How to Color Your Hair Without Bleaching It

Making dark hair lighter is tricky without using bleach.

Changing the color of your hair is easy to do, especially if you are going from a lighter to a darker color. Going from a darker to lighter color may be a bit trickier, but it is certainly possible.

Things You'll Need

• Permanent hair dye
• Old clothes
• Old towels
• Rubber or plastic gloves

Instructions

1. Purchase a box of hair dye from a grocery, beauty-supply store or drug store. Make sure the dye does not contain peroxide or bleach. The color you choose should either be darker than your current shade of hair or a shade or three lighter.

2. Check the side of the box for color samples. Make sure your current hair color falls in the spectrum that will be affected by this particular dye. The box will usually show three shades of hair and the color yours will be after use. If your current hair color does not fall in the recommended spectrum, you must choose another color or brand of dye.

3. Use a dye that is only a couple of shades lighter than what you have at present. In other words, if you have dark brown hair, you will not be able to immediately make it blond without using bleach. You can, however, progressively lighten it to achieve the attempted shade.

4. Dye your hair according to the directions on the package. After 2 to 3 weeks, use another hair dye that is a few shades lighter than the first to lighten the hair even more. Keep in mind that you need to choose a peroxide and bleach-free product each time.

5. Repeat Step 4 as many times as is necessary to achieve the lighter hair color. Make sure you leave several weeks between treatments, as hair dye will dry out your hair and make it brittle. It is very important that you use a color-safe, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner while you are trying to lighten your hair, to keep it healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear gloves when working with any type of hair dye.

• If you are not sure about a color, you can always dye just the tips of your hair. That way, if you don't like it, you can simply trim the ends and get rid of the dyed hair.

• Wear old clothes when dyeing hair, to avoid getting stains on your good clothes.

• Don't use a temporary or semi-permanent hair dye, as this will not change the color of your hair enough to be noticeable. Semi-permanent dye will also wash out much faster.

Resources

• Sally Beauty Supply
• The Science of Lightening Hair