How To Go From Blonde To Brunette While Keeping The Damage Minimal

Changing your hair color can be life-changing and therapeutic. It can help you discover new parts of yourself and sometimes even make you a completely different person. It might sound a bit dramatic, but it's true. Hair is a vital part of a person's look, and if your hair isn't the way you want it to be, everything will seem just a little bit off.

Switching up your color too often can damage your hair if not done properly. If you insist on trying out dramatically different shades in a shorter period of time, there's a chance your hair will not be happy about it.

Still, there comes a time in every woman's life when she's ready to have the exact opposite hair color of what she has at the moment. Going from a darker color to a lighter shade is often talked about, but the reverse way is kind of underrated. If you're a blonde who's ready to become a brunette for the first time or again, make sure you're doing everything you can to keep the damage minimal.

Before booking your appointment at the hair salon or getting supplies for a DIY hair makeover, make sure you know what shade of brown you want to achieve. Since you're starting with lighter hair, consider transitioning to a softer shade like the candlelit brunette. You can always go darker later if you feel like it.

Whatever shade you choose, make sure your brunette hair suits your skin tone. Luis Pacheco, a Clairol color consultant, tells Elle Canada the right shade can do so much for you, not just your hair. "Your hair color should complement your skin tone, so that's always a great reason to change up your color. It can also highlight your cheekbones and distract from any skin conditions you are looking to conceal," he shared. If you're not a professional hairstylist, it would be best to consult with one on this. To keep hair damage minimal, seriously consider putting down the home dye kit and visiting your hairdresser because they will know how to proceed best.

Whatever dyeing route you decide to take, make sure you've done some hair pampering beforehand. Shvonne Perkins, master colorist at Madison Reed, advises The Zoe Report to "work on deep conditioning, alternating moisture and protein to bring the hair back to a place where it can hold pigment well."

To keep your new brunette shade fresh for longer, there's some maintenance needed. According to John Frieda, your new hair routine should include products specially made for maintaining brown shades. Deep conditioning your hair once a week and minimizing heat in your everyday styling will also make a great difference in the longevity of your new color.

In the end, just don't be scared. Dyeing your hair can actually be good for your strands if done right. "Coloring your hair can have benefits, such as sealing down the cuticle for healthier looking hair. Hair can also appear more full with a fresh color," Nina Farrauto, color and styling expert at Garnier, shares with Elle.

Since going from blonde to brunette might require a few visits to the salon or a couple of at-home dyeing sessions, you can always change the course if you end up not liking what you see. Prioritize your hair's health, because healthy hair is the prettiest hair. Set realistic hair goals to minimize potential damage, and don't forget to enjoy every step of your brunette journey.