How to Dye Brunette Hair a Lighter Shade at Home

Turning into a blond from a brunette is not as easy as it looks. Especially if you are going to do it yourself at home. Here's how to at least lighten your dark locks at home and get great results.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Highlighting Kit
• Light brown/Dark Blonde box of hair color

1. First as a brunette, look at your hair shade. Is it dark, medium or light brown? This is important because according to the hair color, you can chose a hair dye that will work best.

2. Now to select the hair dye. The best way is to select a hair color that is one or two shades lighter than your natural color. For example, if you're dark brown, start with medium brown. If you are medium brown, go for a dark blonde/light brown. If you have very light brown hair, you can probably go for that true light blonde shade.

3. Once you've selected your shade, color your hair according to the directions on the box.

4. In addition to the regular hair color, I like to use a highlighting kit. This allows you to add dimension and even more lightness to the hair. I usually do my highlights the day after I initially lighten my hair, but you can do it even a week after according to the condition of your hair.

5. I use the highlighting kit that has a cap. It is very easy to use. Part your hair the way you normally wear it. Place the cap on your head and tie the ribbon underneath. Then use the metal hook to pull hair strands through the cap. Once you've pulled all the strands out, spread highlighting mixture over the hair. Wait 45-50 minutes. Then rinse your head (with cap) under warm water. After all the mixture has rinsed, pull off cap. Shampoo hair and style.

6. Your hair will look much lighter. Once a few roots start growing in and maybe after a couple of months, go for a lighter shade then what you used before this time. This is how a brunette can gradually lighten her hair. Repeat Steps 3-5 every few months and you will see great at-home results.

Tips & Warnings

• Always add more highlights then you think you need!:) There's never too many highlights.
• When using highlighting mixture, make sure the area is ventilated and try not to inhale any of the blue dust.
• Look for products that are specially designed for darker shades to avoid brassiness and ensure good results.
• Go more by the description of the shade rather than the picture on the box.
• Also considering adding brightness and lightness to your hair with shades of red. It's much easier for brunettes to experiment with red shades.
• Never use full strength bleaching mixture as it will damage your hair and hurt your scalp.

[funmom970]

on 11/6/2009 I have dark hair and have often thought about lightening it myself. Thanks for the advice.