Are you tired of your blonde highlights? Do you wish you could darken them without damaging your hair? If so, you’re in luck! There are several ways to darken hair highlights without causing any harm. In this article, we will discuss three of the most effective methods. So, whether you want to go back to your natural hair color or just want to change up your look, read on to learn how to darken hair highlights. Additionally, we will also provide some tips on how to maintain your new hair color.
One of the most popular ways to darken hair highlights is to use a demi-permanent hair color. Demi-permanent hair color is less damaging than permanent hair color, and it will wash out gradually over time. This makes it a good option if you’re not sure whether you want to permanently change your hair color. To use demi-permanent hair color, simply follow the instructions on the package. You will need to apply the color to your hair and leave it on for the specified amount of time. Once the time is up, rinse the color out of your hair and style as usual.
Another way to darken hair highlights is to use a toner. Toner is a semi-permanent hair color that can be used to adjust the tone of your hair. It is less damaging than demi-permanent hair color, and it will wash out gradually over time. To use toner, simply follow the instructions on the package. You will need to apply the toner to your hair and leave it on for the specified amount of time. Once the time is up, rinse the toner out of your hair and style as usual.
Choosing the Right Shade
When selecting the perfect shade to darken your hair highlights, several crucial factors must be considered to achieve the desired outcome. Here are the key elements to keep in mind:
Natural Hair Color: Determine your natural hair color to establish a suitable starting point. If your highlights are significantly lighter than your natural shade, you may require multiple applications to achieve the desired darkness. Conversely, those with highlights closer to their natural color can achieve a darker result with a single application.
Desired Darkness: Establish your desired level of darkness before selecting a shade. Determine if you want to tone down your highlights slightly or achieve a more drastic transformation. This will influence the strength of the color you choose.
Tone and Undertones: Consider the tone and undertones of your highlights and natural hair. If your highlights have a warm, golden undertone, select a shade with similar warm pigments to maintain a cohesive look. Similarly, if your natural hair has cool, ash tones, opt for a shade with cool undertones to avoid clashing.
Highlight Placement: The placement of your highlights can also impact the choice of shade. If your highlights are primarily concentrated around the face, you may want to choose a slightly darker shade to create a more natural, blended effect. On the other hand, if your highlights are distributed evenly throughout your hair, you can experiment with bolder shades for a more dramatic contrast.
Table Summarizing Shade Selection:
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Natural Hair Color | Establish a suitable starting point |
| Desired Darkness | Determine the level of darkening required |
| Tone and Undertones | Maintain cohesive undertones with highlights and natural hair |
| Highlight Placement | Consider the distribution of highlights for a natural or dramatic effect |
Selecting a Suitable Dye
When selecting a hair dye to darken your highlights, it is important to consider several factors. Firstly, determine the current shade of your highlights and choose a dye that is slightly darker.
Level System: Understanding the hair level system can guide your dye selection. A higher number indicates a lighter shade, while a lower number represents a darker shade. Most highlights fall between levels 8 and 10. To darken them, choose a dye between levels 6 and 8, based on the desired intensity.
Toning: To avoid brassiness or unwanted undertones, consider using a toner. Toners are semi-permanent dyes that can neutralize undesirable hues and enhance the final color.
Additionally, consider your hair’s porosity. Bleached highlights are often more porous, so it is recommended to use a deposit-only dye that does not contain ammonia or lift the hair.
Here is a table summarizing the considerations for selecting a hair dye:
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Current Highlight Shade | Determine the level of your highlights and choose a slightly darker dye. |
| Level System | Select a dye that is 1-2 levels darker than your current highlights. |
| Toning | Use a toner to neutralize unwanted undertones or enhance the desired color. |
| Hair Porosity | Use a deposit-only dye for bleached highlights to avoid further damage. |
Applying the Dye Evenly
To ensure an even distribution of color, follow these steps meticulously:
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Sectioning the Hair
Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips. This will allow you to apply the dye evenly and prevent overlap or missed spots.
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Applying to Roots First
Start by applying the dye to your roots, where the highlights are likely to be most prominent. Use a brush or comb to distribute the dye evenly from the scalp to the tips.
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Blending the Highlights
Once the dye has been applied to the roots, use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to gently blend the color into the highlighted strands. This step is crucial to avoid harsh lines or an uneven finish.
Tips for Blending:
Tip Use a soft, wide-toothed comb to prevent damage. Work in small sections to ensure even coverage. Don’t over-comb, as it can remove the dye. If desired, use a toning shampoo or conditioner after dyeing to enhance the blended effect. -
Checking for Evenness
Before leaving the dye on, inspect your hair under a bright light to ensure even distribution. If necessary, make adjustments or touch up any areas that may have been missed.
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Processing Time
Follow the instructions on the dye box for the appropriate processing time. Do not exceed the recommended duration, as this can damage your hair.
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Rinsing and Styling
Once the processing time is complete, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Apply conditioner or a hair mask to protect and nourish your hair. Style as usual.
Processing Time
The processing time for darkening highlights can vary depending on several factors, including the starting color of your hair, the desired darkness, and the specific product you’re using. However, as a general guideline, you can expect the process to take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.
Rinse
Once the processing time is complete, it’s crucial to rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water to remove any excess product. To prevent damage, avoid using hot water, as it can strip your hair of its natural oils.
4. Choose the Right Product
Selecting the right product is crucial for successful darkening of highlights. Here’s a table summarizing some common options:
| Product Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Hair Dye | Permanent or semi-permanent dyes offer a range of shades to choose from, allowing for precise control over the desired darkness. |
| Toning Shampoo | A less permanent option, toning shampoos gradually deposit color over multiple uses. Ideal for subtle darkening or maintaining highlights. |
| Color-Correcting Conditioner | Designed to correct unwanted tones, color-correcting conditioners can help neutralize brassy or orange hues that may arise during the darkening process. |
Neutralizing and Conditioning
Neutralizing
After bleaching or dyeing your hair, it’s essential to neutralize the pH balance to prevent damage and brassiness. Apply a neutralizing shampoo or toner to the highlighted areas to remove any remaining peroxide or bleach. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Conditioning
Conditioning is crucial for restoring moisture and nourishment to highlighted hair. Use a deep conditioning mask or leave-in conditioner designed for color-treated hair. These products will hydrate the hair and protect it from further damage. Apply the conditioner to the highlighted areas and leave it on for the recommended time before rinsing.
Here is a table summarizing the key steps in neutralizing and conditioning highlighted hair:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Apply a neutralizing shampoo or toner |
| 2 | Leave on for a few minutes |
| 3 | Rinse thoroughly |
| 4 | Apply a deep conditioning mask or leave-in conditioner |
| 5 | Leave on for the recommended time |
| 6 | Rinse thoroughly |
Touching Up When Needed
As your hair grows out, you’ll eventually start to see your natural hair color at the roots. To keep your highlights looking fresh, you’ll need to touch them up every 6-8 weeks. The process is the same as getting your highlights done for the first time, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier on yourself.
First, be sure to wash your hair before you get your highlights touched up. This will help to remove any dirt or oil that could interfere with the color. Second, bring a picture of your desired hair color with you to your appointment. This will help your stylist to match the color of your highlights to the rest of your hair.
Finally, be prepared to spend some time in the salon. Touching up highlights can take anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. But it’s worth it to keep your highlights looking their best.
Here are some additional tips for touching up your highlights:
| Tips for Touching Up Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner. | This will help to keep your highlights from fading. |
| Avoid using heat styling tools on your hair. | Heat can damage your hair and cause your highlights to fade. |
| Get regular trims. | This will help to remove any split ends and keep your hair looking healthy. |
Maintaining Color Vibrancy
Vibrant highlights require proper maintenance to prevent fading and brassiness. Here are some key tips:
- Use Color-Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner: Opt for products specifically designed for colored hair, as they contain ingredients that seal in color and reduce fading. Look for formulas with UV protection to guard against sun damage.
- Minimize Heat Styling: Excessive heat can weaken hair and strip away color. Limit the use of heat tools and always apply a heat protectant spray before styling.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Chlorine in swimming pools and harsh chemicals in hair products can fade highlights. Rinse hair thoroughly after swimming and avoid using clarifying shampoos, which can strip away color.
- Get Regular Trims: Split ends tend to be more porous, absorbing dirt and oils that can dull highlights. Regular trims remove damaged ends and keep hair looking fresh and vibrant.
- Use Color-Refreshing Products: Touch up highlights with color-refreshing shampoos or masks. These products temporarily deposit color pigments to enhance vibrancy and reduce brassiness.
- Avoid Over-Washing: Washing hair too frequently can strip away color. Space out washes with dry shampoo or use a sulfate-free shampoo that is gentler on colored hair.
- Limit Sun Exposure: UV rays from the sun can cause highlights to lighten and become brassy. Protect hair with a UV-protective hat or scarf when outdoors for extended periods.
Avoiding Damage to Hair
Preventing damage to your hair is crucial while darkening highlights. Here are some essential tips to adhere to throughout the process:
1. Avoid Over-Processing
Limit the amount of time you leave the darkening formula on your hair. Excessive processing can weaken hair fibers, making them susceptible to breakage.
2. Use a Deep Conditioner
Deep conditioning after darkening highlights replenishes moisture and strengthens hair. Use a mask specifically designed for color-treated hair.
3. Air-Dry Your Hair
Avoid blow-drying your hair when it’s wet. The heat can further damage weakened hair. Instead, let your hair air-dry naturally or use a cool-air setting.
4. Limit Heat Styling
Minimize the use of heat styling tools, such as flat irons and curling wands. These tools can strip hair of moisture, making it more prone to breakage.
5. Use a Heat Protectant
If you must use heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray to your hair to minimize damage.
6. Trim Split Ends Regularly
Regular trims remove split ends, preventing them from traveling up the hair shaft and causing further damage.
7. Avoid Harsh Shampoos
Use gentle shampoos that are designed for color-treated hair. Harsh shampoos can strip away color and weaken hair.
8. Nourish Your Hair with Hair Oils
Incorporate hair oils into your hair care routine. Oils like argan oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil provide intense nourishment and help repair damage. Massage a few drops of oil into your hair and leave it on overnight.
| Oil | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Argan oil | Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, helps strengthen hair and reduce frizz. |
| Coconut oil | Penetrates deeply into the hair shaft, providing intense hydration and nourishment. |
| Jojoba oil | Mimics the natural sebum produced by the scalp, helps regulate oil production, and protects hair. |
Alternative Hair Coloring Methods
Alternative hair coloring methods offer a range of options for darkening hair highlights, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Semi-permanent hair color is a popular choice for those who want to temporarily darken their highlights without committing to a permanent change. It typically lasts for 4-6 weeks and fades gradually over time, making it a low-maintenance option. However, it does not lift the hair like permanent color, so it may not be suitable for all hair types or highlight shades.
Demi-Permanent Hair Color
Demi-permanent hair color is a hybrid between semi-permanent and permanent color. It has a lower concentration of peroxide than permanent color, so it does not lift the hair as much. It lasts longer than semi-permanent color, typically for 8-10 weeks, and it gradually fades out. Demi-permanent hair color can be used to darken highlights while adding subtle warmth or depth.
Permanent Hair Color
Permanent hair color is the most long-lasting option, and it can be used to darken highlights significantly. It contains a higher concentration of peroxide, which lifts the hair and allows the color to penetrate deep into the cortex. Permanent hair color is not as damaging as it used to be, but it can still be drying to hair, so it is important to use a deep conditioner after coloring.
Henndigo
Henndigo is a natural hair dye that is made from the leaves of the henna plant. It can be used to darken hair highlights while adding red or coppery tones. Henndigo is not as permanent as chemical hair color, but it can last for several months. It is also conditioning for hair, so it can help to improve the overall health and appearance of hair.
Hair Glossing
Hair glossing is a semi-permanent hair treatment that can be used to add shine and depth to hair. It is not as dramatic as hair color, but it can be effective in darkening highlights while adding a subtle glow. Hair glossing is typically done in a salon, and it can last for several weeks.
Hair Masques
There are several hair masks available that can help to darken highlights naturally. These masks are typically made with ingredients such as coffee, tea, cocoa powder, or walnut shells. They can be applied to hair for a few hours or overnight, and they can be effective in gradually darkening hair over time.
Toning Shampoo
Toning shampoo is a color-depositing shampoo that can be used to darken or tone hair highlights. They are available in a range of shades, and they can be used to temporarily darken highlights or to neutralize unwanted tones. Toning shampoo does not lighten hair, so it is not effective for removing highlights.
Balayage
Balayage is a freehand hair coloring technique that can be used to create a natural-looking, blended effect. It involves painting on small sections of hair with a lightener, resulting in a more subtle and gradual transition from light to dark. Balayage can be used to darken highlights or to create a more dimensional look.
Hair Extensions
Hair extensions can be used to add length, volume, or color to hair. If you are not satisfied with the color of your highlights, you can purchase extensions in a darker shade and clip them in to temporarily darken your hair. Hair extensions are available in a wide range of colors and textures, so you can find a match that is close to your natural hair color.
| Hair Coloring Method | Duration | Permanence | Lifting Ability | Suitability |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| Semi-Permanent | 4-6 weeks | Temporary | No | All hair types |
| Demi-Permanent | 8-10 weeks | Semi-permanent | No | All hair types |
| Permanent | Permanent | High | All hair types |
| Henndigo | Several months | Semi-permanent | No | Natural hair textures |
| Hair Glossing | Several weeks | Semi-permanent | No | All hair types |
| Hair Masques | Gradual | Temporary | No | All hair types |
| Toning Shampoo | Temporary | Semi-permanent | No | All hair types |
| Balayage | N/A | N/A | No | Natural hair textures |
| Hair Extensions | Temporary | N/A | N/A | All hair types |
Professional Hair Treatment Options
For achieving a darker look, professional hair treatments offer a more precise and long-lasting solution:
1. Hair Gloss
Hair gloss is a semi-permanent treatment that adds a sheer tint of color to the hair. It can tone down highlights and create a more natural-looking finish. The results typically last for 6-8 weeks.
2. Hair Glaze
Similar to hair gloss, hair glaze is a semi-permanent treatment that adds shine and enhances hair color. It can also help blend highlights and create a more even look. The results last for about 2-4 weeks.
3. Toner
A toner is a color-correcting treatment that can be used to neutralize brassy or unwanted tones in the hair. It can also help blend highlights and create a more natural-looking finish. The results last for 4-8 weeks.
4. Demigloss
Demigloss is a hybrid treatment that combines the benefits of a hair gloss and a toner. It adds a rich color to the hair while also toning down any unwanted shades. The results last for 6-8 weeks.
5. Lowlights
Lowlights are darker streaks of color that are added to the hair to create depth and dimension. They can be used to blend highlights and create a more natural-looking look. The results last for several months.
6. Ombre
Ombre is a technique that involves blending two different shades of hair color to create a gradual transition. It can be used to darken highlights and create a more sophisticated look. The results can last for several months.
7. Balayage
Balayage is a freehand painting technique that is used to create subtle, sun-kissed highlights. It can be used to refresh highlights or to create a more natural-looking finish. The results last for several months.
8. Highlights Reversal
Highlights reversal is a process that removes highlights and returns the hair to its natural color. It involves using a bleach remover to break down the color molecules in the highlights. The process can be time-consuming, but it provides long-lasting results.
9. Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Semi-permanent hair dye can be used to darken highlights semi-permanently. It does not contain ammonia, so it is less damaging to the hair than permanent hair dye. The results typically last for 6-8 weeks.
10. Permanent Hair Dye
Permanent hair dye can be used to darken highlights permanently. It contains ammonia, which can damage the hair, so it is important to follow the instructions carefully. The results are permanent.
| Treatment | Duration |
|---|---|
| Hair Gloss | 6-8 weeks |
| Hair Glaze | 2-4 weeks |
| Toner | 4-8 weeks |
| Demigloss | 6-8 weeks |
| Lowlights | Several months |
| Ombre | Several months |
| Balayage | Several months |
| Highlights Reversal | Long-lasting |
| Semi-Permanent Hair Dye | 6-8 weeks |
| Permanent Hair Dye | Permanent |
How to Darken Hair Highlights
Hair highlights can be a great way to add depth and dimension to your hair. However, if you’re not happy with the color of your highlights, there are a few ways to darken them.
One way to darken highlights is to use a toner. Toners are semi-permanent dyes that can be used to change the color of your hair without damaging it. Toners can be used to darken highlights by adding pigment to the hair. Toners are available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your desired hair color.
Another way to darken highlights is to use a demi-permanent dye. Demi-permanent dyes are more permanent than toners, but they are still less damaging than permanent dyes. Demi-permanent dyes can be used to darken highlights by adding pigment to the hair and sealing it in. Demi-permanent dyes are available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your desired hair color.
If you’re not sure how to darken your highlights, it’s best to consult with a professional hairstylist. A hairstylist can help you choose the best method for darkening your highlights and achieve the desired results.
People Also Ask
How long does it take to darken hair highlights?
The time it takes to darken hair highlights will depend on the method you use. Toners can take as little as 15 minutes to apply, while demi-permanent dyes can take up to 30 minutes. Permanent dyes can take even longer, up to an hour or more.
How often can I darken my hair highlights?
You can darken your hair highlights as often as you like, but it’s important to give your hair a break in between treatments. Over-processing your hair can damage it, so it’s best to wait at least 6 weeks between treatments.
What are the risks of darkening hair highlights?
The main risk of darkening hair highlights is that it can damage your hair. Toners and demi-permanent dyes are less damaging than permanent dyes, but they can still cause some damage. It’s important to follow the instructions on the product carefully and avoid over-processing your hair.
