Box Hair Color Mishap

Updated on November 16, 2009
T.M. asks from McKinney, TX
18 answers

I just colored my hair and it is way too dark- soft black. I would like to lighten it to a dark brown (my hair is naturally a medium/dark brown but real dull so I like to color). I used Nice N Easy but I have a box of Garnier Nutrisse that shows if you have black hair it will go to the color I want. IS it ok to recolor on the same day? I won't hold anyone liable for anything just would like to fix before church tomorrow.

3 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I tried the dish soap and it didn't do much :(. I bought a oops hair color remover and just did that this morning. Well, I would say it works except that it didn't strip the color evenly so I am concerned about re-coloring since areas are lighter than others (but it does look a heck of alot better than it did!). Needless to say, my hair is pulled up and I have placed a call to my hair dresser for help! When all else fails go pro! Thank you ladies for your input, it's good to know we can turn to each other in times of need like this!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Please DO NOT color you hair again this month! You cannot lightening black hair with out a professional... it WILL go badly.

Either leave it alone and wash frequently with baby shampoo to hasten the fading or go to a salon.

Please take my advice on this- I have been through this exact situation and have had friends do the same as well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Dallas on

I colored my hair twice in one day with no ill effects but I wasn't trying to lighten mine - just cover up a yucky color. I also color mine every three weeks or so because it is short and the roots show quicker. So far, my stylist has not commented on it being damaged nor do I have breakage, etc. Also, when I wash mine (which I have to do every day because of oiliness), the color washes out every day, even with the color-protective shampoos. So, if you did decide to keep the color you put on, it will lighten up within the next few days if you wash it frequently.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.A.

answers from Dallas on

Go go Sally's and get Effisol. Mix with water or some peroxide and run it through. It will lift and be about the color you want. If your hair is porous or long take causion on the ends where it may have grabbed. Another color that dark will not lift with another color. If the hair turns to damaged. Use Infusion 23 very little and get some colestrol to deep condition. It takes some time but will be nice again. Make sure it does not lift too much.Also you can use Dawn dish soap to help strip because shampoos today are all for keeping the PH balance and do to strip the hair. All color lightens first then deposits the color into that hair. Left not long enoght will not give good results. The color you see on swatches are done on light color so take into consideration color on your natural color will be darker. I have been licensed since 1967. Good luck G. W

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

I turned my hair fire engine red once with a box. My hairstylist told me to wash it with a mixture of Dawn and baking soda, then heavily condition it with a conditioning mask. It REALLY toned down the color tremendously. Good luck!!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.H.

answers from Dallas on

I have re-colored the same day before. It is safe. I always use "Garnier Nutrisse". I really think it is the best and it leaves your hair silky soft. Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Dallas on

If you don't feel like putting additional chemicals in your hair to strip the color, you can wash your hair with dishwashing liquid for a few days (have read this in several magazines and had to resort to doing it myself once!). That should lighten the color in a few days time.

Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Dallas on

wash it with either head and shoulders or baby shampoo. Both are high alkaline and will help strip some of the color out. I would not re-process it so soon; 4-6 weeks is a relatively short amount of time to wait to save the texture of your hair.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Dallas on

I tried recoloring to lighten just as you are thinking and for the same reason. It did not work. I was told at a salon, that the box hair colors you buy in the market, do not lift color. If your hair was naturally black, it would lighten it, but it will not lighten another color job. For that, you would need to go to a salon to have the color lifted. OR try using a dandruff shampoo or other harsh (not for colored hair) shampoo and use hot water. That will lift/lighten the color faster, than nothing at all. Hope it helps...

1 mom found this helpful

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Hi T.,
Not sure but I asumming that the color you used is a permanent color. If so I would not color again until a few weeks have passed. It could really cause some breakage and then you'll have other issues on top of the color one. I would also suggest using repeated shampoo's with prell or a baby shampoo to help strip some color out. You'll need to do it as much as you can within the first day after coloring before it really sets in. If the color is that dark though you may not see much difference "(
I use semi permanent color last time I colored and went to dark. I hated it and washed it like a million times. I ended up putting some highlights back in it to give some texture and was happy with it. Maybe you'll get some compliments tomorrow and it won't bug you as much. ")
Best Regards,
C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Dallas on

You can't lighten a dark color with regular box color. You would have to bleach or strip off the black first and then re-color. Very damaging to your hair, and definitely NOT something you should try at home! I also dye my hair really dark (almost black) and I can tell you that it always fades within a week or two. If you give it a little time and wash it every day, it will probably get to exactly to the color you want before you know it. If I were in your shoes I would just leave it alone!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Wash with baby shampoo and recolor in 2 weeks. Better to have dark hair than damaged hair.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Can't believe my luck. Just had the same thing happen to me. I was wondering what in the world I was going to do about it today and here are the answers. Thanks for posting this, T., you've helped me and probably others, too. This site rocks!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Dallas on

I wouln't recolor on the same day...it could overprocess your hair. Try washing it several tims and that should soften the color some, then try recoloring in 4 weeks...
You could also try a tinted shampoo.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.H.

answers from Dallas on

I have heard you can wash it with Palmolive. Good luck girl!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Dallas on

Try washing it with a shampoo like Prell or one made to remove buildup to take off some of the color. Even though is says you will get a color from starting from black, that most likely means a natural black, so you might end up with something much worse!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Dallas on

It will fry your hair if you color it again so soon. You don't want overprocessed hair. I have had color mishaps and I just live with them until I can color again.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.Y.

answers from Dallas on

I did that as a teenager many years ago. There is a product that will reverse your hair color (basically strip the new color). You can get it at a drug store in the hair dye section or maybe go to Sally Beauty Supply and ask them what it's called or if they have something else. But, I wouldn't color over it. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Dallas on

I'm reading this on Sunday night so I hope you haven't tried to re-color your hair. Color will not lift color, of any kind! Bleach or specially made stripping product is the only thing that will take color out. If you use these products then try to recolor your hair, you need to use at least 2 to 3 shades lighter than you want because your hair will grab the color and go too dark again. You can try to use Prell or something like that to see if it lightens enough but please, please don't try the color you have! I do hair in Allen if you nee help. Good Luck!!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions