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Getting my natural shade back in time for my wedding. |
| Q |
"I have naturally medium brown hair and have been getting various blonde highlights put through for the past year. Last week I went to get my hair coloured again and it turned out too light and doesn't look so good. I'm getting married in a couple of months and have had enough of salon mistakes with my highlights. Can I go back to my natural colour in time? At this point I think I would try anything - what do you suggest?"
Amy, (24) - Scotland
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| A |
"Hi Amy,
We asked Paul Falltrick, owner of Paul Falltrick Hairdressing, Artistic Director for global hair brand Matrix and finalist for British Hairdressing Awards 2009 Eastern Hairdresser of the Year to answer your question...
"It is possible for you to go back to your natural hair colour in time but you must act right away. When colouring over your highlighted hair, as a requirement, we have to use what is called a porosity adjusment, which adds a warmer tone to your desired hue. We do this because when your hair has been highlighted, it tends to grab on to cooler/ash tones - adding warmth will therefore stop your hair from going khaki. Acting sooner rather than later is a must simply because your hair will not hold the colour the first time it is applied so your tresses will need to be coloured twice, maybe three times, before it will accept your natural colour. The best thing to use inbetween the colouring process is conditioning treatments to ensure your desired hue has the best chance of staying vibrant while deeply moisturising your tresses ready for your wedding day!"" |
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Can I go from black to golden brown easily? |
| Q |
"My natural hair colour is black but I've used pre-lightener on it. I want to change my hair colour to a golden brown shade -- will a hair salon be able to achieve this?"
shabana akhtar, (33) - west yorkshire dewsbury
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| A |
"I’m happy to tell you that yes a golden brown is achievable! It’s just all about finding a reputable colour technician who knows how best to transform your hue! A trained colourist should ask you about your colour history in order to restrict any damage to your tresses during the colour process. They should also take into account your lifestyle, the amount of upkeep you’ll be able to have as well as your skintone and eye colour to ensure your new hue will compliment you sensationally!
You must begin by treating your hair well – use protein treatments such as Matrix Biolage Forte Thérapie Cera-Repair to strengthen your strands preparing them for the colour process. Then, I’d recommend beginning with a semi-permanent colour as it’s much milder and kinder to the hair, what’s more this way if you decide Golden Brunette isn’t for you…you can change it!
A thing to remember when opting for a lighter colour than your natural base is that you’ll need regular maintenance to fight shade-fade! I’d say you’ll need the hue retouching at least once a month, so you need to be prepared for this. Also make sure you follow a strong homecare regime, using brunette tonal shampoos such as Matrix Shade Memory Brunettes and use heat protector or avoid heat styling altogether where possible as this can strip the colour. It’s a big commitment but could be well worth it when you’re rocking your dream shade!
" |
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Bored of blonde |
| Q |
"I currently have long, light blonde hair but would really like a dramatic change (so bored of blonde)... My skin tone is fair (cool tone with pink undertones) and my eyes are grey/blue. I'd love to go dark chocolate brown with maybe a subtle shimmer of red. Would this colour suit me? If not can you please help me pick a colour that will compliment my skin tone as well as make my blue eyes stand out?"
hayley, (30) - cardiff
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| A |
"I’d recommend a medium chocolate brown without the red shimmer as rich brunettes really have enough warmth of their own without adding extra tones. To be bang on-trend I’d say to stick to a solid deep colour as this will really make your eyes pop – just look at Nicole Richie!
However, you need to bear in mind that going from light blonde to deep brown is going to take a lot of maintenance and is bound to leave you looking paler. You’ll need to invest in colour-saving brunette shampoos to lock in the colour and your re-growth is likely to need touch-up every 4 weeks – so you need to decide if this is viable for you.
When going from blonde to brown there are really no half measures, it’s a major commitment and it’ll be a gradual process if you every want to return to blonde. Book in for a consultation with your colourist, discuss your desires then if you feel you still want to take the plunge, I say go for it and enjoy being a sultry, sexy brunette!" |
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How do I hide my roots between salon visits? |
| Q |
"I have been colouring my hair since it started going grey some years ago. But now as I near age 75 I feel that my hair is probably grey underneath the black dye. I don't want to stop dyeing my hair and let the the grey show as it grows. How can I make it happen discretely?"
margaret, (74) - Birmingham
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| A |
"Hi Margaret,
If you want to keep your roots covered up in between salon visits, we suggest you invest in a specialist root touch-up kit. We love Clairol's Root Touch-Up which come sin a black shade. You can read more about here:
http://www.clairol.co.uk/root-touch-up/nice-easy-why-root-touch-up/match-your-shade/?k1
This means you won't have to recolour your whole head each time, just cover up the grey roots. We've also heard of hairdressers using black mascara as an emergency measure!
If you can't afford to get to the salon regularly, you can always ask them to prepare a little dye for you to take home with you and use in between trips!
" |
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How much does hair stripping cost? |
| Q |
"I want my hair stripping. How much will it cost on average and will it damage my hair? "
Chelsi, (17) - East Leeds
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| A |
"Hi Chelsi,
We asked Adrian Allen, Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador to answer your question...
Colour corrections are usually difficult to price without actually seeing your hair colour, be prepared to spend from £75-250 to get a professional job done. Look for a Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Master Salon or BlondME specialist salon. I'd strongly recommend investing in BC Bonacure's Repair Rescue shampoo and also their BC Moisture Kick Recharger to keep your hair in amazing condition." |
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How can I get my dark hair lighter? |
| Q |
"I've currently got mid length dyed dark hair. I'm really fed up with it and want to go lighter and get a stylish cut. I know it will be hard to go lighter with dark hair but I'm willing to try anything?"
charlene, (23) - berkshire
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| A |
"Going lighter isn't a problem with a Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Specialist Salon, which will be able to lighten your hair without compromising the condition. Lightening the whole head 1 to 2 shades and adding some lighter panels inside the cut would work brilliantly with most styles and be less time consuming to maintain than a full head of lights. Use BC Color Save Shampoo, conditioner and treatment, and any ends that need extra attention apply BC Coloured Ends before drying for extra protection. Visit: www.beautybay.com" |
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I need a makeover! |
| Q |
"My hair is fine and just doesn't grow. I would love a professional makeover can you help me get one please?"
sharon, (38) - Suffolk
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| A |
"Hi Sharon,
We offer competitions every month in Hair & Beauty, Hair Now and Perfect Hair where you can win makeovers. We also have a makeover competition online at the moment - just click on Competitions on the home page!" |
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Can I use something instead of bleach to get blonde hair? |
| Q |
" I currently have bleached hair and have about 3 months worth of roots. Is there a blonde hair dye I can use instead of bleach?"
Stace, (22) - Uk
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| A |
"Instead of bleach, you can have Schwarzkopf Professional Color10 High Lift Tints to bring your roots to more of a honey blonde and then your hairdresser will tone the ends to match your new roots. Bleach will always have a slightly damaging effect but BC Bonacure Color Save will help, so I'd strongly recommend that you invest in it! For your nearest stockist call: 01296 314 000." |
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Allergic to hair dye - help! |
| Q |
"Hi, I have blonde streaks through my hair but it's now starting to look completely blonde. I would like to go totally brunette but I'm allergic to brown hair dye. What could I use? "
teresa, (36) - northants
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| A |
"We suggest you find your nearest salon offering Herb UK Organic Colour. This gentle but effective colour tends to be a good choice for people with allergies to traditional hair colour as it's extremely gentle. Despite all this, it still creates really strong, sexy colours, even on-trend bright shades. If you're going from blonde highlights to an all-over brunette you really need to visit a salon and get it done professionally so call 01590 613 490 or see www.organiccoloursystems.com to find your nearest salon." |
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What colour will work well with my green eyes? |
| Q |
"I have dark blonde hair and my eye colour is green. I would like to have a new hair colour that really makes my eyes stand out - do you have any suggestions?"
tiziana, (18) - Italy
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| A |
"For a great change, I'd suggest a deep brown or a hot red copper to make your green eyes stand out. Speak to your stylist and they'll be able to advise on the best results to suit you." |
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How can I get my black hair back to brown? |
| Q |
"From about 12 years old, I've repeatedly dyed my hair - mainly black. I think black suits me but I don't want to keep dying it because it's damaging my hair. I hate my natural colour - a light brown. The only think I like about it is that it has a bit of red in it. What should I do with my hair? Help please!"
Dina Holford, (14) - Nottinghamshire
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| A |
"Unfortunately if you want to stop colouring you hair you can't change your natural colour! I would suggest trying to use a softer and more conditioning colour such as IGORA Vibrance Hydrocare as it should help improve the condition and colour of your hair. Use BC Bonacure Color Save to keep hair in great condition as it's specifically formulated to nourish coloured hair." |
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What style should I go for? |
| Q |
"Good evening,
I would like to ask how to pick the right colour and style for my face. I have long hair which I wear straight and sometimes wavy. It's currently brown with some gold shades in it but I don't know if the look is right for me. I would like to talk about it with a professional but I can't find one near me. Help!"
zdenka, (27) - Ipswich uk
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| A |
"Hi Zdenka,
Without seeing you, it's hard to know what style and colour will suit you. Going to see a good hairdresser is definitely the best idea as they'll be able to tell you what will work with your skin type, eye colour and personal style.
There are plenty of great salons in Ipswich. Here are our favourites! Don't forget it's completely free to have a consultation in a salon, so pay them a visit and have a look around. See if you like the cuts they're doing for other people, have a nosey at some pictures on their website and see what the atmosphere of the place is like. There's no obligation to get your hair cut there if you're not happy with the consultation.
http://www.toniandguy.com
http://www.baiss.co.uk/hair.html
http://www.michaelrichards.biz/
http://www.johnolivers.com/
http://www.paulhenri.co.uk/default.aspx" |
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Can I get my brunette hair back after too much black dye? |
| Q |
"I've been putting a really dark brown colour on my hair since the summer and it's now totally black. How do I get back to brown?"
Tasha , (14) - burton
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| A |
"Unfortunately this is due to a build up of colour and you will have to have the colour stripped out however you can achieve the colour you want or you may need to have the colour you want put on afterwards. You'll need to speak to your stylist, or if you want to visit one of our salons see: www.coxmcmillan.co.uk" |
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How do I get my black hair back to brunette? |
| Q |
"I've been putting dark brown on my hair since the summer and its now black. How do I get back to my natural light brown?"
Tasha , (14) - burton
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| A |
"Colour corrections are usually difficult to price without actually seeing your hair colour, and you'll have to be prepared to spend from £75-250 to get a professional job done. Look for a Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Master Salon or BlondME specialist salon. I'd strongly recommend investing in BC Bonacure's Repair Rescue shampoo and also their BC Moisture Kick Recharger to keep your hair in amazing condition." |
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Why does my fringe get so dry? |
| Q |
"Hi, my hair is bleach blonde and I've been using the same colour for 15yrs. My hair gets like straw at times, but strangely only on my fringe! I use expensive conditioner and have used lots of brands but nothing seems to do anything!"
debbie brown, (46) - staffordshire
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| A |
"Hi Debbie, we asked Steve Robinson, Assistant Art Director at Hensmans to answer your question...
"This problem to me screams nano-keratin! We have recently taken this system on in our Hensmans salons and have achieved amazing results. It’s a non chemical restructuring system that pumps the hair full of keratin, collagen and silk proteins that completely repair the cuticle, instantly improving condition. Results of this service will be apparent for up to 15 weeks and will also aid styling and reduce blow-drying times by up to 50%! Schwarzkopf Professional also has a BlondMe range which may help, see: www.hairsupermarket.com"" |
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My thick hair is a nightmare - help! |
| Q |
"My hair is really thick and it takes hours to wash, dry and straighten it. I would like it to be easier to handle - should I get it thinned out, really layered or both? Or is there any other option? "
Alice, (13) - Felixstowe
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| A |
"Hi Alice, we asked Adrian Allen, Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador to answer your question.
"A good stylist should be able to cut your hair in great layers which will reduce the amount of hair you have but beware of having your hair 'thinned' -- thinning scissors are often over used. I'd suggest thinking about using a moisturising regime for your hair like the Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Moisture Kick Shampoo, spray Conditioner and the Recharger treatment which will quench the thirst that I think your hair is experiencing. When your hair is wet it holds the water and takes longer to dry so use OSiS Flatliner to dry your hair on which will protect your hair not only from the dryer but also from the irons, refresh your look on day 2 with a light mist of your BC Moisture Kick Spray conditioner. Hopefully that should help… If not then feel free to give me a call at Adrian Allen Addicted on: 01709 760 780."" |
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How can I liven up my bleach blonde hair? |
| Q |
"I'm really pale and want to change the colour of my hair for something quite noticeably different. At the moment it's bleach blonde but I'd love to try a more golden shade. I definitely don't want to look ginger! Do you have any suggestions?"
Lucy Grundy, (16) - Manchester
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| A |
"Hi Lucy,
We asked John Clark, the Senior Technician at Brooks and Brooks, London to offer some advice!
"If you are pale and want to be warmer then I would definitely opt for a soft, delicate golden toffee hue. Working in two or three different depths of colours will give the hair the illusion fullness and will reflect the light better. You can still have a full head colour to mask your re-growth but instead of opting for bleach ask your hairdresser to try a light blonde or high lift tint. For the darker gold and toffee tones I would lowlight ribbons of the hair with long-lasting semi permanent colours. To make it a glam Hollywood type of blonde (think Kate Hudson or on the deeper side Jennifer Aniston) I would use a great technique called Balayage which in French means to sweep or brush and leaves you with beautiful swathes of colour throughout the head.
When adding depth to pre lightened hair it is always advisable to consult a professional colourist or you could end up getting in a tricky situation!
John Clark is Senior Technician at the multi award-winning Brooks & Brooks, London, England. For more information visit www.brooksandbrooks.co.uk or call 020 7405 8111.
" |
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I want my blonde hair to be more exciting! |
| Q |
"My hair is bleached blonde and I have a pale complexion. I really want to change my colour to a golden blonde but I'm not sure what shade to ask for. I don't want it to look gingery at all but I want a change where you can tell I've had something done. What should I ask for?
"
Lucy - Manchester
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| A |
"Hi Lucy,
We asked Steve Robinson, Assistant Art Director at Hensmans to answer your question...
"Breaking up bleached blonde hair is a favourite for me! I would recommend using as many shades as you feel comfortable with such as biscuit blondes, caramel, sandy and earthy tones work extremely well as they will add definition without over burdening. Use Schwarzkopf Professional's BlondMe range to help tend to the needs of having blonde hair. Visit: www.hairsupermarket.com"" |
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Can I get my dark hair back to natural light brown? |
| Q |
"I've been putting dark brown on my hair since the summer and its now black. How do I get back to my natural light brown?"
Tasha , (14) - burton
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| A |
"Colour corrections are usually difficult to price without actually seeing your hair colour, be prepared to spend from £75-250 to get a professional job done. Look for a Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Master Salon or BlondME specialist salon. I'd strongly recommend investing in BC Bonacure's Repair Rescue shampoo and also their BC Moisture Kick Recharger to keep your hair in amazing condition." |
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Can I put another colour on top of my already dyed hair? |
| Q |
"I recently dyed my hair a red colour then put a dark brown over the top. Could I put highlights in my hair?"
elaine dudley, (28) - bournemouth
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| A |
"Hi Elaine,
It sounds to us like you need a trip to the salon! In theory yes, you can add highlights to your existing colour but layering so many shades on top of each other isn't necessarily particularly healthy for your hair. Why don't you visit your local hairdresser and get their advice? A consultation with any good hairdresser is free and you don't have to go back if you don't agree with what they've suggested. They'll be able to assess the health of your hair as well as advising you on what colours will work best with your current shade." |
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How can I keep my blonde hair blonde? |
| Q |
"I was wondering if there was any way to keep my hair blonde as I have it now, but without having my scalp blistered up every time my hairdresser bleaches my hair? I read about BLONDME that Anita Cox McMillan recommended to another user on the site, could you please tell me more about that? I Recently discovered a Schwarzkopf Professional salon nearby; can I trust them?! Thanks in advance!
"
olga, (30) - Greece
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| A |
"BLONDME is a premium performance lightener with a unique fusion of activating elements that lifts your colour up to 8 levels. It also contains anti-yellow agents for advance naturalisation whilse lifting. As it is a Schwarzkopf Professional product, it is designed for in-salon use only. My advice would be to book into the Schwarzkopf salon near you for a colour consultation to have an indepth consultation on your hair and scalp history and to discuss what you are trying to achieve with your colour. This will give you a chance to have any queries answered. The stylist will then be able to advise whether BLONDME is the best product for your scalp and how to achieve the results you require. They may suggest an alternative such as highlights which would still keep your hair very blonde but avoids any on scalp application." |
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How do I get back to brunette from blonde? |
| Q |
"I've been dying my hair bleach blonde for nearly three years and I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to go back to my natural colour; a light brown shade. It would take ages to grow out and I don't really want to dye it again. Is stripping my hair the only way to get back to my natural colour? I heard that this really damages your hair! Please help! Thank you! "
Amy, (16) - Leeds
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| A |
"Stripping, or cleansing as we professionals prefer to call it, is a process used when you need to remove colour from the hair. It is usually done when taking a client from a darker shade to lighter to help achieve a more even colour result, particularly if the ends have been over coloured (usually from at home colouring) and have colour build up.
If your hair is blonde and you are looking to go darker (back to your natural colour), we would first need to have an indepth consultation and discuss your hair and scalp history, what colour you are planning to move towards and to assess your hairs' condition to determine whether a colour change is achievable. Your local Schwarzkopf Professional salon will be able to do this for you.
The process we would then go through is pre-pigmentation of the ends which deposits pigment back into the pre-lightened ends of the hair. Then to choose a shade as close to your natural colour which will be used to colour all the hair in order to achieve as much of an even colour as possible, which depends on the hairs porosity.
You may need to use semi-permanent and conditioning treatments on the hair for a little while until the previously lightened ends start to hold colour.
Find your nearest Schwarzkopf salon by visiting www.schwarzkopf-professional.com/index.php?id=152" |
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Dealing with bad service at the salon |
| Q |
"I went to the most expensive salon in town yesterday. It is my 30th birthday today and yesterday the manager bleached my hair which I have never had done before. My scalp blistered up and now my hair looks yellow. She knew it looked yellow and even said it did, but I was convinced she made it look OK until I got home and looked in the mirror at the back! It is really yellow! What should I do? It has completely ruined my birthday, I can't stop crying and have cancelled a meal out tonight because of it. "
Cheryl, (30) - Mansfield
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| A |
"This is not an uncommon issue, but I feel the way in which you were dealt with isn't great. The salon should really offer to sort this out and redo your colour free of charge. The whole process should have been properly explained to you. The colour of your hair during the colouring process will reveal its pigment undercoat, which is usually a warm yellow or orange colour. A toner should then be used after the lightening process to neutralise this colour. Some bleaching products can be quite aggressive to your hair and scalp depending on the peroxide used and the brand. Once your hair and scalp condition improves if you still want to change your colour I would recommend seeking a Schwarzkopf Professional salon and asking for a treatment called BLONDME which uses a low developer. If not then choosing a tinted colour could counteract the yellow tones and also improve the condition of your hair. Just be careful and make sure you explain to whoever you see next what’s happened.
Cox McMillan, 40 Battersea Rise, Clapham, London, SW11 1EE. Call 0207 223 8888 for appointments or visit www.anitacox.co.uk. For your nearest Schwarzkopf stockist please call 01296 314 000" |
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Getting dyed blonde hair back to natural brunette |
| Q |
"Hello everyone! I'm new in here, just registered but I've been reading Hair Now for some time, I find it really interesting and I get a lot of nice ideas!
I'm a natural brunette but I've been colouring my hair blonde for the last six months or so. I want to go back to my natural shade but have no idea how - any suggestions? My hair is currently a mid-length bob and my hair is wavy.
Greetings from Evoia, Greece !!! "
olga, (29) - greece
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| A |
"This is a common question but is a tricky process to do yourself. If it’s not done properly you will end up with a poor result and very costly repair bill. My advice would be to go and see a professional hairdresser to ensure a good end result. If this is not possible then you will need to firstly get some warmth back into your hair as all of the pigment will have been stripped from your hair due to the blonde colouring. Depending on how dark you want to go you will need to add orange tones, red or your natural shade, but again this is something I would recommend is done in a salon rather than at home.
Cox McMillan, 40 Battersea Rise, Clapham, London, SW11 1EE. Call 0207 223 8888
for appointments or visit www.anitacox.co.uk. For your nearest Schwarzkopf stockist please call 01296 314 000 or visit www.hairsupermarket.com." |
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How often should I be getting my highlights done? |
| Q |
"How often should I be getting my highlights re-done? I thought every three months was OK but our beauty ed gets hers done every six weeks. Now I feel like a tramp. Help!"
Emily, (25) - London
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| A |
"Highlights depend on how different the shades are from your natural colour. I have clients that vary from every 5 weeks to every 3 months like yourself. Generally if you stick to a multi-tonal look it's more natural and you can get away with leaving it longer too. The blonder you are the more obvious your re-growth will be which is why some people will have to have them done a lot more frequently. Also the more often you get them done the more of a build-up you get so you find yourself needing them done more. If you keep a few different tones in there it tends to stop the build up happening." |
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Repairing damaged blonde hair |
| Q |
"I have my hair dyed blonde, it's in very bad condition and has really thinned out due to breakage. What are the best products to use? "
Lauren, (16) - Kent
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| A |
"Hi Lauren,
The most important thing your hair needs right now is moisture! Make sure you regularly use an intensive mask (we love Kerastase Chroma Riche) and leave it on for as long as you can. We recommend you slather it on, cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for an hour before rinsing off. You could also try Philip Kingsley's famous Elasticizer Extreme which our peroxide blonde editor swears by for getting her hair back into great shape. Finally, don't forget to use a leave-in conditioner to nurse your hair back into shape. Next time you're at the salon getting your colour done, ask your colourist which products they recommend for aftercare - although salon brands are more expensive, they're really important for maintaining coloured care properly." |
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Can I get my hair back from brunette to blonde in one go? |
| Q |
"I originally have light brown hair, but I have dyed my hair a mahogany colour. I really love this shade as I feel it suits me well, but I'm now thinking of going a bright, natural blonde. I read somewhere that to have blonde hair, you have to strip the hair of colour which makes the condition of the hair awful. I REALLY want blonde hair but I don't want to have to go back and forth to the hairdressers to build up highlights, I want it all done in one go. Is this possible? Please help me!"
Bexx
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| A |
"It is possible in one go to have this done but it will be quite a costly procedure as you will have to have it stripped and coloured and this can need multiple applications and aftercare is really important so products are a must-have to help condition. I'd recommend using Schwarzkopf Professional's BLONDME homecare range as it maximises the shade plus helps to sustain the 'just left the salon' sensation every time you cleanse, condition and style. The range is enriched with Prism Shine Technology with Liquid Rock Crystal for a polished blonde glossy finish. Stockist number: 01296 314000 or visit: www.hairsupermarket.com" |
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Help! How do I get rid of black dye without growing it out? |
| Q |
"Is it possible to get black dye out of my hair and get back to my natural colour without growing it out?"
Gemma Downey, (16) - Newcastle
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| A |
"We asked Vicky Turner at Goldsworthy's Cirencester to answer your question...
To get black colour out of the hair you would need a colour cleanser but there would still be colour in your hair. With this technique you could gently lift some of the depth out and put another colour over the top, maybe a lighter brown. However, this also depends on the history of your hair to how even the result is. You should definitely seek advice from a colour technician because it's a very tricky process and not something you could do yourself. Someone who knows what they are doing would be able to get you as close to your natural colour as possible while keeping your hair as healthy as possible too." |
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How long does your hair grow in a month? |
| Q |
"How long does your hair grow in a month?"
leighann, (15) - spain
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| A |
"Hi Leighann,
Everyone's hair is different and grows at a different pace. In general, it will grow about half an inch per month, but it really depends! If you want your hair to get longer more quickly, there's no magic cure we're afraid. Try extensions if you want a long look in a hurry!" |
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Does the credit crunch mean an end to my highlights? |
| Q |
"I'm on a tight budget but I love having higlights. What's the most cost-effective way for me to keep having them during the credit crunch?"
Justine, (20) - Bradford
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| A |
"We suggest you go for a full head the first time, then a quarter heard, then a half head. It tops the colour up throughout the year and leaves it looking great. You can also try a training evening at your local salon - it'll take a bit longer but trainees are fully supervised and you'll get an amazing, cheap colour." |
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Blonde streaks in dark brown hair |
| Q |
"I have very dark brown hair do you think blonde streaks would be nice in it?"
Avril, (14)
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| A |
"Hi Avril,
It depends what kind of streaks you mean! Chunky stripes could look a little dated but lots of fine highlights in a mixture of shades could create a really gorgeous, sun-kissed look. We suggest you pay a visit to your local salon and speak to the colour expert about what you want to achieve -- they'll be able to tell you what colour they think will work best by looking at your skintone, eye colour and personal style. We suggest you buy a few hair mags and have a look through for colour techniques and finished styles that you like the look of. Cut these out and take them to your hairdresser to give them an idea of the kind of thing you're after!" |
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Stripping colour |
| Q |
"I've got dyed jet black hair and my natural colour is light brown. Any
advice how I can get it back to my natural colour? "
ellie, (25) - united kingdom
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| A |
"We asked superstar hairdresser Karine Jackson, Creative Director of Herb UK to answer your question.
This is a difficult process, it depends on how long you have been colouring
your hair. The black pigment is the largest and when it goes into the hair
shaft it expands like a star. You will have to have the colour stripped out, and
then a colour similar to your natural colour applied. I would not attempt to
do this yourself - it is a big colour correction, but it is possible." |
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Get a grip |
| Q |
"How do I use velcro rollers to get volume in my hair? I can never get them to stay in properly!"
Anna, (25) - London
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"We asked Tracey Devine of Angels in Aberdeen to answer your question. As Scottish Hairdresser of the Year, she knows her stuff!
Don’t worry, it’s easy! Simply section off the hair, then spray with a fine mist of hairspray. Smooth in the roller from root to tip then roll to to the root, adding a grip to secure. Do this all over the head, leave for ten to twenty minutes then take out and shake! The secret is to use a spray that is not too heavy and is easy to brush out, like L’Oréal Elnette. " |
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Highlights on dark hair? |
| Q |
" I have been growing my hair since I was in my teens but I'm getting bored and want highlights. As my hair is naturally black I think I may have to bleach it, so the colour will show. Should I bleach it or will it damage my hair?"
Lisa, (25) - Manchester
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| A |
"Hi Lisa, we asked Steve Robinson, Assistant Art Director at Hensmans to answer your question...
Highlights are a great way of introducing a little fun to your style, but I would strongly recommend not going too light with the highlights as the contrasts between your natural colour and the highlights will be too obvious. I would say that a colour level of an 8 or maximum 9 would be sufficient to add interest and spice things up. Schwarzkopf Professional 'BlondMe' lifting systems (up to 8 shades) are an amazing range that contain moisturising elements that ensure strength is at its optimum when highlighting with bleach based products. IGORA Royal products also work brilliantly so I'd suggest trying them, but always ask for a consultation before any work is carried out. If you need any further advise then please feel free to speak to a stylist from Hensmans on 01604 634 448 or 01908 677 336." |
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Colour trends for Autumn |
| Q |
"I have long, very dark brown hair which I've never dyed before. I want a new
look for when I go back to school in September and was wondering what colour
trends are around that I could try? "
Chloe Rose, (15) - Edinburgh
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| A |
"We asked celeb hairdresser and creative director of Herb UK to answer your question...
Bold vibrant colours are key this Autumn, so think deep coppers or bright reds. I
would experiment with semi permanent colours first to see what suits you
best.
" |
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Banishing brassiness |
| Q |
"I bleached my hair recently and even after using an ash blonde dye, my hair is still more yellow than I would like. Can you recommend any good anti-yellow shampoos, or any other tips for combating the golden tones?"
Stephanie Hamer, (20) - United Kingdom
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| A |
"Hi Stephanie. The easiest way to banish yellow tones at home is with a blue or violet tinted shampoo. The (bleach) blondes here in the office rate Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo, £9.95 and Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes Shampoo, £5.37.
Otherwise you could always visit your local salon and get the opinion of a colourist. Getting a toner applied should sort out the colour but won't cost as much as a full head of blonde!" |
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Decisions, decisions... |
| Q |
"My colour at the moment is mid-brown, but I'd like to try a different colour for the summer - somthing totally not what I'm used to! Would a plum or burgundy suit me, or dark chocolate brown with a few red highlights?"
debbie, (41) - milton keynes
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"Hi Debbie, thanks for your question!
The most important thing to consider when changing your hair colour is to get a shade that suits you and flatters your skin tone. Without seeing a picture of you, it's hard to tell which shade would suit you but remember that your hair will look better if you stay within 3 or 4 shades of your natural hair colour. Any shade too far away from your natural tone will simply look odd.
Take a trip to your local salon and have a consultation with your colourist. Take pictures of colours similar to what you're after so they can get a good idea of the look you're after. A consultation should be free, and you aren't obligated to say yes so if you're not happy with their suggestions, go elsewhere. Good luck!" |
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Lighten up! |
| Q |
"I'm having my hair cut tomorrow - it's currently long and a brown/blonde colour. I'd like to go lighter but I'm scared it will go ginger! Will it?
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loran, (15) - pewsey
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| A |
"Hi Ioran,
Your hair shouldn't go ginger if you go to a reputable salon - unless you want it to! You're a walking advert for your hairdresser, so it's in their best interest to make sure you look amazing. Why not try going lighter gradually? As you are light brown anyway, gradually adding in varying shades of blonde from creamy vanilla to honey and caramels, will give your hair a sexy Hollywood glow. This way you can also gradually determine how light you want to go.
For a low maintenance blonde, go for a soft highlighted effect created by your colourist weaving with a blonding cream which will lift your hair naturally three to four shades. This results in a sun-kissed holiday look and should only need maintenance two to three times per year. This also means no bleach and less noticeable re-growth. Always use good professional products when washing and styling your hair at home as they really help enhance the condition." |
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Stylish at 60+ |
| Q |
"Hello,
I have a lot of grey and was thinking about going for highlights or
something a bit younger to cover it. Are there any colour trends that I
could try? I'd also love to know what the pitfalls are of colouring grey
hair, and if there is anything I should look out for?
Thanks!"
June, (60) - Carlisle
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| A |
"Dear June,
Grey is the word used for what you see in the mirror, but in fact what is
really there is your natural base colour with white hair - the more grey you see, the more natural base you still have. I would think of going for a new hair style, incorporating some clever highlights to give your hair back that sparkle and colour reflection but still keeping the hair light to maintain a bright complexion. It's very important that you always blow dry your hair downwards using a nozzle attachment to smooth the cuticle down and keep shine and reflection. Maintenance is harder work as you get older - gone are the days when all you had to do was brush your hair through to look stunning! You'll get great results using my platinum shampoo, which will give the white a sparkle adding reflection to the base. Finish with the volume conditioner - try this for six weeks before you go out and spend lots of money! " |
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Purple passion |
| Q |
"I have pale skin and I’m looking for a colour that will make my face look less pale. I was thinking a red or purple. Would that be a bad idea?"
Annemarie, (18)
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| A |
"I'm not sure about red or purple on pale skin. These are quite strong colours which might make you appear paler. Maybe more subtle highlights with a mixture of blonds, honey and copper would be more you. As a general rule if you go more than two shades darker or lighter (or redder!) than your natural colour the result will be stronger and less natural and you will need to wear more make-up. I recommends that you book a consultation in your local salon with a colourist - your consultation should be free, and if you're not happy with their suggestion then there's no obligation to make an appointment.
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Blonde ambition |
| Q |
"My all-over colour is red with few a blonde foils through the front. I would like to go back to a warm caramel with blonde highlights. Is this possible?"
Debbie, (38) - South Wales
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| A |
"I would go back to a warm caramel shade, using semi-permanent colour as this will give a shinier colour. And yes, it's a good idea to have a few highlights put through first with a mild bleach, or a high lifted tint if your hair is suitable for that product. I would advise speaking to a colourist at your salon - they're there to help!" |
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Red Head? |
| Q |
"I know red’s a huge colour trend at the moment but I’ve heard it can fade really quickly. If I take the plunge and go for it, what can I do to ensure it stays looking bold for as long as possible?"
Alecia, (32)
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"The main tip I’d give you Alecia is to look after your hair. I always recommend a good shampoo and conditioner; there is no point spending time and money on your hair and then throwing it all away by using cheap non-professional products. All hair colour can fade quickly and the rate depends on your lifestyle, your natural colour and what you use on it. Make sure your products are designed for coloured hair and your shade will stay dazzling for longer! If you use straighteners, always use a heat protection spray to prevent heat damage too.”" |
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Temporary Colour |
| Q |
"I’ve got highlighted hair but am thinking of changing to something a little bolder. Is it possible to experiment with temporary colours before I make a decision or will these produce different results to a permanent dye?"
Justine, (26)
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| A |
"To go bolder can only mean one thing, blonder. If you fancy going platinum like Gwen Stefani, I’d advise you to try it out first with either some coloured extensions or with some slightly chunkier bleach highlights sprinkled throughout your hair. This is a big change and if you are going to go for it, be prepared for the upkeep. Once you have a full head of colour, you will need to visit the salon at least once a month to keep it looking good. Temporary colours in this instance would not work and would only darken your hair. As long as your hair is in good condition I’d say go for a change!" |
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Washed Out |
| Q |
"I’ve got blonde highlighted hair and pale skin but would like to try a brunette shade for a change. I’m worried it will ‘wash out’ my complexion; what can you advise?"
Lara, (32) - Belfast
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| A |
"To really look fabulous as a brunette you need to have a warm, olive skintone and hazel or green eyes like the gorgeous Eva Mendes, Katie Holmes and Eva Longoria. Do you remember when Cameron Diaz went dark? As gorgeous as Cameron looked, she had to rethink her clothes and make-up because such a dramatic change affects your whole look and colours that suited you as a blonde might look terrible as a brunette! Talk to your stylist about having some lowlights woven very finely through your hair to break up the blonde. This way you will have a taster of how your hair will look and you can make the change gradually. Once you go brunette you can’t change back to being blonde overnight so be careful!" |
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Dull Hair |
| Q |
"My hair always looks dull and a friend suggested I try a glossing treatment at a salon. I don’t want to change my hair colour though so would this still work for me?"
Amy, (24)
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| A |
"Oh yes, I love glossing treatments, they are the perfect little boost and they really work, giving your hair shine and sparkle! Glossing treatments are like a clear nail varnish for hair, they can be used on natural hair or coloured hair and all they do is give it shine. As you say your hair is always dull, I’d suggest you try changing your shampoo and conditioner. It could be that what you are using is too heavy for your hair and this is resulting in it losing its shine and body." |
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