Q&A for How to Dye Over a Dark Hair Dye

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  • Question
    Can I dye my hair from black to red?
    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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can apply red dye directly to naturally black hair to achieve a rich wine-colored hue. For brighter reds, you may want to bleach hair first and then dye.
  • Question
    Can you use blonde hair dye on dark brown 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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can use blonde dye on dark hair, but it may become brassy and probably won't lift as light as you'd like. Some companies make special "high lift" dyes that will give you bright blondes without bleach.
  • Question
    Can you dye dark hair without bleaching it?
    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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Dark hair that hasn't been previously colored can be dyed the same level or up to two shades lighter without bleaching. Previously dyed hair can be dyed darker, but it can not be dyed lighter without bleach.
  • Question
    Do you have to bleach your hair to dye it brown?
    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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    As long as you are dying your hair darker, you will not have to use bleach. Bleach should be avoided unless it's necessary as it can damage the hair.
  • Question
    Can I dye over a darker hair dye to lighten it up?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    No, color does not lift color. In order to apply a lighter dye, you would need to first remove the current dye by using a color remover kit, or by doing a bleach bath on the hair. Once you've removed the darker dye, you can apply a lighter dye.
  • Question
    Do I need to bleach my hair to dye it maroon?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    This depends on how vivid you want the maroon to be. If you don't mind a darker shade of maroon, you don't need to bleach your hair. If you desire a lighter shade of maroon, but you have very dark hair, perhaps a level 1 or 2, you would need to bleach your hair first and then apply the maroon dye.
  • Question
    What color will my hair be if I remove the extra strength color? It is dyed black now with gray roots.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Since your roots are gray, then the rest of your hair is likely gray beneath the dye. If you remove the color, then your hair will likely be gray.
  • Question
    I have dirty blonde hair. What developer do I use?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    For best results, you should not use higher than a 20 volume developer. Since your hair is already blonde, you may be able to stick with a 10 volume developer, depending on how much lighter you want your hair.
  • Question
    How do I lighten my hair after I dyed it too dark?
    April Ferri
    Professional Hair Stylist
    April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    If you have dark brown or black hair and it's been dyed that color, you're not just going to be able to put dye on it and achieve the results you want. You'd need to use a lightener. Usually for that, I'd recommend seeing a professional.
  • Question
    How do I re-dye my hair?
    Community Answer
    If your hair is currently a dark color, and you would like to re-dye it a lighter color, bleach it before coloring it for best results. If your hair is a light color (typically shades of blonde), you can go right ahead and dye your hair whichever color you like.
  • Question
    Can I put ash-blonde color over dark-brown hair to get a lighter brown?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    My hair is black, and I want to dye it like red, but I don't want to bleach it or use a color remover because it will damage my hair. Will the color still show up pretty good?
    Community Answer
    No, it will not show up, and if it does, it will be barely noticeable. Think of it as trying to write on a black piece of paper with a red marker: you just wont see it. You will need to have lighter hair for the red to show up on your hair.
  • Question
    How do I dye my hair when I have red hair?
    Community Answer
    If you want to dye it a lighter color, you may have to bleach it first. To go darker, you don't have to bleach first.
  • Question
    I dyed my hair blue gray and it came out sort of blue black. Now I want to dye it light brown. What color should I use?
    Community Answer
    I suggest bleaching it first, and then dyeing it brown so that the color will show.
  • Question
    I blended a brown color into my hair about 3-4 months ago to disguise some purple I had in it. If I dye it purple again, will that old purple show?
    Community Answer
    Not unless it is still visible within your brown hair, but if you're dyeing the entire segment of hair in which purple is visible, then no, that old purple will not show.
  • Question
    I've recently dyed my hair black, but I want a mousey dark ash brown now, so if I use a color remover on my hair will that take me to it?
    Community Answer
    No. You will likely have to use the color remover and then your will likely have to dye it the color that you want.
  • Question
    My hair is gray. How can I dye it a light auburn brown color?
    Community Answer
    If your hair is dark gray, then you'll have to use bleach or light auburn won't show up well. If your hair is light gray, then go straight ahead.
  • Question
    I have black hair right now, not my natural color, but I want to do like a red maroon color. I'm scared to use color remover because I'm afraid I'll go bald. What should I do?
    Consulting Criminal
    Community Answer
    You can wait for your hair to grow enough that you have cut the dyed hair out. Or you can bleach your hair. If you are really scared you can get a professional to do it.
  • Question
    How can I add purple highlights to my dyed black hair?
    Community Answer
    Bleach or use a light hair dye to highlight your hair, then dye your whole head with purple dye. The black won't take in any purple and you'll end up with purple highlights.
  • Question
    My hair is black and now I want to go back to blond. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    If blonde is your natural hair color, you might just have to let it grow out. It would be hard to dye black to blonde without bleaching your hair.
  • Question
    I have black hair at the moment. I had lilac hair before, so when I wash my hair, it is washing a mucky purple. Should I buy a stripper, then put on the color I want?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    My red hair is too bright. How can I darken it?
    Community Answer
    Brew a pot of some strong black tea and let it cool down. Pour it into a bowl. Rinse the black tea into your hair a few times. Rinse one last time, waiting ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing out completely. Shampoo and condition your hair, then towel dry.
  • Question
    If I dyed my hair black and wanted to put red highlights on it, would they be visible?
    Community Answer
    No. It would be like trying to draw on black paper with a red crayon or marker. It won't show up.
  • Question
    I have light green hair and I want to dye it blonde. Can I put the blonde over the green?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can bleach your hair or dye it blonde and it should cover the green, but you might need to use a toning shampoo to get out some remaining greenish tints afterward.
  • Question
    Will a hair dye come out if it's faded?
    Ccylor Griffin
    Community Answer
    Yes, use something similar to Color Oops. It will take away the color and your hair will still be healthy.
  • Question
    What is the best way to add a stripe to my hair?
    Community Answer
    If you have dark hair, the best thing to do would be to section off the stripe and bleach it. Once you've bleached it, wait a few days or weeks for your hair to calm down and then proceed with the dyeing process.
  • Question
    I have recently dyed my hair black, and some of my hair is returning back to my natural brown color (majority of it is still black). I want my hair to be burgundy, but I want to avoid stripping my hair in a salon as much as possible. I don't want to have to kill my hair. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Use a color remover first, then do a light bleach wash. You'll end up with a orangey color. This is the perfect base for applying a burgundy color over it.
  • Question
    Can I dye over my darker hair dye to a lighter brown?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you may have to bleach it first.
  • Question
    Can you dye over black dyed hair?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you first need to lighten your black dyed hair. One simple way to do that without having to bleach your hair is to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo. A clarifying shampoo will help reduce the intensity of the dark color, as it causes your hair to fade faster. Shampoo your hair with the clarifying shampoo at least twice in the shower for the best results. When you get out of the shower, use a hair dryer to heat up the clarifying shampoo on your head before rinsing it out. That can help your hair cuticles open up and release even more of the color in your hair. Once your hair has lightened up a bit, you can try to dye over it.
  • Question
    What color can I dye my black hair without bleaching?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Your best bet is to choose a slightly darker color such as auburn or velvet rather than a lighter color such as blonde or a bright red color, which may not show up as well in your black hair. At the same time, you may want to pick out a hair color that will complement your skin tone. It's also a good idea to go with a dye that's 1 or 2 shades lighter than what you're actually going for. When you dye your hair at home it often comes out darker than you expected. Most hair dye kits come with a developer, but if yours doesn't, pick up a 20-volume developer from a drug store. Follow the instructions that come with your hair dye to mix the dye with the developer proportionally. Then, dye your hair following the directions on the packaging.
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