Skin Care Chat

It\'s been a rough year for my hair, as I can\'t seem to find a stylist who\'ll do the color the way I want it. I started with golden blond highlights, which one stylist covered over with toner (so now they\'re more like honey-to-caramel, which I don\'t like), and then another put darker brown all over my head to touch up "gray" that wasn\'t really there, she just wanted my money.

What I really want is hair that looks primarily golden blond, but with depth. Not that I\'ve had it highlighted and then colored so many times this year, I don\'t know what would happen if I tried to go blond again. Can I do this?

Thanks! Something about the idea of getting my hair stripped just seems so scary, like it would take off the natural coating or something - it doesn\'t?? I\'ll keep trying to find someone good who can do it right next time.

 I think you probably need to have it stripped, since you have had it
 colored so many times and want to go much lighter. This will remove most of
 the color from your hair and allow a much more even application/appearance
 to any color you apply immediately afterwards. I had this process done and
 also simultaneously got highlights, and it turned out pretty good. Of
 course, I am lucky because my stylist is very knowledgeable about the
 coloring process and hair in general...but I have been where you were, and
 it took me a long time to find someone to do it right! Anyway, goodluck in
 whatever you decide to do...

I know how you feel, I was worried about doing it myself...and to be
 honest, before he applied the new color, I did look pretty scary! In the
 end however, it all worked out. BUT, I believe this was mainly because the
 stylist that did it had a lot of experience with this process. If you do
 decide to go this route, definitely proceed with caution because it could
 damage your hair if not done correctly.
 
 AP

No! Do not have your hair "stripped". That means all color bleached out. There are several companies that make professional products called "artificial color removers" a true professional will know how to use them. Sounds like you just need to pick a base color you like and get accasional highlights with lowlights. Once you have the look you like make sure you ask for a clear glaze over it and use color safe shampoo so your color doesn\'t fade.

It will look great on your hair, but it can also damage your hair. So think twice before you do it.