Q: I love my hair, but it is very fine and the application of color always seems to make it dull and susceptible to split
ends. At the moment it is 100 per cent natural mid to dark brown. I'd like to add some slightly lighter, natural-looking highlights
without stripping it or making it prone to damage. Are there any products out there available to hairdressers that can naturally
lighten hair without harsh peroxide? Thank you!
A: As far as I know, there is nothing that will lighten the hair without doing the same thing that peroxide does, which can damage
the hair. However, there are many strengths of peroxide for use in haircoloring.
What I recommend is using a color that is one or two shades lighter than your natural color,
and combining it with 20-volume peroxide. These can be found at your local beauty supply store. You can also find an additive to
use in the color mix that will add gloss to the hair, which should help with split ends and will give the colored hair a nice shine.
You might even want to consider using no highlighting and just look for a clear-gloss color
that has no tinting effect. This product only adds shine to the hair, and will make your hair more light reflective, giving you
deeper-looking color in a much gentler process. The gloss will enhance your hair’s natural color variance without adding highlights.
After any color process, always make sure to condition the hair well. This helps to seal the
cuticle and keep the hair healthy. There are after-color conditioning treatments designed specifically for this purpose.
