You are considered more fortunate than many of us if you have made it this far without having to deal with major hair dye problems. Most of us have been through many hair color failures. What do you do when it happens? We all know what it feels like to scream, cry and swear. Most of us ended up desperately asking google for assistance. But if you are really reading this article because you just had a bad dye job, we can offer some expert advice on how to fix the most common hair color problems. Here’s what you need to tell your colorist, from how to hide the mess until your next appointment to what to do when you finally sit down in the salon chair.

1. The blonde Looks Yellow

A typical issues for most of the blondes out there. Hair can quickly turn yellowish and barbie-like if it isn’t taken care and maintain properly and employed the incorrect products. 

QUICK FIX

Yellow sits opposite purple on the color wheel so purple is the best shade to choose if you need to quickly neutralise warm tones. Choose a light weight purple-toning shampoo or conditioner.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

Ask your colorist to give you a cool-toned, blonde color next time you go to the salon. Please be specific about what you do not want. No yellow or warm tones. Avoid warmer shades such as honey and caramel and request for ash and cooler colors. To prevent any warm tones from returning, use a toning masque once a week.

2. Your Hair is Turning Orange

Even though brassiness can strike the best of us all, orange tones can be stubborn and difficult to manage. However, it is not impossible to overcome.

QUICK FIX

There are many purple toning options, but the best ones for orange undertones are the dark-blue/indigo purple that perform the best for neutralizing the orangey undertones.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

Inform your colorist that you are unhappy with the brassier, orange-toned hair color. Let your colorist know what shade you prefer. Sometimes, your colorist may need to lighten your hair to make it appear lighter to lift out the orangey tones. Once this is done, they will then drop it down to your desired shade and tone. For instance, if your hair is naturally dark you may have to lighten your hair further and then tone it dark in order to add the ashy.

 

3. Too Ashy for the Blonde

It was your dream to have an ashy blonde, but it has become wayyyyyyyy too ashy. Think about grey-meets green.

QUICK FIX

For toners that have caused your hair to become too ashy, you can use a clarifying shampoo such as Head & Shoulders to get rid of the ash color faster. It will help you to remove the color faster in the next few washes. If this doesn’t work, try a warm, DIY home hair color like a color toner. This will bring back the warmth. Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, then rinse off. Hair will instantly feel warmer, and any ashy undertones will disappear.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

Ask your colorist about golds, coppers, and peaches. These are warmer tones. You can take a photo of the shade you prefer, or ask a professional colorist to help you decide which colors are best for your skin tones and eyes if you are still undecisive.

 

 4. The Roots are a Completely Different Color from the Ends

The hair dye didn’t blend too well with your roots, so they are now a completely different shade from the rest of your hair with an obvious demarcation line…

QUICK FIX

Color blending at the root is a quick fix. To disguise the difference in shade as well as the demarcation line, you can use a concealer such as any Color Blending Concealer. Sometimes, the most ideal option is the simplest option. A tinted dry shampoo can be spritzed into your roots and may work wonders by helping to hide the shade difference.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

A skilled colorist will be able match your roots with the rest of your hair. The colorist should take the time to section your hair, apply dye to the roots first and then blend down the remaining lengths as needed.

 

5. One Dimensional Hair Color

You’re in the week just before payday and your hair looks a little sad and not on point. So you decide to dye your hair with a box dye.  Problem now is? Your color looks flat and undimensional. Ugh!!

QUICK FIX

Grab your favorite curling iron and create movement illusions by adding a few waves. To add shine and bounce to the hair, style with a clear gloss. This will reflect light naturally and immediately help to offset the flat, undimensional color.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

 Ask for subtle balayage, or strobing. This is when the colorist adds lighter shades to the ends and mid-lengths of the hair with the popular free hand technique. The base color will be the flat color, while lighter balayage highlights will provide your hair a multi-tonal stunning look.

 

6. Super-Stripy Highlights

Instead of subtle babylights as requested, you got super-stripy and chunky highlights across your parting.

QUICK FIX

You can use a color dry shampoo to quickly blend the stripes by spraying all over them.

 

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

Balayage is a great alternative to highlights if you don’t like the look of a stripy finishing. Balayage will give a more natural look. The first step is to have your colorist cover the stripy area with the same color as your roots or base. After that, you can experiment with balayage and you will be stunned by the results.

 

7. Dip-Dye Goes Wrong

A gradual ombre was what you wanted, but your hair has a noticeable and harsh demarcation line of color.

QUICK FIX

Sometimes, all you need to do is tie your hair until you can go to the salon and get the color correction done. There is hope! Different sections of your hair naturally grow at different rates, which should help break up any harsh demarcation lines of color.

 LONG-TERM SOLUTION

This is obvious, but it’s important to explain to your colorist that you desire a natural-looking ombre. Your colorist will work with you to diffuse and blend the color so that it will look natural without the harsh lines.

 

8. Hair Color patches

Although you wanted only all over one color and the dye has not taken to all spots equally well and balanced. It now looks uneven and patchy.

QUICK FIX

A little creativity is the best way to conceal patchy hair. It’ll disguise your mess by braiding your hair in a few French or Dutch braids.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

There is no one-size-fits all solution to patchy hair colors. It is important to show your colorist some reference photos of the hair goal results. A well adept and skilled colorist will be able to tell you what to do if your hair is patchy and what color to use. No matter what happens, don’t reach for the box dye. This will only make things worse.

 

9. The Color is Simply Too Black.

We believe most of us been through this. Your dream hair was rich and chocolatey brown, but you ended up with jet black locks that would make your inner 14 year old goth-wannabe feel very proud. Not for the 27-year old you who has a meeting at 9am with her boss tomorrow morning.

QUICK FIX

First, don’t panic. We know it is easier said than done, but it is still possible. Secondly, please shampoo, shampoo and still shampoo again. Fairy liquid and Head & Shoulders shampoo is well known that it can strip color fast and effective. Your hair will certainly going to feel dry. After washing it, apply a rich, nourishing mask to your hair and let it sit overnight.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

Your colorist should know when you want the color to fade and question them on what they can do to help it happen. They should be able add highlights, balayage, or just a gloss to brighten those lengths.