"Dear Nathan!
I have naturally mousy coloured hair, but have been dyeing it blonde for years. I have always had long hair, but a few months ago I decided finally to get it cut to just above my shoulders with some long layers. I was very happy, and my hair felt great. So I decided to stick with the colour.
I've noticed the last few times it's been coloured that there it quite a bit of breakage around the front and some on top. It's bad enough to have roots every 4-6 weeks, but now this. It really just looks a mess and I don't know what to do.
I've considered going back to my original colour, but this would be quite drastic after all these years, and even more drastic thinking - just to get rid of the lot and start again. I hope you can help me, or at least give some suggestions."
Nathan says:
Firstly, broken hair can be the most frightening thing. This happens when colour is overlapped or left on for far too long. I'm not sure if you're using a bleaching or lightening product (usually something mixed with powder or boosters) or if you're using a tint (usually a cream or gel mixed with peroxide).
If you're tinting or bleaching then you need to be much more careful with the application so that you only colour hair that hasn't been coloured before. Depending on the condition, you could reduce the amount of blonde and perhaps add some darker, more natural colour.
A trip to a good Salon would be really helpful. Ask friends which salons they use. Personal recommendation is the best route to finding good colourists and stylists. This will help you find out what the hair can and cannot do. This is a big job and is best left to the professionals. They can talk face to face with you about all the possibilities. The consultation should be free and a complete and accurate quote should be given.
In the meantime a course of deep and penetrating treatments is required.
Before shampooing, try Philip Kingsley Elasticizer applied to the hair - avoiding the roots - and left for 15 minutes. This can be done before every shampoo or once or twice a week.
Then shampoo with Trevor Sorbie Colour preserve shampoo.
Follow this with some Trevor Sorbie Deep vitamin E Treatment conditioner left for 5 minutes before rinsing.
Trevor Sorbie Products Recommended here are available exclusively from Boots stores nationwide.
Philip Kingsley products are available online from www.philipkingsley.co.uk.
"Dear Nathan!
I have naturally mousy coloured hair, but have been dyeing it blonde for years. I have always had long hair, but a few months ago I decided finally to get it cut to just above my shoulders with some long layers. I was very happy, and my hair felt great. So I decided to stick with the colour.
I've noticed the last few times it's been coloured that there it quite a bit of breakage around the front and some on top. It's bad enough to have roots every 4-6 weeks, but now this. It really just looks a mess and I don't know what to do.