How to Counteract Green Hair Dye

When attempting to correct or counteract hair-color disasters, the most obvious solutions should be avoided. Simply coloring over green dye with brown hair color results in greenish-brown hair. You cannot cover over a color mistake; you must correct it or counteract it. Colors are corrected or counteracted by colors found on the opposite side of the color wheel. Red counteracts green and vice versa. In order to turn green hair into something more appealing, you will need to add red to the hair using a combination of color and color additions.

Things You'll Need

• Red-based hair color
• 10-volume (strength) color developer
• Red color addition
• Color bottle
• Gloves
• Timer
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Towels

Instructions

1. Open the color bottle and set it on a level surface. Pour 2 oz. of color into the bottle along with 2 oz. of 10-volume developer and ½ oz. of red color addition. Replace the lid and shake to mix. Put on the gloves.

2. Begin with clean, dry hair. Apply color to the green sections of hair first by squeezing the color onto the hair and working the color in with your fingers. Finish applying color to the rest of the hair until the hair is thoroughly saturated from root to tip. Mix additional color as necessary.

3. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Flush out and clean the color bottle with a steady stream of hot water from the faucet. Clean up any color drops and messes created during the application using a damp towel. Store non-mixed color supplies in a dry, temperate storage cabinet.

4. Rinse the hair with warm water until the water runs clear. Shampoo the hair in order to remove any remaining color residue. Condition the hair, towel dry and style.

Tips & Warnings

• Color selection is vital to color correction. Be sure to choose a color that is the same level or darkness as your green hair. If you wish to go lighter, you will need to pre-lighten your hair and apply color in a two-step process. You should also be careful to choose a color possessing the right tonal quality. In this case, look for red-based colors. Red-based colors are not necessarily red in color. Many blonde and brown hair colors possess red bases.

References

• "Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology"; Milady, Diane Carol Bailey and Margrit Attenburg; 2008