Dark Golden Blonde

hi there. I was wandering how I could get a nice, dark golden blonde color.

My natural hair color is dark brown, so I pretty much know that I would have to bleach it to a pale yellow stage first, and then darken it. I usually use Schwartzkopft bleach with 30v developer.

I've always like sarah jessica parkers hair color in Sex and the City. here's a few pictures to give you an idea of what I'm looking for:

   

I know she has alot of highlights, but I'm basically looking for the base color, and maybe I'll add some highlights in the future. So, would you suggest a golden blonde color/toner, with maybe a 10 or 5 volume developer? Do you have any suggestions for hair color brands, like perhaps paul mitchell or schwartzkopft? Thanks. [IMG]smileys/smiley1.gif" align="middle" />

Edited by erica_e - February 28 2008 at 10:17am

Yes, I have ALOT of warmth in my hair... alot of red natural hightlights/undertones... as most dark brown hair has. so a 20v bleach usually just lifts it to an orange/brassy yellow stage.

Edited by erica_e - February 29 2008 at 10:21am

I really love this color too. the problem is, my hair is so dark that it won't lighten past a medium-brown without bleach. so, I don't know... a medium-brown with bleach-blonde highlights won't look very natural I think.

If you desire all over color, then you don't have to lighten all way to pale yellow as others have stated. For a dark golden blonde, which I've achieved on my very dark hair, all I had to do is bleach it to a banana yellow or possibly a yellow/orange stage that looks like goldish color. Then tone it with a natural or ash blonde to tone down brassiness. It looks kinda golden but more neutral. I have problems with red and orange, too, but I've successfully lighten it every time using local beauty supply store products, not drugstore products. If you prefer more natural look, then highlights are the best way to go. You can lighten your hair to a golden brown with a bit of lightener and a tint with low volume developer, then you can go to salon to add more highlights and lowlights to your hair. Best wishes!

Hello erica! I know what you mean about these yucky ash based tints. I avoid them. I specifically use toners instead of regular tints because these regular ash blonde tints have stronger base than toners, hence, the muddy, greenish undertones. I highly recommend Clairol Creme Toners or Wella Color Charm Toners. Wella has a bit more limited choices of toners, so Clairol has more choices. These toners always bring my hair to a natural looking pastel blonde, not muddy or greenish. Toners are designed for bleached hair while regular tints are designed for non-bleached hair and acts like hi-lift. I don't use hi-lift tint because it has more stronger base than regular or toner. If you really can't find any toners at your local beauty store, then I suggest you to go online to get the toners or take a risk with regular tint with 10 or 20 volume developer. I don't like regular tints because they can be unpredictable so do strand test. A combo of warm and cool is the best rather than ash or neutral. Natural has no base like Wella Color Charm so it comes out a little warmer on bleached hair. It might sting your scalp after bleaching your hair.

I use lightener or bleach like either Wella Wellite or Clairol 7th Stage Lightener with 30 volume twice to reach banana yellow stage. Both works very well.