Many people with brown hair desire to dye their hair a fun, vibrant shade of blue. However, brown hair can be tricky to lift to the pale blonde that is necessary for the blue dye to show up properly. Going from dark to light requires removing the underlying pigment so the new color can deposit brightly. This often takes multiple bleaching steps, which can be damaging to hair. So is it actually hard to dye brown hair blue? The short answer is that it can be challenging, but is very doable with the right techniques and care.
Why Brown Hair Is Hard to Lift
Brown hair contains high levels of eumelanin, the natural pigment that gives hair a brown or black color. Eumelanin is very stable and dense, making it difficult to remove. Bleach can penetrate the cuticle and break down eumelanin molecules, but it takes time for the color to lift. The more pigment in the hair, the harder it is to remove. Light brown hair has less pigment than dark brown or black hair, so it lightens more quickly. Here’s an overview of what to expect when bleaching different shades of brown hair:
Light Brown Hair
Light golden or ash brown hair with minimal previous color has less pigment to remove. It can usually lift to pale yellow with 1-2 rounds of bleaching.
Medium Brown Hair
Hair at a medium brunette level may take 2-3 bleach applications to reach pale yellow. The hair should be no darker than a level 7 before toning.
Dark Brown or Black Hair
Very dark brown or black hair has a high concentration of pigment. It often requires 3+ bleaching sessions over several weeks to achieve an appropriate base for blue. Rushing this process causes extreme damage.
Steps for Bleaching Brown Hair to Blue
Here is a summary of the key steps needed to take brown hair to a light enough base for blue:
Step 1: Strand Test for Sensitivity
Do a patch test for chemical sensitivity. Apply bleach to a few strands and check for irritation before lightening all hair.
Step 2: Bleach in Sections
Work in sections a few inches wide to evenly lift hair. Apply lightener 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch from scalp to prevent burning.
Step 3: Monitor Development
Check every 5-10 minutes until pale yellow. Rinse once the inside of hair reaches desired color. Avoid brassiness.
Step 4: Deep Condition
Use a hydrating hair mask or treatment to restore moisture after bleaching. Olaplex or keratin treatments also help.
Step 5: Tone Hair
Apply a violet-based toner to cancel out yellow tones left behind from lightening. Rinse once hair appears pale, silver blonde.
Step 6: Dye Hair Blue
Use a semi-permanent or demi-permanent blue dye immediately after toning for best results. Avoid permanent color if hair is damaged.
Step 7: Maintain Color
Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water washes to keep the blue from fading too quickly. Refresh color every 4-6 weeks.
How Many Bleaching Sessions Are Needed?
The number of lightening sessions needed depends on your natural hair color and porosity. Here are some guidelines:
| Natural Hair Color | Bleaching Sessions |
|---|---|
| Light Brown | 1-2 |
| Medium Brown | 2-3 |
| Dark Brown | 3-4 |
| Black | 4+ (over several weeks) |
As shown in the table, lighter brown hair needs fewer bleaching rounds than darker shades. Black hair requires the most sessions spaced out over time to prevent severe damage from overlap. Hair should never be bleached more than 1-2 times in the same day.
Tips for Safely Bleaching Brown Hair
Bleaching dark hair can be damaging if not done carefully. Here are some tips for safely lightening brown hair with minimal damage:
Use Low Volume Developer
Opt for 20 volume or lower developer to lift slowly. 30 or 40 volume can cause major breakage.
Check Hair’s Temperature
Monitor that hair doesn’t feel hot while lightening. Heat means the bleach is working too quickly.
Apply Coconut Oil
Coat mid-lengths and ends with coconut oil before lightening to limit dryness. Avoid roots.
Use Bond-Building Additives
Add Olaplex, SmartBond, etc. to bleaching mixture to prevent and repair bonds during lifting.
Deep Condition Frequently
Mask hair with hydrating treatments several times a week to restore moisture and protein after lightening.
Cut Down Gradually
If hair is damaged, trim off split ends after a bleach session rather than taking off a lot of length all at once.
Wait 4-6 Weeks Between Bleaching
Always allow hair to recover for at least 1 month before lightening again. Bleaching too frequently destroys hair.
Alternatives If Hair Can’t Handle Bleaching
Some hair is too fragile from previous color or chemical treatments to withstand multiple bleaching sessions. Alternative options include:
Temporary Colored Mousses
Temporary colors coat hair strands and wash out in a few shampoos. Great for trying a fun color without bleach.
Colored Hair Chalk
Chalks provide a quick fix of color that rinses away easily. Not as damaging as bleach and dye.
Color Depositing Conditioners
Conditioners can deposit a sheer tint of color without lightening first. Won’t show up much on brown hair though.
Semi-Permanent Dyes
Some darker blues can show on light to medium brown hair since they stain the cuticle. Washes out over 4-6 weeks.
Color Remover Treatment
Removes some artificial pigment to take hair lighter by a level or two. More gradual than bleach.
Should You Dye Over Bleached Hair the Same Day?
Ideally, hair should be given a break of a few days between bleaching and dyeing sessions. However, toning and dyeing in the same day is also fine as long as bleach is washed out fully and a conditioning treatment is used. The advantages of dyeing immediately after bleaching include:
– Hair swelling is maximized for better dye uptake
– Color is deposited while cuticles are still open from lightening
– Prevents hair from getting stained by environmental oxidants
Just be sure to avoid permanent or high-lift dye on freshly bleached hair. Stick to semi-permanent or demi-permanent colors that are deposited only. If hair is extremely damaged, wait 1-2 weeks before applying any type of dye.
Will Hair Be Damaged When Dyeing from Brown to Blue?
Some damage is inevitable when making a drastic color change from brown to blue. However, it is possible to minimize the risk by following these precautions:
– Use Olaplex or bond-building additives in bleach
– Apply coconut oil to mid-length and ends before lightening
– Lighten slowly over multiple sessions, at least 4 weeks apart
– Use the lowest volume developer possible
– Rinse lightener once pale yellow is reached; don’t overprocess
– Avoid overlapping bleach applications near roots
– Only apply permanent dye if hair is in good condition
– Trim off split ends gradually over time
– Deep condition frequently with protein and moisture treatments
– Wait 4-6 weeks between color sessions
– Use a purple shampoo and sulfate-free products to prolong color
While following these tips does not guarantee completely undamaged hair, it allows the lifting and dyeing process to go as smoothly as possible. Some dryness and breakage is unavoidable when making such a drastic color change. But taking it slowly and gently helps minimize the risk of severe damage.
What Dye Should You Use on Bleached Hair?
Choosing the right dye for bleached hair is key to keeping strands healthy. Here are some recommendations:
Semi-Permanent Dye
Semi-permanent hair color only coats the outside of hair strands and washes out over 4-6 weeks. It’s non-damaging if used right after lightening.
Demi-Permanent Dye
Demi-permanent color penetrates the cuticle a bit more but is still deposit only. It fades slower than semi-permanent options.
Permanent Dye
Permanent hair dye shouldn’t be used on freshly bleached hair unless it’s in good condition. It further swells and opens the cuticle, risking damage.
Ammonia-Free Permanent Dye
An ammonia-free permanent formula is gentler but still permanently alters the hair’s structure. Only use if hair is healthy.
No-Lift Color
No-lift dye or tone-on-tone color doesn’t lighten hair further. It’s the safest permanent option for bleached strands.
To avoid overload, permanent dye should be either avoided or selected carefully based on the hair’s current condition. Focus on conditioning and nourishing hair for the weeks following lightening before deciding on permanent color.
Maintenance Tips After Dyeing Hair Blue
Blue hair requires some special care to keep it looking vibrant. Here are some tips:
– Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water washes to prevent fading
– Wash hair less often, around 2-3 times per week
– Use a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner weekly
– Apply a deep conditioner after each shampoo
– Wear a swim cap when swimming to protect from chlorine
– Refresh color with a blue dye as soon as fading is noticeable
– Get a trim every 6-8 weeks to get rid of dry ends
– Use a bonding or repairing hair mask 1-2 times per week
– Avoid heat styling to limit damage and fading
– Sleep on a satin pillowcase to prevent friction and color transfer
Proper maintenance is necessary to keep bold blue color looking vibrate and minimize brassiness. But with the right techniques, brown-haired beauties can rock a gorgeous blue mane!
Conclusion
Dyeing brown hair blue can be challenging but definitely achievable. It requires multiple bleaching sessions to lift hair light enough for the blue color to show through vibrantly. This lightening process must be done slowly and carefully over a period of weeks to avoid excessive damage. Using products like Olaplex during lightening as well as deep conditioning treatments afterwards will help keep hair strong. Once hair is pale blonde, use a demi-permanent or semi-permanent blue dye immediately after toning for best color payoff. Maintain hair health with conditioning treatments and sulfate-free products. While some damage is likely during this dramatic color change, taking steps to bleach and dye hair gently will help keep strands in the best condition possible. With proper techniques and patience, those with beautiful brown locks can absolutely rock a head-turning shade of blue.
