Q) - I am a natural brunette. I currently have blonde highlights in my hair and I want to go back to a brunette. Maybe even with a little burgundy in it.
What product(s) would you recommend?
Professional Hair Care Tips - Its hard to say since I don't know exactly what your base color is. The easiest way to find out your base color level, is to go into a Beauty Supply Store like Sally's, and look through the colors. Choose the color that matches your root/base color the closest.
Natural brunette color levels can vary. Is your hair light brown, medium brown, or dark brown? Is your hair an Ash Brown or a Golden Brown? You'll know more by looking at the color swatches that they have in the store. If you can't see your base color to make that comparison, just use a mirror in the store to look! Heck, they won't mind at all!
When you figure out your base color level, (all colors have a level #) color your hair using that color. Either use a box color (which I detest) or mix your own, using a 20 or 10 volume developer to deposit color only. Do a root to tip color, starting with your roots and work down to your ends. Your blonde highlights will absorb the brunette color and hopefully blend right in. After you color, (depending on what color you choose) your highlights might be a bit lighter or darker. Over time, they should be a lot less visible. (No way to take them out completely.) You should be back to your natural brunette color!
* Note, if you had said you had blonde hair or red hair and wanted to go back to your natural brunette color, getting it back to your natural color wouldn't have been this easy. You can't put brunette hair color on red or blonde hair without doing some homework first. If you tried to do this, you'd have only made a color mess instead!
If you want to add another color like burgundy, you can always add low lights after you do your root to tip base color. Wait about a week, then choose a burgundy or complimentary color that blends well with your root/base color. You can add these quite simply by mixing the color yourself and applying the color in just a few places throughout your hair.
Use a highlighting cap or use the free hand method. Either one will be OK but if you decide on a burgundy color, use a cap. There will be too much transfer if you try the free hand method.
If you use a similar color that blends well with your natural color, you can use the free hand method! If for example, you are a medium brown brunette and you choose to lowlight with a chocolate brown or a golden brown color, you can use the free hand method. Any transfer that happens should be less visible after a few shampoos. If you hide your lowlights underneath your part, you won't be able to see any transfer at all.
Of course you can learn a lot more about using these techniques and tips from my 2009 Hair Color Guide. Its cheap to buy and you will learn so much! In the meantime, I hope this helps you!]
Benefits of Coloring Your Own Hair
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No More Box Colors!
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