FAQ: How Can I Fix My Ruined Hair Color?

Question:
My friend and I decided to put blonde highlights in my hair. Well, she told me she knew how. But now my hair is messed up pretty bad. My top half is blonde and I hate it. Is there any way I can get it back to my natural hair color? By the way my natural hair color is sandy blonde.

Answer:
Yes, you can.

Go to a store (food store, CVS,  or your local beauty supply store) and look at the hair color companies. Do not buy PERMANENT color yet, you may not need it at all. You need to look if it says SEMI-PERMANENT color on the box.

FYI:

• a semi-permanent color is little gentler for the hair than permanent color
• it deposits pigment on the surface yet some pigment may penetrate into the hairshaft
• it will last about 4+ weeks depending on how often you wash your hair
• it may be just what you need to do the "repair"
• it could be L'Oreal (Healthy Look Creme Gloss Color) or Clairol (Natural Instincts) or Garnier (HerbaShine) - they are all pretty similar. 

If the blond is not white then you choose the color like image on the box (in the store) or like the swatch (in the beauty supply store) as close to your natural hair color as possible. If it is white (it lacks pigment) then the color must have word "natural" in the name. No beige, no ash, not golden, but natural.

If you do not want to color your hair in about a month or so, and do not mind hair to be touch darker, buy it just as dark as your natural color. If you would prefer on the lighter side and would rather be safer and would not mind coloring your hair in about 4 weeks again, then buy the color closest to your hair color but on the lighter side. 

Mix it according to manufacturer's directions - read everything very carefully and follow the instructions to the letter. 

Since I do not your hair there are variables that may happen:

• hair can absorb pigment and turn slightly darker then on the box
• hair can wash out faster then mentioned on the box (especially if your hair was treated with bleach)
• hair may keep the color permanently
• hair may wash out slower over time

So, the first application will be a starting point and if you need any corrections, you may have to do it in the next application. Also if you would use a permanent color, then the color is there to stay, although the bleached hair may fade a little.

One last thing - condition your hair the day before you will color your hair, and condition it right after you color your hair. If the hair color doesn't turn out exactly as you would prefer, do not be upset, you are dealing with artificial pigment, which is not like your natural color - at least it is as close to your color as possible.

Credit: 
The image above is from Glamour web site. Rihanna's hair is a combination of her natural hair (roots), some golden shade, and some white blonde (the rest of the hair). If she would want to color her hair darker, her hairdresse would have to chose natural shade. If her hairdresser would use ash shade, her white strands would (most likely) turn unnatural color, because the pigment in the bottle would not be balanced.

Any more questions? Use Comments below this article.

 Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.