Hello,
I have just returned from the hairdressers after having a full head of blonde highlights and I still have at least a cm of growth showing - more in some places. I am originally dark but have been blonde for over a year. It is so noticeable at my parting and around my hairline. Is this normal? What can I do to make it look better? I am a bridesmaid on Saturday and I am now panicking.
Thank you, Denise, Edinburgh
Hello Denise,
I suggest you return to your hairdresser and ask them to touch up your roots; they need to get closer to the scalp around your parting and hairline.
Why are my roots showing after highlights?
When it comes to roots showing, it depends on the application that the hairdresser has used. Normally with highlights, the roots should be no more than a quarter of a cm, so if this is not the case with your colour, than this will be the reason for your roots showing after highlights. Another reason for roots showing can be down to the swelling of the bleach and high lift colours. These types of colour applications swell as they develop, so the hairdresser applying the colour must pay attention to this. You can usually block the swelling of bleach and high lift colour by using cotton wool strips, which help the colour to not run on to the scalp. Making sure roots aren’t showing after highlights is a technical skill which a professional hairdresser should know how to carry out successfully.
What to do if your roots are showing
If your roots are showing, I would suggest you visit a colour specialist, as they will be able to cleverly and skilfully colour your blonde very close to your scalp, so your highlights are close to the roots and not far from the root. There is an art to it, and not many stylists can do it. Make sure that your colourist protects your hair from breakage and protects your scalp when applying the lifting colours. The last thing you want along with your roots showing is a burnt scalp or patchy root colours.
Why you should consider showing your roots
There is an alternative… You say your own hair is dark so maybe it would be better for you to have some lowlights (same colour as your own dark hair) put around the parting areas and hairline. That way the sharp dark root would be much less noticeable and will help to blend the colour when roots are showing after 1 week, even showing after 3 weeks. It is normal that there is some root showing especially if your blonde is very light. A little root showing can be quite fashionable, after a week your own dark hair colour will start showing through anyway.
I hope Denise my advice will help you and you will be the most attractive bridesmaid!