Can I use this on bleached, highlighted, or very porous hair without the colour turning too intense? — Toning shampoo mahogany 40ml V44 victoria beauty

Bleached, highlighted, or chemically processed hair is significantly more porous, so direct dyes deposit faster and can appear brighter or deeper than on virgin hair. The product information explicitly recommends testing on a small hidden section first if your hair falls into this category. To do a strand test, mix a pea-sized amount of shampoo with a little water, apply to a few strands underneath the top layer, leave for the minimum suggested time, then rinse and dry. If the mahogany tone looks too coppery or dark, reduce the processing time by half for the full application, or dilute the shampoo with your regular sulphate-free shampoo (1:1 ratio) to soften the deposit. The aloe vera extract in the formula helps counteract the dry feel that porous hair often has after colouring, but you should still follow with a hydrating mask or conditioner. Avoid using this tinting shampoo immediately after a chemical service — wait at least one week and ensure the hair’s pH has rebalanced with a few gentle washes. If you’re unsure about your hair’s current porosity, a professional stylist can assess it in seconds with a spray-water test.