How to Go From Bleached Blond to Brunette

Going brunette gives you a new look.

Bleached blond hair can be fun during the summer months, but when winter comes, you might want to tone the color down. Changing your hair color from bleached blond to brunette takes less than an hour and creates a drastic and dramatic effect as you go from a bright color to one more subdued. Brown hair color ranges from light brown to dark brown and can also include reddish brown, golden brown or ash brown. Review all colors to determine the shade you prefer.

Things You'll Need

• Hair dye
• Applicator bottle
• 20-percent developer
• Towel
• Clips
• Comb
• Timer
• Conditioner

Instructions

1. Remove all tangles before sectioning the hair. Part the hair from the center of the forehead to the nape of the crown to make two sections of hair. Make another part by combing from the center part to behind the ear. Repeat for the other ear.

2. Use clips to make four sections on your head. Gather the hair from the front section of the center part and the left ear. Put it in a clip. Take the hair from the front section of the center part and the right ear into your hand and add a clip. Place the back section of hair from the center part and behind the left ear into a clip. Add a clip to the remaining section on the back right.

3. Read the directions on the hair dye. Pour the hair dye into the applicator bottle. Add the developer according to the manufacturer's directions. Shake the bottle well.

4. Unclip the left back section. Comb a 1/2-inch strand of hair. Apply color from the root to the tip. Place it forward over the crown of your head. Pick up the next 1/2-inch section and add color. Complete the section.

5. Unclip the right back section. Follow the same procedure until all hair contains color. Finish the two front sections. Turn the timer to 25 minutes.

6. Comb the hair dye through the hair when the timer goes off. Reset the timer for five minutes.

7. Put your head under the faucet and spray water over the hair. Most hair dye becomes shampoo when mixed with water. Wash your hair. Rinse the hair in cool water twice until the water runs clear. Add a strong conditioner. Set timer for three minutes. Rinse. Towel dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Some hair color might require more time. Follow the manufacturer's time limits.

• For damaged and porous hair, give a deep conditioning treatment several days before the hair color.

• You can wash, rinse and conditioner your hair in the shower.

References

• Hair Boutique; Hair Color Tips: Understanding Laws Of Haircolor;Karen Marie Shelton et al.
• Food and Drug Administration: Hair Dye and Hair Relaxers
• Clairol: Perfect 10 Shade Palette
• You Beauty: Brown Hair Color for Your Skintone