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Choosing the right hair colour can be daunting, especially if you consider the price tag. Here are our readers’ colour dilemmas, followed by our hair expert, David Gillson’s, advice.
Reader 1: I have been trying for the past 10 years.. Literally to find the perfect color for my hair! I'd been a blonde, brunette and a redhead! I've gone goth and used jet black, I tried highlights, low lights... And nothing seems to suite me at all!
I turned 33 in January and the grey hairs have started multiplying at an alarming rate. I need to do something, but promised myself, and my hubby (who has footed the bill for all the weird crazy colors over the years) that the next time I color it will be permanent. Any advice on what to do?
Reader 2: My age is 63 year. Luckily I have very good conditioned hair with very little grey and my own colour.
I have wanted to go blond for years and cannot convince my hairdresser. She will not allow me to do this until I am very grey. Why is this such a bad idea? If it doesn’t suit my face, can I not put a colour rinse through to get it nearer to my natural colour?
Reader 3: I find that my hair goes yellow very quickly. I had my hair touched up and lightened a month ago and the very next day the office ladies pointed out that I had yellow hair!
Aahhh freaked out (as I had to fly to my head office on business 2 days later)So could not get an appointment with my hair dresser at all. I was told that Gentian Violet works but I must not us much. I ended up doing that 4 times and it came right slightly.
So I ended up heading on my business trip but as soon as I got home I box dyed my hair an ash blonde so it’s gone lighter.But how do I go about stopping the brassy yellowness of my hair…?
Reader 4: Due to time and financial constraints, I have been having my hair cut by a barber for approximately 5 years (yes, the same style in all that time sometimes a little too short though).
The convenience of walking in, waiting my turn (2 or 4 guys) just works for me rather than waiting weeks, when I decide NOW that my hair is annoying me.
Over the past few years I have also not paid too much attention to my hair colour (although I got highlights for my sister's wedding in October) and although I never again expect to have the white blonde hair I had as a child, (at 41) the mouse-brown with silver threads is just awful!!
Sometime I feel more like an old lady than the mom of two hyper little boys I need a change, more than that I need to be shown how to keep it up! BUT the challenge for me would be low maintenance, quick and convenient too. I am not a high maintenance "chick"!
Reader 5: What is the best way to judge if a colour will suit your skin tone before you commit? I’m always on the edge of dying my hair, wanting to make a change from plain brown but worry that I won’t pick a colour that is right for my slightly olive skin. Can you share your expertise on this sort of choice?
How can I change my dark brunette into a funky and vibrant look? Trust me on one thing, box colors are a let down!
David says:
When it comes to colour and style, you need to know exactly what you want before you take the plunge. And communicating with your hairdresser is an absolute must.
If you’re feeling confused about choosing a specific style or colour, why not take a look at your favourite celebs. If you’ve always loved Kate Middleton’s colour, take at least 5 pics of her to your stylist. And tell him that’s what you’d like.
Terminology is important – when you say coppery, your stylist may think you want something completely different to what you really had in mind. Once again, this is where pictures of your desired look comes in handy. And if your hairdresser doesn’t want to see the images that you brought along, or have a proper discussion with you, then he’s crazy and you should walk out of there!
The colour swatch chart in the salon is your friend. Ask your stylist to see it, and show him what colour you would like. Take the swatch and place it on your wrist to see if it matches your skin tone. A good stylist will give you advice and guidance along the way.
Want to find out more about your particular hair issue? Click here to see the rest of our expert advice articles.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Reader 1: I have been trying for the past 10 years.. Literally to find the perfect color for my hair! I'd been a blonde, brunette and a redhead! I've gone goth and used jet black, I tried highlights, low lights... And nothing seems to suite me at all!
I turned 33 in January and the grey hairs have started multiplying at an alarming rate. I need to do something, but promised myself, and my hubby (who has footed the bill for all the weird crazy colors over the years) that the next time I color it will be permanent. Any advice on what to do?
Reader 2: My age is 63 year. Luckily I have very good conditioned hair with very little grey and my own colour.
I have wanted to go blond for years and cannot convince my hairdresser. She will not allow me to do this until I am very grey. Why is this such a bad idea? If it doesn’t suit my face, can I not put a colour rinse through to get it nearer to my natural colour?
Reader 3: I find that my hair goes yellow very quickly. I had my hair touched up and lightened a month ago and the very next day the office ladies pointed out that I had yellow hair!
Aahhh freaked out (as I had to fly to my head office on business 2 days later)So could not get an appointment with my hair dresser at all. I was told that Gentian Violet works but I must not us much. I ended up doing that 4 times and it came right slightly.
So I ended up heading on my business trip but as soon as I got home I box dyed my hair an ash blonde so it’s gone lighter.But how do I go about stopping the brassy yellowness of my hair…?
Reader 4: Due to time and financial constraints, I have been having my hair cut by a barber for approximately 5 years (yes, the same style in all that time sometimes a little too short though).
The convenience of walking in, waiting my turn (2 or 4 guys) just works for me rather than waiting weeks, when I decide NOW that my hair is annoying me.
Over the past few years I have also not paid too much attention to my hair colour (although I got highlights for my sister's wedding in October) and although I never again expect to have the white blonde hair I had as a child, (at 41) the mouse-brown with silver threads is just awful!!
Sometime I feel more like an old lady than the mom of two hyper little boys I need a change, more than that I need to be shown how to keep it up! BUT the challenge for me would be low maintenance, quick and convenient too. I am not a high maintenance "chick"!
Reader 5: What is the best way to judge if a colour will suit your skin tone before you commit? I’m always on the edge of dying my hair, wanting to make a change from plain brown but worry that I won’t pick a colour that is right for my slightly olive skin. Can you share your expertise on this sort of choice?
How can I change my dark brunette into a funky and vibrant look? Trust me on one thing, box colors are a let down!
David says:
When it comes to colour and style, you need to know exactly what you want before you take the plunge. And communicating with your hairdresser is an absolute must.
If you’re feeling confused about choosing a specific style or colour, why not take a look at your favourite celebs. If you’ve always loved Kate Middleton’s colour, take at least 5 pics of her to your stylist. And tell him that’s what you’d like.
Terminology is important – when you say coppery, your stylist may think you want something completely different to what you really had in mind. Once again, this is where pictures of your desired look comes in handy. And if your hairdresser doesn’t want to see the images that you brought along, or have a proper discussion with you, then he’s crazy and you should walk out of there!
The colour swatch chart in the salon is your friend. Ask your stylist to see it, and show him what colour you would like. Take the swatch and place it on your wrist to see if it matches your skin tone. A good stylist will give you advice and guidance along the way.
Want to find out more about your particular hair issue? Click here to see the rest of our expert advice articles.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
