[Hazel]

Thank you to both of you for answering. My original hair colour is very dark brown. I have been dyeing my hair since I was 15 (I am now 20). I dye my hair every 2-3 months, sometimes 6 months. I have had blonde highlights once before, but other than that never bleached my hair. I have gone from medium to dark browns since 15. I dyed my hair black 9 months ago, so 3 or 4 treatments. I sometimes go to the salon, but I usually dye it at home. I use professional and drugstore shampoos and conditioners, switching back and forth. I use a Sedu flat iron every other day. Unfortunately I haven't been doing my weekly deep conditioning treatments. My hair looks fine now, a little damaged. I think with some treatments it will be much stronger.

I thought stripping the hair colour would be better than bleaching because it removes all the residue from the hair instead of putting more in. I know it leaves uneven patches. I have Wella brand bleach, but I don't know what volume to use. I also don't want to mess it up and end up with orange hair or something. I would love to do it myself if I knew how, and properly. As for the salons, I find them unexperienced and too afraid to give it a go because they don't know how to do it. I can't believe I know more than some stylists. I can't pay a fortune for the experienced stylists either. If I go to a very cheap place, I find they will agree to anything but then mess up your hair. Anastasia if you could ask your aunt it would be so helpful.