My shoulder length natural hair is a medium-light ash brown (level 4-5) that I have colored to a light golden brown using Ion Brilliance #5G.  It is now time to touch up my roots (and gray hairs) and would like to go 1-2 shades lighter (dark blonde) color and then add lighter all over hi-lights after.  Will my hair go to that base level without bleach?  I want to be sure that it gets lightened enough..

 Could I get some suggestions and/or recommendations of what products and techniques I could use to get good results doing this myself for the color AND the hi-lighting?

Hi:  I think because you have applied an all over color (the Ion product) you will not be able to lift your hair to a lighter level without the use of bleach.  I've read in numerous posts that color can't lift color (meaning that if you've applied color (no matter what the shade) you can't get a lighter color by applying a lighter shade.).  You might also use a color stripper such as Colorfix.  I've seen posts referring to using Colorfix - though most seem to be trying to lift a pretty dark shade of color from hair. 

I can't advise about lifting using bleach or Colorfix as I haven't done either.  I do apply all over color and then add some highlights using bleach.  I've had success after some experimentation - when you get to that point -- post again with any questions.

You might put out a specific post on lifting previously applied color using bleach or Colorfix and see what response is generated.  Maria

Thanks for your response Maria!

I have bought some color fix and am hoping that will help get my hair to a point where it can be lifted that 1 level without using bleach.  I have some more Ion color and some bleach and developer for the highlights and will do the highlights regardless of how the base color turns out.  I plan on doing the Colorfix and all over color tomorrow and the highlights the next day.

It has been forever since I have done more than a permanant all over color to my hair (I used to get salon highlights regularly).  When you highlight what method do you use?  Do you place a lot of highlights or just a few?  Also, when it come time to touch up, how difficult is it to touch up roots and highlights?  Thanks again!

Hi:  When I've done the highlights, I typically just select strands and apply the mixture.  I try to be careful not to "gunk" it in big splotches, but rather keep it in narrow strands.  I mainly apply on my crown and around my face.  I don't do much with respect to the underlayers.  So I don't use a cap.  If you wanted lots of highlights, I would use a cap. 

With respect to touchups...My base color is fairly light (level 8).  I have found that I am able to go about 3 root touchups (5 weeks between) before I need to add more highlights.  I add the highlights only to the new growth.  That is a bit tricky - making certain I don't overlap onto previously bleached areas.  However, I don't do many and their usually pretty narrow strands so it seems to work out okay.  For me the most tedious and nerve wracking part was figuring out the proper amount of time for the highlights so that they were the right color -- not too yellow, yet not too white.  I used a highlight kit recommended by another board member, Rebekah.  Its a L'oreal kit called Excellence Creme Lights.  If I recall, Rebekah said it is meant for use over colored hair.  Good luck.

Maria