How to Get Ash Brown Hair From Black

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Ash brown is a beautiful shade of cool brown. Depending on what your starting hair color is, the amount of preparation you need to do varies. If you have light or blond hair, you can just dye it. If you have dark or black hair, you can try dyeing it lighter, but it would be better if you bleach it first. If you have warm brown hair, you have it easy––all you need do is apply a toning shampoo meant for brown hair!

1. 1

   Get a hair dyeing kit that says "ash brown" on it. While this method is recommended for those with light or blond hair, you can try it if you have darker hair as well, especially if it is highlighted.^[1] Look at the color samples on the side of the box so you'll know what color to expect.

   • Most hair dyes will come out true to color on blond hair.
   • If you have dark hair, you'll need to get a lighter color than you want. This is risky, however.

2. 2

   Protect yourself and your clothing. Dyeing hair can get messy. Put on the plastic gloves that came with your kit. Drape a dyeing cape or an old towel over your shoulders. If you don't have either of those, put on an old shirt instead.

   • Apply some petroleum jelly to your hairline. This is not absolutely necessary, but it'll keep your skin from getting stained.^[2]
   • Keep in mind that whatever towel or shirt you use may become stained or ruined while dyeing your hair. Use an old one that you don't mind messing up.

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3. 3

   Mix the dye according to the instructions. Most dye kits are mixed in the same way: you add the dye to the developer, then shake the developer to mix it up. Sometimes, the dye comes in a bottle and sometimes it comes in a tube.^[3]

   • Your dye kit will most likely contain a tube of conditioner. Set this aside for later.
   • Some dye kits contain a little tube of oil. Add this to the dye.

4. 4

   Separate medium to thick hair into four layers. If you have a lot of hair, you will need to separate it to make sure all of it is evenly dyed. Part your hair into four different sections. Use your comb to part down through the middle, then part it ear to ear. Use hair clips or ties to keep the sections separate.

5. 5

   Apply the dye to your hair, starting from the roots. If you want to, you can apply the dye to your hair in a straight line, then blend it out using a tinting brush. If you parted your hair, take each section, and work in layers, starting from the bottom most one. Make sure to coat your hair evenly.

   • Some dye kits contain a comb-shaped applicator tip. You can screw this onto the bottle and use it instead of the standard applicator tip.

6. 6

   Allow the dye to sit for the recommended time. Each brand will be a little different, but most will tell you to wait 20 to 25 minutes. It would be a good idea to cover your head with a plastic shower cap during this time. The cap will help the dye work faster and keep your surroundings clean.^[4]

7. 7

   Wash the dye out with cool water, then condition your hair. Rinse the dye out with cool water first. Once the water starts to run clear, apply the included conditioner to it. Let the conditioner sit for 2 to 3 minutes (or whatever time is recommended on the tube), then rinse it out with cool water. Do not use any shampoo.

8. 8

   Dry your hair. Do not be alarmed if your hair looks darker than you expected it to. It will lighten up over time, especially as you wash it.^[5]

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1. 1

   Start with warm brown hair. This method is meant for those who already have brown hair, but wish to make it a cooler, ash brown.^[6]

2. 2

   Get a toning shampoo for brown hair. You will need to go to a well-stocked salon or beauty store for this. Make sure that you get a toning shampoo meant for brown hair, not blond. Toning shampoos meant for brown hair have green or blue tints in them, which will remove brassy or orange tones.^[7]

3. 3

   Dampen your hair. Step into the shower, and get your hair wet, just like you would when washing your hair. Have the bottle of hair toner ready.^[8]

4. 4

   Apply a generous amount of the shampoo to your hair. Lather and massage it in, just like you would when shampooing. Coat each and every strand, from roots to ends. Do not wash the shampoo out.^[9]

   • Don't be alarmed if the shampoo looks green or blue.

5. 5

   Allow the shampoo to sit for the time recommended on the bottle. Each brand will be different. Some will recommend that you only leave the shampoo in for 2 to 3 minutes, while others recommend that you leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes.^[10]

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1. 1

   Get a hair bleaching kit. While you can try to dye dark hair ash blond, and hope for a lighter ash brown, the result may not always be accurate. Buy a hair bleaching kit with at least 20 volume.^[11]

2. 2

   Protect yourself and your clothing. Cover your shirt with an old towel or put on an old shirt you don't mind ruining. Put on a pair of plastic, disposable gloves. It would be a good idea to open up a window or turn a fan on as well; bleach can get pungent.

3. 3

   Prepare the bleach according to the instructions on the package. Bleach kits will come with a powder and a cream, which you have to mix together. The proportions you use may vary from brand to brand, so read the instructions carefully.

   • Mix the bleach in a glass or plastic container; never use metal.

4. 4

   Part your hair into four sections. The first part should run vertically down the middle of your head. Pull these sections aside, and then part them one more time from ear to ear. Use clips or hair ties to separate the sections you're not working on.

5. 5

   Apply the bleach to your hair, starting from the ends. The easiest way to do this would be with a tinting brush, but you can use your hands as well. Some people like to work in layers, starting from the bottom one first.^[12]

   • Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap. This will help the bleach work faster and keep your surroundings clean.

6. 6

   Allow the bleach to sit until your hair reaches your desired lightness. Most bleaching kits will recommend 10 to 30 minutes, but it would be a good idea to check back on your hair every 5 to 10 minutes. This is because everyone's hair reacts to bleach differently. Yours may finish bleaching before the recommended time is up.^[13]

   • Do not leave the bleach on for longer than the recommended time, or you will ruin your hair.
   • If your hair is not light enough, you can always do a second application right away as long as your hair is healthy. For damaged or breaking hair, wait a few weeks before trying again.

7. 7

   Rinse your hair with cool water, then follow up with shampoo. Do not use any conditioner yet. Depending on what type of bleach you used and how long you left it on, your hair may be blond, orange, or a warm brown.

   • If your hair is the right color but too warm, wash it with a toning shampoo.^[14] This will remove the brassy tones and give you ash brown hair.

8. 8

   Prepare the hair dye. Buy some ash brown hair dye in your preferred shade. It may also be labeled as "cool ash brown" or "cool brown" instead, which is the same thing. You can use a hair dye kit, or you can buy the dye and developer separately. Mix the dye according to the instructions on the package.^[15]

   • If you removed your gloves and old towel earlier, put them back on now.
   • If you bought dye and developer separately, prepare the dye in a glass or plastic container.
   • If you washed your hair with toning shampoo and are happy with the color, you are done! You don't need to dye it further.

9. 9

   Apply the dye to your hair, starting from the roots. Again, you can do this with a clean tinting brush or with your hands. It would be even easier if you pulled your hair up, and worked in layers. Make sure that you coat your hair evenly, especially around the hairline and part, where it will be most visible.^[16]

   • If you wish to use a tinting brush with bottled dye, apply the dye to your hair first, then spread it with the brush.
   • Apply some petroleum jelly to your hairline before applying the dye. It'll help guard your skin against stains.^[17]

10. 10

    Let the dye develop for the time recommended on the package. Again, this varies from brand to brand. In most cases, you'll have to wait about 20 to 25 minutes. During this time, it would be a good idea to tuck your hair up under a clean shower cap. This will help the dye develop faster and keep your surroundings clean.^[18]

11. 11

    Rinse the dye out with cool water, then apply conditioner. Wash the dye out with cool water first. Once the water runs clear, apply a hydrating conditioner to your hair, and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse the conditioner out with cool water, then let your hair dry. Do not use any shampoo at this time.

    • Your hair may look darker. Don't worry, it will lighten up.^[19]

12. 12

    Apply a toning shampoo, if needed. Ash brown hair dye contains blue or green tints, which should cancel out any brassy tones in your hair. Sometimes, this is not enough, and you'll need to apply a toning shampoo following the instructions on the package. You can also make your own:^[20]

    • Mix enough white conditioner to cover your hair with some purple hair dye.
    • Apply the conditioner to your hair.
    • Wait 30 minutes.
    • Rinse the conditioner out.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How do I get rid of warm tones in brown hair?

  

  April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. She earned her Cosmetologist License through Riverside Community College. April has styled hair for LA fashion week.

  

  Professional Hair Stylist

  Expert Answer

  Use blue-colored shampoos and conditioners to help get rid of yellow and orange brassy tones.

• Question

  What does ash color do to your hair?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

  Ash hair color can give a cool tone to neutral hair colors. Ash is also used to cancel out excess warmth, neutralizing brassiness.

• Question

  What color hair dye should I use to cover orange?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

  To neutralize orange you will need a blue-based ash tone. Depending on the intensity of the orange you may need to go a level darker to completely cover it.

• Question

  What is the color ash brown?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

  Ash brown is a brown with cool undertones, usually blue or violet. Ash browns can also be silver-brown.

• Question

  What is the color of ash blonde?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

  Ash blonde is a blonde base with cool violet, silver, or blue tones. It is a natural-looking blonde shade.

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• Ash brown dye fades over time, and you may notice the brassy tones coming back.^[21]

• Limit the heat styling to make your dye job last longer.

• If you got hair dye on your kin, wipe it off with an alcohol-based face toner.

• Wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner meant for color-treated hair. If you can't find any, use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.^[22]

• Write down the hair dye color/number. This way, you'll know what to buy (if you liked it), or what not to buy (if you hated it).

• Limit the heat styling. Dye and bleach are damaging enough on their on; straightening or curling your hair will only damage it further. It may also cause the dye to fade faster.^[23]

• Protect your hair against the sun. Use a UV-protecting spray before you head out or cover your hair with a hat. Sunlight will make hair fade faster.^[24]

• Limit washing your hair to once or twice a week. The more often you wash your hair, the faster the dye will fade. However, you can condition your hair more often.

• Watch the chlorine! If you like to go swimming, cover your hair with a swim cap. Chlorine can fade hair color faster, or it can change it to a different color altogether!^[25]

• Ash brown hair won't look good on everyone. It tends to look best on those with cool skin tones. If your skin looks pinkish, you have a cool skin tone.^[26]

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Things You'll Need

• Ash brown hair dye
• Old towel or shirt
• Plastic, disposable gloves
• Tinting brush (optional)
• Shower cap (recommended)
• Petroleum jelly (recommended)

• Hair toner for brown hair

• Bleaching kit
• Ash brown hair dye
• Toning shampoo
• Glass or plastic container
• Old towel or shirt
• Plastic, disposable gloves
• Tinting brush (optional)
• Shower cap (recommended)
• Petroleum jelly (recommended)

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How to Get Ash Brown Hair From Black

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Hair-Ash-Brown

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