Is it possible to dye hair after highlighting and how to even out the color to the desired result

Highlighting can give your hair a fresh, vibrant look, but sometimes you might want to go a step further and change the color completely. The question is, can you dye your hair after highlighting, and what do you need to know to get the color just right?

It is possible to color hair after highlighting, but caution must be taken to guarantee a smooth and even finish. You’ll need to think about how well you blend the colors, the products you use, and the state of your hair.

Whether you want a lighter tone, a darker shade, or something bolder, knowing the best technique can help you achieve the desired look without sacrificing the health and beauty of your hair.

In what cases is it necessary to paint over highlighting

Highlighting is a great way to add brightness and freshness to the appearance quickly and with little harm to the curls. This is a great substitute for dying your hair a single tone, which is something that any attractive person can do.

Throughout human history, the practice of emphasizing individual threads with color has gained popularity. The technique of altering the image is universally endorsed by stylists, colorists, and hairdressing experts.

The topic of how to paint over highlighted hair will eventually come up, even with the widespread acceptance and popularity of this style of hair color. There could be a number of causes behind this:

  • poorly chosen color scheme, colored strands accentuate the flaws of appearance, spoil it;
  • highlighting was done with errors due to insufficient professionalism of the performer, this is often typical for lovers of home coloring;
  • there was a desire to change the image, to make it more or less bright;
  • change in fashion trends;
  • colored curls of the industry and require correction, which is not possible.

Experts advise applying light brown, blond, or darker paint in an even layer over the highlights of the hair in these situations. The performer finds this process difficult, and it may harm curls that have been compromised by prior chemical exposure.

Take note! Ineffective or unnecessary highlighting can be covered up with paint, but even the smallest error in re-coloring can result in split ends, brittle hair, and a faded appearance.

How to even out hair color

Changing to a natural tone instead of highlighting is the easiest and most reliable option. Here, you don’t have to worry about selecting the wrong shade—nature has already taken care of that.

The process has various subtleties:

  • for brunettes with white strands on their hair, experts do not recommend using black dyes, start with dark chestnut, cherry, chocolate or dark blond. Otherwise, green may appear in the color;
  • Owners of black hair do not necessarily need to use synthetic dyes, turn to natural dyes (for example, henna, basma);
  • blondes can only cover up unsuccessful coloring with dyes.

Let’s examine more closely at how to get your hair back to its natural color after dye highlighting:

  1. Take care of the quick restoration of your curls after lightening. To do this, regularly use nourishing masks and balms filled with vitamins and minerals.
  2. Buy dye in two tones: the first is as close to natural as possible; the second is 1-2 levels darker. Important! Choose dye from one manufacturer.
  3. Select the highlighted strands, wrap them in foil strips. Then dye the rest of your hair with dye of your natural shade. After 20-25 minutes, taking into account the requirements of the dye manufacturer, wash the dye off your hair. Dry your curls.
  4. The next step is dyeing previously highlighted curls, in other words, highlight only using a darker tone. Be careful so that the dye does not get on the curls dyed in a natural color.
  5. The holding time of the dye on the highlighted strands depends on their structure and condition. It will take about half an hour, but for greater confidence, periodically check the result. Upon achieving the desired effect, taking into account the manufacturer"s recommended holding time of the composition on the curls, wash the dye off your hair. Dry your hair.

There are two possible results from the process if the dye shades were chosen appropriately and the dyeing was done correctly:

  • the color turned out to be even, without traces of past experiments, as was intended;
  • it was not possible to achieve a 100% even shade, previously lightened strands became less noticeable. They may differ slightly from neighboring strands (be a little darker or lighter).

Please be advised that without professional skills and abilities, it is difficult to even out the color of hair after highlighting. Speak with a colorist if you want an amazing outcome.

Yes, you can dye your hair after highlighting, but to get a smooth, even color, you should proceed with caution. The procedure will vary based on the desired shade and the state of your hair. Use a toner or hair dye that matches your desired color for the best results. If your hair is damaged or has very light highlights, you might want to consider doing a deep conditioning treatment first. This will shield your hair from additional harm and help to balance out the color.

How and what to lighten

Features of the procedure

Blond hair dye is a great way to tame contrasting light strands with a natural tone. There’s more than one way to turn blonde after highlighting. Their selection is based on your hair’s natural tone.

Girls with light hair can easily become blondes. It is necessary that you purchase a light-colored dye. Experts in color theory advise selecting a hue that lies in the middle of highlighted and unhighlighted hair. After that, an even color is certain.

The procedure will be longer and more difficult if you want to lighten dark hair. Lighten your hair gradually because it will be impossible to go from a brunette to a blonde in one sitting and could cause serious damage to your hair. Use a dye that is several shades lighter than the original tone in each instance.

Crucial! Seek professional assistance to lighten dark hair as quickly and carefully as possible. You run the risk of irreversibly worsening your hair’s condition if you attempt bleaching on your own.

How to lighten highlighted locks

Hair that has previously been highlighted can be lightened at home using only premium, tested dyes. Among the range of dyes available, experts advise selecting items from the following brands:

Garnier. Fashionistas of all ages can indulge in the luxurious cream dyes offered by this French brand, which come in an array of shades. With the help of vitamin complexes, organic oils, and cutting-edge ingredients, Garnier dyes enable you to create vibrant, long-lasting color.

A posh, deep shade is assured with the Garnier Color Naturals and Color Sensation cream dye series. The renowned brand also provides the softest dying using Olia series oil paints. Natural, healthful oils make up more than half of the product’s composition, which will ensure that your hair is as healthy as possible during lightening.

L’Oreal, or Loreal. Loreal cream paints are known for their gentle and superior coloring. For those who adore cold blond, this is a blessing. With the least amount of damage to highlighted strands, you can achieve the desired effect with the Recital Preference and Excellence Creme series.

The brand’s products stand out for their abundance of creative elements, superior quality, sturdiness, and range of color options. Many girls only use Loreal cream paints because they recognize these and other benefits.

Estel. (Estel). This brand’s products are used for both at-home and salon coloring. Cream paints are reasonably priced, offer a gentle effect, and produce a rich, even shade. The only drawback to this option is that Estel paint isn’t available in your neighborhood grocery store; instead, you have to order it online, from company representatives, or by asking a hairstylist you know about it.

The rich color scheme of the Estel brand is pleasing. Paints can also be blended together to achieve even more precise coloration.

Lightening technique

The process of lightening curls is similar to monochromatic painting. To accomplish this, you must:

  1. Carefully study the instructions for the product, conduct an allergy test.
  2. Prepare the coloring composition by mixing the oxidizer and dye.
  3. Apply the product to the entire head of hair.
  4. Keep the dye on the hair for some time, specified by the manufacturer in the instructions for the product.
  5. Thoroughly rinse the dye first with warm water, then using shampoo.
  6. Use a balm or nourishing mask. Dry and style your hair.

How and what to paint in a light brown color

Applying a light brown coloring to highlighted curls has the appearance of lightning. In this instance, particular consideration is given to the shade selection. You must concentrate on your individual color type.

Here are some pointers for selecting a paint color:

  • fair-skinned beauties are better off using light-blond shades;
  • dark-skinned girls will suit honey and golden tones;
  • for those who have naturally dark hair, experts recommend turning to ash shades. In addition, this color is now considered fashionable.

Sometimes washing will be the only way to achieve the desired and even color before dying in the chosen tone.

Take note! You will need to wait two to three weeks between the first washing and the light brown dyeing. The hair will strengthen, heal, and become prepared for additional chemical exposure during this period.

You can use paints from well-known brands like Garnier, L’Oreal, "Palette," or "Estelle" to dye hair a light brown color. These producers are in great demand because of their excellent quality and wide selection of shades.

You can use tint shampoos to achieve the desired color. However, bear in mind that it is challenging to ensure a respectable outcome. Furthermore, these products are not very durable.

How and what to dye in a dark color

Dyeing highlighted locks in darker tones will be less problematic. The process of turning into a brunette can be done with paint or natural dye (basma). Let"s consider both options.

With paint

Following dark tone highlighting, the following procedures are involved in hair coloring:

  1. Mix the paint of the selected tone with an oxidizer in the proportion recommended by the manufacturer of the product.
  2. Initially, treat the regrown roots. Allow time for the dye to set, this will take about 20 minutes.
  3. At the next stage, apply the dye to the remaining length of the hair. Wait another 10 minutes.
  4. Rinse off the paint with warm water. Wash your hair with shampoo.
  5. At the end of the procedure, apply a balm or mask. Dry and style.

Be aware that lighter, emphasized strands might contrast with the background tone. After a few weeks, repeat the coloring process to achieve this.

Crucial point Avoid using light brown tones in the color to prevent a green tint. Experts add a purple mixton to the dyeing composition to address this issue.

Use basma and henna

At-home attempts at highlighting can be darkened with natural dyes. Take a blend of henna and basma for these uses. Use more than just basma to avoid having green hair instead of lovely dark or chocolate.

Shades ranging from light chestnut to jet black can be achieved by adjusting the ratios of henna and basma. The darker the color of the hair and the longer you must leave the product on your hair, the more basma is included in the dyeing composition.

Do a test coloring on a different strand of hair before using the product on the entire head. Additionally, you can adjust the composition’s proportions as needed.

How long does natural dye coloring last?

  • Basma can be used to strengthen the structure of the hair shaft. To do this, limit the time of its effect on the curls to 5 minutes;
  • To obtain an unsaturated dark tone, keep the product on the hair for 0.5-1 hour;
  • For those who want to get a rich color, increase the dyeing time to 3 hours.

Depending on the shade you want, the following ratios should be used when making natural dye:

  • To become a light brown-haired person, dissolve Basma and henna in equal parts in a small amount of water, and the exposure time should not exceed 1 hour;
  • To obtain a chestnut shade, take Basma twice as much as henna. Keep this composition on the hair for 60-90 minutes;
  • For those who want to get a bronze tint, you will need a double portion of henna and one portion of Basma. Dyeing time is no more than 90 minutes;
  • for coloring in a rich chocolate tone, as in the photo below, you will need the same amount of dyes, plus 4 hours. l. natural ground coffee. Exposure time – up to 2.5 hours. Dissolve coloring powders with white wine, not water;
  • for those who want to get a jet black color, you will have to work hard and perform the coloring in two stages. At the first stage, paint curls with pure henna, and on the second – only basma;
  • Another equally effective option for dyeing in a rich black tone is a composition of 1 part henna, 2 parts basma and 4 h. l. Freshly squeezed beet juice. To withstand such a mixture you need to about 3 hours.

An essential point! Do not give up if, after painting the bass, the shade appears to be too dark. Rinsing with vinegar water or lemon juice can help to lighten hair a little bit.

We take care of colored curls correctly

It’s not the simplest thing to go from highlighting to a one-tone color change, and weaker strands find it stressful. You will require the appropriate care to restore shine and a healthy glow, as well as to somewhat mitigate the damage caused by coloring:

  • use a special line of products for colored hair;
  • be sure to do nourishing and restorative masks 1-2 times a week;
  • do oil treatments every 2-3 days. To do this, rub a little burdock oil into the scalp and distribute along the length of the curls, do not rinse for 1 hour;
  • apply conditioner to your hair after each wash. Alternatively, rinse with chamomile or nettle infusions;
  • give up the hair dryer in favor of natural drying of your hair;
  • do not use a straightening iron or curling iron for styling, a great alternative to them are wooden, foam rubber or plastic curlers;
  • even if the coloring is unsuccessful, refrain from updating your image for at least 1 month;
  • eat well, pay more attention to fresh vegetables, fruits. Start taking vitamin supplements, vitamin complexes.

It’s crucial to get the highlighting exactly right even though any mistakes can be fixed. Speak with experts if you lack confidence in your own skills. Finally, keep in mind that chemical components weaken hair, necessitating high-quality care. To quickly restore the health and elasticity of your strands, make sure you follow the suggested recommendations!

You can learn more about who it will suit and what to highlight by reading the following articles:

  • for red hair;
  • for gray hair;
  • for light hair;
  • for dark hair;
  • highlighting on light brown hair;
  • for short hair;
  • for long hair.
Question Answer
Can I dye my hair after highlighting? Yes, but you should wait at least 2 weeks to allow your hair to recover from the highlighting process.
How can I even out the color after highlighting? You can use a toner or apply a full-head dye that matches your desired shade, but it"s best to consult a professional for a balanced look.

It is possible to dye your hair after highlighting, but to get the right color, you will need to be patient and careful. It’s crucial to realize that highlights lighten hair, so any color added later on will react differently with the lighter sections of your hair than it will with the remainder of it.

You might need to use a toner to balance the tones or adjust the shade in order to even out the color. It’s usually a good idea to get advice from a professional colorist, particularly if you want to avoid damaging your hair or are trying to achieve a particular shade.

In the end, getting the correct color after highlighting requires time and work, but you can attain the desired look and maintain the health of your hair by using the appropriate technique.

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Ekaterina Zhukova

Professional stylist and makeup artist, I have extensive experience in the fashion industry. Specialization - wedding and evening hairstyles that emphasize natural beauty and elegance. In my work I adhere to the principle - attention to every detail creates the perfect look.

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