Advice Plz- Lightening Dark Brown/Black Hair

London_Girl

I would just like some advise, incase any of the ladies (or gents) on here has tried this at home.
It costing a small fortune these days to have it done in the salon. So I would like to have a go myself at home.

My hair has been over dyed over the years, and it's now a dark brown to blackish with mahogany tints. How can I change this, so that I can get rid of the very dark colour..I would very much like to lighten it drastically and change the colour to a more auburny brown to a light reddish brown shade, to match my natural olive skine tone. Ive seen hair lightners out there to pre-lighten hair...is it any good? has anyone any bad experience using it??

Any tips and advice would be DEEPLY appreciated, I am sooo hating the present colour. Oh yes..hair texture is medium, long and in average condition, I don't use stylers or hair dryers and it's not damaged.

Thank you xx

pirateyqueen

OK, normal disclaimer, salon is always best. Saying that, if you DO want to try this at home first then I have some advice for you. Don't go for a hair lightener or bleach. I know myself that doing that over very dark hair has some drastic results. Your hair first goes red, then orange, then yellow. You really don't want that. What you want to do it REMOVE the build up of dye over your hair. The best way to do that is use a colour remover. I've used ColourB4 several times (you can find it in Superdrug and Boots)and it has always worked well for me. That should take you back to your natural colour or close to it. The what you do from there depends on what your natural colour is. Do you intend to go lighter than your natural colour?

BunnieJ

OK, normal disclaimer, salon as always best. Saying that, if you DO want to try this at home first then I have some advice for you. Don't go for a hair lightener or bleach. I know myself that doing that over very dark hair has some drastic results. Your hair first goes red, then orange, then yellow. You really don't want that. What you want to do it REMOVE the build up of dye over your hair. The best way to do that is use a colour remover. I've used ColourB4 several times (you can find it in Superdrug and Boots)and it has always worked well for me. That should take you back to your natural colour or close to it. The what you do from there depends on what your natural colour is. Do you intend to go lighter than your natural colour?

^ Agreed. Always check with a professional first. Seen some nasty after effects of hair dye going wrong in the news!

My brother has black hair and when he was at college (studying hairdressing level 1 and beauty therapy level 2) he thought it would be a good idea to buy a bleaching kit and put it over his whole head! Needless to say, he burnt his scalp and his hair just went bright orange instead of white blonde!

I have very dark brown/black hair and I've always gone to the hairdressers to get it lightened. If you're finding it too expensive you could try your local college as it's alot cheaper, sometimes even free if you're their hair model. It can't go too wrong because they've always got their tutors on hand. I've had manicures and make up done by students for free with no issues

London_Girl

pirateyqueen wrote: »

OK, normal disclaimer, salon as always best. Saying that, if you DO want to try this at home first then I have some advice for you. Don't go for a hair lightener or bleach. I know myself that doing that over very dark hair has some drastic results. Your hair first goes red, then orange, then yellow. You really don't want that. What you want to do it REMOVE the build up of dye over your hair. The best way to do that is use a colour remover. I've used ColourB4 several times (you can find it in Superdrug and Boots)and it has always worked well for me. That should take you back to your natural colour or close to it. The what you do from there depends on what your natural colour is. Do you intend to go lighter than your natural colour?

Thank you for your response.
My natural hair colour is very dark brown. Yes, I do want to go a good few shades lighter.

pirateyqueen

In that case I would honestly see a hair dress or go to a hairdressing college like BunnieJ said. I personally would use the colour remover first so you're back to your natural colour, and then get someone else to lighten it.

London_Girl

pirateyqueen wrote: »

In that case I would honestly see a hair dress or go to a hairdressing college like BunnieJ said. I personally would use the colour remover first so you're back to your natural colour, and then get someone else to lighten it.

Thank you for your advise.

In that case, can I use Scott Cornwall Colour B4 Hair Colour Remover Extra Strength?

It's not cheap on it's own, but found on-line that Asda are currently selling it for £9.97 each or 2 for £8, so will definately give this a try. Thank you:)