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Looking to dye those dark locks red? We don't blame you! Your natural color is probably gorgeous, but mixing up your hair color can be such a fun way to change your look and have some fun. You've probably heard about how hard it can be to dye dark shades, but you don't need to stress. We've got you covered, and we'll walk you through choosing the best dye, applying the product, and caring for your hair after the fact. Excited to shake things up? Scroll down!
Steps
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1Choose a permanent dye. There are two different kinds of hair dye: permanent and temporary. Permanent dye lifts the hair cuticle and lasts for months. Temporary color, which places the dye on top of the natural hair color, will last for a few days or weeks. Since you’re dyeing black hair red, you’ll need a permanent dye. Search for a product that’s the correct shade of red and is also labeled “permanent.” -
2Assess your hair's condition. Be honest with yourself about whether your hair is in the proper condition to be dyed. Bleach and hair dye will cause damage to your hair, so it's risky to dye hair that is already damaged and/or has been dyed a lot.- If your hair has been previously dyed black, you will not be able to lighten it with more color. [1]
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Expert Source
Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Only the roots where the color has grown out will lift. This means that you’ll have to use bleach to lift the color before dyeing it red, which will be hard on unhealthy hair. - Virgin hair (hair that hasn't been dyed before) typically displays color more accurately. [2]
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Expert Source
Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. - Be upfront with your stylist about whether your hair is already dyed.
Advertisement - If your hair has been previously dyed black, you will not be able to lighten it with more color. [1]
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Expert Source
Karen Leight
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3Purchase all of the materials and products that you need. Don't try to dye your hair without making a shopping list and collecting some necessary items at a local beauty store. In addition to the dye, you’ll need other products, such as developer and bleach. You’ll also need applicator brushes, plastic mixing bowls, plastic clips, a shower cap, plastic gloves, and possibly more.- Ion sensitive developer works best for people with skin that irritates easily.
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4Pick the best color for your skin tone. There are many different shades of red that you can dye your hair, including auburn, strawberry, brick, mahogany, and more. Try going with a shade of red that best compliments your complexion, whether you have cool-toned fair skin, warm-toned dark skin, or something in between.- Hold a sample hair swatch close to your face to see if the color works with your skin tone. [3] X Research source
- If you have pink, red, or bluish undertones, then you have a cool skin tone. If you have peachy, golden, or yellow undertones, then you have a warm skin tone. If you have a combination of the two, your skin tone is likely neutral. [4] X Research source
- Consider going with a true red, dark auburn, or burgundy if you have warm undertones. [5] X Research source
- Try red velvet, aubergine red, or mahogany if you have a cool skin tone. [6] X Research source
- If you have fair skin, dark reds may make you look too pale. Try copper or strawberry blonde instead. [7] X Research source
- Bright, bold colors, such as fire engine red, blackberry, violet red, and burnt orange look great on darker skin. [8] X Research source
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1Bleach your hair. If your hair is resistant or if it has been previously colored, you’ll need to bleach it before dyeing it in order to get the shade of red that you want. Mix bleach and 10 or 20 volume developer in a bowl with an applicator brush until it's a yogurt-like consistency. Put on some plastic gloves and a cape to prevent your skin from burning or your clothes from being ruined. Part your hair with the pointed end of the applicator brush and paint the bleach onto your hair from root to tip. Continue making new parts and coating your hair until it’s completely covered in bleach. Let the bleach process until your hair color is the level of lightness you desire. Then wash it out with shampoo and moisturize your hair with conditioner. [9] X Research source- If you’re wanting your hair to be a light and/or bright shade of red, you may need to wait a few weeks and repeat the bleaching process to bring it up to a true blonde. [10]
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Expert Source
Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. However, bleaching a second time may cause breakage. - Dying your hair in stages over several weeks is the safest way to achieve the lightness you want without significantly damaging your hair. [11]
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Expert Source
Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. - Don’t bleach your hair if it is virgin. Products like L'Oreal Excellence HiColor Reds for Dark Hair Only in H8 may be able to give you red hair without bleaching the black first.
- Bleaching your hair too much can cause extreme damage and breakage, so limit how long you keep it on your hair and how often you apply it.
- If you’re wanting your hair to be a light and/or bright shade of red, you may need to wait a few weeks and repeat the bleaching process to bring it up to a true blonde. [10]
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Expert Source
Karen Leight
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2Brush and section your hair. You don't want snarls, so brush your hair thoroughly. Then, use plastic clips to pull the hair into four equally-sized sections.- At this point, you can also apply Vaseline at your hairline so you don't end up dyeing your skin orange.
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3Mix the ingredients. Add your tube of dye and 10 volume developer to the mixing bowl. Use a measuring cup to measure them out according to the instructions on the bottle or package and then mix them together in the bowl with the applicator brush until the dye is smooth. The mixture should be the consistency of paste; not too watery. [12] X Research source -
4Paint the dye onto your hair. Unclip one section of hair. Use an applicator brush to start applying the color an inch or two (2.5-5 cm) away from your roots. Completely saturate the hair all the way down to ends of the strands. Repeat this process for each section of hair.- Wear plastic gloves when applying dye. Otherwise, you will stain your hands.
- Apply the dye everywhere except your roots. You usually have virgin hair at the roots, so if you do the roots first, you could end up with roots that are a brighter color than the rest of your hair.
- Consider filling a squirt bottle with the dye and applying it that way if you have long and/or thick hair.
- Remember to paint the tiny hairs near your ears. You might want to use your finger to reach those.
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5Let the hair process and apply dye to your roots. Then, put a shower cap on and let the dye process for as long as the product instructs. After about half of the processing time has gone by, remove the shower cap and paint your roots red with the dye. Then put the cap back on and let your hair finish processing. -
6Shampoo and condition your hair. Once the time is up, thoroughly wash the dye out of your hair with a shampoo that is designed for dyed hair. Then rinse it out and condition your hair with a conditioner also designed for colored hair. Finally, rinse out the conditioner.- Use lukewarm or cool water, but never hot water as it will make your color fade.
- Avoid shampoos with sulfate in them. They can strip the color out of your hair faster.
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1Wash your hair 2-3 times each week. Red hair color tends to fade fast because the molecules that make up the dye are large. To slow down the fading process, resist the urge to wash your hair often.- Do not wash your hair more than once every other day. [13] X Research source
- If your hair gets oily fast, try using dry shampoo to keep it looking fresh in between washes.
- Don't take hot showers. Hot water will make your color fade faster.
Chris McMillan, Celebrity HairstylistUse 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."
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2Touch up the red color. Red hair dye is prone to fading. Apply a semi-permanent or demi-permanent dye to your hair from time to time to gently touch it up and keep it looking rich. If you need to touch up the roots, use a permanent dye. -
3Deep condition your hair. Remember that dying your hair is damaging. Because of this, you'll want to make sure you do deep conditioning treatments on your hair from time to time, especially just after you've dyed it.- Also be sure to condition your hair every time you wash it. [14] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan you dye black hair without bleaching it?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.If your hair is naturally black, yes, you can use a permanent dye to lighten it up to 3 levels. If it was dyed with permanent color, then a color-remover may be able to remove the dye so you don't have to bleach it.
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QuestionCan you dye black hair blonde?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.You can, but it is a multi-step process and it may damage the hair significantly. This is not something you should try at home; see a professional colorist.
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QuestionCan you dye naturally red hair?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.Yes, but it can be stubborn. Naturally red hair's pigment is deeper inside the strand, making it more difficult to change. I'd recommend seeing a professional colorist.
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Tips
- Test the dye first on a spot that isn’t easily visible to make sure it looks how you wanted and expected it to.Thanks
- Be prepared to make a mess. Wear a shirt that can be stained, and try not to get the dye on the kitchen tiles or carpeting.Thanks
- If your skin is sensitive to chemicals, it's probably best to consult a professional.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic mixing bowls
- Applicator brushes
- Boxed hair dye
- 30 and/or 40 Volume developer
- Shampoo and conditioner designed for color-treated hair
- Plastic gloves
- Measuring cup
- Plastic shower cap
- An old shirt
- Plastic hair clips
- Brush
References
- ↑ Karen Leight. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ Karen Leight. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/79790-how-to-dye-your-brown-hair-red-without-bleach-if-youre-in-the-mood-to-channel
- ↑ http://stylecaster.com/cool-warm-skin-undertones/
- ↑ http://www.byrdie.com/best-hair-color-for-skin-tone/slide3
- ↑ https://www.matrix.com/blog/the-21-most-popular-red-hair-color-shades
- ↑ http://www.youbeauty.com/hair/red-hair-color-skintone/
- ↑ https://www.allure.com/gallery/most-flattering-red-hair-colors-for-every-skin-tone
- ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-bleach-hair#slide-6
- ↑ Karen Leight. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ Karen Leight. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRzIxWwFjDE
- ↑ https://www.matrix.com/blog/26-tips-to-help-protect-color-treated-hair-and-keep-it-looking-fabulous
- ↑ https://www.matrix.com/blog/26-tips-to-help-protect-color-treated-hair-and-keep-it-looking-fabulous
- Videos provided by EDA beauty Hair & Makeup
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to dye black hair auburn red, bleach it with a mixture of bleach and 10 or 20 volume developer. Let the bleach sit until your hair is as light as you want. Then, brush your hair thoroughly and clip it into four equally sized sections. When you’re ready, unclip one of the sections and paint the permanent auburn dye onto it until it is saturated. Repeat that process with each section, and let the dye sit as directed before washing it out with shampoo. For tips from our Cosmetologist reviewer on choosing the right dye and using it safely, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "It was a very big help. I learned a lot about hair coloring. It helped me choose the perfect color for me. All these years of coloring my hair I was doing things wrong, my color never lasted. Now I know a lot has to do with the developer regarding volume number. Thank you for sharing this information." ..." more
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"It was a very big help. I learned a lot about hair coloring. It helped me choose the perfect color for me. All these years of coloring my hair I was doing things wrong, my color never lasted. Now I know a lot has to do with the developer regarding volume number. Thank you for sharing this information."
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"It assured me I shouldn't dye my hair. My hair is way too damaged for any hair dye, so that warning in the steps was really helpful! I really wished to dye my hair a medium auburn for a long long time as a graduation gift to myself, but I have to face the facts."
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"I am a recent graduate of cosmetology school. My niece asked me to color her natural black hair red so she can rock a red 'fro. I was clueless. The information contained here gave me all the confidence to move forward with the process. Thanks!"
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"This helped me to know when I am going to dye my hair red to do it twice. I was getting ready to do it when I searched dyeing hair red for dark hair color, and found this."
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"This article helped me to find out what steps I have to do and don't do. I need to skip my roots for another twenty minutes and then go further. Thanks."
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