Going Brown or Auburn from Blonde?

[Anonymous]

My DH thinks this is part of my early 40s malaise, and he may be right. Nonetheless, I am thinking of going brown or auburn. I am a natural dark blonde with highlights (though last time I had them done was pre-Halloween), fair to medium complexion, blue eyes. Anyone out there gone darker and can comment on 1) how hard to maintain, 2) happiness with change, 3) things you wish you knew before, 4) the usual DCUM comments pro/con. I would be going to a good salon for this so there is no risk of at home disasters, like orange Bozo hair.

[Anonymous]

My sister tried it. It went pink.

[Anonymous]

I'm already a brunette - always have been - but you may want to consider that your makeup colors may also need a change...I'm quite fair with brown hair but wear darker shades than my fair/blonde mother.

Give it a try though! Good luck! I hope it works for you!

[Anonymous]

I am a light blonde who went red and love it. Gradually increased the redness over two years until I found the intensity I loved best. Very red now in winter. Go lighter in summer. Tons of compliments.

I have very fair skin with blue eyes. The new shade highlights the eyes and gives my skin good color. Darker colors much easier to maintain than lighter. No dark roots.

See a professional to determine which shades and temperatures will work best for you. I highly recommend that you gradually increase the color over time rather than doing it all at once.

And your color palette will definitely change. Be prepared for the attention - redheads get noticed!

[Anonymous]

Your hair must be "filled" in order to go from light to dark. This invovles adding the warmth you took out of your hair. Back in the day, when I did hair, we would add one ounce of red in the level 5 (just the color), which is a medium brown level red. Add this to the color you wish to achieve and you should get predicted results. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

I am a fair skinned, blue-eyed, dark blond (but with highlights). One thing I would consider is the thickness of your hair. My long fine hair did not look good darker at all. Very mousy. Now, if you've got thick hair, I think it would look great!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. I asked a colorist about it the other day and she thinks I can go auburn very easily. However, I am nervous about a dramatic change--I am no Nicole Kidman...alas. At any rate, she wants to do a single process color and then highlights/lowlights. I am more inclined to go for lowlights/highlights to achieve a more subtle change. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

You can't go wrong "going" Brown or Auburn. Both remind me of someone who is spunky and brainy. You've heard of Brown and Auburn Universities ... but not a Blonde University.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am the pp above who went very slowly. It took me almost 2 years to get to where I knew I had achieved the right shade - which is very red and dramatic. I suggest you have her show you swatches and tell her you want to go one step each time. It's a dramatic change - go cautiously.