Did that colour job just go awry? Here are some fix-its for colour trauma

“I hate the Colour”
You’ve taken the plunge and gone with a permanent colour, but it’s just not what you pictured. If you had it done at a salon, any good professional will be happy to adjust it if you’re not completely satisfied. (Of course, you might want to think twice about returning to a person who botched the job in the first place.)

If you just can’t live with it at all, a colourist can use a colour remover to lighten your hair, but you run the risk of further damage and a brassy look and you’ll probably have to dye it yet again. In any event, time and a haircut may be your best bets.

Correcting ‘too light’ colour
If you’ve had your hair lightened and then decided ash blonde just isn’t your thing, go back to your colourist and she can simply apply a darker toner to get the shade you prefer. Any good salon professional will be happy to adjust your colour if you’re not completely satisfied.

If you’ve used a permanent colour to lighten only a little and still want it darker, try using a mild semi-permanent or a temporary colour until it’s time for a touch-up, then use a darker product.

Occasionally, hair is so damaged that it just can’t absorb colour. In that case, your only recourse is to either have the damage cut off or wait for healthier hair to grow in.

Correcting Too Dark Colour
Don’t panic: During the first week after colouring, hair usually lightens a bit, especially after a few shampoos; this is particularly true of coarse and damaged hair. If you’ve used permanent colour and you just can’t live with it, a colourist can use a colour remover to lighten your hair. However, this should be your last resort — you’ll risk further damage and a brassy look, and you’ll probably have to dye it yet again. If you’ve used a gentle semi-permanent, just keep shampooing; eventually, most of it will come out.

Dull Colour
Spray-on shine and silicone products give instant lustre — just don’t overdo them or your hair will end up looking greasy. For a serious case of the dulls, consider a colourless gloss. And highlights or lowlights will give your hair a livelier appearance.
Maintenance and Roots
Fading is unavoidable (unless you live in outer space). Air, sun and harsh shampoos can all contribute to this problem. In addition, red dyes tend to fade faster than other colours. If it’s too soon to colour again, try a gentle semi-permanent, a rinse or a colour-enhancing shampoo to perk up your look. To help minimise fading, use a gentle shampoo and wear a scarf or a hat when you’re out in the sun.

Give your hair colour a boost!