permanent red hair

so i dye it with a permanent red and I either picked the wrong color or I left it on too long. what do I do to lighten this up? HELP !!!

I'm not too sure, my friend did this once but just re-dyed it brown and it turned a nice auburn color. Have you thought of calling a professional salon and asking them what you should do?

Yeah, I would say go to a salon and have them put a brown gloss on it to tone down the red a bit.

I'd call a professional! I know nothing about hair dye anyway!

What's wrong with it? I like it. It looks very natural and seems to suit your complexion.

I think you are in shock at the change, not so much the colour. It takes time to get used to a new colour when you first decide to dye your hair.

I think it's cute, sorry. I'm partial to red hair colors. I have dyes my hair all shades of red lately and honestly I like your color and would do it to my hair again if I could get it that light.

wash it 10 times?? that's what I used to do if I got a perm and the curls were too tight, not sure if it works with color

How long ago did you dye it?
A fresh dye takes a few shampoos to look it's best, give it a week or two, if it doesn't calm down, you'll have to have a stylist fix it.

Do NOT re-dye it yourself, this can cause some very serious damage to your hair.

I like it too!
But getting it highlighted with something a little more neutral would tone it down a notch, and despite the expense, I have to agree if you are going to dye further, have a stylist do it (you dont have to go to an expensive salon!) to avoid further disaster....

I don't think it looks bad at all

I like it too. I think it's a nice vibrant colour. And remember it will fade fairly quickly with repeated washing, and be less shocking to you.

Reds fade the fastest, so it'll tone down in a couple of washings, even with a color-safe shampoo. Don't put another permanent dye on it, it will do too much damage - when you touch up the roots, pull the color through the rest of the hair for only the last 5-10 minutes. Permanent colors first lighten, then deposit the color. Lightening the hair damages (or opens up) the cuticle so the color can go in. If you hair has too much damage, it won't keep any color.

If you want to tone down the color (after a few washings), use a temporary color or gloss (not semi-permanent). Those are safe to use because they do not lighten (thus no further damage to) the hair. ...Free advice from a former color specialist on a professional hair team!

I like it the way it is, though, I think it looks nice. I like your haircut, too.

Cheers, from
SwampWitch

Have yout thought of an herbal essences streaking kit. give it some shades of lighter red or strawberry blond.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I just colored it this afternoon so I will wait a week before finally deciding. I cut it myself because I am so cheap. The idea of a gloss is a great one and will add shine. My natural color is an ash blonde... my husband thinks I am nuts to have messed with it.
PS I love your hair too !!

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Reds fade the fastest, so it'll tone down in a couple of washings, even with a color-safe shampoo......temporary color or gloss (not semi-permanent). Those are safe to use because they do not lighten (thus no further damage to) the hair. ...Free advice from a former color specialist on a professional hair team!

I like it the way it is, though, I think it looks nice. I like your haircut, too.

Click to expand...

From the diary of a hair color addict:

If you dye your hair too dark go out and get the following items:

Palmolive dish soap (the green kind)

VO5 oil leave in hair conditioner

A top notch shampoo and conditioner (Aveda products or something similar)

Leave in conditioner (the spray kind if you can find it)


Step one: Wash your hair with Palmolive. Rinse. Towel hair dry. Put the VO5 in your hair (follow instructions on the back of the box). Wash out after 10-15 minutes.

Step two: The next day. Use the high end shampoo and conditioner on your hair. After leaving the shower spray in the second conditioner.

What you should accomplish: Lightening your hair at least two levels.


I've done what you've done twice.

I like the color on you, I think it looks very nice, I would just leave it alone.

I like it too! I think it looks great on you.

Number 1: You're still in shock from the color. that's OK!

Give it a few days. I use to dye my hair red all the time (some good colors some bad).

The thing about Red dye is that it has peroxide in it, similar to dying your hair blonde. After a week you'll begin to see it start to lighten, especially if you're in a sunny area. Within a month something that hue will change to an even lighter color, maybe 1 or 2 shades lighter.

So don't worry!!!

I agree with previous posters, I like the color! But then I have been "enhancing" my hair color for years. I have mousy brown hair and I use Clairol Sunsparked brown - gives me great auburn hair. But, if you make a mistake - I once bought the wrong color cause I left my glasses at home and was to vain to ask someone to read the bottle- try shampooing with a brand like Suave and it will rid you of some of the extra color. Other than that, I have been told that red is the hardest color to remove from your hair. If you still really hate the color after a few days, go to a professional!

I like your new color, too. It will fade some after a few shampoos.

While we're on the subject of hair color, I could use some advice, too. I've been coloring my hair for years--a very nice light auburn. I did a root touch-up the other day & missed a spot in the back. To my utter dismay, without the color my hair is white! I know that someday I'm going to be a little too old for auburn hair (my original color, BTW) and will probably just let the white take over. The problem is, my hair is long (mid-back); how do I let the white come in without looking absolutely ridiculous? I hate having short hair, so cutting it short while it grows out isn't an option. Do I simply start using a lighter hair color over time until it's light enought that the white roots won't look quite so silly? Do you think I'd need a professional to do this?

I'm not ready to give up my auburn hair yet, just really curious as to how to make the adjustment when the time comes.