If you're a brunette and you've been browsing hairstyles and colors on Pinterest, you've probably developed a strong curiosity about how to dye brown hair red. (I know I'm ready.) If you think you might be ready to take the plunge and trade in your brown mane for something a little spicier, keep reading as I share how to use red hair dye without bleaching your brown Hair details.
Personally, I have quite a long relationship with red hair dye. I was born with beautiful brown hair (and currently have some highlights), but since ginger hair is so prevalent in both my mother's lineage and my stepmother's family, I've always found myself drawn to the mystery of this recessive trait. Not to mention, it’s associated with strong, beautiful, accomplished women. So, in eighth grade, I made my first foray into the world of processed red hair, and I've been casually flitting between brunettes and redheads ever since. Because while I love my chestnut hair, sometimes they feel a little too vanilla.
Over the years, I've gone both the DIY and professional stylist routes when it comes to coloring, and while I love relaxing while someone else maintains my mane, the costs add up. Since the dyeing process is a rush-and-wait situation, it's much more comfortable to dye brown hair red at home.
Before we continue, I do want to take a moment to add a quick disclaimer: I am not a professional hairstylist, and although I have years of experience with my own hair (very fine, slightly oily), what I share here does not Not exactly the same for everyone. I'm also not implying that I have the best approach, and as with any new experience, if you have health concerns or special circumstances (pregnancy, sensitive skin, etc.), please consult a professional and do some research. Hair dye can be caustic, and most dye instructions will remind you to perform a small test in an invisible location to make sure you don't have any negative reaction to the dye. Be sure to read the instructions that come with red hair dye before use.
Okay, let's talk about color. When you're transitioning from dark to red, the first thing you want to consider is which shade will best suit your skin tone. Reds are either copper-based, blue-based (which creates more of a true red), or violet-based. Different shades play differently with different color palettes. Do a little research on which red hair color will suit you best, and then, when you go shopping for red hair dye, check out a hair swatch against your skin so you can see with your own eyes how the dye will render the undertones on your Medium complexion.
Since I have a medium, slightly olive skin tone, I could use a little more pigment in my hair. In the past I've tried copper and fire engine reds, as well as more purple-based reds. I find that I look best in the true red to copper spectrum. Today I'm going to choose a color that's hot, fun, and inspired by Ariel. This is a bold look, and if you go this route, be prepared for looks and comments. You may get both positive and negative feedback (ironically, I'm pretty sure my dad hates me for acting so smart), but keep your head up. What's important is that you like bold color choices.
Once you've decided on your shade, it's time to gather your supplies. The bonus (for the health of your hair) is that you can use red hair dye instead of bleach. For this reason, personally, I go out of my way to go straight to Sally for beauty treatments. I do this so I can buy the red hair dye and developer (as well as my conditioner) separately since, typically, I already have the developer at home. If you choose to use a simple box brand from your local grocery store, that's fine too - many of them are very easy to use. The downside is that grocery stores and drug stores may have a limited range of colors, and some of them may require pre-lightening. If you're aiming for a lighter or more saturated red than your current brown, you'll want to find a color that doesn't require pre-lightening. Having to lighten your hair before dyeing it (without professional experience) is both annoying and potentially dangerous for your hair.
If this all sounds like a foreign language, here are the basics you need to know. Standard developers are available in the following types: 10 Volume, 20 Volume, 30 Volume and 40 Volume. Each volume has a different lift factor, which is related to your current hair color and the color you want. 10 volumes of developer provide very little lift, 20 volumes is pretty standard for gray coverage and will lift hair 1-2 levels. 30 volume gives a 2-3 level boost, 40 volume gives a 3-4 level boost, which is quite a lot. So if you have dark brown hair and want strawberry blonde or bright red hair, you're going to need quite a lift. For example, to go from my natural semi-dark chestnut hair color to my desired Ariel red, I need to use 40 Volume.
Back to our shopping list.
- L'Oréal Excellence HiColor HiLights Red for Dark Hair (or your choice of one-step, multi-layered lifting hair color). Depending on the length of your hair, you may need more than one box. For my hair, two boxes are the best. I also included a box of L'Oreal Excellence HiColor Reds for Dark Hair Only (for H8), just to add a bit of copper color.
- One bottle of 40 volume developer. Again, you may need more than one bottle depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Each box of hair dye contains approximately 2.4 fluid ounces. ounce. developers.
- 1 non-metal mixing bowl
- an applicator brush
- measuring cup
- A pair of plastic or latex gloves (reusable is great!)
- Hair Clips – These are supposed to be non-metallic, but I only use them on undyed hair, so take a chance with metal clips you have at home.
- wide tooth comb
- Vaseline
- A few packets of deep conditioner (I prefer the ionic conditioner packets)
Before you start, put on an old shirt that you don't care much about since it will get stained in the process. Also, clear your work space of anything you don't want to accidentally stain, and if you're feeling extra cautious, throw some old/dark towels on the floor. Depending on how messy you are, you may end up with some red splatter, so if you're renting, your landlord will really appreciate the extra care. Finally, be sure to open the windows! If your bathroom has neither a window nor a ventilation fan, you'll want to bring your own fan and open the door so you don't inhale as much smoke.
1. Step 1: Comb and section your hair
Comb dry, unwashed hair and section it into sections with the bottom section facing down. AJ Lordett, color director at Fekkai Madison Avenue, specifically recommends dividing your hair into four different sections. To do this, she says, "Whether you're doing a middle part or not, start in the middle, from the center of your forehead to the middle of the nape of your neck. Cut one side or half off." Then, use your ears as guides for the sides— —Start with the unclamped side, then clip from the middle section to the ear, then repeat on the other side. side. "
Step Two: Protect the Hairline
When it comes to protecting your hairline, Garnier celebrity hair colorist Nikki Lee recommends using a barrier cream to prevent staining. However, she explains that if you don't have any on hand, Vaseline or lip balm will also work.
Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your face and around your hairline. This will help reduce the amount of staining produced when the dye comes in contact with the skin. Wash off any excess Vaseline from your hands.
Step Three: Mix Colors
Wear gloves. Measure out the entire tube of red hair dye and developer and mix it in a non-metallic bowl. Most dyes require 2-2.4 fluid ounces. ounce. Developer per tube of dye, but be sure to read the instructions provided on or on the hair dye box.
Step 4: Start applying red dye to brown hair
Wearing two gloves, begin brushing the mixture into the base of the first strands of hair, starting at the roots. Rodet explains that natural hair color is often lighter at the ends, and you want to mimic that. She recommends starting with the color at the top and working your way down to the ends so they don't become darker than the roots and look unnatural. She also recommends using the Fekkai Technician Color Treatment Flash Mask on the ends of your hair before applying base color to help prevent this from happening.
Work this way for each section, loosening as you go, making sure to apply dye to both the top and bottom layers of hair, covering the hair strands as fully as possible. The entire process can take 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your speed and the amount of hair you need to cover.
Step 5: Style your hair
Secure hair on top of your head (use non-metallic clips or hair ties). Use soap and water and/or paper towels to remove excess dye from the skin around the hairline. The sooner you do this, the less color will appear on your face and ears, which is good. The Vaseline should make the process very smooth.
Set an alarm or timer for 30 minutes. (This time will vary depending on the dye you choose and how light you need the developer to be, so be sure to check your instructions carefully to avoid damaging your hair). Then wait.
Personally, I use this downtime to clean up any dye spills on my work surface because the longer it sits, the more permanent it becomes. This is also a great opportunity to rock the Biore striptease or dance late into the night.
Step 6: Rinse
Once the timer goes off, take a look at your hair. If it looks like the color has set, remove it and jump in a hot shower.
You'll be there for a while, so you may want to keep playing music. Once the dye is washed out (you'll know because it doesn't look much like a murder scene and the water coming out of your hair will be mostly clear, maybe with a slight pinkish tinge - but it may take a lot of for a long time, like 5-10 minutes, to relax), it's time to apply a deep conditioner. Leave conditioner on for at least 3-4 minutes, then rinse again. Don't use shampoo. In fact, if you can, you may want to hold off on shampooing for the next few days and only condition to keep the color vibrant.
Step 7: Style
Dry and enjoy. Yeah, girl! You look fine!
Now, before you leave, I want to impart some final wisdom to you:
1. Any dyeing that involves lightening will cause a little damage to your hair. You need to continue deep conditioning regularly to keep your hair healthy and happy. You can also increase your intake of fish oil or flaxseed oil and add biotin to your daily vitamins.
Lee recommends Garnier's new Nutrisse Color Revivers, which, she explains, "are a great treatment for color-treated hair—they instantly restore softness and smoothness while radiating color." Lorde That said, don’t forget to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner that’s appropriate for your specific hair type.
2. Remember, red paint is more difficult to maintain than brown paint. The red molecules in hair dye are large, so they don't stay on your hair for too long. So to keep your new color vibrant, you'll want to avoid showers that are too hot (unless you're wearing a shower cap) and start using a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for colored hair (especially one that's sulfate-free shampoo) and keep some extra dye/developer for touch-ups. Don't be alarmed if you see red pigment in the water when you take a shower - this is normal. But during the first few days of death, don't wear your favorite white shirt, sleep on white sheets, and don't use white towels unless you want to turn them pink.
3. You may find yourself making subtle changes to your makeup and outfit. Keep in mind that red hair will accentuate your skin's underlying tones, so you may need to adjust your foundation. And, when choosing an outfit, remember that similar and complementary colors will make your new hair shine.
There you have it. Now, I look (kind of) more like Ariel, you know how to dye your brown hair red. So, go ahead and be a cherry!
Image: Author's own
This article was originally published on April 30, 2015
