How to Transition from Brown to Blonde Hair

Q: Can you go from brown to blonde hair without bleach?

It is certainly not possible to transition from brown to blonde hair without bleach. Pre-lightening with bleach is essential to lift the existing hair color and deposit new hues.

By Upasana KakatiAug 27, 2024 6 mins read

Should you go blonde?

In-salon consultation

Step-by-step procedure

Tips to maintain blonde hair

FAQs

Reference

The idea of going blonde from brunette seems to brighten up your entire look. Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, and many more ladies have jumped on the bandwagon, flaunting shades of blonde. We’ve all been there—tired of our old, boring hair color and craving a stunning transformation. Transitioning from brown to blonde hair sounds so fascinating, as it creates a whole new aesthetic and appearance. But before you make the jump, let’s discuss whether it is a good idea (for you), how it is done, and what to expect.

Should you go blonde?

Natural blondes can switch their hair color anytime with zero second thoughts. On the other hand, brunette girls like you may need to think a million times before heading to the salon, and credit goes to bleach. You heard that right: pre-lightening with bleach is a crucial step to start with. It removes the natural color pigments from your hair and leaves a blank canvas for new hues.

According to Samantha Garrone, an NYC-based Colorist, “Hair color loves healthy hair, and hair will accept color with open arms when it’s healthy as well; when your hair is damaged, and you try to lighten it, it will break.” This is because chemicals present in bleach can leave your hair stung to the point of breakage. Either rethink if you have already exposed your tresses to much damage, or just follow the lead if your hair is healthy and untouched.

In-salon consultation

As discussed, shifting from brown to blonde hair is a giant leap (potentially damaging) if your hair isn’t healthy. There comes the need for an in-salon consultation with a colorist. It is where you can discuss your hair’s history, communicate your expectations, and understand the ways of changing your hair color professionally. Your colorist will provide an overview of the process and help you decide the perfect shade for your hair type based on your skin tone and features. Nevertheless, there exists a flattering tinge for everyone in the blonde family.

If Kim Kardashian’s fair-haired look is your dream, let’s discuss the best possible way to follow suit.

Step-by-step procedure

Going from dark to light shade is reasonably impossible without bleaching. Thus, a double-process coloring technique is suitable for your hair makeover. It involves a pre-lightening procedure followed by the deposition of new hues.

Choose a shade

Start by picking your favorite shade based on your complexion, eye color, and other aesthetics. Your colorist will show you plenty of options in a swatch book. Mainly, your skin tone, undertone, and natural hair color will help determine which tinge you can pull off flawlessly.

Strand test

Before you score your dream color and transition from brown to blonde hair, it is essential to take a strand test. It helps test the color on a section of strands to be sure about the hair porosity, processing time, and final results. It may sound tempting to skip this step and get on to coloring, but it is extremely important for a mess-free experience.

Do the prep work

Your colorist may recommend using a clarifying shampoo at least 12 hours before applying bleach. It helps clear off excess oils, product buildup, dust, and dirt from the scalp, leaving it squeaky clean. Moehair Clarifying Shampoo is one such cleanser that gently cleans the mane and prepares it for color treatments.

Pre-lighten

A bleaching powder or solution is used in tandem with a hair color developer to achieve the desired lift. It helps lighten the existing color of your tresses so that new tints can be deposited effortlessly. The colorist will apply the mixture of bleach and developer to your strands as required.

Rinse and apply a toner

The processing time for bleach may vary depending on your hair texture, desired lift, and the product used. Usually, it takes 30 to 45 minutes. Once processed, use a sulfate-free shampoo and rinse hair thoroughly with water. The pre-lightening process may cause brassiness in your strands, which can be further removed with the help of a hair toner.

Apply dye

Bleach may not be sufficient to switch from brown to blonde hair. You may require a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye to achieve the desired color. The recommended time frame between bleaching and dyeing is around two weeks. However, you can take your colorist’s advice and book an appointment accordingly.

Also Read: Sandy Blonde Hair Color Ideas in 2024

Tips to maintain blonde hair

Now that you have made the leap from brown to blonde hair, how do you manage it? Because lightened or dyed hair is prone to fading, it is vital to follow a color-protect hair care routine. It takes a lot of patience, effort, and expertise to achieve that perfect shade of your dreams, and watching it turn brassy is probably the last thing you would want. Let’s clear the air with these expert blonde care tips.

Choose gentle products — Swap your regular shampoo and conditioner with color-safe products that are gentle to your hair, scalp, and hues. Since ordinary hair products contain sulfates and other harsh cleansing agents, they can strip out color pigments from your strands.
Keep your hair hydrated — The chemicals present in bleach, developer, and hair dye can make your tresses brittle. A straw-like texture is what most blondes fear to experience. Hence, make sure your hair is hydrated after every wash. Besides using a conditioner, invest in a deep conditioning mask once every week for some extra TLC.
Tone down brassiness — Blonde hair is susceptible to turning brassy with exposure to the sun and harmful chemicals. You may see yellow or orange undertones, followed by gradual color fading. A purple-pigmented hair toner helps eliminate brassiness in blonde hair, as purple lies opposite to yellow in the color wheel and cancels all ugly tones gracefully.
Ditch the sun — The UV rays of the sun are one of the major culprits responsible for color fading and dullness. In fact, prolonged exposure can lead to lightening of the existing shade due to the separation of dye molecules. Avoid going out in the sun or wear a hat to protect your color-treated hair.
Wash hair less frequently — Hard water and shampoo together can degrade your hair color. Avoid washing hair too often and choose alternatives like dry shampoo. Your colorist may also recommend the no-poo method. It is the process of washing hair only with conditioner. No poo means no shampoo!
Opt for mindful styling options — Give your colored hair a break from heat styling, or use a heat protection spray beforehand. Hot tools like hair straighteners, curlers, and blow-dryers can lead to color fading. Coating the strands with a lightweight heat protectant spray helps minimize thermal damage.

FAQs

Q1. Can you go from brown to blonde hair without bleach?

It is certainly not possible to transition from brown to blonde hair without bleach. Pre-lightening with bleach is essential to lift the existing hair color and deposit new hues.

Q2. What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Substances like apple cider vinegar and chamomile tea can somewhat lighten your hair color. However, they do not offer promising results in comparison with bleach.

Q3. Can you go from brown to blonde hair in one sitting at the salon?

You may require a few bleaching and coloring sessions to go from brown to blonde hair. In most cases, it is a two-step process.

Q4. Why does blonde hair turn brassy?

Blonde hair can turn brassy for many reasons, including exposure to the sun, harsh chemicals, product buildup, and chemical treatments.