“How easy is it to change from brunette to blonde?” was the questions posed to me by a friend. I asked the same question to Goldwell Celebrity Colorist Rona O’Connor. Rona is responsible for one of my favourite blondes, Blake Lively, who is just one of her many celebrity clients who frequently change their hair colour for roles.
Rona shared her tips for changing your hair colour from brunette to blonde, but how long can you expect to be in the salon to see results, and how often will you need to go back?
It all depends on how dark your natural colour is, and what shade of blonde you want to become. You can change your hair colour in one visit but is not usually recommended. Rona warns,
“You can change your color in one visit, but, if you have previously colored hair or have a damaged texture, the coloring process will take longer to become a blonde. If your hair is brittle or damaged as a brunette, it will take more visits to be light blonde to keep your hair healthy. Healthy hair reflects your best blonde!“
There are three easy options to change your brunette hair to blonde in the salon:
- Highlighting with several lighter shades shades – this can be done in two and a half to three hours, thicker hair will take longer. You’ll need to return to the salon approximately every six weeks.
- Lightening your hair overall, with highlighting and toning to achieve your perfect blonde – this process will take approximately three hours. You’ll need root touch ups every four weeks plus highlights at every second appointment.
- Bleach blonde and toned – make sure you choose a reputable salon for your first time. You’ll be in the salon for most of the day, and will need four weekly appointments for root touch ups.
Rona warns against using box colour for a major hair colour change.
“Box colors for a brunette trying to go blonde could be risky. Often the color results are gold or orange. I would only recommend a professional for a dramatic change like this. There is too much room for error.”
“On a personal note: I am a natural brunette, that likes to be blonde, and had my own color disaster as a teenager and didn’t know a corrective colorist. The most common mistakes people make when coloring at home, is believing they’ll look like the box.”
Have you ever tried to go from brunette to blonde using a box colour?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi! Thanks for this post, very useful information. I am a natural blonde and I dye my hair dark brown. I sometimes consider going back to blonde but am nervous of how it will turn out – would the process be about the same?
Thanks again!
Thanks Brianna. It would be a slightly different process as you can strip back the darker colours from blonde hair, though it depends on how dark you have gone and how long you have been colouring your hair. I wouldn’t try it at home, but ask your stylist about removing the darker colour, and then softening the colour with highlights / lowlights to balance the colour.
I haven’t tried to do it from a box colour, but I did have a disastrous in salon episode which left me with orange hair…including several bleach shampoos to tone it down to a light strawberry blonde…I’m convinced I’m not supposed to be blonde! My natural colour is a dark blonde, light brown.
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Oh no Kylie! That sounds like a disaster. I once had terrible tiger stripe highlights which I had to redo at another salon.
Hi! I’m a natural brunette but have been dying my hair in and out of every color for many years now. I am now in college and due to my lack of money have not died my hair in quite a while. Although lately I have been truly considering going back to blonde, I have read many of your articles on going blonde and as a brown hair, brown eyed, yellow skinned girl I am looking for a golden tone. What is your best advice in taking these steps and is there a certain thing I should ask for when I go to the salon? I am afraid that I will not get what I am looking for due to my ineptitude with directions. haha.
Hi Jasmine, I’d take a couple of colour inspiration images in to your hairdresser and have a consultation to work out how long it will take to achieve the colour you want. As you’ve coloured your hair before, it would be best to colour your hair blonde over a few appointments to minimise any damage to your hair. Maybe an ombre blonde would suit you as it is much lower maintenance. Being blonde can be expensive. Good luck! Christina
Hi great read. I’m a natural dark brunette who has just paid £52 for highlights. I am so sad because they are turning more brassy by the day. I haven’t a clue what to do. I really want to be blonde.
Have you any advice on what I can do. I am so sad it is my first time having my hair highlighted and was disappointed on the results and have no money left for another week. thanks
Hi India, it sounds like you need a toner. Try a silver shampoo (L’oreal professionnel is a good one) and this will help tone down the brassiness in your hair. It can take time to lighten hair from dark brunette to blonde, and maintain the quality of your hair. Good luck!