Can you dye hair over highlights? – Hairstyle camp

Do you want to say bye-lights to your highlights finally?

Having the time of your life with your highlighted hair, and now you’re ready to change things up a bit?

Here’s one question you might be asking- Can you dye over hair highlights?

Yes, you can paint over hair highlights!

However, it is not as easy as you think it is. Changing your hair color when you have highlights is one of the most challenging things to do as you will be dealing with multiple shades and shades of hair.

But before you throw in the towel, you might want to read this simple guide on how to paint over highlights.

If you’re ready, let’s get started!

Can I dye my hair on highlights?

Yes, you can dye your highlighted hair! You should do this to go for a darker or lighter hair shade or to switch to a uniform hair color (that covers the highlights).

Keep in mind that each reason will require a different dyeing process. We have shared these reasons because it is essential to identify which one is your goal so that you can choose the right way to dye hair over highlights.

How to dye hair on highlights?

So, what steps should you take when coloring your hair with highlights?

The answer will depend on what your goal is. To help you, we have listed all the steps for all the possible reasons below.

How to darken highlighted hair?

If you want to cover your grays or just soften the contrast between your base color and highlighted hair, you can simply darken your hair.

Doing so can help refresh your roots or delay your next visit to the salon. And not only is it healthier for your hair than highlights, but it’s easier and less complicated to do.

To do this, here are the steps you need to take:

Step 1. Choose your color wisely.

Maybe you already have a color in mind. But first, you need to find a shade that matches your hair tone to make it look more natural.

Here are two simple tips:

• Choose a shade with auburn or golden tones if the bleached hair has orange or yellowish tones. This can prevent the development of a greenish tint in your hair.
• If the bleached hair has a purple or blue undertone, go for an ashy shade.

Step 2. Apply the paint.

It is quite challenging to fully cover bleached hair. However, you can address this by dividing your hair into as many sections as possible to cover as many strands as possible. Then apply the hair color according to the instructions on the product packaging.

Step 3. Wash with cold or lukewarm water.

As the water runs, run your fingers through the hair to get rid of excess dye. Next, apply a color guard shampoo and conditioner to remove the remaining harsh chemicals from the paint and seal the color.

It is essential to only use cold or lukewarm water as this will help seal and preserve the color in your hair.

How to lighten already bleached hair?

Lightening your bleached hair is much more damaging and complicated than darkening your bleached hair.

Because of this, you must wait 6 to 8 weeks after the first whitening process. During the wait, we recommend you increase hair moisture by applying natural oils, hair masks and deep conditioning treatments.

Please note that it is recommended to visit a professional hairdresser for this type of service to minimize damage.

But if you plan to bleach your hair at home, here are the steps to take:

Step 1. Check the health of your hair.

To ensure your hair can withstand another bleaching process, make sure it is free of any signs of damage such as breakage, frizz, dryness and dullness.

Step 2. Identify how many whitening sessions you need to achieve the desired color.

Remember that the darker your current base color and the lighter the shade you want, the more whitening sessions you will need.

Here is a simple guideline:

• 2 shades lighter: 1 whitening session
• 3 shades lighter: 2 whitening sessions
• 5 shades lighter: 3 whitening sessions

Step 3. Continue bleaching your hair.

Bleach the hair according to the instructions detailed on the package. Remember that you must wait 6 to 8 weeks before performing another whitening treatment.

How to cover the highlights?

Since you’ll be covering two shades—your base color and your highlights—this is one of the most challenging things to do. To cover your highlights and create a solid color hairstyle, here are the steps to take:

Step 1. Find the right shades.

For this process, you will need two shades of paint – a primary color (base color) and a secondary color (highlights).

You should choose your primary color first as you will base the secondary color on it. Your secondary color should be 2 to 3 shades darker than your primary color.

Step 2. Part the hair.

Separate your highlighted strands from the rest of your hair and wrap them in foil.

Step 3. Apply the hair colors.

Start by applying the main color to your base. Next, open the foil but do not remove it. Next, apply the secondary color to the highlighted strands using the foil method.

Step 4. Wash off the hair dye.

Can you dye highlighted hair at home?

Yes you can. However, we do not recommend doing so.

Highlighted hair is more difficult to work with than natural or colored hair. This is because the bleaching process removes the red, orange and brass pigments from the hair.

While these shades are a big deal for blonde hair, they are naturally found in darker hair tones. Without these shades, your hair will take on a muddy or darker shade of green when you dye it a darker shade.

Because of this, it’s best to leave the process of re-dyeing your highlighted hair to the professionals.

How to care for your hair after applying color on highlights?

Your hair will need additional care in the following weeks and months after the lightening dye. To provide him with the nutrition he needs, we recommend the following:

• Deep conditioning every week.
• Reduce exposure to heat.
• Avoid chlorinated pools, as the chemicals can be too harsh on your hair.
• Use only color-enriched hair products to preserve the vibrant color of your hair.

Common questions

So, can you dye highlighted hair?

Can you dye hair over highlights? You definitely can! But please keep in mind that this is quite a complicated process to do. You can make many mistakes along the way, so make sure you work with a professional hairstylist for this type of service.

If you plan to do this at home, don’t forget to follow all the tips we shared so you can enjoy healthy hair with a perfect color!