doctor,

I have my hair highlighted every seven weeks but the problem I have is that I have a lot of red in my hair. My hair is very long and the roots are a golden colour but a lot of the other hair looks dull and a sort of grey-green colour. I am thinking of having Majimèches next time as it is kinder to the hair. If I have the roots coloured plus some put all the way through, will that blend in? My natural hair colour is dark brown. I just don't want to end up with orange roots and dull ends.

Jenny Powell, Cambridge

Hi Jenny,

Firstly and most importantly, you need to ask for a gentle cleanse to remove the green hue. This can be due to chlorine or chemicals in your water (check this out so this does not happen again) or it can be from toners after highlights.

Majimèches is kinder to your hair but if you have dark brown hair, you will get up to five shades lighter. It may end up more golden at the roots and then ends will have to be colour matched to give an even highlight colour.

There is an ammonia-free lightener called Platinum by L'Oréal, which will get up to seven shades lighter for darker bases, whilst keeping optimum condition. Ask your colourist for advice for the final look you require and take in some visuals or ask for some if you’re unsure.

Hope that helps!

Clare Lodge, Paul Edmonds

Hi Jenny,

It sounds like we need to balance the lengths and ends of your hair to the roots. Majimèches is a fantastic product if you want a soft honey golden blonde tone to your highlights, but it’s not going to give the tone and warm qualities you want through the lengths. I would suggest talking with a colourist about having a gentle cleanse on the ends of the hair to remove the flat ‘green’ colour you are seeing and then afterwards adding warm tones to create an even, glossy blonde. I would use deposit-only demi-permanent colours to do this as they give fantastic shine and glorious lustre. Of course, it’s a great idea to use a colour care regime to keep your investment looking great; I recommend L’Oréal Vitamino Colour shampoo and conditioner.

John Clark, Brooks+Brooks

Hi Jenny,

It sounds to me like your hair is over processed on those ends. Your hair throughout the mid-length and ends is porous and there are many factors as to why they would eventually end up this colour.

You need to start using a clarifying shampoo, which will remove the dull impurities in your hair. In addition follow up with a hair colour mask to regain the moisture.

As for the colour I would advise as you said to use something gentler such as L’Oréal’s Majimèches or a high lift tint. This won’t give you a bright, clean blonde but more of a soft caramel. Also, may I suggest you start introducing some of the natural colour in your hair by adding soft lowlights? This will allow the condition to improve and a slight contrast of tone will help avoid further dullness.

Maria Brand, Cobella

Hi Jenny,

It sounds like you need a colour correction to remove all the different tones in your hair. I would strongly recommend that you don’t try to do this at home as it can be quite complicated to D.I.Y. My suggestion is that you have an in-salon cleansing service to remove the grey/green colour, leaving you with an even canvas to work on.  Following this, ask your colourist to assess the condition of your hair to determine whether you should opt for highlights with a semi-permanent colour or an all-over colour, which would even out the unwanted tones as well as adding richness and shine.

Christel Lundqvist, HOB Salons and Academy