Do I need a filler to go from blonde to brown?

Author: Queenie Ledner  |  Last update: Friday, December 19, 2025

According to Stenson, “fillers are the most vital step when going from blonde to brown.” “[A filler shade] keeps the hair from turning a muddy, dull color when you apply the dark color,” adds Lee. Your filler shade won't be quite as dark as your desired, final shade and will likely look more reddish or golden in tone.

What color filler do I need to go from blonde to brown?

Buy a red protein filler, and use it as directed when you dye your hair darker. Brown hair has red base in it, and since you've bleached your hair then it won't have that red base. Plus a protein filler will just be nice to use since your hair's bleached (there's also neutral color protein fillers).

How do I go from blonde to brown?

Apply a lighter brown or red color to your hair. Bleaching your hair blonde in the first place removed all the natural pigment, so you can't simply jump back to brown. Ash browns, in particular, tend to have green and blue tones with very little red, so applying a brown color at this point could turn your hair green.

What happens if you don't fill blonde hair before dying it brown?

If you are going more than 2 shades darker from bleached hair, you HAVE to fill in the missing warm tones or else the hair will turn green. No ifs, ands or buts about it. If you do not fill in the missing warm tones, there is nothing for the brown to hold on to and it will turn green after a few weeks.

Do I need to fill my hair before going dark?

PRE FILLING HAIR / GOING FROM BLONDE TO DARK ITS IMPORTANT TO PRE FILL THE HAIR WHEN GOING FROM LIGHT TO DARK, THIS STOPS FADE AND THE CHANCE IT MAY GO GREEN. BY PRE FILLING WITH RED, COPPER OR YELLOW YOU CAN STOP THIS, IN THIS HAIR TUTORIAL I SHOW YOU HOW QUICK AND SIMPLE USING A PRE PIG CAN BE AT FILLING THE HAIR, GI.

The easiest way to do a color fill (blonde to brunette)

How to go from blonde to brown without turning green?

So, how to dye your blonde hair brown without it going green? You've got two options: Fill your hair: filling means nothing more than pre-dyeing your hair before putting on the brown hair color. Opt for copper red colors, such as Vesuvius Red, or golden shades.

What happens if you put brown hair dye on blonde highlights?

As you'll learn below, going dark isn't just a process of applying brown dye straight to blonde hair. In fact, if you do go that route, you may end up with hair that appears muddy, inky or an otherwise unnatural color.

Can you go from blonde to brown in one session?

Adding pigment back in is also an hours-long process. I settled in for my session at Spoke & Weal at noon and left just before three. Typically, blonde-to-brunette transitions can last between two and five hours at the salon, including several rounds of color and gloss.

How to darken over bleached hair?

If you want to dye your bleached hair considerably darker, such as to dark blonde (colour level 7) or darker, pre-pigment your hair first. This is because the red pigments have been permanently removed by bleaching. You need enough warm pigment in your hair to achieve a beautiful darker colour.

What not to do after dying your hair blonde?

Here are the expert answers to your most important questions about how to keep your color fresh, shiny and vibrant.
  1. Avoid Hot Water. ...
  2. Steer Clear of Too Much Sun. ...
  3. Don't Wash Your Hair (At First) ...
  4. Lay Off the Chemicals. ...
  5. Avoid Chlorine. ...
  6. Skip Treatment Shampoos and Masks. ...
  7. Stay Away From Heat.

Can I put brown dye over bleached hair?

Yes, but if you dying it more than 2 levels darker you may need to use a filler.

Why does my hair go ginger when I dye it brown?

To avoid it going ginger or red then you must check what shade you are using. For example if the colour says golden, chocolate, mahogany, red, warm brown etc, these will all look 'ginger'. To achieve a rich colour, a basic shade must be added to create the depth (how dark it is).

Can your hair change from blonde to brown?

The biggest contributing factor is your hormones. Generally speaking, blonde hair usually turns brown – or at least darker – as we age. We've all seen photos of relatives or friends who were so fair as a child that their hair was almost white.

What color to add to dirty blonde hair?

Opting for lowlights—in other words, darker blonde or brown highlights—is a great way to weave some dimension throughout your dirty blonde hair color for added interest. Because lowlights require precise placement and a cohesive color match, we recommend that you head to the salon to get the look.

What is the best color depositing conditioner?

Our favorite color-depositing conditioner is the dpHue Gloss+ thanks to its wide range of shades, easy application, and ability to soften and hydrate hair. For a clear gloss that adds shine to any hair color, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer.

What does protein filler do for hair?

Protein fillers are hair treatments designed to restore strength and vitality to damaged hair. They contain proteins, amino acids, and other nutrients that help mend and strengthen the hair root and shaft. These treatments can particularly benefit those with damaged or chemically treated hair.

What color cancels out bleached hair?

Blue and purple shampoos neutralise unwanted brassy tones to reveal a cooler blonde or light brown shade.

Is blonde or brown hair more flattering?

How to Decide. Skin tone: Your skin tone can have a big impact on which hair color looks best on you. Cool skin tones tend to look better with cooler hair colors, like ash blonde or cool brown, while warm skin tones look better with warmer hair colors, like golden blonde or rich brown.

How to dye your hair from blonde to brown?

Before putting brunette color on, I recommend using a level 7 copper or soft red (nothing too vibrant), and then your desired brunette color. If you put brunette right over the blonde, it could look unnatural and have green undertones. You can definitely do it in one session!

Do you need to fill blonde hair before going dark?

If a blondie wants to embrace the dark side again, the hair needs to be filled first to replace that lost warmth or one of two things could happen: The color will appear uneven. It will fade to interesting colors like green, mushroom brown or even violet.

Why is my hair turning green when I dye it brown?

If you have little or no warm pigments in your hair, the ash colour can give your hair a green tint. The same can happen when your hair is bleached or de-coloured. Here too, the problem is that there is little or no warmth left in the hair and thus no red pigment that can neutralise the green/blue pigment in the dye.

Is going from blonde to brown hard?

Going from light to dark is much easier than the other way around. Think of it like colouring in or decorating; it's always easier to darken a colour than to lighten it. Traditional wisdom has it that when colouring hair at home you should change by no more than two shades from your natural colour.

Can I put a box dye over highlights?

Yes, it is possible to apply an all-over color over existing highlights. However, there are a few factors to consider before proceeding: 1. Starting Color: The starting color of your highlights will affect the outcome when applying an all-over color.

What is brown hair with blonde highlights called?

"Bronde is essentially a perfect balance of blonde and brunette, creating a great mixture of colors," explains master colorist Tiffanie Richards. The blend of colors can add depth to straight hair, dimension to curls, and shine a spotlight on your favorite facial features.

Why does my hair go ginger when I dye it blonde?

Any time you go lighter than your natural color, you will bring up your natural underlying pigments.” Brown and black hair have darker orange and red underlying pigments than naturally blonde hair, which is why these hair colors tend to turn more brassy once lightened.

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