So it's been buggin me I stupidly didn't read the color on the box right and for a few weeks I have had this redish hair. I tried to fix it by washing my hair a lot the first two days of having it dyed and it washed out some but it is almost orangey and I really just want to lighten it safely without going bright orange so that I can get it to a light brown or even deep brown just NO MORE red or orange lol. I only dye my hair MAYBE twice a year and I also perm it once every year or two. It is in pretty good shape I condition it a lot with deep conditioning treatments to help it recover from my mistake. Is there something anything I can safely use that won't make me go bozo orange and will lighten my hair enough to go a more dark brown color? I read somewhere that if it is red to begin with even a dark brown dye won't effect it and I also heard red is the hardest to get out. The dye I used is 3.5 chocolate mousse color from L'Oreal Couleur Experte any help please I can't stand this hair color on me and my roots are starting to show I have naturally dark blonde/ light brown hair. Thanks in advance!

Have you tried loreal colour zap? It effectively removes hair dy, and allow it to be ready for next dye? If you have red tones you will need to use a green base, so an ash color would be right for you... it neutrilize the red... find a dye that has green base in it so it can neutralize the red. If your hair is orange than you will need a color that has a blue base color so it can neutralize the orange... hair coloring is not as simple as it sounds, and it is always recommended that you seek professional help for the effective color. But again if your hair is orange you need a blue base dye, if your hair is red then you need a green base dye...

I've actually mentioned the above answer on one of the older threads.

Jwittig, the reason why your hair turned a brassy orange/red shade is because chocolate hair coloring products contains a red base in them. Try using a light ash brown hair color with a blue-base on your hair. It will neutralize the orange tones and bring you closer to your natural color.

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Originally Posted by PrettyLady

I've actually mentioned the above answer on one of the older threads.

Jwittig, the reason why your hair turned a brassy orange/red shade is because chocolate hair coloring products contains a red base in them. Try using a light ash brown hair color with a blue-base on your hair. It will neutralize the orange tones and bring you closer to your natural color.

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This may seem like a stupid question but if I don't ask I will screw up even more lol. Um if I do this will I still need to like strip my hair first or could I just re-dye it with a color like you suggested and have it come out a better color?

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Originally Posted by Jwittig

This may seem like a stupid question but if i don't ask I will screw up even more lol. Um if I do this will I still need to like strip my hair first or could I just re-dye it with a color like you suggested and have it come out a better color?

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Your question is not stupid at all. I understand that you don't want to ruin your hair, and I'm here to help. No, you don't have to strip your hair and re-color it. Hair color removers are known to make hair orange or brassy, so you should avoid using them since you're hair is already orange. If you want to just neutralize the orangey underlying pigment, you can use a blue-base hair color in light ash brown to counteract the orange and bring it to natural brownish shade. But if you want go blonde, you will need pre-lighten your hair to a yellow stage, then apply the desired color. Because ash blonde shades don't contain enough blue or green in them to neutralize orange or red tones.

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Originally Posted by PrettyLady

Your question is not stupid at all. I understand that you don't want to ruin your hair, and I'm here to help. No, you don't have to strip your hair and re-color it. Hair color removers are known to make hair orange or brassy, so you should avoid using them since you're hair is already orange. If you want to just neutralize the orangey underlying pigment, you can use a blue-base hair color in light ash brown to counteract the orange and bring it to natural brownish shade. But if you want go blonde, you will need pre-lighten your hair to a yellow stage, then apply the desired color. Because ash blonde shades don't contain enough blue or green in them to neutralize orange or red tones.

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Great one last question how do I know if it is a blue base hair color?

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Originally Posted by Jwittig

Great one last question how do I know if it is a blue base hair color?

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That's a good question. A blue-base hair color is described as "cool", so look for the word "cool" on the bottle or box to assure that you have the right hair color.

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Originally Posted by PrettyLady

That's a good question. A blue-base hair color is described as "cool", so look for the word "cool" on the bottle or box to assure that you have the right hair color.

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THANK YOU! Thank you so so much! Going to try and fix this tomorrow possibly. I will post if it turns out good if not I will be sobing in a corner LOL. Thanks again!

You're welcome. Feel free to PM me.

Wow I have to say thank you thank you thank you! I colored it tonight with a medium ash brown, cool color and OMG I love it! I can still tell there is red under it well orange red lol but it makes so much difference. You rescued my weekend! I wasn't even going to go out but now I am! Thanks so much and hubby loves it so much to really thank you!

It's good to know that it worked out well for you. Some people will still see a hint orange or red in their hair when using ash base colors. If you notice a hint of orange, simply apply the medium ash brown color for an additional 10 minutes, then rinse it out. This should remove any trace of the slight orange hue. I'm glad you like the way your hair came out.

I actually need the same kind of help, I died my hair black and was it was suppose to be non-permanent color and apparently the box colors was switched and it was permanent. So now I'm stuck with black hair and my brown roots are starting to show.. I need help on how I can get rid of this color? Fade it fast? Or how can I color it to look more like my natural hair color? PLEASE HELP!

Sincerely,
Can't stand roots !