From Fiery Red to Rich Brown: A Comprehensive Guide to Dyeing Red Hair Brown

So, you’re ready to transition from vibrant red to a more subdued, earthy brown? It’s a common desire! Red hair, while stunning, can sometimes feel limiting, and the allure of a rich, chocolatey brown or a soft, neutral brunette is understandable. However, moving from red to brown isn’t as simple as slapping on a box dye. Red pigments are notoriously stubborn, and without the right approach, you could end up with muddy tones, green tinges, or a color that fades quickly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you achieve the beautiful brown hair you’ve been dreaming of.

Understanding the Challenges: Why Red Hair is Tricky to Dye Brown

Before we dive into the how-to, it’s essential to understand why transitioning from red to brown requires a bit more finesse. Here’s a breakdown:

• Red Pigments are Stubborn: Red hair, whether naturally occurring or dyed, contains a high concentration of red and orange pigments (pheomelanin). These pigments are larger and more resilient than other color molecules, making them difficult to cover or neutralize.
• The Risk of Green Tones: When you attempt to cover red with a cool-toned brown (which most browns are), the blue undertones in the brown can interact with the red, resulting in unwanted green or muddy shades. This is particularly problematic if your red is very vibrant or has been dyed multiple times.
• Color Fade: The underlying red tones can resurface, especially when the brown dye begins to fade, causing your brown to look brassy or reddish.
• Porosity Issues: Dyed hair is often more porous than virgin hair. This means it can absorb dye unevenly, leading to patchy color or uneven fading. Red dyed hair especially tends to be more porous due to the dyeing process.

Knowing these challenges will help you approach the process with the right mindset and preparation.

Preparation is Key: Getting Ready for the Color Transformation

Proper preparation is crucial for a successful color transformation. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Assess Your Current Red

Before you buy any dye, take a good, honest look at your current red. Is it:

• Natural Red: This is the easiest to work with as the red pigment is typically less intense and uniform.
• Light Red or Strawberry Blonde: These lighter shades will be easier to cover than deeper, more intense reds.
• Medium Red: A more common and somewhat stubborn red. This will require more work and potentially multiple steps.
• Deep Red or Auburn: The most challenging to convert to brown. Expect multiple steps or even professional intervention.
• Box-Dyed Red: Box-dyed reds tend to be more saturated and can be more unpredictable. Be aware of previously dyed sections of hair and the possibility of uneven pigment deposits.

Knowing the intensity and underlying tones of your red will help you choose the right approach.

2. Choose the Right Brown Shade

Selecting the right brown shade is paramount. Here’s what to consider:

• Your Skin Tone: Consider your skin’s undertones (warm, cool, or neutral) when choosing a brown. Warmer browns (with golden or reddish undertones) will complement warm skin, while cool browns (with ash or violet undertones) suit cool skin tones. Neutral browns work well for most skin tones.
• Your Natural Hair Color: If possible, choose a brown that’s close to your natural hair color. This will make the transition less drastic and the grow-out more natural.
• The Depth of Your Red: If your red is very intense, you’ll likely need to go darker initially than your desired brown to effectively cover the red pigment. You might want to consider going a shade or two darker than your target shade to make sure the red is completely neutralized.
• Avoid Cool Tones Directly: Steer clear of very ashy or cool-toned browns for the first step, as they are more prone to turning green when applied over red. Opt for a neutral or warm-toned brown with hints of gold or copper for the initial dye application.
• Look at Swatches: Don’t rely on the picture on the box. Look at the color swatches provided (many brands have hair samples attached to the box, but this is not always the case) and choose a shade that looks like a good match for your goal, taking into account your current hair color.

If you’re unsure, it’s always better to start with a shade slightly lighter than your goal and go darker gradually.

3. Gather Your Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hair Dye: Choose a quality hair dye that matches your desired shade and is formulated for covering red hair. If you’re unsure, choose a demi-permanent dye over a permanent dye.
• Developer: If using a professional color or certain box dyes, you’ll need a developer. A 10 or 20 volume developer is usually sufficient for transitioning to brown.
• Color Mixing Bowl and Applicator Brush: These are essential for mixing and applying the dye evenly.
• Gloves: Protect your hands from staining.
• Old Towel or Cape: To protect your clothing.
• Hair Clips: For sectioning your hair.
• Petroleum Jelly or Barrier Cream: Apply around your hairline to prevent skin staining.
• Strand Test Supplies: You’ll need a small amount of dye, developer, gloves, and a paper towel for this.
• Deep Conditioner: To nourish your hair after coloring.
• Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: To maintain your new color.
• Optional: Color Filler (if needed): More on this later.
• Optional: Color Corrector/Toner (if needed): More on this later.

4. Perform a Strand Test

A strand test is absolutely crucial before applying any dye to your entire head. This will help you assess the color result, processing time, and any potential reactions. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose a Small Section: Take a small section of hair from the nape of your neck or behind your ear (these are less visible areas).
2. Mix a Small Amount of Dye: Mix a small amount of your chosen dye and developer (if needed) according to the product instructions.
3. Apply to the Strand: Apply the dye mixture to the chosen strand, making sure it’s fully saturated.
4. Process the Dye: Follow the processing time indicated on the dye packaging.
5. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the strand with water and dry it completely.
6. Assess the Result: Evaluate the color. Is it the shade you were expecting? Are there any unwanted tones (green, brassy)? Does the processing time seem correct?

If you’re happy with the result of the strand test, you can proceed with the full application. If not, you may need to adjust your color or processing time.

The Dyeing Process: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the main event – dyeing your red hair brown. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Protect Your Skin and Surroundings

Before you even open the dye, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or barrier cream along your hairline, around your ears, and on your neck. This will prevent the dye from staining your skin. Put on your old towel or cape to protect your clothing. Lay down newspapers or something similar on any surfaces you want to protect.

2. Section Your Hair

Divide your hair into four sections: two in the front and two in the back. Use hair clips to keep each section separate.

3. Mix the Dye

Following the instructions on the dye packaging, mix the dye and developer (if needed) in the color mixing bowl. Use the applicator brush to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Make sure there are no clumps.

4. Apply the Dye

Start with the back sections of your hair, working from the roots to the tips. Be thorough and make sure every strand is fully saturated with the dye mixture. Once the back sections are done, move on to the front sections. If your roots are significantly lighter or darker than the rest of your hair, you may want to apply dye to those areas last for a more even result. The red tones are usually more prominent near the lengths.

5. Check for Even Coverage

Use your applicator brush or your gloved fingers to gently massage the dye through your hair, ensuring that all strands are evenly coated. Take your time and make sure to get the back of your head covered. This is easier to do with a hand-held mirror in front of another mirror, so you can see all of your hair.

6. Process the Dye

Once you’ve applied the dye, let it process for the amount of time indicated on the packaging. Avoid going over the recommended processing time as this can damage your hair and may not result in a darker shade. If using box dye, there are usually very specific guidelines in the instructions.

7. Rinse Your Hair

When the processing time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Don’t use shampoo at this point, just rinse. Take your time here; it’s important to remove all the color before applying any conditioner.

8. Apply Deep Conditioner

After rinsing out the dye, apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to your hair. Leave it on for the time recommended on the product label. This will help to moisturize and nourish your hair, as well as help to seal in the new color. Rinse well and then condition as usual.

9. Style as Usual

Once you’ve rinsed out the deep conditioner, style your hair as you normally would. Try not to shampoo your hair for at least 48 hours after dyeing to allow the color to set fully.

Dealing with Unwanted Tones: Color Fillers and Toners

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we might encounter unwanted tones, particularly green or brassy hues. This is where color fillers and toners come in.

Color Fillers: Replenishing Lost Pigment

If your red is faded or your hair has become porous, you may have lost some of the underlying warm pigments that help to support a rich brown. This can lead to dull or uneven color. In this case, you might need to use a color filler. Color fillers deposit warm pigments back into the hair, creating a more even base for the brown dye to adhere to.

How to Use a Color Filler:

• Choose a Filler Shade: Look for a filler that contains warm tones like copper, gold, or orange, depending on your hair’s underlying tones.
• Apply the Filler: Follow the product instructions to apply the filler to your hair. Generally, you’ll leave it on for a shorter processing time than regular dye.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse out the filler and dry your hair.
• Apply Your Brown Dye: Proceed with the brown dye application as described above.

Toners: Neutralizing Unwanted Tones

If you’re experiencing green or brassy tones after dyeing, a toner can help to neutralize them and create a more balanced color. Here’s how to use one:

Toning for Green Tones:
If you have green tones, you’ll need to neutralize them with red. Select a red or copper toned color correcting toner. Apply it to the hair according to package instructions. This should help cancel out the green tint.

Toning for Brassy Tones:
If you have brassy or orange tones, you’ll need to tone with blue or purple based toner. Select an ash or violet based toner to help cancel out the orange or yellow. You might need to use a specific product like purple shampoo as well as a toner to properly tone down any unwanted brassiness.

How to Use a Toner:

• Choose the Right Toner: Select a toner that’s appropriate for your hair’s underlying tones.
• Mix the Toner: Mix the toner and developer (if needed) according to the product instructions.
• Apply to Damp Hair: Apply the toner to damp hair, focusing on areas with unwanted tones.
• Process the Toner: Follow the processing time indicated on the product label.
• Rinse and Condition: Rinse the toner thoroughly and apply conditioner.

Maintaining Your Brown Hair: Aftercare Tips

Once you’ve achieved your desired brown shade, it’s crucial to maintain it with proper aftercare. Here are some tips:

• Use Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner: Regular shampoos can strip the color from your hair, causing it to fade faster. Choose products specifically formulated for color-treated hair.
• Wash Your Hair Less Frequently: The less you wash your hair, the longer your color will last. Consider using dry shampoo between washes.
• Use Cool Water to Rinse: Hot water can open up the hair cuticle, causing color to fade. Rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water to help seal in the color.
• Avoid Harsh Heat Styling: Excessive heat styling can dry out your hair and cause color to fade. Try to air dry your hair whenever possible, and use heat protectant products when using heat tools.
• Protect Your Hair from the Sun: The sun can fade your hair color, so wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray when spending time outdoors.
• Deep Condition Regularly: Deep conditioning treatments help to keep your hair hydrated and healthy, preventing dryness and breakage. This will also keep your color looking fresh and vibrant.
• Touch Up Your Roots as Needed: As your hair grows out, you’ll need to touch up your roots. Try to avoid dyeing the entire length of your hair each time, and only apply dye to the roots to minimize damage.
• Use a Color Depositing Conditioner: You can use a color depositing conditioner in your brown shade every so often to refresh the tone and prevent it from fading. These are a great option to maintain your color between dye jobs.

When to Seek Professional Help

While it’s possible to dye your red hair brown at home, there are times when it’s best to seek professional help. Consider consulting a hairstylist if:

• Your Red is Very Deep or Saturated: Intense reds are notoriously difficult to cover and may require multiple steps and professional expertise.
• You’ve Previously Had Issues with Color: If you’ve had problems with hair color in the past, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
• You’re Not Comfortable with the Process: If you’re unsure about any step of the process, it’s always better to seek help from a professional rather than risk damaging your hair.
• You’re Aiming for a Drastic Change: If you’re going from a very bright red to a very light or cool toned brown, you should likely consult a professional. A drastic color change requires more precision.

Conclusion

Transitioning from red to brown can be a bit of a challenge, but with the right knowledge and approach, it’s definitely achievable. Remember to be patient, thorough, and to prioritize the health of your hair. By following these detailed steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way to rocking a beautiful, rich brown hue that you can be proud of. Don’t be afraid to embrace the transformation and enjoy your new look!