As a natural brunette with dark eyes and dark skin (in the summer), I never thought I should venture too far away from my comfortable level 4(dark) brown hair. I tried some darker reds, color melting and some hi-lights but I was always overall on the dark
side. At the beginning of the year, I decided this was the time for change!
Knowing the toll going lighter takes on your hair, I started deep conditioning to prepare. I used Aveda Dry Remedy Treatment Masque once a week. This masque is awesome! I still use it weekly. I let a small amount sit in my hair for about 10 minutes once and I feel the results all week. I also got an Aveda Botanical Treatment. This treatment is more intense and only available in the salon. I recommend getting one of these treatments every time you color your hair. It lasts for weeks and makes your hair feel so soft and strong. My goal was to not only be lighter but to also keep my hair long and healthy.
For my first appointment we decided to do a full weave. Because I had previous color on my hair, a toner would definitely be necessary. Once you have colored your hair the color remains until you cut it off. Even though you may think it has faded out, it will affect any future color you put on your hair. You can always see the old color when you
start lightening your hair. Toners are necessary to even out the color of your hi-lights from roots to ends and to add or take away tones.
The first appointment came out great. The color was a little on the caramel side but
successful in being lighter and my hair was still healthy and long. I noticed right away that being lighter meant I didn’t have to wash my hair as often. I also noticed that the few gray hairs I have blended right in with the blonde. As a brunette, I could spot them
a mile away! I could get used to this. This was a good color for me but I still wanted to keep going lighter.
I waited 4 weeks (deep conditioning once a week), to do a partial weave. I didn’t want to do too much too fast, so I took things nice and slow. I think after this appointment you would definitely consider me blonde. I still have some dark pieces and some of my blonde is golden, but this is a natural result going from brown to blonde. I love that I changed my hair drastically. I encourage everyone to try something new if you have been thinking about it!
Things to consider: If your hair is as dark as mine, in order to maintain the blonde you should schedule your appointments for every 5 weeks. If that seems too high maintenance but you really want to be blonde I would book a base break for 4 weeks out to gently shift your natural color to blend in with your hi-lights and then your next foil appointment for 8 weeks. Now that I am lighter, colors look different on me. I have had to change the way I do my makeup and have been more adventurous wearing different
colors. New hair means a new look! Be prepared. Every time I wash my hair I use Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner, Color Conserve Daily Hair Protect and Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair to keep my hair nourished and the color lasting.
By Mood Swings’ Stylist,
Jessica “Jade” Divis
