How to Dye Brown Hair Without Bleaching

Brown hair is quite easy to dye and is not much different from blonde hair. Depending on your original hair color and desired hair color, you may need to use specialized products. The main thing to remember is that hair dye is translucent, so it’s easier to dye it dark than it is to dye it light. Luckily, there are a number of products for brown hair that will make dyeing your hair easier.

Table of Contents

Choose a dye color

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Buy basic hair dye if you want a color that is similar to or darker than your hair color. Hair dye is translucent, so it will only add to existing hair color. This means you can dye whatever color you want, as long as the new color is a shade similar to or darker than your hair color. For example, if you have medium brown hair, you can dye it medium brown or dark brown.

However, you cannot dye black hair brown.
You can buy a set of hair dye products or buy dyes and dyes separately.
Most hair dye sets have 20 vpume color aids. The dye aids in the dyeing process and helps the dye adhere to the hair.
If buying a separate dye aid, you should buy 10 or 20 vpume, as it is safe to use at home for first-timers. This type is less damaging to the hair and easier to dye than the 30 or 40 vpume type.
If you want to cover gray hair, use 20 vpume color aid.

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Choose a blonde dye if you want to lighten your hair color. You can dye your brown hair to a lighter color, but you won’t get the same color as the picture on the box. Choose a light, medium, or dark yellow shade. The brighter the yellow, the lighter your hair when dyed.

Unless your hair is light brown, it will be difficult for you to get blonde hair after dyeing.
Some yellow dyes have added hair color lighteners. That means they can work on dark brown hair as well.
Your hair may turn brassy after dyeing, so you should also purchase a color-balancing toner or purple shampoo. This product will help to remove brassy color from the hair.

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Try using a dye specifically designed for brown or dark hair. There are actually dyes specifically made for dark hair on the market that you can use to dye your hair lighter shades like red or blue without having to bleach your hair first. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Some brands that have this hair dye are Lime Crime and Splat.
Look for products on labels that say “For Dark Hair” (for dark hair) or “For Brunette Hair” (for brown hair).

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Choose a tone that matches your undertone (your undertone for best results. Just like skin, hair also has warm and cold undertones. This means if your skin has a warm undetone, you should choose a color. If you have a cool undertone, you should use a cool undertone. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Most hair dye products have a W or C symbol after the number. The “W” stands for “Warm”, and the “C” stands for “Cop” (cold).
A hair dye that says an “A” instead of a “C.” The letter A represents Ash (ash color) which is classified as a cold undertone.

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Understand that you can’t dye your hair a light pastel color without bleaching it. To have a light pastel color, you need to start with white hair that has been balanced with a silver tone. To have white hair, you need to bleach your hair.

The same is true for bright, vibrant shades like neon pink or gold. You don’t have to make your hair white, but bleached blonde hair will help you achieve good results. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
You can use hair dye to get pastel hair, but this product is not permanent.

Divide your hair into sections and mix the dye

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Start with dry, combed hair that hasn’t been washed in the last 24-48 hours. This is important, as the oils in your hair will help protect your hair from damage. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If you wash your hair 24-48 hours before dyeing, remember to only use shampoo, because conditioner will prevent the dye from sticking to your hair. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Watch out for soiled clothes and skin. Put on a shirt you’re not afraid of staining, then wrap an old towel or robe around your shoulders. Use petroleum jelly (Vaseline cream) to apply to the hairline, the tips of the ears and the back of the neck. Finally, put on nylon gloves. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Remember to choose an old bath towel that is dark in color.
Dye your hair in an easy-to-clean place, such as the bathroom or kitchen.
If you’re afraid of contaminating your countertop or floor, you can cover it with newspaper, wrapping paper, or a trash bag.

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Clip the hair up, leaving only the bottom layer of hair. Dye hair in layers 1.3 – 2.5 cm wide instead of dyeing each section. Part your hair across the back of your head at ear level. Tie the top part of the hair up. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Hold the bun in place with the claw clip. It is easier to remove and re-clip.
If you have really thick hair, you can part your hair lower to dye thinner sections of hair.
For short hair that cannot be pulled up, you can use a speculum clip. If your hair is just chin-length or shorter, you probably don’t need to take this step.

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Prepare the dye according to the instructions on the package. Some hair color kits already have dyes and auxiliaries available. For other dyes, you will have to purchase dye auxiliaries separately. Follow product instructions for mixing.

You can mix the dye in the bottle available in the dye kit, or you can mix it in a non-metallic bowl. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
If you plan to lighten your hair color, you should add 1-3 packs of toner to the dye. The more toner packs you use, the more ash your hair color will end up with. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Don’t worry if you can’t find the toner pack; you can wash with purple shampoo later to decolorize brass.

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Try dyeing some hair first. Apply the dye to a thin lock of hair in a hard-to-see area, such as the back of your neck. Wrap the wrap around the curl and leave it for the time recommended on the dye bottle. Rinse the dye off the curls with cool water and let it dry. ^{[10] X Research Source}

You don’t need to use conditioner in this step, as this is just a test dye.
Although it is not necessary to try dyeing first, it is highly recommended, because the color of your hair when dyed may not be what you expect.
If your hair doesn’t turn the color you want, you’ll have to buy another color.

Dyeing

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Use your fingers or a dye comb to spread the dye into your hair. It’s easier if you mix it in a squeeze bottle of dye – just squeeze the dye into your hair and comb it through with your fingers. If mixing in a bowl, use a hair dye brush to spread the dye. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Apply to each section of hair about 2.5 – 5 cm wide to make sure to cover the entire hair.
If lightening your hair color, start applying the dye from the ends first.
If you’re using regular dye or if you’re dyeing your hair a darker color, you should dye it from the roots first.

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Drop a thin layer of hair down. Remove the bun on top of your head and let your hair down. Gather your hair again like a half ponytail; this time about 2.5cm taller than last time. Tie your hair up and clip it back. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Apply more dye to the next layer of hair. Use your fingers or a hair dye brush to apply the dye to dry, undyed hair. Don’t worry if you accidentally apply dye to already dyed hair.

If you’re lightening your hair color, you should try to do it quickly. Although the dye does not contain bleach, it can still damage the hair.

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Repeat this until the top of your head. Continue to let your hair down and dye layers until you reach the top of your head. At this point, you should redo the hairline and parting, making sure the dye covers evenly.

If necessary, you can apply more dye to the short strands around the hairline, temples, and back of the neck.

Finish the hair dye

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Leave the dye in your hair for the time indicated on the package. Dye retention time on hair is about 25-60 minutes, depending on the brand of the product and the type of dye you are using. Don’t leave the dye in your hair longer than recommended, especially if you’re lightening your hair color. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Leaving blonde hair dye in your hair for longer than recommended will not make your hair lighter, it will only make it more damaged.
Gather all your hair up and pull it into a loose bun, then cover your head with a shower cap. Do this to keep everything around you from getting dirty.

Advice

If you’re not sure what color to dye, ask your hairstylist at the salon.
Hair dyes, especially unnatural colors like pink and blue, can stain pillowcases for the first few days. Maybe you should use an old pillowcase.
The darker the hair, the harder it is to dye the light color.

Steps

Choose a dye color

Divide your hair into sections and mix the dye

Dyeing

Finish the hair dye

Advice

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