STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

totally confused by my hair colorist

kmd · Kate Spade

I can't see the pictures. But, that is really bizarre. Maybe you should go to someone else.

Elle · Hermes

Maybe she meant she couldn't take you back to blonde all at once? It would probably look more natural if you went a little lighter each time you colored until you got back to your desired blondeness, no?

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

Some hair colorists are afraid to do this because the heavy chemicals required to lighten your hair can severely damage, break it, etc. When I had my hair dark brown and decided to go light again, my colorist lightened my hair in stages every 8 weeks or so, so it wouldn't feel like such a shock to my hair. At the same time I wonder why celebrities are able to switch colors like underwear and their hair always looks great ???

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

BargainQueen wrote:

Some hair colorists are afraid to do this because the heavy chemicals required to lighten your hair can severely damage, break it, etc. When I had my hair dark brown and decided to go light again, my colorist lightened my hair in stages every 8 weeks or so, so it wouldn't feel like such a shock to my hair. At the same time I wonder why celebrities are able to switch colors like underwear and their hair always looks great ???

I have wondered that about celebrities, too. Cameron Diaz comes to mind.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

bloomie wrote:

BargainQueen wrote:

Some hair colorists are afraid to do this because the heavy chemicals required to lighten your hair can severely damage, break it, etc. When I had my hair dark brown and decided to go light again, my colorist lightened my hair in stages every 8 weeks or so, so it wouldn't feel like such a shock to my hair. At the same time I wonder why celebrities are able to switch colors like underwear and their hair always looks great ???

I have wondered that about celebrities, too. Cameron Diaz comes to mind.

really good extensions would be my guess, and daily deep conditioning treatments. What else could it be? It's not like celebrities have superhero hair you know?

blubirde · Chanel

When my hair was dark, my colorist advised me, before she darkened it, that it would only be able to go back to blonde in stages because otherwise it would kill my hair. I'd say your colorist is trying to do what's best for your hair, imo.

As for celebrities, I don't think it's always as drastic as we see in mags. We only see pics every few weeks, right? Plus they probably use all natural, really organic products on their hair. Most laypeople avoid those (or at least I do) because they fade too quickly and it costs too much time and money to keep up a natural/organic hair color. But it's definitely easier on your hair...

Kitty · Hermes

If you're going from fairly dark to fairly blond, highlights probably won't be enough. You'd need to dye the base color as well.

When I went from blond to dark brown, my stylist told me that I wouldn't be able to go to blond again unless I grew it out. My hair is really fine.

You could try to go to other stylists and see what they say (most high-end places will do a free consultation). Cutting it shorter might also minimize damage.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Sounds like she was looking out for your best interests. If you were brunette then went to blonde then brunette, she'd have to bleach already bleached hair and probably doesn't want to risk your hair breaking or splitting (there is nothing worse than frizzy, damaged blonde hair).

I think celebs are able to go from extremes because 1) they have the best stylists that do the right thing and use gentle treatments 2) weekly professional conditioning 3) professional stylists that never let hair look damaged even though it is.