What You Should Know BEFORE Dyeing Blonde Hair Dark
If you’re reading this, you’re likely considering dyeing your blonde hair dark. But, what does this entail? Can you apply a brown dye over your blonde hair and call it a day? In reality, going from blonde to brunette isn’t actually as straightforward as one may think. In this blog post I’m going to explain everything you need to know before dyeing your blonde hair dark so that you can be prepared for what to expect. From the ease of the process, to filling the hair, as well as how to make it last; I’ve got you covered!
As a hairstylist, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients in my chair for a corrective service that attempted to go from blonde to brunette themselves, and ended up dyeing their hair green. It’s a common misconception that you can just pick your desired brown color out of a book, slap the dye over your highlights, and call it a day.
What to expect when dyeing blonde hair dark
There are 3 main factors to consider when starting the process of coloring over your blonde hair. You need to understand the process it takes to get there, what to expect about the color your hair will be, as well as understanding how your new brown hair color will last/fade.
- The process
- The color itself
- Fading
The Process: Is it easy to dye blonde hair dark?
First, let’s talk about the process of dyeing blonde hair dark. While it’s not difficult to go from blonde to brunette, the process isn’t as simple as you would think.
When hair is lightened to blonde, the natural color in the hair is being removed. This exposes the underlining pigment of the hair which is always warm. Depending on the level of the hair, the underlining pigment is either red, orange, or yellow.
And when darkening blonde hair, these underlining pigments actually need to be replaced in order for the brown color to take properly.
Otherwise, the hair can appear a muddy, translucent, or possibly even a greenish-gray color. The color will also likely fade very quickly.
Do I need to fill blonde hair before dyeing it brown?
The process of replacing the underlining pigment in the hair is called filling. So to fill the hair, you need to add the warm underlining tones either into your final color formula, or by coloring the hair with the warmer color first, then going over it for a second process with the final desired color.
If you’re only darkening your blonde by a few levels, filling the hair isn’t necessary. I recommend filling the hair only if you’re darkening the blonde by 3 or more levels.
So if your current hair is a level 10 and you want to go to a level 7, I would fill the hair. But if your current hair is a level 10 and you only want to go to an 8, you can skip the filling process.
To learn more about the level system, see my post here.
How do I transition from blonde to brunette?
So as I mentioned, you may or may not need to fill your blonde hair before dyeing it brown. If you don’t need to fill the hair, then you can follow the steps outlined in this post for how to formulate your color.
But if you do need to fill, follow the instructions below.
How to fill blonde hair before going dark
As we mentioned, you can fill the hair in either one process or two.
If you choose to do two processes, you’ll:
- Determine desired shade and fill shade
- Color the hair with your filler formula
- Rinse and dry the filled hair
- Apply your desired shade
Personally, I don’t find it necessary to do this in two separate steps. But this can vary slightly depending on what color line you’re using and what the manufacturer recommends. For some people, it can be easier to do this in two processes rather than figuring out the ratio for the formula in one process.
If you choose to do this in one process, you’ll:
- Determine desired shade and fill shade
- Mix 1/4 of the fill color and 3/4 of your desired color
- Apply the color to the hair
How to determine fill formula for blonde hair
If your desired shade is a level 7 or 8, you’ll want to use a level 8 as your filler color. And if your desired shade is a level 6 or lower, you’ll need to use a level 6 or lower.
For most instances, you’ll use a color that has 70% gold and 30% copper as your filling color.
Typically this would mean a gc color, for example 6gc, or 6.34. (See this post to learn about the letters and numbers in hair color.)
If the hair is damaged or overly porous, you’ll need to use a color that has 70% copper and 30% gold as your filling color. This means a 6.cg, or 6.43. The copper will help the hair hold onto the color better than the gold will.
And since you are depositing (darkening) color only, you can use either a 5 volume developer, or a 10 volume developer. 5 volume is more of a demi-permanent option, and 10 volume is more permanent. Keep in mind that if you color over your natural color with 10 volume, your hair will be permanently altered.
If you want to minimize your natural color from being permanently altered, I recommend using a 5 volume developer.
What brand of color to use when dyeing blonde hair dark?
I have used Pravana color for the majority of my career, so this is naturally my go-to. The examples I gave you above will be easy to understand if you use this brand of hair color.
***Since I’m sharing the products that I love to use with you guys, this page includes affiliate links to these products. If you take action and purchase a product through clicking one of my links, I’ll make some commission money from it at no extra cost to you. This enables me to be able to continue giving you awesome hair tips, so thanks! ***
DIY advice for dyeing blonde hair dark
If you’re looking for personal advice on how to do this yourself, take a look at my Personalized Hair Coloring Guides.
In this guide I’ll take in all of your information and give you step by step process of exactly what you need to do to get you from point A to point B and reach your hair color coals.
I’ll also give you multiple options to consider from easiest to hardest, and least expensive to most costly.
The Color: Can I go back to natural?
It’s important to understand that you won’t be able to get an exact match of your natural color until the previously colored hair has grown out. Once hair has been permanently colored, it’s permanently altered. It’s nearly impossible to get the hair back to the exact shade of the natural color again without it fading and changing tones.
If your goal is to go back to your natural color, my best recommendation is to not continuously keep dyeing your natural hair as you darken the blonde. See this post here for the best ways to do this safely and easily from home.
Fading: How quickly will it fade?
Especially the first few times your hair is colored dark after being blonde, the color is likely to fade pretty quickly.
Since blonde hair has all color removed from it, there’s nothing present for the new dark color molecules to grab on to. It can take a few sessions to get these color molecules to stick in the hair.
It’s also easier for these molecules to slip out because the cuticle (outer layer) is typically more open on blonde hair. When the outer layer of the hair is damaged, it’s much easier for moisture and color to slip out of it.
So for best results, you’ll want to make sure to keep your hair as healthy as possible during this process.
See my post here for habits that are likely to fade your hair color, as well as tips for longevity.
Conclusion
Dyeing blonde hair dark can be a scary, yet exciting change! It’s important to approach this process with all the knowledge you need so you can make this transition go as smoothly as possible.
While it may seem like a simple color application, the reality is that going from blonde to brunette requires bit more attention to detail that you’d initially expect.
But by understanding the process you can successfully darken your blonde hair into a beautiful brunette shade.
Just keep in mind that your hair may fade more quickly in the beginning, especially if it’s been lightened extensively. Taking proper care of your hair is key to the maintenance of your new color.
Whether you’re going to tackle this yourself or planning a salon visit, this guide will help you navigate the journey from blonde to brunette with confidence. Take your time, follow the right steps, and enjoy the stunning results of your darkened hair!
If you’re ready to take the plunge, I hope you feel better prepared to make the best choices for your hair. Happy coloring!
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