One of the most popular ways to alter your looks is by changing your hair color, but a few seasons from now, you’ll change your mind once more. A survey shows that 16% of women between 18 and 29 years use hair dye once a month.
You may wish to color your blonde hair brown this season. However, the process can be hard, and you don’t want to damage your hair if you can help it.
It is also possible that this is your first time, and you want to know if you can go brown without first filling your hair. The answer is: it depends on the shade of blonde you have. If you don’t know the shade of blonde hair you have, it is best to ask a hair colorist.
Going from blonde to brown can make a major statement about who you are as a person and give you the confidence to make a difference. But not all hair dye is created equal – so it’s important to know the best and most secure ways to go from blonde to brown. Read on to find out more about the safest method of dyeing your hair, what shade of brown is right for you, and how to maintain it to keep it looking beautiful!
Features of Hair and How it Affects Hair Coloring
Before you ever think of coloring your hair, it’s vital to consider your hair’s features. The reason is that in terms of coloring, the outcomes vary due to the features of your hair. Below are some of these hair features.
Percentage of Gray Hair
Having gray hair as a young lady of 25 years and above has some challenges. Gray hairs have zero pigments. As a result, they are grittier than your original hair, and because gray hair follicles produce less oil, it is also dryer.
Since color can’t penetrate as quickly as before, you may need to leave it on longer, leading to more harm.
At this point, the most vital thing to decide is if you will fully cover the gray hair or blend it with your original hair color. This decision tells you the kind of coloring agent you ought to employ.
The demi-permanent color products are good for merging gray with your natural color. On the other hand, gray coverage products provide full coverage for more than 50% of gray hair.
Available in different intensity levels to suit your unique needs, gray coverage products not only restore your original color and vibrancy but keep it lasting for longer too. From versatile sprays that provide a pre-colored base for greater gray-blending power to tinted shampoos for light shines and touch-ups, there are some instant gray coverage products in the market to help make you look and feel beautiful — no matter how much gray hair you have.
Hair Porosity Level
The capacity of your hair to absorb moisture is often referred to as your hair’s porosity level. When your hair is very porous, the more fluids it can absorb. These pores are mostly due to UV rays, bleaching, and other drying factors.
Note that how well your hair will receive hair color depends on how porous it is. If your hair is porous, it can still get better. What you need to do is to apply enriching oils and deep conditioning therapies with keratin. As a result, it will help repair any damage. It will also reduce your hair’s contact with harsh climates.
Note that each level of porosity has a different effect on hair coloring. For example;
- Low Porosity Hair: This level of porosity makes darker hair colors to be very shiny. It is also regarded as being a healthy hair porosity level.
But it is resistant to hair coloring. Although, most times, alternative color methods can get used for you to get your desired outcome.
Also, the processing time must take longer to get your desired hair color. Again, the reason is for the color to be fully absorbed and for gray hairs to be fully covered.
- Normal Porosity Level: Most easy-to-maintain hairs have normal porosity. This porosity level makes it easy for hair colors to penetrate. As such, and they are giving you the results you desire.
However, regular porous hair will diminish over time from repeated color sessions. Also, a periodic conditioning session is good for maintaining the hair’s health.
- High Porosity Level: Severe hair damage due to over-bleaching, chemicals, and harsh weather causes a high porosity level of the hair.
Perfect examples are gray and curly hair are signs of highly porous hair. Due to the relatively open hair shaft, high-porosity hair will absorb color very efficiently and quickly.
But it requires frequent treatments and conditioners to remain well. And it’s better to get protein-rich products. It is vital to shorten the processing time to avoid damage and for balance to happen.
Hair Texture
Hair texture is the diameter of a single hair strand, and it varies genetically and evolves with age. As a result, there are different hair texture forms, which are now explained below.
- Fine Hair Texture: This hair texture has the thinnest hair diameter. But that doesn’t imply there isn’t a lot of it. With color being the easiest to process, it is also the easiest to overprocess on fine hair. As such, it can make you more prone to injury.
- Medium Hair Texture: Medium hair is often seen as usual or the most prevalent when coloring. This is because it makes it easier for colors to absorb correctly.
- Thick Hair Texture: This is the strongest and thickest hair. And because of its volume, it can be hefty and hard to deal with or color.
Due to this thickness, coloring becomes a very tricky process. Which means thick hairs are resistant to color penetration.
On that note, applying sufficient hair color products is advisable to get the desired result.
Steps to Transform Your Blonde Hair to Brown
Below are the necessary steps to take when changing your blonde hair to brown.
Prep Your Hair With a Moisturizing Mask
The active ingredient in hair colors is peroxide. It is harsh on your hair. So applying moisturizing products before your session with the colorist is best.
Ensure to apply it twice a month before dyeing your hair. Also, ensure the moisturizing mask has argan oil rich in antioxidants. As such, it enhances the texture and elasticity of the hair. Thereby leaving your hair hydrated, conditioned, and with less friction.
Note that before changing your hair color, it is a good idea for it to be healthy.
Color Filling
A color filling is a core part of the shift from blonde to darker(brown) hair. It is nothing more than pre-dying your hair to fill in the pigments that light hair colors lack, typical brown hair hues.
The filler aims to deeply infiltrate the hair structure and lay the groundwork for the brown color. The hair hue may lack depth or wash off rapidly if you miss the filling stage.
Here, warm hues like reds and coppers are vital. So to achieve even brown hair during the filling phase, use one of these colors as a filler.
Use a Developer
The next step to take is to make use of a developer. If your color permits you to choose, choose a developer with a number between 10 and 20.
Developers with a 10 will only deposit, while developers with a 20 will lift and deposit. If by chance you have gray hair, you can use developers such as instant gray coverage. This will help fully cover the gray hair color.
Make Use of a Gloss
One more step is to use gloss. You should get a gloss to add to a filler and a color you already use.
Does hair gloss sound strange to you? If yes, there’s no need to worry. Hair gloss is a luster product for colored hair. Using hair gloss will help prolong your hair color’s life, make it brighter, and lessen dryness. Also, it can help with breakouts and curly hair.
Aftermath: Get Maintenance Products
After getting your desired brown hair, one last thing to do is maintain the hair. And maintenance is key.
So, ensure you replace the maintenance products you use on your blonde hair with some for your brown hair.
You should add sulfate-free, color-preserving shampoo to your regimen. The products mud gave low pH treatments to keep hair cuticles securely closed.
Another maintenance product to have is root touch-up power products. Root touch-up power products come in a variety of formulas.
You can also apply them in a variety of ways. For example, some root touch-up power products come as hair root spray can, while others come in a powder form.
Root touch-up power products can be a great way to cover your grays without having to dye your hair all over again.
Can You Go Brown Without Filling Blonde Hair?
The answer to this question is that it depends on your shade of blonde. For example, You may require a filler if your hair is a light blonde shade so that it can get dyed to a darker shade of brown. This is due to the very porous nature of light blonde hair, which makes it simple for the color to wash off.
So, if you fall in that category, using a filler will make your color even and keep it from fading.
However, you might not need a filler if your hair has a medium or dark blonde shade. The reason is that the color is less prone to wash away and that a filler could make your hair appear a little extra dark.
So, you can just use products like instant gray coverage or root touch-up power products. As a result, giving you the full blonde root touch-up you need.
Bottom Line
With everything discussed above, you now know that going brown without filling blonde hair is possible if you know your blonde shades.
Also, you now know how your hair features affect coloring. Finally, with the steps provided in this article, you can carry out the DIY coloring process in your house. But if you can’t, you can seek the help of a hair colorist. Good luck.