Can I put golden brown on dark brown hair?
Putting golden brown dye over dark brown hair can definitely be done, but it requires some special considerations to get the best results. Going lighter with hair color is always a process that needs to be done carefully to avoid damage and brassiness. Here’s a look at how to successfully go from dark brown to golden brown hair.
What level is your current hair color?
The first thing to look at is how dark your current brunette shade is. Hair color levels work on a scale of 1 to 10, with level 1 being pure black and level 10 being lightest blonde. Most natural dark brown hair falls into levels 3 to 5.
If your hair is a very deep level 3 shade, putting golden brown on top won’t show up much. You’ll want to first lift your hair to a lighter level 5 brown before depositing the golden brown shade. This requires pre-lightening with bleach.
Doing an all-over bleach isn’t always necessary though. If your hair is currently a level 4 or 5 dark brown, you may be able to use a highlift color or permanent hair dye to go golden brown in one step. Highlift shades contain a small amount of lightener to gently lift your hair as the color deposits.
Pick the right golden brown shade
Once you know what base you’re starting with, it’s time to pick the perfect golden brown hue. There are lots of shades to choose from that offer different levels of warmth.
For a sheer golden tint on darker hair, look for chocolate browns with subtle golden or caramel undertones. These offer just a touch of warmth without being overly brassy or orange.
If your hair is already lightened, you can go for bolder golden and coppery browns. Look for shades described as honey, ginger, amber, or cinnamon brown. Stay away from anything labeled orange, auburn, or magenta-based. These will turn out too red or coppery on brunette hair.
Here are some good golden brown hair dye options:
| Shade Name | Brand | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Cacao Mocha | Clairol | 5 |
| Cool Caramel | L’Oreal | 5 |
| Honey Amber | Wella | 7 |
Prep your hair properly
Prepping your hair the right way before coloring helps the new shade take evenly and prevents damage. Be sure to:
– Shampoo hair with a clarifying or sulfate-free shampoo. This removes any dirt, oil or product buildup.
– Rough dry hair with a towel. It should be damp but not soaking wet before applying color.
– Use a conditioning hair mask or deep treatment 1-2 weeks before coloring. This ensures hair is properly moisturized.
– Avoid using conditioner right before applying dye. Conditioner can create a barrier that keeps color from penetrating effectively.
– Section clean, damp hair into four quadrants and clip up the sections you aren’t working with. This makes application neat and even.
Mix and apply the color carefully
Once your hair is freshly washed and sectioned, you’re ready to apply the golden brown color. Follow the instructions on the box closely and mix the dye accordingly. Here are some tips for flawless application:
– Always wear gloves to protect your hands from stains.
– Thoroughly saturate all of your hair with the color, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.
– Use a tint or color brush to separate strands and apply directly to individual hairs. This prevents splotchiness.
– Don’t skimp on product. Use enough dye to fully coat every strand.
– Process for the full development time listed on the box instructions. Set a timer to keep track.
– Add heat with a blowdryer on warm setting or a hooded dryer to help the color penetrate and deposit evenly.
Rinse, condition, and style
Once the processing time is complete, it’s time to reveal your new golden brown mane! Here are the final steps:
– Rinse with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Avoid hot water as this can cause fading.
– Shampoo and use a toner-depositing conditioner or mask to neutralize brassiness.
– Style as usual. Air-drying can help the color oxidize fully.
– Wait 2-3 days before wetting hair again. Give the color time to set in and seal the cuticle.
– Use color-protecting hair products like leave-in treatments, heat protectants and sulfate-free shampoos to maintain your golden brown.
How to maintain golden brown hair
To keep your golden brown hair looking fresh between salon visits, be diligent about aftercare and use color-safe products. Here are some tips:
– Wash hair in lukewarm water only using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair.
– Use a purple toning shampoo or mask once a week. This fights warmth and brassiness.
– Apply a UV-protecting hair product before going in the sun. Sun exposure fades hair color.
– Get a gloss or glazing treatment every 4-6 weeks. This refreshes faded color between full dye jobs.
– Use an at-home color-depositing conditioning mask or gloss between salon appointments. Look for shades labeled “golden brown”.
– Get a trim every 6-8 weeks to keep color looking vibrant. Trims remove dry, damaged ends with faded dye.
– Adjust your hair products and styling routine to be as gentle as possible. Limit use of hot tools.
How long will golden brown hair color last?
The longevity of your golden brown shade depends on several factors. Here’s a look at how long it typically lasts:
– Permanent dye lasts 4-6 weeks. Higher-volume peroxide formulas may persist slightly longer.
– Demi-permanent color starts fading after 4-5 weeks as hair washes out. It fades progressively over 6-8 weeks.
– Semi-permanent rinses or glosses fade the fastest, lasting only 4-6 shampoos.
– Color lasts longer on less porous hair that’s in good condition. Porous, damaged hair fades fastest.
– Exposure to sun, heat styling tools, hard water, chlorine, and sulfate shampoos speed up fading.
With proper maintenance and aftercare, you can stretch golden brown hair color as long as possible before needing a touch up. Using conditioning color-depositing products in between full dye jobs helps keep color vibrant for up to 8 weeks.
Is golden brown damaging for hair?
The risks of damage depend on your hair’s starting condition and whether pre-lightening is required. Here’s an overview:
– Permanent dyes require peroxide, which can cause some oxidative damage over time. Leaving your natural base and minimizing lightener lessens damage.
– Bleaching to pre-lighten is damaging, especially for previously color-treated or fragile hair. Use lower volume peroxide and avoid overlapping lightener.
– Demi-permanent dye causes minimal damage as it only deposits color without peroxide. However, pre-lightening is still required on dark hair.
– Direct dyes like semi-permanents and rinses have virtually no peroxide and won’t damage hair. They simply coat strands.
– Post-color conditioning and bond-building treatments can offset damage from lightening and peroxide. Avoid over-processing hair.
As long as you minimize lightening and prep hair properly, golden brown dye doesn’t have to be damaging. Take care to keep hair’s moisture and protein levels balanced.
Conclusion
Transitioning your dark brown hair to a beautiful golden brown shade is definitely achievable. Assess your hair’s current level and condition, then select the right formulation and technique. Prep and apply dye carefully, maintain thoroughly, and limit damage from lightening. With the proper steps, you can rock gorgeous golden brown locks!
