1. Hair Color Too Dark? Use Color Remover!
Color remover, or color eraser, is a chemical that essentially reverses the oxidation of hair color molecules inside the hair shaft. It smells like sulfur, so don't be alarmed—that's just the product working its magic. While it may dry your hair out a bit, it's still very safe and not remotely as damaging as bleach would be. This is one of the most effective methods, especially if it's done at a salon.
Directions
First, apply the remover to the hair much like an all-over color.
Leave it to sit for 15–20 minutes.
Rinse it out thoroughly with cool water and shampoo. (Some stylists may also perform a test to see if it's all out by pouring developer on the hair. This will make the color that's leftover re-oxidize. Don't worry if this happens: They'll just re-apply the color eraser).
Note: Don't freak out if your hair isn't a beautiful color. The goal of this is to remove the dye, so you can re-dye it.
If all the color isn't out, then the color applied after this process could go right back to the first color. To avoid this, after all this has taken place, your next color should be 1–2 shades lighter than the goal color, just to ensure it doesn't just turn super dark again.
Can I Use This?
Artificial pigments: Yes. It will come out an orangey-blond color. However, have no fear, because you're going to dye over it.
Permanent hair color: No, you cannot use color remover. Permanent colors remove the natural pigment from your hair and replace it with the artificial.
Semi-permanent or henna dyes: No. These stain your hair, and the color remover just doesn't work on them.
If a professional messed up the dye job, you don't necessarily have to go back to them to fix it, but they are more likely to be very accommodating.
If a professional messed up the dye job, you don't necessarily have to go back to them to fix it, but they are more likely to be very accommodating.
Photo by Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash
2. See a Professional to Fix Your Dark Hair Color
If your hair is a complete wreck, and you don't want to even think about doing it yourself, you'll want to visit a professional hairstylist for color correction. This is probably the fastest way to get the color you originally wanted, but it also is the most expensive.
If the stylist is any good at their job, they should ask a few questions before starting.
What Brand of Hair Coloring Was Used?
By knowing the brand used, the stylist can pick a color remover that will work well with the chemistry of what has already been applied to your hair. While hair color brands will usually work with any color remover, the compatibility may also depend on the brand.
Was This a Home Dye Job or Did a Stylist Just Not Get the Correct Color?
If you did the color at home with a drugstore brand, beware! Some of them are classified as "direct dyes," meaning that they may contain metallic ingredients (for shine) that do not cooperate with color remover or bleach. Because of thi
Color remover, or color eraser, is a chemical that essentially reverses the oxidation of hair color molecules inside the hair shaft. It smells like sulfur, so don't be alarmed—that's just the product working its magic. While it may dry your hair out a bit, it's still very safe and not remotely as damaging as bleach would be. This is one of the most effective methods, especially if it's done at a salon.
Directions
First, apply the remover to the hair much like an all-over color.
Leave it to sit for 15–20 minutes.
Rinse it out thoroughly with cool water and shampoo. (Some stylists may also perform a test to see if it's all out by pouring developer on the hair. This will make the color that's leftover re-oxidize. Don't worry if this happens: They'll just re-apply the color eraser).
Note: Don't freak out if your hair isn't a beautiful color. The goal of this is to remove the dye, so you can re-dye it.
If all the color isn't out, then the color applied after this process could go right back to the first color. To avoid this, after all this has taken place, your next color should be 1–2 shades lighter than the goal color, just to ensure it doesn't just turn super dark again.
Can I Use This?
Artificial pigments: Yes. It will come out an orangey-blond color. However, have no fear, because you're going to dye over it.
Permanent hair color: No, you cannot use color remover. Permanent colors remove the natural pigment from your hair and replace it with the artificial.
Semi-permanent or henna dyes: No. These stain your hair, and the color remover just doesn't work on them.
If a professional messed up the dye job, you don't necessarily have to go back to them to fix it, but they are more likely to be very accommodating.
If a professional messed up the dye job, you don't necessarily have to go back to them to fix it, but they are more likely to be very accommodating.
Photo by Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash
2. See a Professional to Fix Your Dark Hair Color
If your hair is a complete wreck, and you don't want to even think about doing it yourself, you'll want to visit a professional hairstylist for color correction. This is probably the fastest way to get the color you originally wanted, but it also is the most expensive.
If the stylist is any good at their job, they should ask a few questions before starting.
What Brand of Hair Coloring Was Used?
By knowing the brand used, the stylist can pick a color remover that will work well with the chemistry of what has already been applied to your hair. While hair color brands will usually work with any color remover, the compatibility may also depend on the brand.
Was This a Home Dye Job or Did a Stylist Just Not Get the Correct Color?
If you did the color at home with a drugstore brand, beware! Some of them are classified as "direct dyes," meaning that they may contain metallic ingredients (for shine) that do not cooperate with color remover or bleach. Because of thi
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