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Trouble lightening hair - help!

Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: Hair Color
Forum Description: The tricks and tribulations of changing your hair color
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=50949
Printed Date: October 04 2025 at 9:09am


Topic: Trouble lightening hair - help!
Posted By: Lisa412
Subject: Trouble lightening hair - help!
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 4:23pm
My natural hair color is dark brown with probably red highlights.  About 4 years ago I went to a salon that uses Goldwell bleach.  For some reason, the bleach didn't take & she ended up having to use it twice.  She said there must be something in my hair that's causing this...medication???  She said she'd never seen this before!  I ended up finally leaving slightly blonde but after two more attempts she refused to use any more color because she said it would fry my hair.  After that, I went to another salon who used color (not straight bleach) and the color took.  It wasn't as blonde as I would have wanted but they were nice golden blonde highlights.  I asked him to use bleach on just a few pieces and those pieces ended up breaking and my hair got real damaged. 

My dilemma is this:  I just went back to my original person with the Goldwell who used COLOR this time (no bleach) and once again, it really didn't take.  Then I bought Garnier color breaks and tried a few strands - didn't work either.  What is wrong with my hair?  Is this normal?  What I'm trying to achieve is light brown with a few golden blonde highlights, or just dark brown with a few golden/strawberry highlights.  Has anyone ever heard of hair not responding to color?  I certainly don't want to use too much bleach or my hair will fall out.  Does anyone have ideas?  Should I go to another salon?  I really don't want to be brunette!
Any advice is appreciated!!!  Thank you!   :(


Replies:
Posted By: Rebekah
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 4:32pm
For dark brown hair you MUST bleach to get to a nice blonde color.  In reality, regular color can only lighten the hair up to two levels.  In your case maybe and I stress MAYBE light brown.  It is not uncommon for hair to need three bleachings when it's rather dark with lots of red undertones to get it to a nice blonde shade.  I don't think it's unusual for your hair to be responding this way, actually, I think you are the norm, lol. 
 
My suggestion...stop all regular color jobs, and from now on just use bleach in foils and, if you want, color two shades lighter than your natural color in a few foils--only on the new regrowth.  Eventually this will grow out to look like a pretty blended color. 
 
Good luck!
 
Rebekah
 

Posted By: Lisa412
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 4:42pm
Hi, thank you for your reply!

Should I just go to another salon and ask them to just try a few sample pieces?  I know I need the bleach but I think the stylists want to put more in my hair than what I really want!  LOL  I just want a FEW highlights...

Also, my natural hair is very dry and curly.  What is the best treatment/conditioner for that?  I usually use the hair 911 stuff from the local salon product store and then I spray it with Flatout before using flatiron.  However, I'd rather have curly hair with blonde highlights than dark, straight hair!  LOL

Posted By: Rebekah
Date Posted: March 11 2007 at 5:52pm
Sorry, but I'm not sure what to recommend as far as products go for your hair type.  I have board straight hair, I'm afraid, which is completely opposite of yours.  You may just try putting in a few highlights yourself, where you want them.  Good luck! 
 
Rebekah


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