# How do I dye my dark brown hair red? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2001, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407 "2001-11-20T15:43:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/1 "2001-11-20T15:43:48Z")
(you may move this to general questions, if that’s where it fits better) As red as possible that is. And here’s the catch, I would like to avoid bleaching it first. My hair is quite dark brown and all I manage to achieve is a reddish glow. So, is there any way to do this or am I simply asking for something that is impossible? Any advice/opinions appreciated. Pookah ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/2 "2001-11-20T15:58:55Z")
I’m not a hairdresser, but a natural redhead. I have in the past dyed my hair dark brown, and then tried to dye it back close to my natural colour without bleaching. This has not worked for me. I ended up having to bleach and then dye. I think you may be best to ask a hairdresser, as I’m sure there have been advances in cosmetic colouring since the last time I dyed my hair. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/3 "2001-11-20T16:03:34Z")
Don’t try it at home. Go to a good hairdresser (which are hard to find). If your hair isn’t jet black, she should be able to do it. I used to go to this place where they made my hair almost blonde without bleach, and its brown naturally. ---
**Author:** ![KimKatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@KimKatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimKatt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/4 "2001-11-20T16:16:12Z")
Definitely go to a hairdresser for this - dark brown hair can be difficult to work with, depending on whether the natural undertones already tend toward red or not. Lightening it at home (and I say lightening meaning toward red or blond or what have you) can be very unpredictable. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/5 "2001-11-20T19:07:55Z")
if yopu want it to look real, you’re gonna have to go to a hair dresser. getting a red dye job at home may make your hair look more burgandy. however, if you just want a “glow:” you may want to try a non permanent dye. see if you like the results. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/6 "2001-11-20T20:00:58Z")
I would go to a professional if I were you. If you mess it up you are going to pay for it in more than just money but time and your psyche. Hair disasters caused by one’s own hand is far worse than if a professional did it. They can consult collegues on the process they took and how to minimize serious damage. ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/7 "2001-11-20T20:08:18Z")
Trying a temporary dye is not a bad idea, but I, too, recommend going to a professional colorist. I also recommend starting with a fairly subtle highlighting job and getting more with each touch up. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dye-my-dark-brown-hair-red/94407/8 "2001-11-20T20:25:20Z")
Whatever Jessica Alba was advertising (something by Clairol, maybe) in that commercial seemed to work pretty well. It didn’t get her hair any further than auburn, but man did she look good with it. –Cliffy