There comes a time in every woman’s life when she decides to take the plunge and swap her blonde locks for a darker hue. Margot Robbie did it, Britney Spears did it, and as winter draws near and the weather becomes darker, you may be wondering if you too should do it. It’s not uncommon for women to want to return to their brunette roots after running around as a blonde bombshell on the beach all summer, so we questioned Belinda Jeffrey, Clairol Nice’n Easy Ambassador and Expert Colourist, on the benefits of dying hair dark for winter and how you can get the best results doing it at home.
bh: What are some of the benefits of dying your hair dark in winter?
Belinda: As you’ve been more exposed to the sun and have probably spent plenty of time swimming in summer, it’s common for your hair to feel dry and a little more damaged, so there are a couple of reasons why it’s a great idea to go darker as the months start to get cooler. Overall your hair colour will look a lot healthier i.e. fuller, richer, shinier and as though there’s added depth, dimension and shimmer. Another benefit of going darker in winter is that it’s easier to maintain, as your roots won’t show and come through as quickly as they do when your hair is lighter.
bh: What should be considered when choosing a darker at-home hair colour?
Belinda: If going darker, I’d say it’s always best to never stray more than two shades darker. It’s also very important that you follow the instructions on the box, for example, how long you should let the colour set for or tips on applying the colour. This is especially important when you’re going darker; as if you leave the colour to set longer than the recommended time, it’s likely the final result will end up looking a lot heavier. In terms of skin tone, if you have ivory or creamy coloured skin, then I think you can be a little more adventurous; however, if you have a pale or pink-toned complexion, then you should choose neutrals such as ashy or dark browns.
bh: What are your top tips for dying your hair dark at home?
Belinda: It’s always handy to rub a barrier of Vaseline or Paw Paw across your hairline and ears before you apply the colour to avoid any stains on your skin and that “just coloured” look. Also, to avoid a mismatched look, have your brows tinted professionally or colour your eyebrows with a brow pencil at 1-2 shades darker, as natural brunettes tend to have a strong brow, which really complements a dark hair colour.
bh: What’s the best way to maintain dark hair?
Belinda: To get more longevity out of your colour, I’d recommend using a shampoo with colour pigment in it in the colour you wish to maintain. Be aware though that before using a colour shampoo, you still need to cleanse hair with a moisturising and/or cleansing shampoo to remove build up, which will help the colour shampoo penetrate strands and replenish brightness . Washing hair once or twice a week is best to help reduce fading. The Clairol Nice’n Easy Root Touch-Up is also a great way to keep your hair colour looking fresh between salon visits. I recommend it to my clients when they’re going on holidays because I know it will match their colour perfectly and it takes away the risk of visiting an overseas colourist.
Bh also recommends: Ambiance Brunette Tinted Volume Styling Dry Shampoo and Color Wow Root Cover Up ($49.95, Hairhouse Warehouse)
Are you considering dying your hair dark for winter? How do you maintain your hair health?
I’m doing the opposite atm, dying my hair lighter