How to Dye Bleached Hair Brown

Co-authored by Karen Leight

Last Updated: July 10, 2024 References

Maybe you’ve bleached your hair to dye it a lighter brown, or maybe you’re just feeling done with the bleached look—whatever the reason, you’re ready for a change! Dyeing bleached hair back to brown isn't hard, but it does involve more steps than your average dye job since you'll need to add warm tones back into your hair. Don't worry though—below we'll walk you through everything you need to do to transform your hair step-by-step.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Dyeing Your Hair

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1
Choose a hair dye color that is 2-3 shades lighter than the color you want. Since bleached hair is more porous, even with the protein filler, it absorbs more color than healthy hair does and ended up looking much darker than the intended color. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} You’ll want to choose a slightly lighter color to balance out this darkening effect. ^{[2]
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- If you’re buying based on the image on the front of the box, look for one that’s slightly lighter than what you want. ^{[3]
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2
Protect your skin and clothes with gloves and an old towel. Before you even start mixing dye, put on a pair of latex gloves and lay an old towel around your shoulders to protect your clothes. The color will dye anything it touches, so make sure to wear old clothes that you aren’t worried about getting dirty. ^{[4]
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- Use a dark towel to hide any stains from the dye.
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3
Mix and apply the brunette dye according to the box instructions. With an applicator brush and a plastic bowl, measure and mix the dye and developer included in the color kit. Generally, dye and developer should be mixed in a 1:1 ratio, but this can vary between manufacturers. Make sure to follow the instructions on the box and combine the products until they have a creamy consistency. ^{[5]
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- Some kits will also include a conditioning or moisturizing treatment.
EXPERT TIP

Nick Arrojo
Master Hair Stylist
Nick Arrojo is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner and Founder of Arrojo NYC, an independent hairdressing brand. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in cutting and styling hair using precision-based hairdressing and educating hair professionals through Arrojo Education. Nick has become a well-known icon in the hair industry with his internationally recognized razor-cutting technique, work with fashion designers, and seven years as TLC’s ‘What Not to Wear’ hairdressing host.

Nick Arrojo
Master Hair Stylist

Going from blonde to brunette hair takes patience. Start by using a copper glaze to warm up bleached tones so the brown has something to stick to. Apply a demi-permanent brown close to your target shade. It may look too dark at first, but wait the full processing time and rinse thoroughly. With proper prep, blonde hair can become rich, glossy brown. Allow time for the tones to develop fully for beautiful results. Slow and steady wins the race with this color change.
Using the pointed end of your applicator brush, part your hair down the middle, then from ear to ear. Clip each section up with a plastic clip to keep them out of the way while you work. Unclip and apply dye to only 1 section at a time.
5
Apply the dye to your hair, working section by section. Unclip your first section, then load up your applicator brush with dye and paint it onto a thin layer of hair about .5 in (1.3 cm) thick. Start at the roots and paint the dye onto both sides to thoroughly coat the strands. Work your way through each section until all of your hair is coated. ^{[6]
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- Get as close as you can to the base of the roots without touching the scalp.
- If the color matches your natural roots, try to blend it into the roots so you don’t have to worry as much about grow-out. Color-matching can be very difficult, though, so unless you have a lot of experience with coloring your hair, you may want to just dye your whole head. ^{[7]
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Most brunette dyes require 30 minutes to process, but always refer to the instructions. Check your hair’s progress every 5-10 minutes until the 30 minutes is up.
7
Rinse out the dye with lukewarm water until the water runs clean. In a sink or shower, run water through your hair work your fingers through, rinsing out all of the excess dye. Check the water draining down to see if it still has a tint from the dye--when it has no tint, you’re done rinsing!
- After rinsing, apply a conditioner for color-treated hair, following the manufacturer’s directions. This will help seal in your color.
Avoid using a blow dryer, since the heat can be too harsh on your freshly processed hair. Instead, pat your hair with a dark towel to remove excess water, then let it air-dry naturally

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adding Back Warm Undertones

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1
Choose a red protein filler to tint and strengthen the bleached hair. ^{[8]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} Look for a filler with a strong red tint to add warm undertones back into bleached hair. This will help keep your hair from turning green or ashy when you dye it brown. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} It also helps the dye adhere to your hair for smooth, even coverage.
- Color layering can be quite tricky, so if this is your first time using a tinted protein filler, you may want to consult with a professional colorist before you start.
2
Wear old clothes and spread a towel over your shoulders. Although most color protein fillers are washable, you should shield your clothes as much as possible. Put on some old clothes that you don’t care about getting dirty or a hairdresser’s cape. Then wrap an old towel around your shoulders to block them from the spray.
- You should also put on a pair of latex gloves before you begin to avoid tinting your skin.
Fill a spray bottle with water and spray it throughout your hair until it’s lightly damp. Don’t soak it all the way through—just spray until your hair feels like you’ve just towel-dried it after a shower. ^{[10]
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4
Pour the filler into a clean spray bottle and screw the top on. Since your hair is already damp, there’s no need to dilute the filler solution. Simply pour the solution straight into the spray bottle and cap it tightly.
- To avoid any contamination, make sure to use a clean spray bottle for the color protein filler.
5
Spray the color protein filler all throughout your damp hair. With your latex gloves on, start spraying directly where the bleach begins on your hair. Work in sections, lifting and spraying pieces of hair until all of your bleached hair is thoroughly covered. ^{[11]
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- You only need to apply the filler to any bleached or dyed hair! Don’t worry about your natural roots, since they aren’t brittle or porous from being processed. ^{[12]
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6
Comb through your hair with a wide-toothed comb. This will help evenly distribute the filler by pulling it through the strands. Start at your roots, or wherever the bleach begins, and gently drag the comb down to the ends of your hair. Once you’ve combed through all of your hair, rinse off the comb and let it dry.
- Make sure to use a plastic wide-toothed comb that you don’t mind getting filler on.
Set a timer and let the filler process for a full 20 minutes. Once the time is up, don’t rinse the filler out! It should stay in your hair until you finish dyeing and processing the brown dye. ^{[13]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Caring for Processed Hair

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1
Avoid washing your hair for the first 48 hours after dyeing your hair. During this time, the dye will still be oxidizing and settling into your hair. Washing too soon can sometimes lift the color right off the hair, which you definitely want to avoid! ^{[14]
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- This may mean skipping a workout or two in order to avoid the need to wash your hair.
- You can also wear a shower cap to keep your hair dry in the shower.
2
Wash your hair every other day or less. Since washing can cause color fading, only wash every other day at most. You may even want to give your hair 3-4 days between washes, since it will likely be more dry after dyeing. ^{[15]
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- If your strands get greasy between washes, try using a dry shampoo.
Chris McMillan, Celebrity Hairstylist

Use nourishing conditioning treatments. "Don't wash your hair every day, because that can dry it out. If you shampoo your hair a few times a week, try a gentle one. It's a good idea to condition the hair every day with a moisturizing conditioner, and use a hair mask or treatment once a week."
These gentle, specially formulated products will help your color last longer and keep your hair healthy. ^{[16]
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Research source} Look for ingredients that will moisturize and help remove product buildup without stripping color, such as keratin, natural plant oils, and minerals. ^{[17]
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4
Avoid using hot styling tools while your hair is still fragile. Since your hair will be more vulnerable to damage after the chemical treatment, you’ll want to use as little heat on it as possible. This includes styling tools such as curling irons, straightening irons, and blow dryers. ^{[18]
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- If you have to use hot tools, make sure to spray on a heat protectant product first and use either the lowest heat or cool blast setting.
- You should especially avoid using hot styling tools in conjunction with heavy styling products, such as gels, volumizers, hairsprays, and mousses.
5
Deep-condition your hair once a week to keep it moisturized. If your locks are still feeling brittle or dry, use a deep conditioning treatment or mask once a week. Work the product through your hair, concentrating on the tips, then run a wide-tooth comb through the strands to make sure it’s evenly distributed. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes (or as long as the product directs), then rinse well. ^{[19]
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- Look for a moisturizing mask that’s specifically formulated for colored hair.
- This is especially important if your hairstyling requires heat tools.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you dye bleached hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, but if you dying it more than 2 levels darker you may need to use a filler. Filler is a color that replaces the underlying pigment in the hair. It's different at each level, ranging from golden for light brown to red for dark hair colors.

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Can toner darken bleached hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, it can, especially if the hair is very porous. You can reduce the risk of this by applying the toner to damp hair or diluting it by mixing it with conditioner. Always watch it carefully while it's processing.

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Question

What color can you dye your hair if it's black?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If your hair is naturally black you can dye it most colors, though you may not be able to achieve a very pale blonde. If you've dyed it black your options may be limited. Perform a strand test to see what's possible.

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Things You’ll Need

Red tinted protein filler
Plastic wide-tooth comb
2 spray bottles
Brown dye
Applicator brush
Mixing bowl
Plastic clips
Dark towels
Latex gloves
Color-protecting shampoo and conditioner
Deep-conditioning treatments

Tips

Apply a layer of petroleum jelly along your hairline and ears to avoid staining when you apply the brown dye. ^{[20]
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Try a strand test before dyeing your whole head to make sure you’re happy with the color. Choose a 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.64 to 1.27 cm) strand of hair that you can easily hide, and apply the dye according to the box instructions. ^{[21]
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Warnings

Since dyes and fillers contain chemicals, make sure to dye your hair in a room with proper ventilation, such as open windows and air circulation.

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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

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How to Dye Bleached Hair Brown

Steps

Dyeing Your Hair

Adding Back Warm Undertones

Caring for Processed Hair

Expert Q&A

Video

Things You’ll Need

Tips

Warnings

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References

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