Whether blue hair dye will show up on brown hair is a common question for people looking to add some vibrant color to their locks. The short answer is yes, blue dye will show on brown hair, but how bright and vibrant it looks depends on a few factors. In this article, we’ll discuss how hair color works, what makes blue dye show up on brown hair, tips for getting the best results, and visual examples of blue on brown hair.
How Hair Color Works
To understand why blue dye shows on brown hair, it helps to first understand some basics about hair color. Natural hair color is determined by melanin, which are pigment molecules produced in the hair follicles. People with brown hair have a medium amount of eumelanin, which gives hair a brownish tone.
When you dye your hair, the artificial hair color molecules work by depositing or removing pigment. Temporary dyes coat the outside of the hair strand, while permanent dyes penetrate into the hair cortex so the color lasts longer.
For blue dye to show, it needs to be a permanent or semi-permanent dye. The blue pigments then get deposited into the brown hair, mixing with the underlying warm shades. The resulting color is determined by the original hair color and the tone and saturation of the dye.
Getting Vibrant Blue on Brown Hair
While blue dye will show on brown hair, getting a vivid shade requires some special preparation:
Pre-lighten hair: The lighter your natural hair, the brighter the blue color will appear. Pre-lightening brown hair before dyeing it blue removes underlying warm pigments so the cool blue tone can really pop. For bright blue, lighten hair to a pale yellow-orange shade.
Use a vivid blue dye: Look for a semi-permanent or demi-permanent dye that is specifically formulated for bright, multi-dimensional blues. Stay away from box dyes, which tend to be less pigmented.
Maintain vibrancy: Blue fades faster than other unnatural colors, so use a color-depositing shampoo or mask between salon visits. Avoid washing hair too often and use cooler water to make the color last longer.
Examples of Blue on Brown Hair
Here are some photos showing examples of how blue dye takes to brown hair:
Dark brown hair dyed blue: The blue shows up but mixes with the warm brown undertones to create a deeper teal shade. The blue is more subtle on unlightened dark brown hair.
Medium brown hair dyed blue: With pre-lightening to a lighter brown, the blue pops more. But it still has some muted green/teal tones from the underlying warmth in the hair.
Light brown hair dyed blue: On light golden brown hair that has been pre-lightened, the blue is much more vivid. The lighter base allows the cool blue tone to really stand out.
Caring for Dyed Blue Hair
Blue hair color requires some special care to keep it looking vibrant. Here are some tips:
– Wash less frequently, just 2-3 times per week max
– Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water
– Use a weekly conditioning mask or treatment
– Avoid chlorine and salt water that can strip color
– Use dry shampoo between washes to refresh hair
– Re-dye roots every 4-6 weeks as needed
– Consider a glossing service for an all-over color boost
Going Back to Brown Hair
If you decide to go back to brown hair after having blue hair, you will need to color correct first. Blue tones are very difficult to remove, so they will continue to peek through and mix with the new brown color if not corrected properly.
See a professional colorist for the color correction process. They will likely need to fill the hair with a warm copper gloss first to neutralize the blue tones before applying the brown shade. It may take a couple sessions to fully return to your natural brunette shade.
Conclusion
While blue hair makes a bold statement, it can be stunning on brown hair with the right techniques. Pre-lightening, using a vivid dye, and proper maintenance will help the blue color really pop. The shade of blue you’ll get depends on your natural hair color and undertones. But no matter what, blue on brown hair is guaranteed to get you noticed!
