Q&A for How to Dye Naturally Black Hair Silver

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I have natural black hair, but I just recently dyed my ends red. Now I want silver, what do I do?

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

This is a complicated color correction, so it may be best to consult with a professional hair stylist. The stylist may suggest either cutting the red ends off and starting fresh, or bleaching them and dyeing them the desired silver color.

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Question

I have dark hair and wanted to go silver, so I bleached it 3 times. After dying it silver, the color only stayed for about 2 weeks. How can I make the color last longer?

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

It sounds like you have over-toned. Stop dying your hair and it should fade back to a brighter hue. You could also try washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove some of the color. So that it stays as healthy as possible, don't bleach your hair again.

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Question

What chemicals do I need to dye my hair silver, and where can I obtain them?

Community Answer

Silver shampoo can be purchased at most local stores. Apply it to your hair; the longer you leave it on, the more silver it will be.

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Question

I am naturally a strawberry blonde. I recently dyed my hair auburn. I want to dye it silver now, what do I do?

Community Answer

You will have to bleach it a few times before you can get it to silver. I recommend having it done by a professional stylist.

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Question

Can't I just buy silver hair dye from the store and use that?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will only really work if your natural hair color is already very light. The silver dye won't show up well on darker hair colors. The bleaching and toning steps you do first are to make your hair color light enough for the silver color to show up well.

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Question

I have salt and pepper hair color, how would I get more pepper color?

Community Answer

I recommend using a six-week rinse (demi-permanent) in a cool tone such as Redken's Shades EQ, in Walnut, Apply on freshly shampooed, damp hair (as if it is a conditioner, and don't emulsify). For the first try, leave the color only 15 - 20 minutes, rinse, condition and dry to evaluate the results. If it is too dark, reduce the processing time by five minutes the next time. If it is too light, add a few minutes next time. This is a monthly process.

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Question

How do I dye just the ends of my afro hair?

Community Answer

Use foil and bleach. Wrap the tips/ends of your hair and apply bleach. You can then dye it with your desired hair color using the same process. See How to Dip Dye Hair if you need more guidance. However, for best results it would be ideal to have a professional do this for you.

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Question

Can you use silver hair shampoo as a toner

Community Answer

You can if you have light blonde hair. You should leave it on for more then a couple minutes, but not to long unless you want your hair to be purple tinted.

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Question

My hair has gone blue. What can I do?

Community Answer

Bleach your hair as light as you can, then dye it silver.

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Question

My hair is black. I bleached it and it turned blond. How do I get the silver instead of blond?

Ase

Community Answer

You need to leave the bleach on for longer to get the desired result. Once you add the bleach to your hair, it would be best to wrap it in foil and leave it on for longer. Keep checking to see what shade it is, and once it's silver, you can then wash the bleach off.

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Question

My dark brown hair is heavily gray, and I am considering going solid silver or white. What is the easiest way?

Community Answer

Get a platinum, silver, or white bleach, and use silver toner and purple shampoo to stop it from going yellow/blonde.

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Question

My hair used to be black, but I have too many gray hairs now and I want to dye it silver. How would I go about doing this?

Community Answer

You should go to a salon, because you could really damage your hair while changing it.

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Question

My hair is black thick and straight. Want it silver but not damaged. Is it better if I do it long term?

Community Answer

Yes, you should gradually bleach your hair (maybe 1 time a week or even more spread out). After each bleach, make sure to condition and possibly use a hair mask/oil treatment/deep condition, etc., to make sure your hair isn't too dried out. After each bleach, you can leave your hair as it is or use a semi-permanent hair dye or a toner to hide the orangeness. After a few weeks (or a couple of months, depending on how far apart your bleaches are) you will reach your desired lightened shade, then you can apply the silver dye or toner.

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