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Going very blonde? An option for me? ETA more pics

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am going to be on a much reduced shopping budget at least through March, if not longer. I was thinking of having my hair colored very blonde as my fashion investment. I might dye it back in the spring or summer when I have less time to maintain. So this would be for a 3-5 months, just for fun.

Here are some inspiration pictures, and the last is my natural hair color in daylight. I haven't colored it in around 15 years, but it does get lighter at the bottom naturally through continued sun exposure.

What do you think? Which shade would you recommend? If any.

ETA -- more pictures of my hair. #7 is in daylight, #8 is inside, during the day with flash. #9 is same lighting circumstances as #8 but in a ponytail where my hair looks many shades darker. (Sorry to subject you to more "package" pics LOL)

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27 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think you can do it. I was briefly platinum blonde in my twenties. Double bleach plus toner. My scalp could not handle it. Ended up with a massive case of dandruff. I loved the color though. Only thing was I had to wear stronger make-up because otherwise I looked very washed out.

Claudia

Veteran

I will probably be the odd one out, but I wouldn't do it if I were you. Your natural color is already very light (and quite beautiful in my opinion). Bleaching it that light, as the examples you've shown, will damage your hair significantly, and because you wear it long, it's not like you'll easily be able to cut off the damaged ends, it will take a year or more for them to grow out to the length you currently wear your hair. I also think the hair in these sample photos looks really flat and lifeless compared to what you already naturally have.

If you really want to go lighter, how about just some highlights, maybe mostly in front framing your face, so you aren't damaging your whole head of hair?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am not an expert at all but I like your hair as it is now, I think this shade suits you very well. If you want to go for a shade close to your bottom hair color it should work IMO but I am not sure about more blonde than that. As Anna said you may need a stronger makeup all the time...

Deborah

Veteran

Denise I think you could go blonde. As a naturally dark blonde who has been colouring her hair since she was about 18, do you mind if I just make a few suggestions? And you have probably already considered these but just in case...

Consider the use of bleach very carefully. It can be SO damaging. It is not so bad for those girls with short hair who have it cut regularly but with longer hair, it does seem to require much more TLC.

I don't think I would suggest a block colour. Your colour is so gorgeous, I think I would be inclined to do a half or even quarter head of a blonde that will work beautifully against your natural colour.

I had my hair coloured just before Christmas and we put more of my natural colour back in and lessened the amount of blonde foils. My hair has much more body and the colour (to my eye anyway) seems a little more natural.

Having said all this, I do like drama and extremes so I think going blonde would look amazing, but just not at the expense of damaging your hair.

Of all of these I like #3. It has warmth and I think the warmer tones will blend more with your natural color and be flattering on your skin tone.

Good luck.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think your natural colour is great and already very light. I might do as Claudia suggests and consider highlights/ lowlights instead. Especially because you wear your hair longer, it's really important to consider the possible damaging effects of the bleach. On the other hand, if you think you might want to cut it short, then go for whatever colour (s) you want!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Are you planning to have more fun?

deb

Veteran

I would leave your hair the way it is. It is a beautiful color.

Anonymous

Yes you could pull it off but your hair is beautiful as is and already so light. IMHO super blonde works best with really short hair.

Anonymous

I think if you are really interested you should seek professional help, ie a stylist. There are many tones of blond, some cool some warm. I am no expert but I think your skin tone matters too. Personaly, I like your natural colour

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm not going to beat around the bush dear sweet Denise - I vote no on the extra light platinum blonde. It's extremely damaging and the re-growth is a mare. Plus your hair will look lifeless. People like Gwen Stefani have a professional crew looking after her hair 24/7! And even her hair is damaged.

I'm 100% with Claudia and Suz. I vote extra light highlights

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with the others who feel that this colour is best on short hair. Imo long hair needs to look healthy or there isn't much point to it (but that's just me).
What about having a streak of platinum put through the front of your hair? You will get some idea of the colour & damage without the possible downside & if you love it you can get the whole head version.
Another option- is there anywhere you can try a great quality wig? I tried one in grey before I stopped colouring my hair & it convinced me to let it go grey - that & my itchy reaction to the colour:)

Jjsloane

Veteran

I think your haircolor is gorgeous and natural as is. Any lighter and you risk (in addition to the potential drying and damaging) washing yourself out. I don't think this is quite in keeping with your style.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I have done the platinum thing and managed 8 months before I couldn't take the upkeep and scalp burn any longer.

Hair color like that costs what, $100 every 6 weeks? How about an investment bag instead - something that will make you feel amazing every time you carry it in the next six months?

bj1111

Veteran

how much do you want to experiment with color? would you consider a wig?

krishnidoux

Veteran

Don't do it. Invest in a cut or even lowlights, but not any blonder. It would be too harsh IMO. However, a series of masks or treatments at your hairdresser will cost less and make you feel like a million bucks. It's a little attention that goes a long way, esp. with longer hair: hot oil wraps or protein masks will make your hair strong and shiny. It is very rejuvenating for the hair and your actual colour will look very expensive.

jenanded

Veteran

Hi Cocolion... the pictures look cute with that really platinum hair but... I think I agree with the others that some foils would be great. Love your hair long but taking off say 2 inches as well would make it real quite different/ more that kind of sharp look those pictures have. I notice that all the pictures of hair colours have girls wearing edgy black clothes - so that possibly adds to the look... perhaps foils, a couple of inches and some black shirts would give you the look?

rae

(website)

Veteran

It might look cool in a really washed out, ethereal way. But with your hair lovely as it is and Angie's warning about the damage, I think it's not worth the risk.

Isis

Veteran

You have beautiful hair! I vote swaths of platinum streaks near your face. It will be very dramatic, but won't inflict nearly the damage of your natural hair. Plus the roots don't show as much as it regrows.....

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for all of the frank feedback. I had not thought of damage! I thought you could dye hair any color these days without bleach. So the bleach blonde - platinum blonde idea might not be a good one for a few months.

I really want my hair to look better when it is back, a requirement for work and sometimes when I get too hot.

I have no idea what that would entail, I am a color novice.

Deborah

Veteran

Denise do you have a regular hair stylist that you trust? If so, I would go and have a chat with her and don't make any decisions until you have had time to go home and consider her/his suggestions/recommendations.

I had an awful episode with bleach about 8 months before I came to YLF... I won't bore you with the gory details (it was done in a salon) but I had to keep my bob very short, went back to my natural colour (blah) and had broken hair with no body for almost two years:( I was not a very happy girl! So all Im saying is it's worth the time and effort to ensure what you decide is good for your hair.

kkards

Veteran

ok, i won't tell you how much i have spent in the last few years to get my hair to your natural color.

anyway, i agree with the others, you have a great color already. i would consider some highlights and/or lowligths to add depth.

have you thought at all about changing the length?

rute

Veteran

I agree on the extra light highlights!

Scarlet

Veteran

I also think your hair color now is really beautiful and would be concerned about damaging it. I could see adding a few highlights to address the hair pulled back effect--I know what you mean. When I pull my hair back people ask if I have dyed my hair. They could do just a couple around your face, and especially if you explain your concern I am sure a good hairdresser would know just what to do.

Anonymous

Is your hair fine? It looks like it is. The bleaching process is extremely damaging , especially on fine hair. I vote nay. Bleached hair can look lifeless.
ETA: You mentioned being on a tight budget. Highlights are great, I used to have burgundy red low lights and loved them. I had to stop doing it because the only way to get the roots done is to do it professionally. It became really expensive for me, as I have LOTS of grey hair, that I need to dye weekly. Just an FYI if you have to do roots frequently. ( That would be the case if your hair grows fast).

Mochi

Veteran

What Claudia said and I haven't read any other comments. I could kind of see taking on the hair damage if it were going to be a real departure for you, but you already have beautiful, healthy light hair in warm tones. Plus I'm not sure your complexion wouldn't make you look washed out if you went with anything lighter.

Anonymous

It's been many years since I've put in highlights, but even with that small change, my clothing didn't often look the same. You may find that changes to your hair color mean needing a new wardrobe and makeup. Just a thought

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

As a natural darker blonde I vote a big NO on bleaching due to damage and unecessary chemical exposure. You could easily add highlights at home or at a salon or use a much less toxic color if you just want to change things just slightly. I use Garnier Nutriesse in a shade very close to my own color to cover my grays about twice a year and then I use Sun-In and the natural sun to create more highlights by applying it with a cotton ball so I can streak exactly where I want to. I do the Sun-In treatment more than once if it doesn't lighten the streaks enough.

I kind of have my own low lights so I haven't tried that yet but I have considered it.

What about a different cut or style instead if you want to change things up?