Can I have a dark brown hair color from black?

Question

I have "virgin" hair, meaning I've NEVER dyed. I've been told that since I've never dyed my hair, it would be easy for colors to sink in. I have long, thick straight black hair (very very black hair). My question is, can I achieve a dark brown color without bleaching? I'm looking for a DARK chocolate brown color, kind of mahogany but without the reddish tint. I've never dyed my hair before so I'm afraid! I don't want my roots to be super brown and the rest of my hair black, so if anyone has any advice or tips, please let me know. Thanks!

Thanks so much for the input. I'm looking for just one shade lighter. The chocolate brown will still be a dark hue. I wish I had a picture to show everyone!

Answer 1

I have naturally black hair as well, and I can tell you from experience that no matter how much lighter you want to go you will need some level of bleach on the hair to make the change noticeable. Since you want to keep your hair on the dark end though you won't require nearly as much bleach or have to leave it on your hair nearly as long as someone going much lighter so there will be minimal hair damage. Basically, haircolor on its own isn't really meant to lighten hair. There are indeed some instances where having virgin hair does help and makes the haircolor process more effective, but when a person has black hair and wishes to lighten it the hair will have to be bleached to some degree, virgin or not. I know that you probably don't want to go more than 3 or 4 shades lighter, but you have to understand that lightening black hair isn't the same or as simple as lightening lighter hair colors. For example, I tried a medium brown boxed haircolor on my own at home on my black hair, left it on as the directions stated, and it didn't even show up. On the issue of roots, what I found to be the most effective and least damaging thing to do was to get subtle highlights. I went to a professional (and I would strongly recommend doing this, whether you choose all-over color or highlights because you're lightening hair, which is difficult for a novice to do) and asked for subtle mahogany and cinnamon highlights in my hair. I asked that they be done to look very natural, not "chunky". The result was hair that was softened a bit in color, but since I still had my natural black going through it my roots didn't look as bad as it would had I gotten an all-over color. Also, because they only had to bleach the highlighted pieces my hair received less damage. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

Answer 2

I'm a hairstylists so...
If your hair is actually virgin hair, you don't need to bleach it to achieve a lighter shade. Go to a beauty supply store and speak anyone that works there. They will help you pick a color you like, and for best results use a 30 vol. developer. But if you have colored it before, you'll be able to see that parts that already have existing dye on it, even if you haven't colored it in about a year.

Answer 3

whenever i can, i try to dissuade anybody from dying their hair. natural hair is much easier to keep healthy. every time you dye your hair you assault your liver with a toxin blast. and you know.......there ain't nothin like the real thing baby!!