Recently, I received an email from a reader who purchased a reputable do-it-at-home hair color. Unfortunately, the color was a lot darker than she expected, turning her medium brown hair into an almost black tone, as opposed to the light brown she desired. Have you ever had a gone-too-dark mishap? Check out my tips below to find out how to fix this hair obstacle:
- If you experience unwanted results from an at-home hair color, immediately call the hotline number on the side or back of the box. The company representative can offer you professional advice on what to do next. Also, if you think there may be something wrong with the dye, it's essential to report it immediately.
- Know what formula you are buying. Semipermanent or demipermanent colors typically fade a lot faster than permanent colors — and are often more gentle for the home colorist.
- Use a clarifying shampoo, which is full of color-stripping surfactants. The faster you can get to your freshly-dyed hair, the better. I have also heard of people using dish soap, but I think that's a little extreme. Make sure you deep condition afterwards.
To see the rest, read more.
- When coloring your hair at home, go only one to two levels lighter or darker than your natural hair color to avoid "oh no" moments. While most box color includes a description of what the shade will be (such as medium light brown), keep in mind that level one equals black and level ten is light blond.
- Face the facts. If your hair is too dark for your liking, the only true way to lighten color is to remove it. Hello, chemicals. Then, once the unwanted color has been removed from your hair, sometimes tones have to be added to color correct. Sure there are color-removing products like L'Oreal Color Zap ($10) readily available at the nearest beauty supply store, but if you want my honest opinion, heading to a professional is probably the best option.
DSquared
Blue Wax
Marionnaud
This has definitely happened to me. I used dish soap...not sure what's so "extreme" about that...
1You should also open the box and make sure everything is labeled the color its suppose to be, cause there's a bunch of assholes who like to switch stuff in boxes to f*ck with people.
2Color Oops is the best way to remove color that came out too dark. It works great and doesnt damage your hair, and it doesnt leave it yellow, its get pretty close to your natural color. You can get it at your local drugstore like CVS or Walgreens, or if you have Ulta nearby.
3I have had that happen to me. A medium brown came out almost black with purple when the sun hit it. I hated it but washed my hair a few times more then usual and within a week the severe colour had faded to a more appropriate shade of brown.
4beauty school basics
5and yes, color oops works really good, it just opens up your cuticle and gets out all of the color. you just have to remember that if your hair is lightened underneath all your color (which if you use a dye with peroxide, it IS) by the end of the process your hair will be bleach-y colored, but it's a good base to start on for your next desired color
I used to hate trying to get color right because the color on the box is almost never how it looks on me. But I switched to using Fekkai Salon Color at home (they have it at Bath and Body Works or Bloomindale's) and I've been converted. It's definitely more expensive, but it's worth it to not have to go to a real salon. My natural hair is dark brown-ish, but in the sun, it has highlights, so I used 5W (medium golden brown) and the color is just like how I wanted it. Still not like on the box, but it touched up my roots while maintaining my natural color - without drastically darkening or lightening. It's worth the price!
6Also a fan of Color Oops... has saved me from a many hair tragedies.
7This always seems to happen! Personally, I just don't trust what they say on the box, so if I want dark brown, I buy a more medium shade.
That aside, I used Nice n Easy's new perfect 10 in Dark Brown this week, and its alright. It's pretty dark, but then the name does give that away!
8I've only ever used semi perm and it fades pretty fast on me so I never worry.
9I leave all this stuff to my hairdresser! I don't trust myself
10When that happened to me I called the manufacturer's hotline and was told that any color, when left on too long, will go to black. I guess I pushed the time limit in an attempt to get better coverage for some grey!
11Well no color looks good on my hair other than black anyway so, lucky me!
12I'm a total "at-home dye veteran" (aka, too cheap to go to a salon...) and I've had my fair share of hair-dye nightmares where I've gone a little dark.
A few things to remember - hair dye isn't like paint - if you dye your hair brown, it's not like putting brown-colored paint on your hair. You are adding different pigments to your hair and the sum effect of those pigments will be a brown (or black, etc) color. This is why if you dye your hair too dark, you may notice red, purple, or blue shades when you look at your freshly dyed hair in the sunlight. This is why it's always best, if you're going more than a shade or two darker, to have your hair dyed professionally - the salonist will know the correct blend of pigments that will best darken YOUR particular hair color.
But, if you really want to go the cheapie route, have a bottle of dandruff shampoo on hand, no joke! Dandruff shampoo, like Head and Shoulders, has always worked best for me at removing excess dye (or reversing the process, if I've chosen the wrong color) from my hair without overdrying like a clarifying shampoo or dishsoap (both of which I've tried).
Hope this helps!
13i bought a medium brown shade and it came out medium blonde! i hate it. i can never get my hair darker
14Color Oops! They sell at at rite-aid and sometimes other beauty places, it is a life saver and really does work.
15This has never happened to me, thankfully. I don't want to make my hair darker!
16It's really key to pay attention to the colour as it develops! For example, try leaving it on for a quarter to half of the recommended time instead. Then rinse completely (do NOT apply conditioner) and dry. That way you can evaluate the shade. If it's too light, repeat the process.
I have highlights growing out and they were getting brassy so I used a dark brown dye to help blend them a little while the natural hair grows out. I made sure not to use tons of hair dye (another mistake people make: you usually do not need all of the bottle) and to rinse the dye out a couple minutes after I applied it.
After drying and evaluating, I repeated the process and ended up with lovely, blended hair that maintained the look of my original highlights. So it ended up looking like I had gotten my hair re-done professionally!
171. Actually do a strand test, people!
182. I've also had success with ColorOops!
Clairol one 'n only ColorFix. A few applications, following directions, took my hair from level 3 brown and 5 copper (long layers) to (my natural) level 6, but orangey. A little ashy demigloss, and I'm neutral. Don't forget protein treatments if you strip your hair. Try PM whatever it's called.
19my hair was bleach blonde at the top and brown underneath. it was breaking off at the roots so i cudnt bleach it any more so i died it a mahogany brown colour and it turned out like a dark brown underneath and a lighter brown at the top. so i got a semi permanent iced chocolate colour and died it again. it came out really dark, like nearly black.it is also in very bad condition cuz u can now c all my split ends and hair breakage really clearly.i want my hair to b a luvly medium brown clour and need sumthing to cure my hair damage!it realy bad!!!!
20Loreal messed up my hair, I bought a light brown color and it gave me a very dark brown instead, and I followed all directions, as i am very safe when using dye.
21I used Color Oops instead because i don't trust loreal anymore, but the Color Oops brought me back to my natural hair color. and i redyed my hair the same day, very easy, fast, gentle and WORKS!
Thanks anonymous! I looked color oops online and i found a website called developlus.com and it gives a lot of information, for those curious. I think I might try it, kinda scared though.... i just really do not like this red in my hair.
22The only cure for split ends is to cut them. Conditioners and other "treatments" only make the hair seem better. A good test for healthy hair is if you hold a loose strand of hair on each end and pull gently, it should be like elastic. If it breaks when you pull it, your hair is fried and you should not dye it anymore!
23Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.