images: L'Oreal
Article by BR Natalie
It's Ombre week at Beauty Review and we're showcasing L'Oreal Wild Ombre kits. Which got us to thinking - how easy is it to acheive the Ombre look at home?
It seems everyone from Drew Barrymore to Miley Cyrus (before she went for the chop) have rocked the Ombre - and even if it's not for you, we're sure you have to admit, when it's done right, the Ombre is fierce.
We live in a society of convenience, and DIY home colour kits epitomise hair care convenience. They also give many the heebie-jeebies. What if it goes wrong? What if my hair goes the wrong colour? Won't they damage my hair? How can they really compete with a $200 salon colour? But as a very wise American once said, you have nothing to fear, but fear itself. If you follow the instructions, achieving a look at home isn't impossible - far from it!
1. Check out L'Oreal's How To Ombre Video on Beauty Review's YouTube channel. It's all in the brush!
2. Be realistic. If you have very dark hair, you're not going to achieve white blonde ends. Likewise if you have layers of hair colour, the result is not going to match the result on the box! Check out the shades and choose the one for your hair.
3. Follow the mixing and application instructions. Do not leave on for longer than the desired time - your hair will only lighten so much!
4. Make sure your hair is detangled before applying!
5. Ombre is a graduated look - you want your ends to be lighter than the mid lengths, so always apply from to the ends first.
6. Use the brush horizontally to fully saturate the ends with the product. Work your way up the shaft, and when you're reaching the point you want your Ombre to start, use the brush vertically. This will help graduate the product, so you're not left with a blunt line of natural hair and lightened hair.
7. If you want a more delicate Ombre, use the brush vertically through out the application. Like wise, if you dig the blunt line, use the brush horizontally throughout.
8. Follow the time frame. Check the colour of your ends when the minimum development time has passed.
9. Bear in mind, you might need to leave it longer - just keep checking the strands every 5 minutes, but don't leave it on for more than 45 minutes!
10. Care for you hair afterwards! Use the provided conditioner and up your haircare intensity level. Coloured hair, particularly lightened hair, will benefit from a bit of extra loving!
So there you have it, a 10 step guide to DIY Ombre hair. So who's game to give this a go? Chat to us and tell us your Ombre tales.
I have pitch black hair, although a lot of regrowth in the last few months from not dying my hair through my pregnancy I have decided to go to a professional for the first time after I have baby and get a black ombre. Black on top and it would be a dark Brown not blonde.
What a shame I couldn't DIY this! Would save me A LOT of money. Can't wait to see the results of people who do give this a go!