If your hair has been previously dyed black, you will not be able to lighten it with more color. [1] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Only the roots where the color has grown out will lift. This means that you’ll have to use bleach to lift the color before dyeing it red, which will be hard on unhealthy hair. Virgin hair (hair that hasn’t been dyed before) typically displays color more accurately. [2] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Be upfront with your stylist about whether your hair is already dyed.

Ion sensitive developer works best for people with skin that irritates easily.

Hold a sample hair swatch close to your face to see if the color works with your skin tone. [3] X Research source If you have pink, red, or bluish undertones, then you have a cool skin tone. If you have peachy, golden, or yellow undertones, then you have a warm skin tone. If you have a combination of the two, your skin tone is likely neutral. [4] X Research source Consider going with a true red, dark auburn, or burgundy if you have warm undertones. [5] X Research source Try red velvet, aubergine red, or mahogany if you have a cool skin tone. [6] X Research source If you have fair skin, dark reds may make you look too pale. Try copper or strawberry blonde instead. [7] X Research source Bright, bold colors, such as fire engine red, blackberry, violet red, and burnt orange look great on darker skin. [8] X Research source

If you’re wanting your hair to be a light and/or bright shade of red, you may need to wait a few weeks and repeat the bleaching process to bring it up to a true blonde. [10] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. However, bleaching a second time may cause breakage. Dying your hair in stages over several weeks is the safest way to achieve the lightness you want without significantly damaging your hair. [11] X Expert Source Karen LeightProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Don’t bleach your hair if it is virgin. Products like L’Oreal Excellence HiColor Reds for Dark Hair Only in H8 may be able to give you red hair without bleaching the black first. Bleaching your hair too much can cause extreme damage and breakage, so limit how long you keep it on your hair and how often you apply it.

At this point, you can also apply Vaseline at your hairline so you don’t end up dyeing your skin orange.

Wear plastic gloves when applying dye. Otherwise, you will stain your hands. Apply the dye everywhere except your roots. You usually have virgin hair at the roots, so if you do the roots first, you could end up with roots that are a brighter color than the rest of your hair. Consider filling a squirt bottle with the dye and applying it that way if you have long and/or thick hair. Remember to paint the tiny hairs near your ears. You might want to use your finger to reach those.

Use lukewarm or cool water, but never hot water as it will make your color fade. Avoid shampoos with sulfate in them. They can strip the color out of your hair faster.

Do not wash your hair more than once every other day. [13] X Research source If your hair gets oily fast, try using dry shampoo to keep it looking fresh in between washes. Don’t take hot showers. Hot water will make your color fade faster.

Also be sure to condition your hair every time you wash it. [14] X Research source