When looking to change up your hair color, green is an exciting and bold choice. However, achieving a vibrant green hue can be tricky, especially when dyeing brown hair. The warm undertones present in brunette locks can make it difficult for cool-toned greens to show up properly. But with the right hair dye and preparation, you can successfully rock green hair – even with brown strands as your base.
Can You Dye Brown Hair Green?
The short answer is yes, you can dye brown hair green. However, how vibrant and long-lasting the green color turns out depends on several factors:
- Your natural hair color – Darker brunette hair tends to pick up color differently than light or medium brown shades.
- Hair porosity – More porous hair absorbs dye better.
- Hair condition – Healthier hair holds onto color longer.
- Dye brand and formula – Semi-permanent vs permanent dyes produce different results.
- Preparation and application – Properly prepping and applying dye improves color uptake.
While brown hair can definitely go green, you may need to do some extra preparations first for the best results. The green will also fade more quickly than if you were dyeing bleached or pre-lightened hair.
What Color Green Can You Get?
How dark or light your natural brown hair is will affect the shade of green you can achieve. Here’s an overview of the green shade possibilities on different brown hair colors:
- Dark brown hair – Will likely only pick up darker, murkier greens. Aim for deeper emerald or hunter greens.
- Medium brown hair – Can pick up some brighter greens like jade or teal. May come out more greenish-teal.
- Light brown hair – Can hold brighter greens from mint to neon lime. Will still fade faster than pre-lightened hair though.
No matter your starting shade of brown, the green will show up more vibrantly on hair that is properly prepped and porous enough to absorb the dye. Using permanent dye also leads to more long-lasting, intense color than semi-permanent options.
How to Dye Brown Hair Green
Follow these steps to successfully dye brown hair a brilliant green shade:
- Prep your hair – Clarifying and gently pre-lightening helps remove buildup and warm tones so the cool green pops. Use a clarifying shampoo and try a bleach bath to lift your hair 1-2 levels.
- Dye your strands – Opt for a permanent or demi-permanent green dye, following all timing and application instructions. Apply petroleum jelly around hairline to avoid staining skin.
- Process and rinse – Leave dye on for the directed time, normally 20-45 minutes. Rinse until water runs clear. Use a tinted conditioner to deposit more color.
- Style as desired – Rock your new green locks straight, curly, updos – the possibilities are endless!
Doing a patch test first is highly recommended to gauge color results and avoid any allergic reaction. It’s also smart to start the dye mid-shaft and ends first, slowly applying it up to your roots for a naturally blended look.
Best Green Hair Dyes for Brown Hair
Here are some top-rated green hair dye options that work great on brunette hair:
| Brand | Dye Name | Shade Options |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic Fox | Poison | Turquoise green |
| Manic Panic | Electric Lizard | Vibrant green |
| Punky Colour | Alpine Green | Neon green |
| Lunar Tides | Juniper Green | Deep emerald green |
| IroIro | Neon Green | Bright lime green |
No matter which brand you choose, look for permanent or demi-permanent dyes that are conditioning to preserve your hair’s integrity. Also aim for dyes free of ammonia, peroxide, and harsh chemicals.
How Long Does Green Hair Dye Last on Brown Hair?
On average, you can expect the green color to last:
- 4-6 weeks with semi-permanent dye
- 6-8 weeks with demi-permanent dye
- 8-12 weeks with permanent dye
Permanent dyes last the longest since they fully penetrate and alter the hair shaft. Semi-permanent dyes simply coat the cuticle so rinse out faster. To extend the vibrancy of your green hair, use sulfate-free shampoos, cool water when washing, and glossing treatments.
How to Remove Green Hair Dye from Brown Hair
When you’re ready for a change, here’s how to easily remove the green dye from brown hair:
- Use clarifying shampoo – Lather and rinse repeatedly to strip color and buildup.
- Try color remover – Products like Color Oops break down permanent dye molecules.
- Use vitamin C soak – Crush tablets into a bowl with shampoo to create a lifting paste.
- Do bleach baths – Lighten hair slowly with diluted bleach to avoid damage.
Focus on the ends first when rinsing out dyes since the heat from your scalp makes roots process faster. And be patient – it may take a few sessions to fully remove stubborn greens from the hair shaft.
Maintenance Tips for Green Hair
Keep your green hair looking vibrant and healthy with these easy maintenance tips:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and cold water only when washing
- Apply a weekly hair mask to boost moisture
- Gloss with a green semi-permanent dye every 2-4 weeks
- Rinse out chlorine and minerals after swimming
- Protect hair from sun exposure with a hat or scarf
- Use a tinted conditioner for color depositing
- Get regular trims to snip away faded ends
Common Questions
Does green dye damage brown hair?
Green dye can dry out hair a bit, but won’t cause significant damage if you start with healthy strands and use nourishing formulas. Steer clear of harsh peroxides and rely more on direct dyes or demi-permanents.
Should I bleach my hair first before green dye?
It’s not mandatory, but bleaching first will allow for brighter, longer-lasting green results. If you don’t want to pre-lighten, just know the green will look darker and fade faster.
What color green covers brown hair best?
Medium to darker green shades like emerald, hunter, and forest greens will cover brown hair most effectively. Very light neon greens can come out patchy or murky on dark brunette hair.
Conclusion
While it requires some extra prep work, you can absolutely achieve a stunning head of green hair with brown strands as your base. Permanent dyes lead to the most vibrant, long-lasting color. And proper maintenance is key for keeping the green hair health and faded-free. So don’t be afraid to give this mermaid-worthy color a try – your brown locks will look gorgeous in green!
