Highlighting Your Hair

[CLC2008]

I don't know where to stick this, so I'll stick it here...

 

I recently applied blond highlights to my dark brown hair but the highlights came out a tad brassy.

 

I am looking for a remedy that will tone it down. I tried a toner, which helped a little. I read that rinsing it with heavy cream helps, but I don't know whether or not that's an old wives tale.

 

Has this happened to anyone and if so, what worked best?

[carhill]

Have you already tried a blue-based color shampoo/conditioner? Also, UV will tend to accentuate the brassiness, so avoiding exposure of the highlights to sunlight/tanning bed light should help.

 

Stbx would tell you to see your colorist (she is one for about 20 years), but it sounds like you're a home-grown colorist. You'll probably find some good suggestions on the salon/stylist/colorist forums on the internet.

 

IMO, the risk here, based on stories stbx told me while we were married, is hair damage. Be careful about that. Too many products can damage the hair shaft/cuticle.

 

Good luck

[Jilly Bean]

Go to a stylist. You've already ruined your hair once by doing it yourself, so please don't do this again.

 

I think home coloring is fine if you know what you're doing and are doing roots or something, but home highlighting is generally a really bad idea.

 

BTW, why would you want to put blonde highlights on dark brown hair anyway?

[CLC2008]

Have you already tried a blue-based color shampoo/conditioner? Also, UV will tend to accentuate the brassiness, so avoiding exposure of the highlights to sunlight/tanning bed light should help.

 

Stbx would tell you to see your colorist (she is one for about 20 years), but it sounds like you're a home-grown colorist. You'll probably find some good suggestions on the salon/stylist/colorist forums on the internet.

 

IMO, the risk here, based on stories stbx told me while we were married, is hair damage. Be careful about that. Too many products can damage the hair shaft/cuticle.

 

Good luck

 

I'm not sure. I did purchase a product by John Frieda for Brunettes, is that the same thing? I don't really go to tanning beds and I have not been sitting out in the sun yet so I think I'm alright there.

 

I was going to get it professionally done, but its rather expensive. I like the way it came out, I just need it toned down a bit. Yeah the hair damage def have to watch out for, but I really don't do a lot to my hair except get it cut .

[CLC2008]

Go to a stylist. You've already ruined your hair once by doing it yourself, so please don't do this again.

 

I think home coloring is fine if you know what you're doing and are doing roots or something, but home highlighting is generally a really bad idea.

 

BTW, why would you want to put blonde highlights on dark brown hair anyway?

 

I wanted to lighten it for the summer, kind of like this:

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.net/images/2009/08/jessica-alba13.jpg

[carhill]

Check around to see how an acid rinse agent could help. If appropriate, experiment with a small unobtrusive section.

 

Having watched stbx weave (highlight) family members and friends at our house, I'm amazed that you could do it yourself. All those foils and separating sections...wow....

 

Start a hat collection

[Jilly Bean]

I wanted to lighten it for the summer, kind of like this:

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.net/images/2009/08/jessica-alba13.jpg

 

Yeah, that's not a look that an amateur pulls off at home with a box of clairol.

 

Please get your hair professionally corrected. Otherwise you could end up seriously trashing your hair far worse than it is now. Trust me - I've been there, and learned my lesson. There's a reason people do things for a living...

[CLC2008]

Yeah, that's not a look that an amateur pulls off at home with a box of clairol.

 

Please get your hair professionally corrected. Otherwise you could end up seriously trashing your hair far worse than it is now. Trust me - I've been there, and learned my lesson. There's a reason people do things for a living...

 

Ouch.

 

And it wasn't Clairol, it was Loreal.

[Jilly Bean]

Ouch.

 

And it wasn't Clairol, it was Loreal.

 

Regardless, you get my point. The brand you used isn't the problem, hon...

 

But, trying to highlight dark brown hair into the pic you shared is NOT an easy highlighting job. Even for a professional!

 

I suppose you could try a myriad of things at home - like, using a demi-perm to tone down the brassiness, try a color-depositing shampoo, etc., but really, is any more home effort worth the risk?

 

I say this from a gal who every few years ends up with all over black hair from odd dye mishaps. lol

[CLC2008]

Regardless, you get my point. The brand you used isn't the problem, hon...

 

But, trying to highlight dark brown hair into the pic you shared is NOT an easy highlighting job. Even for a professional!

 

I suppose you could try a myriad of things at home - like, using a demi-perm to tone down the brassiness, try a color-depositing shampoo, etc., but really, is any more home effort worth the risk?

 

I say this from a gal who every few years ends up with all over black hair from odd dye mishaps. lol

 

I know...200 bucks for hair highlights is just so steep.

 

My uncle used to dye his hair black to cover his bald spots and he'd end up with black dye patches on his ears and neck. I think he used to dye his chest hair too.

[carhill]

That price identifies a large city or exclusive suburb location, where incomes should be in line with pricing. In our area, stbx charges under 100 for a straight weave and a bit more to color correct a situation like you found yourself in. Some of these corrections can take 3-4 hours (with her doing other clients while the correction processes). I've watched a few and they're quite involved; many steps and many products, all taking time to work. Sometimes, a followup visit is required after the hair settles.

 

The subtle highlights like in the picture you shared are beautiful to look at but deceptively difficult to achieve. Usually, the more subtle, the more difficult. It's a pretty amazing talent to be able to do that consistently and have an eye for it. Always respected stbx's abilities at the chair.

 

If you're firmly against a salon visit, my best advice is read the stylist and/or peer forums and experiment with an unobtrusive area.

[SouthernSunshine]

I agree with the others, seek a professional! It's cheaper the shorter your hair is. Long hair can be pricey, but it's worth it!

[marsle85]

Go professional. Believe me, coming from someone who has colors all shades of the rainbow- the chemicals are less abrasive and they KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING... plus, the stuff they use tones down brassiness.

[Jilly Bean]

I know...200 bucks for hair highlights is just so steep.

 

My uncle used to dye his hair black to cover his bald spots and he'd end up with black dye patches on his ears and neck. I think he used to dye his chest hair too.

 

It is pricey, but IMO, some things aren't worth scimping at home. It seems whenever I tried some home color - I always ended up spending more to fix it professionally, and then damaged my hair to boot.

 

$200 is steep - I am sure you can find a salon that is legit (not a supercuts), that can do it a bit cheaper. Before you do anything again, I would suggest going on a few consultations - which should be free.

[CLC2008]

To be honest, I am not sure which is actually less abravise (over the counter vs. salon). I don't do it often enough for it to cause major damage and my hair is pretty healthy overall - thanks to good genes , I never blow dry it and I don't really put any heavy hair products in it either.

 

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. And I love supercuts - its quick AND economical.