How to Fix Hair Color That Went Too Blonde
While coloring your hair at home can be economical and simple, every now and then the results may be slightly different than what you'd hoped for. One of the most common home hair color errors is overlightening. Platinum locks may look fashionable on catwalk models but can be ghastly when you're sporting too-blonde tresses at the office. Fortunately, it's one of easiest hair color mishaps to correct. There are several stress-free options for fixing overly blonde hair. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Deep moisturizer treatment
- Semi- or demipermanent hair color
Instructions
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Evaluate your hair's condition first before making corrections. When hair becomes too light, often it suffers damage due to the bleaching effects of chemical processing. You may have to remoisturize it before applying any other corrective coloring. Otherwise, the damaged or dry strands will soak up excessive dye and your hair will become too dark or discolor when you attempt to fix the situation.
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Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo. Then apply a good intensive conditioning treatment to smooth and hydrate overlightened tresses. Leave the treatment on for at least ten minutes. If possible, cover your head with a plastic cap and sit under a heat dryer for added nourishment.
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Avoid further damage when correcting by using a semi- or demipermanent color to darken your hair. These ammonia-free hair color products come in a variety of shades and last up to 28 shampoos. As most have approximately 3 percent peroxide, some of the coloring will penetrate the hair shaft, instead of simply coating the strands. This allows for color to softly fade over time, without a dramatic change in regrowth. In general, most demipermanent shades last a few shampoos longer but both types of products will produce excellent results.
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Choose a semi- or demipermanent color that will best correct the situation. Balance too brassy blonde effects with a cool shade. When hair is overly pale and colorless, apply a warm-hued semipermanent color. Hair color manufacturers usually label products according to warm or cool shades but if you have questions, consult the company. You'll find customer service phone numbers listed on the hair color boxes or seek out their websites for further product information. Opt for a semi- or demipermanent shade that is one to two shades darker. Test a strand before using the product all over your head to evaluate the final color. Once you are satisfied with the results, follow the manufacturer's directions and finish coloring the hair.
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Don't use a permanent color on freshly bleached hair, as the porous condition of the hair can greatly alter the effects predicted. Permanent hair color mistakes can be very difficult to correct. It is, as it name suggests, an enduring change. Covering too-blonde hair with this type of product can create further problems and, therefore, you should avoid permanent color for at-home fixes.
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Consider low-lights if you want to blend the too-blonde hair with a darker shade without altering your entire color. It's best to seek out a stylist for this process but adding low-lights can dramatically change a look while offering a trendy touch.
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Tips & Warnings
Seek a professional stylist if your hair is very fragile, brittle or breaking. Sometimes a haircut is necessary to trim damaged ends for best results.
Never apply any hair color to open cuts or lesions on your scalp.
Watch for allergic reactions to products, such as itching or burning. Discontinue use if these occur and obtain a qualified stylist's advice.
Avoid volumizing or dandruff shampoos; they can prematurely strip your semipermanent color.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sexy blonde image by T.Tulic from Fotolia.com
