Hi, I’m Lauren from My Hairdresser. My day-to-day work mostly involves the computer side of things, so I spend a lot of time looking at our Hair Colours and customer transformations which means I get very easily influenced to change my Hair. Working at My Hairdresser is particularly tempting when seasons change as my brain starts craving a new hue. Fortunately for me, our Colour Consultant team are always as excited as I am to start on a new journey, generously lending their time and expertise with my fresh look.
Since we've collaborated over several transformations, they're familiar with my preferences. For instance, I avoid using bleach because of how harsh it feels on my scalp and Hair. Instead, I rely on our Colour range, which allows me to achieve the looks I want without the drawbacks of bleach. I’m excited to share how I recently transitioned from Brunette to Blonde at home, using only our My Hairdresser Colour Remover and Hair Colour Range, with expert guidance from our Colour Consultant team.
Here’s how I achieved my transformation.
Get To Know My Hair, Colour Goals And Colour History
My Natural Hair Colour is: 7 Medium Blonde
7
Medium Blonde
My Colour Goal: To remove my Brunette Shade (I am expecting some Colour Build Up) and transform it into a Medium to Light Blonde. I will also paint some casual Highlights for dimension to create a lived in Natural Blonde with Light creamy ends. I will use a Colour mixture of 1/2 7 Medium Blonde and 1/2 8.2 Beige Blonde mixed with 20 Volume Developer for my root Colour, the Babylights Bundle in 908 Extra Light Silver Blonde for my Highlights and the Pearl Blonde Toner Kit through my ends.
My current Colour: I've been enjoying the glow of the beautiful Milk Chocolate for the past 4 months, with 4 root touchups including 2 full head applications.
Previous Colour: For 6 months, I sported a bronde look with painted Blonde Highlights, using 9 Very Light Blonde with a 40 Volume Developer for the Highlights, and a root colour combination of 7 Medium Blonde and 7.53 Chocolate Blonde with a 20 Volume Developer.
Before That: I was a straight 7.53 Chocolate Blonde.
Before That: I adored a Blonde combination of 8.2 Light Beige Blonde and 9 Very Light Blonde. Like I said, I am a yo-yo Colourer.
Now to my transformation.
Step 1: Colour Removal
Products used: 2 x Colour Remover, Applicator Bottle, Sectioning Clips, Protective Cape and cling wrap.
Currently, my Hair is Milk Chocolate (level 5 Lightness), and my goal Colour is to reach a Medium to Light Blonde (levels 7/8 Lightness). To achieve this, I need to remove the Dark pigment before Lightening. I applied the first Colour Remover application to my Dark Hair, avoiding my Regrowth. I worked quickly to massage it through my Hair, then wrapped it in cling wrap. I repeated this process with a second application focused mainly on my dark ends. (You can perform up to 2 Colour Remover applications in a day—just be sure to apply it to dry hair each time!)
My Colour Remover aim was to see a brassy version of my Natural Shade, thankfully I achieved it with the 2 Colour Remover applications.
Step 2: Strand Test
To Lighten my Hair effectively, I need to ensure that all previous Colour pigment has been removed. Otherwise, there won’t be a noticeable change after my Colour application.
I test my Highlight Colour (908 Extra Light Silver Blonde with a 40 Volume Developer) on two thin sections in the middle of my Hair and await the results. Thankfully, it’s a success.
Step 3: Paint My Highlights
Products used: 908 Extra Light Silver Blonde, 40 Volume Developer, Tint Bowl and Brush, Sectioning Clips, Protective Cape and aluminium foil strips.
Painting Highlights is a chance to get creative. I’m not a professional and prefer to avoid heavy, tiger stripe effects. Instead, I go for a casual look, as if I earned my Highlights from hours spent swimming in the ocean.
Following our How To Paint Highlights tutorial and a favourite blog post, I sectioned my Hair into four parts and started at the back. I pulled out small sections of Hair, about half a centimetre wide, and painted the Highlights using my tint brush angled on its side. I kept the starting point a few centimetres from the scalp, lightly feathering the Colour to avoid a clear starting line. I staggered the Highlights, leaving some strands uncoloured for variation.
As I reached the front, I painted Highlights closer to the hairline to frame my face. After each application, I wrapped my Hair in foil to prevent Colour from spreading and removed the foil during processing to stop overcooking. This technique allows my Darker Hair at the back to slow down and let the recently Coloured sections catch up. Once I reached my 45 minute processing time, I shampooed and conditioned as per instructions.
Step 4: My Base Colour
Products used: 7 Medium Blonde, 8.2 Beige Blonde, 20 Volume Developer, Tint Bowl and Brush, Sectioning Clips and Protective Cape
After drying my Hair, I sectioned it into four parts and started with the front sections. I applied my Colour mixture to my Natural Regrowth, tapering it down to the top of my Highlights. For a soft blend and variation, I brought the Colour slightly over the top of the Highlights, and for areas without Highlights, I applied the Colour through to my ends. Once I had applied my base Colour, I set the timer for 35 minutes to develop.
Step 5: Tone My Ends
Products used: Pearl Blonde Toner Kit and Wide Tooth Comb
During the final 20 minutes of my Colours processing time, I applied the Pearl Blonde Toner to my ends to achieve the creamy, Natural looking Blonde I am looking for. After applying my Toning mixture, I gently comb from my roots to my ends, ensuring a smooth blend and adding dimension to my new Blonde.
Once my Colour processing time was up, I washed, conditioned, and blow-dried my Hair. I love the thrill of seeing yourself for the first time after a complete Colour transformation.
