Hello,
I recently wanted to change my hair from black which I was dying for some time. I tried having it stripped twice but it didn't do anything apart from make it look brassy. I finally had it bleached several times and a light brown colour applied all over but that has not worked either!
I am currently conditioning my hair and giving it lots of TLC. What do I do next?
Anon, UK
Artificially coloured black hair can look beautiful, shiny and rich. However it is the bane of many a hair colourists life when the person wants it lightening. If you have been dying it black for a while and applying it over and over then the hair maybe stained so intensely that it will only lighten to a red or orange and nothing more. This can in theory be toned to create a brunette colour, but only by a highly skilled technician.
You must decide what you want to do with your colour long term. If you want it lighter then that can happen but only with lots of patience and keep-up with the TLC.
Go speak to a colourist who is experienced in colour correction work, go armed with pictures of what you like and what you don't. Also you have to give the full history of what colours have been applied to the hair. They should be able to give you a good opinion and a plan of action.