Q&A for How to Dye Your Hair Light Brown

It really depends on the current color of your hair, and choosing the right color dye can make all of the difference. Start by identifying the shade of your hair. Hair levels are judged on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being black and 10 being the lightest blonde. As a reference point, level 5 is considered to be light brown. Examine your current hair color and rate it based on this scale. Then, compare you current hair color to the color on the box to find a color that is within 2 shades of your current hair color. That way you'll make sure your hair color will look more natural. Additionally, light brown hair dyes come in warm and cool tones, and one might work better for you than the other depending on your skin tone. If you have warm skin tone, then a warm-toned light brown dye would probably work best, and if you have a cool skin tone, then a cool-toned light brown is your best bet.

Yes, but only if your natural (or current) hair color isn't too dark. If you have really dark or black hair, bleaching your hair before you dye it light brown will give you the best results. But you can also try plant-based hair dyes if you want to avoid using bleach, which can be harsh on your hair. For instance, henna hair dyes can progressively lighten your hair until you're happy with the shade. You may have to dye it multiple times, but you won't have to use any bleach!

It can vary slightly depending on the dye you're using. After you've applied the dye to your hair, you'll be able to see the color develop gradually to the shade of light brown that you want. Check the dye's packaging to see how long you need to leave it in order to dye your hair a specific shade. Then, set a timer for that time and check your hair when it goes off. If you want it a little lighter, try waiting a few more minutes. But be sure to check the dye's instructions for maximum set time, which is usually 30 minutes. Dyes stop developing after the max time elapses. So leaving it on past that time won't do anything or make your hair any lighter.

To achieve a medium blonde (level 7/8) from very dark brown hair (level 3/4), you would typically need to bleach your hair to at least a level 9 to prevent brassiness, and then tone it. Due to the significant lift required, it is generally not possible to reach medium blonde without bleach using only natural methods; natural lightening usually only achieves a light brown result.