If You Dye Your Hair Black from Blonde

If you dye your hair black from blonde, but weren't sure how? Are you a dirty blonde that tried to dye your hair black but it turned out to be a shade lighter? Read on!

Things You'll Need
One or more boxes of medium to dark brown hair dye.
One or more box of black hair dye.
Old clothes or a towel.


Steps

• Purchase either a semi-permanent (28 days) or permanent brown dye. This color should be dark enough that you’re blonde, be it light or dishwater colored, is covered. A medium to dark brown is good. Natural Instincts by Clairol is a great brand for beginners and pros alike since it doesn't contain ammonia and washes out slowly rather than fading to grey like some brands.

• Ask someone to help you if you've never dyed your hair. Nothing's worse than missed roots or entire sections of hair you can't see.

• Dye your hair the brown color by following the package's directions. However, if the box includes a color seal or highlight conditioner, skip it. You can do that after the black. The brown step is a "just-in-case" step. Some black dyes on light blonde hair cause it to look green. Even if it doesn't look green, the hair may have an unnatural color that looks odd.

• Repeat the step you used for the brown with the black dye, but make sure you note whether your hair should be damp or not. After dyeing, use a mixture of the color conditioners for soft, lush hair.

Tips

• Don't shampoo your hair 12 hours before and after dyeing it for best color results.

• Try not to flip you hair around as tiny droplets of the color will end up everywhere.

• Medical on your hairline and ears before the brown and before the black makes cleaning off the dye a snap.

• If you can, try to wipe off what gets on your arms, legs, or other body parts up right away. It usually takes two showers to come off.

• Dye that has stained counter tops and walls can be removed with a tough sponge.

•  If your hair is very long, buy an extra box of dye to ensure you have it if you need it.

• Have a warm rag ready to wipe off dye. Have one for your face and one for your items around you. If any dye gets on a household surface, clean it up immediately.

• Wear old clothes you don't mind staining to dye your hair.

• If your hair is usually prone to oil, you won't have to shampoo as much directly afterwards.

• If you feel the color is fading quickly, or your hair is very weak or brittle, use a shampoo/conditioner set made for color-treated hair.

  
  

Warnings

• Always think carefully before going black as once you dye your hair black, it can be very hard to go back, because black hair dye is the hardest color to remove and trying to go back to blonde can severely damage your hair, even the most professional hairdressers would hesitate and warn you before doing it.

• The day before you dye your hair makes sure to wash it only with shampoo and no conditioner. If you use conditioner the dye will become slick in your hair and will ooze onto your back, not sink into your hair depending on the brand.

• If you swim or are in the sun often, your hair may fade quicker.

• Platinum blondes hoping to go black may be best off seeing a hairstylist. 

• If your hair is already dry, the dye will make it drier. Make sure you condition a lot the next day.

• Hair dye stains. It can stain fabric, wood (tables and counters), and even things like plastic, so avoid letting these things touch and clean up spills or splashes.