Welcome to HTHG’s first ever virtual DIY color consultation!
Here is an email from Katie…
First off, I want to thank you SO MUCH for your blog. This is probably gonna sound really dramatic, but it’s really changed my life. I stumbled across it while looking for some casual bridal hairstyles for my wedding next year. Growing up in a house with all men, I never really fussed with my hair (and never really knew where to start, even when I wanted to try cute new ‘dos). But you’ve really inspired me, and for that I can’t thank you enough!
So now, my question:
I’ve colored my hair in the past, but nothing super drastic. I was wanting to do my own dye job/foil highlights, but wanted to know a professional’s opinion on color theory. I’m about 90% sure I’ve got a cool skin tone (or possibly neutral, leaning on the cool side). I’ve got very dark brown hair (most people think it’s black, but it’s dark brown) which is quite grey at the roots, and dark blue/grey eyes. I started going grey at 17 and now it’s taking over…but it’s more of a silver, I suppose. I’ve got pale skin which, when I hold a white towel next to it, looks more pinky than yellow. My veins are blue and purple.
So, what colors for dye and highlights would you suggest? Here’s a photo that I took a few weeks ago, so you can see the current treatment (with my roots growing in too). I would really appreciate your help!
Thanks,
Katie
Dear Katie,
Hi! thanks so much for visiting HTHG:) I’m thrilled that you have found it helpful! Now, let’s talk about your hair. My first question is if your hair is all its natural color right now. Then, if you would kindly sum up your lifestyle and personal style in a couple sentences so I can know in what direction to steer you hair-wise.
Next question is if you are wanting to make a bold color statement and do something different, or stay within your natural tones for something more understated. Loud or quiet hair
?
Last couple of questions, Kate. Are you wanting to lighten things up a bit, darken up, or brighten it with more rich color, or just blend your sparkly silver roots with the ends? Thanks:) Im Excited for you and your hair.
The last question is if you are cool with me turning this little consultation into a HTHG post. Thanks again for the inquiry, and please let me know if you ever have any tutorial requests;)
HTHG
HTHG, I would probably say something bold, as long as it’s flattering. Unfortunately my work says I have to stay with “natural” colors, but that doesn’t mean MY natural color…just means blue is off the table (and believe me, that made me cry inside when I heard that, I’ve dyed my hair every color under the sun and I miss those days sometimes!).
As for lightening/darkening/etc, I’d say either lightening or brightening. I don’t think I’d like to do anything blonde though, as it would look really weird on me. Thanks
Katie.
Awesome. Im gonna think and visualize on this one for a bit and ill get back with ya:) HTHG
Sounds good, can’t wait to hear back from you!
Katie
So here is what I understand based on our emails back and forth. Kate is a cool toned, casual but funky lady who has dark brown hair with a bit of silver and blue eyes. She has a bit of color on her hair that she did herself, but it has faded a lot. Judging by her picture, it blends pretty well and works with her natural coloring. She is wanting to add something that will brighten her up a bit, without going in a blonde direction. She is newly inspired to experiment with different styles and colors and is excited to DIY her color. Because of her job, she can’t get as colorful as she would like, but she definitely wants to do something with a bit of pizazz.
Sounds like she is getting married soon, so I’m going to err on the side of starting without too much of a bang to give her room to experiment a bit more.
Katie, I’m going to suggest that you get
your color tools ready and go with with
HTHG’s face framing foil to begin with. If you have a friend to help with the back, go with
HTHG’s favorite foil trick ever for a bit more coverage. I think a color like
7RC and
8V mixed equal parts would be really pretty as your foil color. It is kind of a coppery rich light brown/dark blond color mixed with a really cool blonde that will add a nice pop and bring out the blue of your eyes without being to warm for your cool complexion. Don’t be afraid of the word blonde, these colors won’t lighten your naturally dark hair to as light as they appear on the shelves. It will just lighten a little bit. Mix these colors (available at Sally beauty online) with
20v developer and apply in your foils. Then, if you decide you want to take it to the next level, section off the nape of your hair from the top of both ears across the back, and put
5RV and 20V on the whole underside from roots to ends. This will deepen the look with a pop of violet red and a bit of a darker contrast. Way HOT!!
Thank you so much Roxie! I shamelessly promoted your pages on facebook and can’t wait to try out your recommendations. I’ll send you some after photos when I get the cash together and get it all done. You’re a freakin gem!
Good luck, Katie. And please send us an after photo!
Sunday was a fun work day for me. Mostly because I got to drink wine and watch 2 of my dear girlfriends foil each others hair for the first time. Here is what happened. I told them that I’m going to be moving back to Seattle, and they were both sad because we are a part of a small and tight knit community together and we love each other and our children are friends. But also because they would be losing their hairstylist.
They blew me away. They both left with beautiful hair color, and an empowered sense of DIY hair passion. I Loved it. Let them be an inspiration to ladies out their with good girlfriends that they can trust. That is what friends are for. Let your best friend foil your hair.
