How to Color Black Hair Ash Brown

Dye your hair ash brown.

Since black hair is so dark, dyeing it to an ash brown color by simply buying the color at the store will be more likely to turn your hair a reddish color. In order to achieve the ash brown color you want, it is necessary to do certain things in advance to make the color turn out just right.

Things You'll Need

• Old clothes
• Pre-lightener
• Hair color

Instructions

Achieve the Ash Brown Color

1. Make sure your hair is in good condition. If your hair has been recently permed or straightened, it's best to wait a few weeks before chemically processing it again. Any sort of coloring process is going to damage your hair to some extent, so it's best to have it in good shape.

2. Buy a pre-lightener. This is not designed to color your hair, but to strip the color away, leaving you free to use the color of your choice. If you have long hair, it's best to buy two packages.

3. Buy the shade of ash brown that you wish to use. There are various brands and a range of shades, generally ranging from light ash brown to medium ash brown. Again, if you have long hair, it's best to buy to packages to ensure full coverage.

4. Change into some old clothes before you start to color. Despite your best efforts and the fact that most hair color products are now non-drip, you are going to drip something.

5. Follow the directions on the box for the pre-lightener and make sure that you cover every strand of hair. Hair that is unevenly covered will result in uneven coloring later on. Leave it in as desired, usually anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour before rinsing.

6. Wait a few hours and then apply the desired ash brown hair-color, again following the directions listed on the box. As with the lightener, try to apply evenly. Coloring time can range from 25 to 45 minutes. Rinse until the water runs clear, and use the conditioner provided.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't panic if your hair turns funny colors during the pre-lightening process - -this is normal.

• Always perform the allergy test for hair color 48 hours in advance, even if you've colored before.

References

• Blonde-Ambition: Step By Step Blonding At Home