Tips for Going from Blonde to Brunette

I recently swapped my creamy blonde locks for a rich, brunette hue and if I could sum the experience up in three words, it would be: it’s not easy. From making the final decision to take the plunge (much to my hairdresser’s dismay), to dealing with hair colour fading and also learning the tricks of the trade for proper maintenance, I have built a wealth of knowledge that I must share with you, my like-minded beauties.

RELATED: What is reverse balayage?

#1 It’s a tough decision

Before I moved over to the dark side, I spent several weeks umming and ahhing over whether I should make the change. Will brown hair suit me? Will I miss my blonde locks? What shade should I go?

Janelle Dongalen, Technical Director from Aveda Salons, stresses the importance of inspiration. “Always have a pin board on either Pinterest or a small amount of hair colour pictures that you aspire to.” Doing so not only gives you the opportunity to work out what you really want, but also ensures you and your hairstylist are on the same page.

Cost, maintenance and how often you change your hair should also be kept in mind when making the dramatic change. Janelle explains, “It’s not an easy step to lighten the dark [colour] back out.” So if you like to chop and change your colour often, perhaps opt for lowlights instead.

#2 There’s a shade for everybody

No matter your skin tone, there’s a brunette hue out there for you. Aleks Abadia, Co-Founder and Hair Director at Esstudio Galleria explains, “Fair skin will suit slightly warmer tones, while people with a darker complexion will suit ashier tones.”

Similarly, your hair type should influence your colour. “Depending on the desired effect, a block colour will be a solid rich tone great for fine hair… and on most people it can bring out your best features: eyes, skin colour. If you have thick hair, a highlighted shade will create dimension and texture,” says Aleks.

#3 It’s a process

“There are three stages to achieve going blonde to brunette,” says Aleks. “The hair must be filled, then a double application of the desired result will help with fading issues.” Chances are, you’ll have to book in another appointment with your stylist to retouch and regloss.

#4 It’s going to fade

When I first took the plunge, my hair became a slightly lighter shade of brown with every wash. After just a few weeks, my ‘do was less Bella Hadid and more Gisele Bündchen. So is this normal?

Fading is unavoidable, but as Janelle explains, proper practice can ensure your colour stays fresher for longer.

She says, “Colour fades due to poor hair colouring application, washing your hair every day, by not using the appropriate haircare and hair treatment masque, as well as mechanical damage such as ironing hair every day and blow-drying.”

#5 The health of your locks is key

If your hair is dry, it will be more prone to fading. “You will need to rebook back in with your stylist for a second round of glossing, [because] if your hair was dry to begin with then it won’t hold onto the first colour.”

If this sounds like you, then opt for a rich, block colour. “Going for a block colour will give you instant shine, thickness and… most importantly your hair doesn’t look as dry if it was dry to begin with.”

#6 It requires maintenance

To prevent fading and to keep your locks looking salon fresh, you’ve got to put in work. Limit the amount of times you wash your hair each week, keep blow-drying and straightening to a minimum and use professionally prescribed haircare for best results. Janelle recommends using a moisturising mask weekly, and leaving it on for 10 minutes. Pigmented products are a must-have too. “Purchase a colour mousse or brown pigmented conditioner to refresh the colour at home,” she suggests.

bh recommends: Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask, Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Intensive Treatment Program, John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss, Catwalk by TIGI Fashionista Brunette Mask and OGX Hydrate & Colour Reviving + Bamboo Radiant Brunette Conditioner.

Have you gone from blonde to brunette recently – or are you thinking of taking the plunge? Do you have any tips?

The product recommendations in this article have been updated since first published to keep beautyheaven members informed of the most up-to-date related products.

148 Member Comments

Sam91 13 Aug 2016 7:32 AM

I went from blonde to brunette after my hair needed a break. I'm going back to blonde in a couple of weeks ... I cannot wait! Blonde looks best with my skintone.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 0

Nas007 13 Aug 2016 5:31 AM

I've never dyed my hair but thinking about taking the plunge come summer.

GoddessMagick 12 Aug 2016 11:09 PM

lowlights for me! Love the honest, straight to the point facts involved with colour change here. It really isn't hard but does take some extra work and maintenance.

RalucaP 12 Aug 2016 10:21 PM

My hair natural colour is dark brown , I would love to dye to blonde , but I choose to dye it a light brown ,Iam pretty happy with it.I think when you want to go for a big change like from blonde to brunette or the other way you should go to a beauty salon , not do it yourself.

Miffny 12 Aug 2016 6:58 PM

A few lowlights are hard enough for this blonde !

thelifeoflaura 12 Aug 2016 6:32 PM

I've always wanted to dye my hair a little darker, but I'm always a little worried haha

Trish_D 12 Aug 2016 5:39 PM

This has never been on my wish list.

Heidi Purrs 12 Aug 2016 4:45 PM

I've done it a few times and can relate to this... You have to be careful the colour doesn't end up lots darker than it's meant to due to the porous state of your hair from bleach (one time my medium brown went blackest black!) and keeping it healthy and hydrated with good conditioners and treatments is definitely key.

Sparkle 77 12 Aug 2016 9:17 PM

Blonde to brunette sounds dreamy until you want to go from brunette back to blonde again when you are sick of it.

I love a stunning change but I'm sorry all I see are hours of stripping work! :)

Mayy 12 Aug 2016 3:56 PM

I would love to change my hair colour but I hate maintenance!

duality 12 Aug 2016 2:40 PM

I went blonde to brown to black then back again, darker colours are easier to mange and look healthier for me but lighter suits my skin tone better

Jessica712 12 Aug 2016 2:16 PM

I think any hair colour requires maintenance - I have heaps of highlights and even that takes a lot of maintenance to keep them looking nice.

Becstar 12 Aug 2016 2:10 PM

Not from from blonde to brunette but the opposite for me. I'm going through a phase of trying to grow my hair. The roots look terrible but I need my hair to actually grow so I can dye my brown to blonde, I tend dye it closer to summertime. Winter is bad for blonde hair, summer brings out the highlights. My daughter has gone from blonde to brunette and it certainly was a change but it looked great and not too harsh against her skin.

fortune favours the beautiful 12 Aug 2016 1:24 PM

Not gonna happen! Blondes have much more fun

Yohanna 12 Aug 2016 1:23 PM

Yes I did by accident! Couple of years back. I disliked it so very much, but luckily the dye had faded away very quickly! Oh, I was so very happy. Never again

Lubz 12 Aug 2016 1:19 PM

Being a dark haired person myself, I've always thought it would be a nightmare to go blonde. Clearly, it's the same to go from blonde to brunette.

Beauty Obsession 12 Aug 2016 12:45 PM

I'm naturally dark brown but have a lot of blonde foils and it's more bronde. I'm thinking of going darker and have so but generally go back to blonde again. I'd like something a little less maintenance colour wise and be able to stretch salon visits further. When you change your hair colour you sometimes have to change the colours you wear and the makeup you wear. Hard decision!

Jess R 12 Aug 2016 12:15 PM

I'm naturally an ashy mousey brown (but lets be real - I havent seen my natural hair in almost 15 years!). I have been blonde to black (accidentally black) and every shade in between. I prefer a medium dark brown with slightly lighter ends. I generally use semi permanet colours so it obviously fades more but gives a more natural look between colouring. I generally dye my roots about every 6 weeks. Just before I wash it off I add some colour to my midlengths for a little refresh and to stop it looking dull. For me brunette is less work than being blonde and cheaper as I can do it myself whereas for a gorgeous looking blonde I have to go in salon (I have tried at home and do not recommend diy for blonde unless you are already naturally blonde, I do add in lighter highlight/ends diy tho).

Vi 12 Aug 2016 11:55 AM

I prefer my hair brunette as it's easier to maintain and no bad regrowth but unfortunately I'm getting more and more grey hairs and I find that dying it blonde means the grey hair is less noticeable.

MelissaFay89 12 Aug 2016 11:51 AM

I tried going brunette over blonde it faded massively. Either colour is great

clearcrystalwater 12 Aug 2016 11:43 AM

My eldest daughter is a light brunette and it really suits her with her bits of dark blonde streaky bits. I will be sticking to my natural colour though as I think it suits me.

Miss19 12 Aug 2016 11:25 AM

I love being a brunette! :)

Lucrecia629 12 Aug 2016 11:08 AM

I always assumed going blonde was high maintenance, but it looks like brunette is equally challenging! I've considered going brunette, but I don't think I could ever wrap my mind around that big of a change so I'm just going to play with the blonde spectrum.

Pages

You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.