5 Easy Ways to Darken Highlights

Woman with dark highlights in her hair

Have you ever gotten highlights that were too light or too warm for your liking? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves in this situation, and it can be frustrating to have to deal with highlights that you don’t love. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to darken your highlights and get the look you want. With following few simple steps, you can quickly and easily get rid of those unwanted highlights and achieve the perfect hair color.

One option is to use a toner. Toners are semi-permanent hair color that can be used to add or remove tones from your hair. If your highlights are too light, you can use a toner to add some darker tones to them. This will help to blend them in with your natural hair color and give you a more natural look. However, if you’ve never used a toner, it’s best to consult a professional hairstylist to ensure that you get the desired result. The hairstylist will assess your hair and recommend the best toner for your hair type and color.

If you want a more permanent solution, you can also get your highlights colored over. This is a more expensive option than using a toner, but it will give you longer-lasting results. When getting your highlights colored over, be sure to choose a color that is close to your natural hair color. This will help to create a seamless look and avoid any harsh lines between your highlights and your natural hair. Alternatively, you can consider adding lowlights to balance out your highlights. Lowlights add depth and dimension to hair, and can help to blend highlights into your natural hair color.

Choose the Right Hair Dye

Selecting the appropriate hair dye is crucial for darkening highlights. Look for semi-permanent or permanent dyes in a darker shade than the desired result. Avoid bleach or lightening products, as these will only further damage the already-highlighted hair.

Types of Hair Dyes to Consider:

Type	Description
Semi-permanent	Deposits color without penetrating the hair shaft; lasts 6-12 washes
Permanent	Contains ammonia and penetrates the hair shaft; lasts several months

For subtle darkening, choose a semi-permanent dye in a shade slightly darker than the highlights. For more significant darkening, opt for a permanent dye in a shade that matches or is slightly darker than the base hair color.

It’s advisable to perform a strand test on a small, inconspicuous area before applying the dye to the entire head. This will allow you to assess the color and adjust it if necessary.

Apply the Dye Evenly

To ensure an even color distribution, follow these steps carefully:

Prepare the dye solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Begin applying the dye to the highlighted sections, starting from the roots and working your way down to the tips.
Use a brush or applicator to distribute the dye evenly throughout the highlighted hair, ensuring that all strands are saturated.
Allow the dye to process for the recommended amount of time as indicated on the packaging.
Thoroughly rinse out the dye using lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
Condition your hair to restore moisture and maintain its health.

Here’s a table summarizing the steps:

Step	Action
1	Prepare the dye solution.
2	Apply the dye from roots to tips.
3	Distribute the dye evenly, saturating all strands.
4	Let the dye process per instructions.
5	Rinse out the dye thoroughly.
6	Condition the hair.

Process the Dye for the Recommended Time

Once you have applied the dye to your hair, it is important to process it for the recommended time. This will ensure that the dye has enough time to penetrate the hair shaft and deposit the desired color. The processing time will vary depending on the type of dye you are using, so be sure to read the instructions carefully. Generally, the processing time is between 20 and 30 minutes.

During the processing time, you should avoid washing or rinsing your hair. You can cover your hair with a plastic cap or wrap it in a towel to keep it warm. This will help the dye to penetrate the hair shaft more effectively.

Tips for Processing the Dye

Use a timer to ensure that you process the dye for the correct amount of time.
Avoid washing or rinsing your hair during the processing time.
Cover your hair with a plastic cap or towel to keep it warm.
If you have any questions about the processing time, consult with a professional hair stylist.

Dye Type	Processing Time
Permanent dye	20-30 minutes
Semi-permanent dye	15-20 minutes
Temporary dye	5-10 minutes

Use Color-Protecting Products

Why Use Color-Protecting Products?

Color-protecting products help to seal in hair color and prevent it from fading, making highlights last longer. They can also help to protect hair from damaging UV rays and other environmental factors.

What Types of Color-Protecting Products Are Available?

There are a variety of color-protecting products available, including shampoos, conditioners, leave-in treatments, and hair masks. It is important to choose a product that is specifically designed for color-treated hair.

How to Use Color-Protecting Products

To use color-protecting products, follow these steps:

Wash your hair with a color-protecting shampoo.

Apply a color-protecting conditioner to your hair.

Leave the conditioner in your hair for the recommended amount of time.

Rinse the conditioner out of your hair.

Apply a leave-in color-protecting treatment to your hair.

Style your hair as desired.

Best Color-Protecting Products

Product	Benefits
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector	Repairs damaged hair, strengthens bonds, and protects color
Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo	Gently cleanses color-treated hair, protects from fading, and enhances vibrancy
L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Resveratrol Conditioner	Nourishes and strengthens color-treated hair, prevents fading, and provides heat protection
Moroccanoil Color Preserve Leave-In Conditioner	Detangles and conditions color-treated hair, shields from UV damage, and prolongs color vibrancy
Bumble and Bumble Color Stick	Temporary color touch-up that conceals roots and unwanted highlights, while protecting color

Protect Hair from Heat and Sun

To prevent further damage and fading, it’s crucial to protect your highlighted hair from excessive heat and sun exposure. Here are some tips:

Avoid Heat Styling

Limit the use of hot tools such as flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers. Heat can strip your hair of its natural oils, making it more prone to breakage and dryness. If you must use heat, apply a heat protectant spray to minimize damage.

Wear a Hat

Protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays by wearing a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors. UV radiation can lighten highlights and cause color fading.

Use Sun-Protecting Hairspray

Apply a hairspray with SPF or UV filters to create a protective barrier against the sun. This helps prevent hair color from fading and keeps your highlights looking vibrant.

Use Color-Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner

Invest in shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for color-treated hair. These products contain ingredients that help preserve hair color, preventing it from fading quickly.

Avoid Swimming in Chlorinated Water

Chlorine in swimming pools can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause it to turn green or brassy. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools or wear a swim cap to protect your hair.

Touch Up Highlights Less Frequently

Instead of getting frequent touch-ups, consider spacing out your appointments to give your hair a break from chemical treatments. This helps reduce damage and allows your natural hair color to blend in with the highlights more gradually.

Tint Hair Between Highlights

To blend highlights with your natural hair color, opt for a semi-permanent tint in a shade close to your base color. This helps minimize the contrast between your highlights and roots.

Try a Hair Glaze

A hair glaze is a non-permanent color treatment that adds shine and tone to your hair. It can help blend highlights and natural hair color, creating a more cohesive look.

Use a Toner

If your highlights have turned too light or brassy, consider using a toner to correct the color. Toners deposit pigments into the hair, neutralizing unwanted tones and creating a more flattering shade.

Other Tips

To further protect highlighted hair, consider the following additional tips:

Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair to avoid breakage.
Apply hair masks or hot oil treatments regularly to nourish and moisturize your hair.
Avoid brushing wet hair, as it is more prone to damage.

How to Darken Highlights

If you’ve recently gotten highlights and you’re not happy with how light they are, there are a few things you can do to darken them.

One option is to use a toner. Toners are semi-permanent hair color that can be used to adjust the tone of your hair. If you want to darken your highlights, you can use a toner that is one or two shades darker than your natural hair color.

Another option is to get a demi-permanent hair color. Demi-permanent hair color is more permanent than a toner, but it will still fade over time. If you want your highlights to be darker for a longer period of time, you can use a demi-permanent hair color.

You can also use a permanent hair color to darken your highlights. Permanent hair color is the most permanent option, but it can also be more damaging to your hair. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, you can consult with a professional hair stylist.