The disaster of coloring hair too dark . . . happens often. But what you choose to do next . . . is what is most important!

If your hair coloring project resulted in a hair color too dark, you’re not alone it is a very common outcome. Hair dyes are chemicals and it doesn’t take much of a misstep for some unanticipated results to occur. Here is a question from a reader who posted a comment on one of my articles this week:

Call 1-800

My first advice is to call the manufacturers 800 number on the back of the box. They employ professionals who can determine the best route for you to take. They will need to know some history on what chemicals are on your hair now, what your natural color is etc. Be clear and accurate on your answers, swallow your pride and fess up no matter how badly you messed up. Keep in mind your answers are all they have to go on and if you are going to color at home again, you need their recommendation to be an accurate one. They will also advise if they feel you need to see a professional in order to get it right.

Clarify or Highlight

You may be able to lighten your hair to some degree by using a clarifying shampoo. The color will naturally lighten some each time you shampoo. If that isn’t enough, you can lighten it by adding highlights. Although there are at-home highlighting kits, using a professional can make a big difference in the artful application of highlights and your end results.

Color Remover

Another, more complicated route to take would be to go with a formulated color remover. One color remover that get’s top reviews is “Colorfix”. If you are going to use a color remover, be meticulous in following directions when fixing hair color too dark. Be sure to read the reviews at Amazon or Folica, they are always insightful.

When You Need a Hair Color Fix . . . Who do You Call?

Add this link to your bookmarks American Board of Certified Hair Colorists. You don’t want to lose any time in a hair color emergency. This resource might come in handy. The advice that I give in my class Finding the Right Hairstyle for You! still trumps. Calling a good hair salon in your neighborhood should yield the name and number of a good professional hair colorist.

Remember, don’t skimp at this moment. . . re-mortgage the house if necessary when you have a hair color dye emergency. Pay whatever it takes to get the very best hair colorist, you’ll not regret it. The site also has some interesting technical information in the study portfolio, for those of you that need to know how hair color chemical reactions occur.

And for all you hairdressers out there, this site is a must to keep your how to fix hair color skills at the top of your game.

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Barb Quinn on Google+  

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How to Fix Hair Color That is Too Dark

It’s a common mistake to get your hair color too dark, but it is a mistake that’s tricky to fix, especially for non-professionals. I can’t tell you how many of these types of hair color disasters I’ve seen and been asked to fix over the years. It can be the hardest hair color correction to handle.

Many times, hair color correction requires multiple steps, bleaching out the old hair color and then adding back the base hair colors that make up your natural hair color. The basic principle theory of color applies here, if you are at all confused about what artistic colors from the chart of hair colors mix to make other colors, don’t take it into your own hands. It takes a trained hair colorist to understand how to get you there with the least amount of added hair damage. There is high potential for major catastrophes here. Here are two recent comments on my blog to support my point.

Although my best advice is to have a professional colorist fix this kind of problem, I know many of you don’t have the money to invest in a hair color correction service. Here is an option: just keep in mind it also will dry hair, so if you choose to do this, follow the directions carefully.

How Can I do Hair Color Removal? — The chemical process of hair color removal, and then getting the hair color you desire, requires an experienced hair colorist to get it right. There are different solutions depending on what hair color your trying to correct, what chemical processes are already on your hair, and how much more abuse your hair can take.

L’Oreal, Revlon, and Clairol all have consumer hotlines that take thousands of calls a year from customers who didn’t get the hair color they were hoping for. Do you know what they all have in common? When asked if they did a strand test, the overwhelming response was “No.” Why? The excuses are similar, “didn’t have the time,” “didn’t want to cut off some of my hair,” “didn’t think it was really necessary.”

Clairol — 800-223-5800
L’Oreal — 800-631-7358
Revlon — 800-4Revlon

You can try the hotline, but beware and think twice before trying hair color correction at home. A better bet here would be a consultation with your hairdresser. If they are specialized at hair coloring, great, otherwise let them refer you to someone who is. You may be able to get close to the original hair color you intended, but not without spending some more time, more money and possibly doing irreparable hair damage. All of that being said, and you still want to try a home remedy to lighten hair color too dark, here are your options:

• Use a clarifying shampoo Metalex by Clairol — A product that claims to remove problem overtones that occur from hair colors that have deposited too much ash, red, copper, or lavender. It contains sulphonated oil, which supposedly does the stripping. The product only works for temporary hair dyes, not permanent hair dyes. You can find this hair care product and many other specialty hair care products at your local Beauty Mart, Sally Beauty Supply, or my favorite Folica.
• Soap-bleach shampoo cocktail — The most effective, and will be the most challenging to use. To lift out hair color removal, combine one packet of bleach powder to two ounces of shampoo. You can add some water for longer hair. Mix it up and shampoo into your hair. WATCH CLOSELY for the hair turning lighter as the old hair color leaves. Wash it out when the hair color has lifted out. It’s better to wash it out early as you can redo this step as often as needed. Now you can apply a level two hair color that you wanted in the first place.

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Barb Quinn on Google+  

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