How to dye brown hair red without bleach

If you thought there was no way to get your desired color without bleaching your mane first, think again. We’ve got you covered! Yup, if you’re looking for hair dye for dark hair that works without bleach, we’d like to introduce you to a few holy grail hair coloring products. Read on for our bleach-less hair dye picks.

How To Use Temporary Hair Dye For Dark Hair Without Bleach

The first option for coloring dark hair without bleach is to use temporary hair color that’s made to work with a dark base color. These hair dyes are specifically formulated to be vibrant and true without having to lighten your dark strands prior. They’re also super convenient for experimenting since they wash out.

If you love to switch it up and want some bold, fun hues, opt for a spray formula, like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray. The temporary hair color spray allows you to instantly create bold looks without the commitment since it washes out in just one shampoo. Each shade is formulated to allow for vivid color on all hair types — no bleach required. 

Just shake the can well before each use. Hold it four to six inches from dry hair and spray. Wait a few minutes for the color to dry completely. 

Editor’s tip: Don't spray too much at once! The color becomes more visible as it dries. Go slowly and build the color until you reach your desired shade.

Have you ever seen someone with brightly colored hair and wished you could try it out for yourself? Maybe you were too afraid of the damage that bleaching would cause, especially if you have a naturally dark shade of hair. Many people think that in order to achieve a bright and vibrant color you need to bleach your hair first, but this is not always the case. There is a way to achieve this beautifully bold shade without bleaching and harmful chemicals that ruin your hair. With these products and simple steps, you will be able to channel your inner Ariel and achieve a bright red hair color from a brunette or black color right at home and all at an affordable price.

Tools You’ll Need

The first thing you will need are some tools to help you apply the hair dye. If you have never dyed your own hair before, there are a few necessary tools you will need to purchase. The first set of products is a mixing bowl and application brush, which are both inexpensive and easy to find. The bowl will be used to mix the products together, and the brush will help you evenly apply the color to your hair and get close to the roots. The pointed end of the brush is also great for sectioning out your hair.

The second thing you will need is some rubber gloves. The red hair dying product is very pigmented and will stain your skin if you get it on your hands, so these are important to have.

Products for Dying Black Hair Red

The main product you will need to achieve the red color is a box dye product or red hair dye for dark hair. We recommend the L’Oreal Excellence HiColor for dark hair. This product comes in several different shades of red ranging from more orange toned, to pinker hues. It is designed to work with dark hair without the need for bleach.

You will also need a level 30 crème developer such as this one also from L’Oreal, but any brand will suffice. You will want to mix one part HiColor with two parts of the developer in your mixing bowl. One tube of the L’Oreal HiColor is 1.2 oz, so if you are using one tube you will need 2.4 oz of the level 30 developer. You may also want to use a whisk to prevent any clumps in the product, but a brush and a few extra minutes will also suffice for mixing.

Preparation for Coloring

Once you have thoroughly mixed the dye it is time to prep your hair. Brush out your hair and apply Vaseline to your scalp, neck, and ears, in order to prevent staining of the dye on your skin, and make sure you are wearing your rubber gloves. You will want to cover your shoulders with an old towel or hairstyling cape or wear something you don’t mind ruining.

Step 1.

Section your hair off into four quadrants to make it easier to work with and twist each section up with a clip to keep it out of the way.

Step 2.

To begin, paint your hairline all the way around to make sure you get even coverage. When you wear your hair up in a ponytail or bun, you will not want any patches or natural roots showing, so make sure you apply the color evenly to achieve a more natural looking effect.

Step 3.

Once you have applied the color to the outer hairline, work one section at a time starting with one of the bottom sections, and apply the color. Start with the roots and work your way down to the ends of your hair.

Be sure to apply the color generously as to not miss any sections. If you have longer or thicker hair, you may need several tubes of the HiColor solution. After you have finished a section of hair, twist it back up with a clip and move on to the next one until you have successfully applied the color to your entire head.

Step 4.

When you have applied the dye to all sections of your hair, leave the dye on for around 30 minutes as indicated on the instructions of the L’Oreal HiColor. You may even want to cover the hair in plastic wrap or a shower cap to help the color process faster.

Step 5.

Once you have waited the required amount of time, it is time to rinse out the dye. Shampoo your hair and rinse until the water runs clear. Condition your hair thoroughly to prevent damaged ends and apply a hair oil or other kind of treatment if you so choose.

Step 6.

Finally, blow dry your hair and reveal the beautifully rich red color you’ve always wanted! If you are coming from black hair, expect to need 2 or 3 sessions of this process in order to obtain the brightest shade of red. If you wish for a more muted tone of red, leave the dye on for less time, or mix some conditioner into the hair dye mixture to mute it.

How to Keep Your Red Bright?

In order to maintain the color, try using a red shampoo such as the Joico Color Infuse Red shampoo and conditioner. This will help to keep your hair looking bright and vibrant for weeks to come. The roots and overall color will need to be touched up every 4 to 6 weeks, which can be done using the same products. Although the hair color is permanent, it will fade so keep this in mind before you decide to go with a bright red color.

We hope that by following these simple steps, you will be able to achieve the desired bright red hair color look and save your hair from damaging bleaches. Now you can have the same red hair that your favorite celebrities have worn. Although this look is a little harder to maintain than most, it is well worth the extra touch-ups. We guarantee you will turn heads and receive copious amounts of compliments with this daring and bold red hair look!

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