oVertone is a colored hair conditioner that can temporarily deposit color onto hair strands without permanently altering the hair. Many people use oVertone and similar products to add fun, temporary colors to their hair without bleaching it first. But will oVertone show up and work effectively on unbleached hair? Here’s a quick overview of how oVertone works and what to expect when using it on hair that hasn’t been bleached.
How oVertone Works
oVertone contains direct dye pigments that coat the outside of hair strands. This gives the appearance of colored hair. However, since the dye does not penetrate or permanently alter the hair, the color is temporary and washes out over time.
The pigments in oVertone are cationic, meaning they have a positive charge. This allows them to bind to the negatively charged areas of the hair strand’s outer cuticle layer. The cuticle also contains tiny gaps and cracks that allow some of the pigment to enter, helping the color last longer. But the dye pigments do not significantly alter the underlying cortex of the hair.
Using oVertone on Unbleached Hair
You can absolutely use oVertone on hair that hasn’t been pre-lightened or bleached. However, the results will be more subtle and sheer compared to lightened hair. Here’s why:
Natural Hair Pigment
Unbleached hair still contains its natural pigment, which comes from melanin. This innate color of your hair will mix and interact with the temporary color from oVertone, creating a muted effect. For example, applying a vibrant red oVertone to darker brown hair will create a subtle reddish tint rather than a bold, true red.
The lighter your natural hair color, the more vivid the results from oVertone will be on unbleached hair. But in most cases the color won’t show up as intensely compared to pre-lightened hair.
Cuticle Damage
Bleaching causes significant cuticle damage, opening up gaps and holes that allow more dye pigment to absorb into the hair shaft. Unbleached hair has a relatively smooth, intact cuticle layer that blocks more of the temporary color from entering the hair strand.
This is why the color from oVertone washes out much faster on unbleached hair. The cuticle prevents a lot of the pigment from reaching the cortex where it would be more permanently retained.
Color Theory
According to color theory, dye shows up best on hair that is an opposite shade on the color wheel. For example, cool blue tones will be most visible on warm, orangey bleached hair. Complementary colors heighten and enhance one another.
When you apply an oVertone color that is similar to your natural shade, the tones blend together rather than contrast. This causes the temporary color to look less vibrant and bold.
Tips for Using oVertone on Unbleached Hair
Here are some tips to maximize the results when using oVertone or similar colored conditioners on your virgin, unbleached hair:
– Pick a color that contrasts and complements your natural shade for the best effect. Avoid colors that are too similar.
– Apply oVertone to towel-dried hair and leave it on for 15-30 minutes before rinsing for better pigment penetration.
– Use the darkest shades formulated specifically for unbleached hair for best color payoff. The “Pastel for Unbleached Hair” lineup is too sheer on darker hair.
– Apply oVertone more frequently to refresh the color, aiming for every 2-4 washes. The color fades faster on unbleached hair.
– Use a clarifying shampoo only when necessary to strip the color, as this will cause it to fade even faster. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos in between applications.
– Layer colors on top of one another, like applying a peach overtop of faded pink, to create fun color melanges.
– Focus application only on your mid-lengths and ends for a subtle, ombre look to keep your roots natural.
How Long Does oVertone Last on Unbleached Hair?
oVertone can last anywhere from 1-6 washes on unbleached hair depending on your natural color, porosity, application method, and other factors. Here are some general timelines:
| Hair Color | oVertone Duration |
|---|---|
| Light blonde | 4-6 washes |
| Medium blonde | 3-5 washes |
| Dark blonde | 2-4 washes |
| Light brown | 2-3 washes |
| Medium to dark brown | 1-3 washes |
| Black | 1-2 washes |
As you can see, the darker your natural hair color, the less longevity you can expect from your oVertone application. Lightening your hair first allows the vivid pigments to take hold for much longer.
Can You Use oVertone Right After Bleaching?
It’s best to wait 24-48 hours after bleaching before applying oVertone. Bleaching causes a lot of oxidative damage and imbalance of the hair’s pH and porosity.
If you apply oVertone too soon after lightening, the cuticles will still be wide open and allowing too much pigment inside. This can lead to over-depositing of color that stains the hair unevenly and doesn’t wash out well.
Letting your bleached hair rest for a day or two first allows the cuticle to close and return to a healthy state so it can properly interact with the temporary dye. Your results will be much more even, smooth and long-lasting.
Does Unbleached Hair Need to Be Stripped First?
Nope, you don’t have to pre-strip or remove color from virgin hair before using oVertone. Stripping is only necessary on hair that’s been previously colored or bleached to return it to a blank canvas.
Unbleached hair still has its original pigment so the oVertone can safely be applied directly without needing to strip or lift underlying dye first. Keep in mind it may mix together with your natural tone to create a more muted effect. But stripping isn’t required.
Can You Use oVertone on Permanently Dyed Hair?
oVertone can be used on top of permanent hair dye but the results will also be more subtle and sheer. Permanent hair color opens the cuticle mildly to deposit pigment that remains trapped within the hair shaft.
This means there’s less cuticle access for the oVertone pigments to adhere to. The permanent dye also interacts with the temporary color to stain it down.
For best results, use oVertone on hair that’s been stripped of permanent color first. But you can play around and see if you love the blended tones it creates on color-treated locks!
Does Unbleached Hair Need a Clarifying Wash First?
A clarifying wash isn’t mandatory before using oVertone on your virgin hair, but it can be helpful. This deep cleansing step removes any buildup on your hair strands and opens the cuticle slightly to allow better temporary dye penetration.
Clarifying also strips away oils and silicones that may prevent the color from grabbing hold. Just don’t overdo it to avoid excessive dryness or damage to your unbleached hair. One clarifying treatment before applying oVertone is plenty.
Can You Use oVertone as a Toner?
Technically yes, oVertone can be used as a toner on bleached hair. However, since it’s a conditioning formula, it’s not going to tone as effectively as a true hair toner.
The pigments may help neutralize some brassy, yellow tones. But for a complete toning service it’s better to use a dedicated toner after lightening, and then maintain it with oVertone.
You can also layer oVertone over top of a toner for extra color deposition and glossy conditioning. Just keep in mind it’s not a replacement for proper toning of bleached hair.
Does Unbleached Hair Need to Be Color-Corrected First?
If your virgin hair is showing signs of color damage like brassiness, those issues should be corrected prior to using oVertone for the most flawless results.
Overly warm, orange undertones can make hair look dull and interact strangely with the temporary color. Correct them with an anti-brass toner so the oVertone hues shine through clearly.
This step is optional but helps build an even, neutral base that takes the demi-permanent color beautifully. Focus on properly caring for and priming hair first before depositing fun oVertone shades.
Which is Better: oVertone or Manic Panic?
For unbleached hair, oVertone generally performs better than Manic Panic semi-permanent dye. The oVertone formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil and keratin.
These help the temporary color adhere evenly while conditioning your hair. Manic Panic is more drying and tends to fade extremely quickly on unbleached hair.
For bleached hair, Manic Panic may yield more vivid results since it’s a dye rather than conditioner. But oVertone offers tons of mixable shades and easier maintenance. Overall oVertone is the winner!
Conclusion
While you can definitely use oVertone and similar colored conditioners on unbleached hair, the color payoff will be more subtle and fade faster compared to lightened hair. Still, it’s a fun way to temporarily change up your look without commitment.
Focus on choosing a color opposite your base, leaving it on for longer, applying more frequently, and priming hair with clarifying and corrective treatments first. With the right techniques, oVertone can show up beautifully on your virgin strands!
