How to Fix A Bad Hair Dye Job At Home

Being a cosmetologist I've seen it to many times ... bad hair dye jobs! I've had a lot of people who tried to lighten their hair end up with an orange/yellow brassy hair color, pink from going red, or green from going darker.
This unfortunate mistake can be very unsettling and costly. Some salons will charge up to $100 or more per hr. to fix such a problem. That can be a little to pricey and lengthy for most clients. Although, their are some at home alternatives that will fix this problem. You probably won't end up with the color that you wanted but, you will look normal again!

Things You'll Need

• If your hair is brassy : you will need to buy a neutral brown hair dye, the box will be marked with an "N" for neutral.
• If your hair is green: You will need to buy a blonde hair dye, not the hair bleach/lightener but a box of blonde hair color.
• Patience
• This should only cost anywhere from $4-$20 depending on how many boxes of color you will need to fully saturate your hair.
• A timer/clock
• Grab a couple of old towels to protect your clothing and skin from the hair color.
• hydrogen peroxide
• cotton pads/balls

Instructions

1. You will need to buy the hair dye. If your hair is long, thick, or coarse you may want to consider buying two boxes of color. The brand doesn't particularly matter, some of the cheaper ones work just as well. Determine which hair color you will buy...if your hair is brassy (orange/yellow) you will need to buy a neutral brown. Decide how dark you want your hair to be if you want your hair to be light go with a light brown or an "Ashy blonde", this important that you don't pick a color with any reds or golds, you want the color to be neutral to cancel out the brassiness. If you want your color to be dark go with a medium or dark "N" Brown. If you cannot find a Neutral color, just pick one that only says (light, medium, dark) brown, or (ash blonde). Please note that your hair WILL NOT BE Platinum Blonde by using this method. Your hair will be darker than you wanted but it will be suitable and look "normal" until you get to the salon. If your hair is green you will want to buy a strawberry blonde color. DO NOT APPLY a Neutral Blonde to green hair! Find a blonde that has hints of reds or golds in it, or both. This will cancel out the greenish/bluish color in your hair. Please understand that using the blonde dye to fix green hair will not lighten the hair any further but, it will fix the greenish tones in the hair. So if you want your hair to be somewhat dark...don't worry about using the blonde dye...it will not lighten the hair. DO NOT buy a "bleach/lightener kit" this will only make your hair worse!
   If your hair is pink, you will want to use an "Ashy, Neutral Blonde" hair color. This will take the pink out of the hair and leave you with an auburn color more than likely. Please do not expect your hair to look like the color on the back of the box of hair dye that you buy. Your hair will be a random color, but a "normal" comfortable, color that you may find you like!

2. Once you have selected your hair dye, you will need to grab a couple of old towels and put on some clothes that you won't mind getting dye on, just in case there are any spills. Put a towel around your shoulders to protect your clothing. Make sure you keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and some cotton pads/balls close buy. To clean up any color on the skin, simply dip the cotton in the hydrogen peroxide and wipe the skin clean to avoid any stains on the skin. Be sure not to get the peroxide in your hair. Make sure that you open the box(s) and read the directions for the hair color you selected. This is important because not all manufacturers will have the same processes or coloring times.

3. * When you are ready, put on the gloves included in your color kit. If you have chosen to buy two boxes of color or more, be sure not to mix the color until you need it. Mix only one box at a time! Apply hair color from roots to ends, using 1/4" sections, running from the forehead to the nape of the neck. Apply hair color to the hairline first, then continue to work through the rest of the hair. Make sure that you full saturate your hair, some times the hair will "clump" together and cause strands that are left uncolored. When you have finished applying the hair color, Pile the hair loosely on top of your head.

4. You are now ready to time your hair color. Be sure to time your color according to the manufacturer's directions. Set a timer or watch the clock so you don't over process your hair. Note: hair color can be safely left on the hair up to 45 minutes, so don't get worked up if you lose track of a little time.

5. When your color has finished processing, simply rinse the hair with warm water...using hot water can easily fade the color quickly. When the water runs clear you are now ready to condition the hair. I wouldn't suggest shampooing. This will over dry the hair and fade the color. You may choose to skip shampooing for a couple days due to all of the processing that your hair has gone through. Doing so will help to restore the natural oils in the scalp and hair. You may choose to use the conditioner that came with your color kit, or use a conditioning mask if you already have one available at your home. Apply the conditioner generously and evenly, then comb through the hair. Allow the conditioner to sit for 5-30 minutes. If you are pressed for time go with 5 minutes or so but, I suggest leaving the conditioner on for 20-30 minutes for a deep condition. Rinse conditioner and style as usual!

Tips & Warnings

• DON'T BE AFRAID TO FIX YOUR HAIR YOURSELF, OR THAT YOUR HAIR WILL NOT LOOK GOOD. IT PROBABLY COULDN'T LOOK MUCH WORSE AT THIS POINT...SO GIVE IT A SHOT!

• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX ANY HAIR COLOR WITH A "BLEACH/LIGHTENER OR HIGHLIGHTING KIT", USE ONLY HAIR COLOR!

• BE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL MANUFACTURER'S DIRECTIONS

• IF YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE UNABLE TO HANDLE THIS PROCESS YOURSELF ASK SOMEONE FOR HELP OR GO TO YOUR STYLIST.