How to Switch From Blond to Brunet Hair

The journey from goldie locks to mahogany tresses is a long and arduous one. Whether you need a change of pace, need to go incognito, or feel like commanding attention for more than your golden mane, do your research and seek the advice of professionals.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Professional Advice
• Timers
• Old Towels
• Deep Conditioner
• Hair-coloring Products
• Hot Oil Treatments
• Moisturizing Shampoos
• Deep Conditioner

1. Consider your options. If you have light-blond hair, you'll do best graduating to a light brown. If you have medium- to dark-blond hair, you can darken as far as medium brown. Look for colors that complement your skin and eye color.

2. Remember that the color you see on the box will not be the color you come out with. In order to succeed in becoming brunet, you'll first need to darken or fill your natural hair color with an intermediate color. This will create a base on which to build your desired color.

3. Deep condition your hair a few days prior to your treatment. Before your process, wash hair with a clarifying shampoo or a mix of vinegar and baking soda. The former will strengthen your hair while the latter will remove any buildup or deposits.

4. Fill your natural color with a blond - darker than your own - that has reddish tones. Confirm your choice with a professional colorist or hair color company representative. Use the color solution without the developing lotion and let it stand for 20 minutes, blotting any excess with an old towel.

5. Mix the color solution and developing lotion of your brown color kit and place over your darker blond hair. Begin your color application about 1 inch from your crown and distribute to ends, saving the roots for last. For long or very curly hair you might need to buy two kits, as well as enlist a friend to assist you with the process.

6. Check every 5 minutes by wiping hair and examining color. Do not leave on longer than 15 to 20 minutes.

7. Keep a detailed journal of your process, citing color names, application process and application time. This will come in handy for your touch-ups, or if you need professional advice for the adjustment of your color.

8. Tend to your roots every three to four weeks for seamless color.

Tips & Warnings

• Get professional advice from a trained colorist or your stylist. Most will advise against doing such a dramatic color change at home, but salon prices for the initial process and upkeep may put a dent in your budget.
• Always test a small patch of your hair before you proceed with your entire head. This will give you a chance to see how your color will look, and give you a chance to consult with a company representative about making any adjustments.
• Use well-known brands that specialize in at-home color treatments for the best results. Call the 800 number on the package to discuss your plans and get suggestions about which products are best suited to your needs.
• Pregnant? Get your doctor's OK before proceeding with any hair color treatment.
• If you have applied henna to your hair in the last year, remember that you cannot perm it or use a chemical color over it.
• Avoid chlorine and salt water for a few days after coloring your hair, as contact may cause adverse reactions. Remember that the sun's rays will cause your color to fade faster.
• Avoid getting solution into your eyes at all cost. Rinse well with tepid water and consult a physician should this occur.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.

on 8/8/2006 If applying Vaseline around your hair line - be careful not to get in in your hair, as it can sometimes prevent the color from dying that area.

on 2/10/2006 The color you get depends on the base color. If you put an ash color on blonde or prelightened hair, the hair could grab the green base in the ash color. If you put a warm or golden color on the same hair, it could grab the red or gold base in the warm or golden color. If you have some grey hair you would want to use a color with a natural or neutral base. When in doubt it is best to spend the money and go to a professional. You spend forty dollars on a shirt you wear a couple of times a month. You wear your hair every day. Spend the money to make yourself look good.

on 11/22/2005 Remember to apply a little Vaseline or moisturizer to the skin around your hairline (e.g., forehead and sideburn areas), BEFORE you begin, so the dark dye doesn't permanently darken all your fine "baby" hair.

on 11/22/2005 If you put the color on middle-to-ends first, you will most likely end up with very dark ends. As a colorist, I apply color to the least porous area first (scalp to middle), and do the ends last.