What is the safest way for me to get back to my natural colour?
Hi,
I have had my hair highlighted light blonde for 13 years - except for going brunette a couple of times which didn't hold long and gave ginger/copper streaks which I didn't like.
About three months ago I had very small sections of highlights put through my hair to try and get rid of the 'block bleach' look which it did, although there are still a few warm coppery parts and quite sharp lines of regrowth as a result.
I would like to go back to my natural colour (a mousey dark blonde) as I've had enough of the regrowth and don't think the highlights suit my skin tone. What would be the safest/best way to do this?
I would never try DIY but as I've just moved I wanted to know in advance before visiting a new hair salon.
Many thanks,
Anon, UK
Dear Anon,
I suggest that in the 1st instance you carry out a consultation along with a strand test with a qualified professional in order to achieve the desired colour satisfactorily. Given the fact that you have had quite a bit of colour on your hair I’d suggest a semi-permanent colour, providing your hair being in good condition, although this would be a slow process.
However, this would be the best course of action. To start with I would go for a 6.3 dark gold blonde with 4% low ammonia which would suit your skin tone. As for the upkeep you have to go into the salon to have a re-growth touch-up every 6/8 weeks for a semi-permanent colour and use a colour saver shampoo and conditioner, which would seize the colour from fading.
I hope this will help you to make an informed decision,
Joseph Koniak, Artistic Director of Eleven Hair and Joseph Koniak, London
If you want to go back to your natural colour the best way to go about this is go have a consultation with a colour specialist who enjoys colour correction work. If I were to go about it I would assess how dark your natural colour is, then begin by applying a pre-colour to put pigment back into that which the bleach has removed. Then I would colour it with the desired shade.
You should be aware that the colour will fade rather quickly due to hair porosity so after a few washes you may need to have it re-coloured. Using shampoos and conditioners designed to prevent colour fade will be great to keep your shade looking good.
John Clark, Head of Colour at Brooks+Brooks, London