Are your blonde highlights beginning to look brassy or light? Are you uninterested in the high-maintenance repairs that comes with conserving your blonde locks wanting their greatest? In that case, chances are you’ll be contemplating darkening your highlights to realize a extra pure, low-maintenance look. Nevertheless, darkening blonde highlights is usually a tough course of, and it is necessary to do it appropriately to keep away from damaging your hair.
On this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step information to darkening your blonde highlights at dwelling. We’ll additionally provide some tips about how to decide on the correct hair coloration and tips on how to care in your hair after you have darkened your highlights. Whether or not you are trying to obtain a refined change or a extra dramatic transformation, we have got you lined. So, seize your hair dye and let’s get began!
Earlier than you begin darkening your blonde highlights, it is necessary to decide on the correct hair coloration. When you’re undecided what coloration to decide on, seek the advice of with an expert hairstylist. They might help you identify which coloration will greatest complement your pores and skin tone and hair kind. As soon as you have chosen a coloration, you’ll want to do a strand take a look at to be sure you’re pleased with the outcomes earlier than making use of the dye to your complete head.
Understanding Shade Principle
Shade principle is an important idea to understand earlier than making an attempt to darken blonde highlights. Understanding the colour wheel, which depicts the relationships between completely different hues, is important. The three major colours (pink, yellow, and blue) may be mixed to supply secondary colours (inexperienced, orange, and purple). Tertiary colours are created by mixing major and secondary colours, leading to a wider vary of hues.
Within the context of hair coloring, understanding the interaction between complementary colours is paramount. Complementary colours are those who lie reverse one another on the colour wheel, akin to blue and orange or purple and yellow. When positioned subsequent to one another, they create distinction and improve one another’s vibrancy. This precept may be utilized to darkening blonde highlights, as we are going to discover in subsequent sections.
Along with the colour wheel, the idea of coloration pigments can be necessary on this course of. Pigments are the substances that impart coloration to hair and different supplies. Completely different pigments have various absorption and reflection properties that decide the perceived coloration. Understanding the nuances of pigments helps colorists choose the suitable merchandise and strategies to realize the specified end result.
| Main Shade | Secondary Shade | Tertiary Shade |
|---|---|---|
| Crimson | Inexperienced | Yellow-Inexperienced |
| Yellow | Orange | Yellow-Orange |
| Blue | Purple | Blue-Violet |
Selecting the Proper Toner
Deciding on the suitable toner is essential for attaining the specified darkening impact. Here is a complete information that can assist you select one of the best toner:
Stage of Darkness: Toners are categorized by their stage of darkness, starting from stage 1 (lightest) to stage 10 (darkest). Select a toner that’s one or two ranges darker than your present highlights to realize a refined darkening impact. For extra important darkening, go for a toner that’s three to 4 ranges darker.
Tone: Toners are available numerous tones, together with cool, heat, and impartial. Cool toners neutralize undesirable brassiness and heat, whereas heat toners add a golden or coppery hue. Impartial toners can stability each cool and heat tones. Think about your pure hair coloration and the specified end result when deciding on the suitable tone.
Kind of Toner: There are two major kinds of toners: everlasting and semi-permanent. Everlasting toners penetrate the hair shaft and supply a long-lasting end result, whereas semi-permanent toners deposit coloration on the floor of the hair and progressively fade over time. When you’re looking for a longer-lasting impact, go for a everlasting toner. Semi-permanent toners are perfect for non permanent darkening or experimenting with completely different tones with out committing to a everlasting change.
Making use of Toner Evenly
To make sure a fair software of toner, observe these steps:
- Divide hair into sections: Utilizing clips or hair ties, divide your hair into sections to make it simpler to use the toner.
- Apply toner to roots first: Begin by making use of the toner to the roots of your hair, as that is the place essentially the most discoloration sometimes happens. Use a brush to distribute the toner evenly and keep away from overlapping.
- Apply toner to mid-lengths and ends: As soon as the roots are lined, apply the toner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.
Suggestions for making use of toner to mid-lengths and ends: Use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the toner via the hair. Apply the toner to solely choose sections of the hair, if desired, to create a natural-looking mix. Keep away from over-applying toner to the ends of your hair, as this could result in dryness and breakage.
Comply with these tricks to obtain a professional-looking end:
- Put on gloves to guard your arms from staining.
- Use a mirror to make sure even software, particularly behind your head.
- Permit the toner to course of for the really helpful time, as specified within the producer’s directions.
- Rinse the toner totally to take away any extra product.
- Select a low-volume developer (10-20 quantity) appropriate in your hair kind and desired darkness stage.
- Combine the developer with the specified hair coloration in a 1:1 ratio.
- Apply the combination to the blonde highlights, avoiding the roots.
- Course of for the really helpful period of time, sometimes 20-Half-hour, relying on the developer energy and desired coloration end result.
- Rinse totally with cool water and apply a deep conditioner to revive moisture.
- Overlapping hair sections: Make sure you keep away from overlapping completely different sections of hair when making use of the colour. Overlapping can lead to uneven absorption of the colour, resulting in blotches.
- Extreme bleach publicity: In case your hair underwent a number of rounds of bleaching earlier than the spotlight course of, it could have change into broken and extra susceptible to uneven coloring. Think about using a deep conditioning therapy to strengthen the hair earlier than darkening the highlights.
- Improper mixing ratio: Fastidiously observe the producer’s directions for mixing the hair dye. An incorrect mixing ratio can have an effect on the effectiveness of the colour and result in blotchiness.
- Inadequate software time: Make sure you go away the colour on for the really helpful period. Untimely rinsing can forestall the pigment from absolutely absorbing, leading to uneven coloring.
Utilizing a Low-Quantity Developer
A low-volume developer is a gentler choice for darkening blonde highlights with out inflicting important harm to the hair. It incorporates a decrease focus of peroxide, which is the lively ingredient answerable for lifting hair coloration. This makes it appropriate to be used on delicate or beforehand bleached hair.
Step-by-Step Directions:
Suggestions:
| Tip | Clarification |
|---|---|
| Begin with a smaller part of hair to check the outcomes. | This helps keep away from any undesirable surprises or harm. |
| Use a non-metallic bowl and instruments when mixing and making use of. | Metallic can react with the developer and alter the colour outcomes. |
| Patch take a look at on a small space of pores and skin earlier than making use of to the hair. | This checks for any potential allergic reactions. |
Processing Time and Temperature
The time and temperature at which you course of your highlights will decide the darkness of the ultimate end result. The upper the temperature and the longer the processing time, the darker the highlights will change into. It is necessary to observe the directions on the hair coloration field rigorously, as processing for too lengthy or at too excessive a temperature can harm your hair.
Processing Time
The processing time for darkening blonde highlights will fluctuate relying on the specified darkness and the kind of hair coloration you’re utilizing. For a refined darkening, chances are you’ll solely have to course of for 10-Quarter-hour. For a extra dramatic darkening, chances are you’ll have to course of for 20-Half-hour or longer. It is necessary to test the hair coloration directions for particular processing occasions.
Temperature
The temperature at which you course of your highlights can even have an effect on the darkness of the ultimate end result. Most hair coloration packing containers suggest processing at room temperature. Nevertheless, if you wish to obtain a darker end result, you possibly can improve the temperature to 120-130 levels Fahrenheit. It is necessary to make use of a hair dryer or warmth cap to take care of the specified temperature throughout processing.
Suggestions for Darkening Blonde Highlights
Listed below are just a few suggestions for darkening blonde highlights:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a semi-permanent hair coloration | Semi-permanent hair coloration will progressively wash out over time, so it is a good choice in the event you’re undecided how darkish you need your highlights to be. |
| Apply the hair coloration to dry hair | Making use of hair coloration to dry hair will assist the colour penetrate the hair shaft extra simply. |
| Use a warmth cap or hair dryer | Utilizing a warmth cap or hair dryer will assist to take care of the specified temperature throughout processing. |
| Test the hair coloration commonly throughout processing | Test the hair coloration commonly throughout processing to make sure that it is not getting too darkish. |
Rinsing and Conditioning
After shampooing, it is essential to rinse your hair totally to take away any remaining shampoo residue. Use lukewarm water to keep away from drying out your scalp and hair, and rinse till the water runs clear.
Subsequent, situation your hair to restore水分 and restore any harm brought on by bleaching. Select a conditioner particularly designed for highlighted hair, as these merchandise are formulated to guard and improve the blonde tones.
For deeper conditioning, you possibly can apply a hair masks as soon as every week. Depart the masks on for 15-20 minutes earlier than rinsing, and pay particular consideration to the areas the place the highlights are situated.
6. Pure Cures for Darkening Blonde Highlights
Along with store-bought merchandise, a number of pure treatments might help to darken blonde highlights. Here is a desk summarizing a few of the simplest choices:
| Treatment | Find out how to Use |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Brew a powerful cup of espresso and permit it to chill. Apply the espresso to your hair and let it sit for Half-hour earlier than rinsing. |
| Black Tea | Steep just a few black tea luggage in scorching water and let it cool. Apply the tea to your hair and go away it on for 1 hour earlier than rinsing. |
| Honey | Combine honey with a bit water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your hair and let it sit for Half-hour earlier than rinsing. |
| Cinnamon | Add a tablespoon of cinnamon to your common conditioner. Apply the combination to your hair and go away it on for Quarter-hour earlier than rinsing. |
Do not forget that pure treatments is probably not as efficient as store-bought merchandise, they usually might require a number of purposes to realize the specified outcomes.
Touching Up Highlights
To take care of the specified stage of darkness in your highlights, common touch-ups are essential. Here is tips on how to go about it:
1. Select the Proper Shade
Choose a hair coloration that’s one to 2 shades darker than your present highlights. This can make sure that your highlights mix seamlessly together with your base coloration.
2. Part Your Hair
Divide your hair into sections to make the applying course of simpler. This can enable you to keep away from over-coloring sure areas and guarantee even protection.
3. Apply the Shade
Apply the hair coloration to the highlighted sections, beginning on the roots and dealing your approach down. Use a fine-toothed comb to distribute the colour evenly.
4. Course of the Time
Let the hair coloration course of for the really helpful time indicated on the directions. This time might fluctuate relying on the kind of hair coloration used.
5. Rinse and Situation
As soon as the processing time is full, rinse your hair totally with cool water. Comply with with a color-protecting conditioner to assist keep the vibrancy of your highlights.
6. Fashion as Desired
As soon as your hair is dry, you possibly can model it as you usually would. The touch-up will seamlessly mix your highlights together with your base coloration, providing you with a refreshed and stylish look.
7. Skilled Contact-Ups
When you choose a extra skilled contact, contemplate visiting a hair salon for a touch-up. An expert stylist can assess your highlights and suggest one of the best coloration and software approach to realize your required outcomes. They’ll additionally present tips about tips on how to keep your highlights at dwelling.
| Contact-Up Frequency | Beneficial Time |
|---|---|
| Minor touch-ups | Each 4-6 weeks |
| Main touch-ups | Each 8-12 weeks |
Sustaining Darkened Highlights
After darkening your blonde highlights, correct upkeep is essential to protect their vibrant coloration and stop fading or brassiness. Listed below are some important suggestions for sustaining darkened highlights:
Shade-Defending Shampoo and Conditioner
Use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner particularly designed for color-treated hair. These merchandise are formulated to softly cleanse and situation with out stripping away coloration.
Keep away from Over-Shampooing
Over-shampooing can take away pure oils out of your hair, resulting in dryness and fading. Shampoo each 2-3 days or as wanted to take care of a wholesome stability.
Use a UV Protectant Spray
Publicity to UV rays could cause coloration fading. Apply a UV protectant spray to your hair earlier than spending time open air to stop solar harm.
Defend from Warmth Styling
Warmth styling instruments can harm hair and trigger coloration to fade. Use warmth protectant merchandise and restrict the usage of scorching instruments to guard your highlights.
Common Contact-Ups
As your pure hair grows, the distinction between your highlights and your pure coloration will change into extra noticeable. Schedule common touch-ups together with your stylist to maintain your highlights wanting recent and vibrant.
Keep away from Chlorine and Saltwater
Chlorine and saltwater can strip away coloration and trigger brassiness. Keep away from swimming in chlorinated swimming pools or the ocean with out rinsing your hair totally afterward.
Deep Conditioning
Common deep conditioning therapies might help restore moisture to your hair and stop fading. Apply a deep conditioner a couple of times every week to maintain your highlights wanting wholesome and glossy.
Shade-Correcting Merchandise
When you discover any undesirable brassiness or yellow tones in your highlights, use color-correcting merchandise to neutralize them. Purple shampoo or blue toner might help stability out heat tones and restore your highlights to their desired coloration.
| Shade-Correcting Product | Objective |
|---|---|
| Purple Shampoo | Neutralizes yellow tones |
| Blue Toner | Neutralizes brassiness |
Troubleshooting Frequent Points
9. Uneven or Blotchy Coloring
When you discover uneven or blotchy coloring after darkening your blonde highlights, there are just a few potential causes:
| Drawback | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Uneven highlights | Contact up solely the light areas with a barely darker shade of your base coloration. |
| Brassy or orange highlights | Apply a blue or purple toner to neutralize the undesirable tones. |
| Highlights too darkish | Use a coloration remover or bleaching agent to progressively carry the colour and lighten the highlights. |
| Extreme breakage | Deep situation your hair commonly and use a protein therapy to strengthen the strands. |
Skilled Suggestions for Optimum Outcomes
1. Seek the advice of a Skilled Stylist
Search the steering of an skilled hairstylist who can assess your hair’s situation, desired tone, and suggest essentially the most appropriate approach to realize your objective with out compromising hair well being.
2. Go for Gradual Darkening
Keep away from drastic adjustments. Progressively darken your blonde highlights over a number of classes to reduce hair stress and stop brassiness. Use color-depositing shampoos or low-volume developer throughout preliminary therapies.
3. Select the Proper Toner
Choose a toner that enhances your base hair coloration and desired stage of darkness. Seek the advice of a coloration chart to make sure compatibility and keep away from undesirable hues.
4. Strand Take a look at Beforehand
At all times carry out a strand take a look at on an not easily seen space of hair to find out the processing time required and keep away from over-toning.
5. Defend Hair Throughout Processing
Apply a pre-treatment bond builder to safeguard hair integrity throughout the firming course of. Put on gloves and use a tint brush to evenly distribute the product.
6. Use Non-Ammoniated Merchandise
Go for ammonia-free toners or color-depositing shampoos to reduce harm and protect hair’s pure shine.
7. Rinse Totally
Totally rinse your hair with cool water to take away any residual toner and stop additional coloration deposit.
8. Deep Situation Frequently
Nourish your hair with deep conditioning therapies after firming to revive moisture, scale back breakage, and keep wholesome tresses.
9. Keep away from Over-Washing
Restrict hair washing to 2 to 3 occasions per week to stop fading and protect the tone’s longevity.
10. Defend from Solar Publicity
Make the most of UV protectant merchandise, akin to hairsprays with SPF, to safeguard your hair from solar harm and untimely fading. Moreover, contemplate sporting a hat when open air to defend your highlights from harsh UV rays.
How To Darken Blonde Highlights
When you’re not pleased with the blonde highlights you bought on the salon, there are some things you are able to do to darken them. You should use a toner, a semi-permanent hair coloration, or a everlasting hair coloration. Toners are the least damaging choice, however they’ll solely final for just a few weeks. Semi-permanent hair coloration will final for longer, however it might probably nonetheless harm your hair. Everlasting hair coloration is essentially the most damaging choice, however it would final the longest.
When you’re undecided which choice is best for you, seek the advice of with an expert hairstylist. They might help you select one of the best ways to darken your blonde highlights and get the look you need.
Individuals Additionally Ask About How To Darken Blonde Highlights
How can I darken blonde highlights naturally?
There are just a few methods to darken blonde highlights naturally. A technique is to make use of a henna hair dye. Henna is a pure dye that may add coloration and depth to your hair. One other solution to darken blonde highlights naturally is to make use of a espresso rinse. Espresso incorporates pigments that may assist to darken your hair.
How lengthy does it take for blonde highlights to darken?
The period of time it takes for blonde highlights to darken will fluctuate relying on the strategy you employ. When you use a toner, your highlights will darken inside just a few weeks. When you use a semi-permanent hair coloration, your highlights will darken inside just a few months. When you use a everlasting hair coloration, your highlights will darken completely.
What’s one of the best ways to darken blonde highlights?
The easiest way to darken blonde highlights is to seek the advice of with an expert hairstylist. They might help you select one of the best technique in your hair kind and desired look.
