Hair colour advice: tips from the experts

Help! Coloured hair and highlights

I'd like to have highlights, but I'm not sure if they'll suit me. Is there any kind of temporary highlights I could have?

Maggie Walsh, Liverpool

‘Try Santo Blonde wash-in, wash-out highlighting spray, £2.99 for a 75ml (020 8787 7098),' says Prima beauty editor Trish Lesslie. ‘It comes in two shades - Natural and Platinum. Just spray it on to dry hair and wash out.'

What's the best way to go back to being fair if my hair is dyed black? I've a lot of grey hair around my face.

Jo Ferguson, Manchester

‘Removing black dye in one go is a dramatic change that can only be fully achieved by strong bleaching that will leave the hair damaged,' says William Wilson, head of technical and creative direction at Goldwell. ‘I'd suggest asking your colourist to use a colour remover containing no bleach to gently break down the pigment. This gives gradual change and will have to be done every two months or so, until you get to the correct colour. Adding highlights to soften and lighten can help speed up the process.'

My hair grows quickly and I have to dye it regularly. I'm thinking of colouring it myself at home. Any tips?

Michelle Gibson, Melbourne, Derbyshire

‘First and foremost, follow the instructions!' says Frauke Neuser. ‘If you're colouring for the first time, ask a friend to help you apply it, and always do a strand test and an allergy test first. If you have long or thick hair, buy two packs in case one isn't enough. But don't go for dramatic changes - stay within two shades of your current or natural hair colour.'

I'm about 50 per cent grey was brunette, and have been highlighting my hair for years. But my highlights are making my hair look too light, as the base is now salt and pepper. My hairdresser has started doing an all-over light brown tint and then putting in highlights or lowlights, but having to get it done every two months is expensive and I'm not happy about all the chemicals making my hair dry. Are there any colour highlights or lowlights I could have without getting the all over tint too?

Manda Horton, Saint-Aulaye, France

William Wilson says: ‘For salt and pepper hair, a combination of different brunette tones in the form of foils using slicing gives greys the best camouflage without giving a huge regrowth problem. It's important that your colourist use three tones with depth variation, to give texture, movement and life to grey hair. Avoid warm red tones and go for matt browns, cool caramels and mochas, as these are less likely to go brassy. Always ask your colourist for a full consultation before deciding what to do, though.'

I colour my hair at home and am always pleased with the results, but it seems to fade within a few washes. How can I maintain the colour?

Gill Marshment, Plymouth

‘Water is the main cause of colour fade, so don't wash freshly coloured hair too frequently,' advises Frauke Neuser. ‘Protect hair against the sun, especially in the summer (UV radiation breaks down the colour). It's also important to use care products specifically designed for coloured hair to lock in colour, such as Pantene Pro-V Colour Expressions Shampoo (£2.19 for 250ml, available nationwide).'

I dye my hair fortnightly to hide regrowth. But it's dry and keeps breaking. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

Katie Clifford, Peterborough

‘Colouring hair often dries it out and leads to breakage,' says Philip Kingsley. ‘Eating a high-protein diet will attain stronger hair, however, this will only affect new growth. For extra help, take a protein supplement. Externally, using a hair mask fortnightly can make a difference, too.'

I'm 43 and my hair is 75 per cent grey. I dye it auburn but the roots are very obvious. Is it best to stick to a dark colour or should I go fair to match my ageing complexion?

Fi Phillips, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

‘The most important thing is to get the right colour for your skin tone and eye colour,' says Jo Jordan of Jordan Burr salon in London. ‘Professional brand Matrix has developed a consultation tool (Dream.AGE Colour Service, from £30 including colouring, 0800 387 608), which helps stylists determine the right shade for each client. It will assess if skin tone and eyes are warm or cool, plus how often you want to colour your hair.'

What's the best way to deal with roots?

Sarah Reynolds, Corby, Northants

‘If you have roots, it's best to use a product such as Clairol Nice 'n' Easy Root Touch-up, (£4.20 from Boots; www.clairol.co.uk). It's designed for roots and works in ten minutes,' says Frauke Neuser. ‘You'll avoid over-processing by not applying dye to coloured hair, and the colours blend seamlessly with leading brands and salon dyes.'

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