How to Dye Dark Hair Without Bleach

Co-authored by Gina Almona

Last Updated: August 4, 2021 References

Dyeing dark hair is tricky, for many reasons. Sometimes, the dye does not show up at all, and other times, it ends up looking too brassy or orange. Bleaching will give you the best results, but not everyone wants to take the extra effort or risk damaging their hair. Luckily, with the right products, you can successfully dye your hair without bleaching it. Keep in mind that you can only lighten it to a certain extent.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Knowing What to Expect

1
Understand that you cannot make your hair lighter without bleaching it. If you have dark hair, you can go to a different color that's the same value, such as dark brown to dark red. It is not possible to go from dark brown to blonde without using some sort of bleach, be it a bleaching kit or peroxide.^{[1]
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- You can try to use a product that already has bleach or peroxide in it, but be aware that it may only lighten your hair to a certain degree.
2
Forget about going pastel without bleaching. It is impossible. Even blonds need to bleach and tone their hair.^{[2]
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3
Remember that hair dye is translucent. Part of your hair color will always shine through. For example, if you try to dye blonde hair blue, you will end up with green hair. Because your hair is so dark, whatever color you dye your hair will end up darker that what's on the box. If you have dark brown hair and try to dye it red, you will most likely get dark red instead.
4
Be aware that some hair types and textures take dye better than others. There are different hair types, with varying levels of texture and porosity. All of this can affect how well the hair can take dye. For example, Asian hair is difficult to dye because the cuticle layer is so strong. African hair is also tricky to dye because of how fragile and prone to damage it is.^{[3]
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- Even if your best friend has the exact same hair color as you, there is no guarantee that the same dye that worked on her hair will also work on yours.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing the Right Products

1
Opt for demi-permanent or permanent hair dye over semi-permanent. Demi-permanent dye contains small amounts of peroxide, so it can lighten your hair to a certain degree. It's a good choice if you want to go a tiny bit lighter. Permanent dye is much stronger and can lighten your hair up to four levels; unfortunately, it is also more damaging.^{[4]
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- Semi-permanent dye will not lift color. It will only deposit more color.
2
Try a bright, concentrated dye, but understand that it will be subtle. Light colors will not show on dark hair, period. Brighter colors, such as blue or purple, will show up, but they will be very dark. They may show up as highlights in the sun; they may not show up at all under other lights.^{[5]
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- Look for "punk" hair dyes, such as: Directions, Manic Panic, and Special Effects.^{[6]
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3
Use a specialized product for best results, but expect limited color options. There are dyes made specially for brunettes, such as Splat hair dye. These products are still fairly new and come in limited color options, such as purple, red, and blue.^{[7]
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Research source}. When out shopping, look for labels that say something to the extent of: For Dark Hair.
- You can also try a color-depositing dye, such as Splat or Manic Panic.^{[8]
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  Research source} These dyes are concentrated, and may show up better on dark hair compared to other types of hair dye.
4
Opt for a cool or ash tone. Dark hair tends to go brassy when lightened. If you use a warm-toned hair dye, this will make your hair appear even warmer. In some cases, it can even make your hair look orange. Using a cool or ash-toned hair color will help balance out the red tones and give you a more accurate hair color.^{[9]
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5
Have a bottle of toning shampoo ready in case of brassiness. You don't have to do this, but it would be a very good idea to do so. Like previously mentioned, dark hair tends to go brassy or orange when lightened. Washing your hair with purple or blue-tinted toning shampoo will help neutralize the brassy, orange tones.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dyeing Dark Hair

1
Choose your dye, preferably in a cool tone. A permanent dye will give you much better results than a semi-permanent dye because it contains ingredients that are capable of lightening your hair. A demi-permanent dye will open the cuticle to allow more color in, but it will not lighten your hair color. A cool tone is also highly recommended as it will reduce the chances of your hair coming out brassy.
- If you have dark hair and wish to go brown, opt for a light or medium ash blond color.
2
Section off your hair. Gather all of your hair, except for the bottom layer (about mid-ear-level and below). Twist it into a loose bun at the top of your head, then secure it with a clip or hair tie.^{[11]
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3
Protect your skin, clothing, and work surface. Cover your counter with newspaper or plastic. Drape an old towel or a dyeing cape around your shoulders. Apply some petroleum jelly to the skin along your hairline, back of neck, and ears. Lastly, put on a pair of plastic gloves.
- You can also throw on an old t-shirt instead of using a towel or dyeing cape.
- You may not need to by a new pair of plastic gloves. Many hair dye kits contain them.
4
Prepare the hair dye kit according to the instructions. In most cases, all you have to do is pour the dye into the applicator bottle containing the cream base, then shake the bottle to mix. Some kits also contain extra goodies, such as a shine oil, which you should add in as well.
- You can also mix your dye in a non-metal bowl using an applicator brush.
5
Apply the dye to your hair. Start applying the dye to your roots, then blend it down towards the roots using your fingers or an applicator brush. Apply more dye as needed.^{[12]
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- You can apply the dye directly to your hair using the applicator tip on the bottle you mixed it in.
- If you prepared the dye in a bowl, use an applicator brush to apply the dye to your hair instead.
6
Dye the rest of your hair, working in layers. Undo the bun on the top of your head and let down another layer of hair. Gather the rest of the hair back up into a bun, and apply more dye to this new layer. Keep going until you reach the top.
- Be sure to dye the fine hairs on your sideburns and temples.
- You want to dye the top of your hair last because it will process the fastest.^{[13]
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- If you have very thick hair, then you may need to separate your hair into small sections and work in layers to ensure you are saturating all of your hair with the dye.
7
Gather your hair into a bun and allow it to process. How long it takes for your hair to process depends on the type of dye you are using. Most brands will ask you to wait around 25 minutes, but some may have a longer processing time. Check the package to be sure.
- Cover your hair with plastic wrap, a plastic bag, or a shower cap. This will trap the heat and make the dye more effective.^{[14]
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8
Wash the dye out with cool water, then condition your hair. Once the processing time is out, rinse your hair with cool water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Apply a color-safe conditioner, wait 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse it out with cool water to seal the hair cuticle. Skip the shampoo.
- Many dye kits include a conditioner.
9
Dry and style your hair as desired. You can allow your hair to air dry, or your can blow dry it instead. If your hair colored turned out too brassy or orange for your liking, don't worry. Simply wash it with a purple or blue toning shampoo; follow the instructions on the bottle.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I dye my black hair red?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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You can achieve a rich red on naturally black hair in a single step if the hair is virgin. However, if your hair has been previously colored or if you want a vibrant red, you may have to use bleach and the recolor.
Question

Can you lighten your hair with box color?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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You can potentially lift your hair one or two levels with a box dye. This won't work if you've previously colored your hair or if the box dye isn't made for lightening.
Question

Do you have to bleach your hair to dye it brown?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you are dying your hair darker than the color it currently is, you do not have to bleach it. You should only have to use bleach to lighten the hair.