How to Color Your Hair From Light to Dark
Dying light colored hair to a darker color can bring out your eye color and enhance your skin tones. Lighter colored hair tends to absorb the darker color well, making it possible to get the color you want with the first try. However once your hair is colored dark, it can be difficult to fix a mistake. The right color selection, prepping, and knowing what mistakes to avoid will help you achieve a dark color that makes you want to show off your hair rather than hide it under a hat.
Step 1
Look at the color chart on hair color box and select the shade you’d like to achieve. There will be different results shown on the chart based on your current color. Look at the starting shade that most closely matches your light hair color. Keep in mind that the results are an estimate only. The lighter your hair is currently, the more dramatic the results will be.
Step 2
Wash your hair the day before coloring it. Do not apply any hair products after washing or before coloring.
Step 3
Apply the hair color only if you have not been swimming in the last week and your hair is not discolored from chlorine. Use a chlorine-removing shampoo before coloring your hair to remove any hints of green. The chlorine damage to hair can cause the hair color to produce a green hue, even after coloring.
Step 4
Put a thin layer of oil-based cream, such as Vaseline or a lanolin cream, along your forehead and sides of the face at the hairline. Dark hair color will also stain your skin if the product contains ammonia. If you have short hair, you may want to put some on your ears, as well. The oil-based cream will prevent the color from staining your face.
Step 5
Apply the hair color per the instructions included in the box. When you’re finished applying the color, use a wide-toothed comb to slowly — to avoid splatter — comb the color completely through your hair. This ensures complete coverage and prevents light-colored blotches that stand out if you miss any spots.
Step 6
Prevent the dark color from fading by using a shampoo and conditioner made for color-treated hair. Also, use a sun block for hair to prevent your color from fading due to UV rays.
