Hair was dyed too dark - what to do?

[Sposa06]

My last dye job was beginning to turn brassy (just barely, but I'm paranoid about being That Girl with Orange Hair, since my hair is reddish to begin with), so a few days ago, I went in and asked to get it dyed back to its natural color (a couple shades darker and a little less red). My roots were showing enough so that the colorist could see my natural color, but I promise not so noticeable as to be a faux pas (I'm also paranoid about being That Girl with Terrible Roots). My hair is now chocolate brown. It doesn't look bad - for dark brown hair, it's just fine. I thought I'd get used to it after a few days, but instead I dislike it more and more each time I look at it.

So ... what should I do to fix it? Do I have any right to ask the colorist to "fix" it (again, it's not poorly done, it just isn't what I wanted, and it doesn't look like me)? Are there any at-home methods I could use to lighten it (the colorist said that when this dye faded, it wouldn't get any brassy tones to it, so I'm not afraid of having it fade to orange or anything).

[jennylou]

A clarifying shampoo might strip some of the dye.

[bellaprincess]

I've heard using Prell shampoo ( the green one called original rinse clean I believe) helps fade color that is too dark.
Be sure to condition well each time though so your hair doesn't get dried out.

[Anna]

I want to offer my condolences--I had the same thing happen to me! I asked the hairstylist to dye my hair back to its natural color based on the little bit of roots showing. My hair turned out black--it was truly awful! I went home to see if I would eventually like it, realized I hated it and tried to wash my hair over and over to remove some color. That didn't work at all. I called my hairstylist back, told her I didn't like the color, and went back in immediately for some highlights to lighten it up.

Sorry I'm not much help, but I wish you the best. I know how you must be feeling!

[Marie]

Same thing happened to me. I was furious! I knew she messed up the color so I decided to wait until it grew out a bit then go back and have her redo it to really match the roots. Well, as it grew out it ended up that she matched it perfectly, I just forgot what my natural color was!:p

I'd give it at least 2 weeks. Shampoo a lot but also condition. If you still hate it, go back, explain and see if they can either lighten it or add highlights.

BTW, I now love my natural color, it just took a LOT of getting used to.:D

[Asha]

i heard that using dish soap to wash your hair will strip it of the color.

[Sposa06]

Thanks for the advice, ladies! I think I'll try using that Prell shampoo along with my regular moisturizing conditioner, and call back to see if she can lighten it all or add in highlights or something. Any other ideas?

[bellaprincess]

You might try using protein treatments for your hair to keep it healthy and hydrated since you might be getting color again. I have used Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor for Damaged Hair ( around $16 or so at a salon or beauty supply store) and also Fredric Fekkai's Protein Rx Reparative Treatment Mask for hair( around $28 at sephora.com but will last for months if not a year). I would do one of these 1x week after shampooing with Prell and leave on like 10 minutes then rinse out. The other days you wash your hair, just use your regular conditioner but leave on a minute or two longer than normal.


Good luck and let us know how that works for you!

[Secret_Squirrel]

Go swimming?

The clorine was always he** on my dye-job when I was going darker. I'd come out of the pool a few shades lighter.

[Kanga]

Well, as it grew out it ended up that she matched it perfectly, I just forgot what my natural color was!


This happens a lot actually. If you were naturally blonde when you were born, your hair will darken. After years of highlights, people 1. Forget what color their hair was, and 2. Don't realize it darkens.

A clarifying shampoo will strip some of the color out, as will a deep conditioner. Unfortunately one you go dark, there is not going back w/out bleach, so they only way she could fix it would be to put subtle highlights in it.

If you decide to wait it out to see if it grows on you, call your stylist to let her know that's what you plan to do. If it had been longer than 10 days in the salon I worked at, we didn't give refunds.