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Fix Orange Hair
How to Fix Orange Hair Color Mistakes

Orange hair is a common problem that I see when lightening hair from a dark color or when trying to apply color over previously colored hair. Fix orange hair color mistakes with these tips: “How to Fix
Orange Hair”

• A Toner is the number one way to fix orange hair. Here’s a hairstylist secret . . . use a toner in the opposite color as your orange hair (blue/green). A blue/green or ash based toner will help to neutralize any orange hair tones and give you a better hair hue. Timing is important, so if you don’t have an eye for when to take the color off, don’t do it.

• Violet Based Shampoos can also work on brassy hair if it is more of a yellow tone than orange. Violet shampoos work similarly to toners by using the opposite hair color to neutralize the brassy color. I recommend this shampoo to those who have brassy highlights or yellow or orange hair tones throughout hair.

• A Demi-Permanent color in a darker shade can help to fix orange hair caused by either lightening or an attempt to lighten colored hair with hair color. Since hair color cannot lighten previously colored hair, an orange hair hue is sometimes left as the end result. I suggest using a demi-permanent hair color to hair to help mask the orange hair effects leftover from the lightening attempt. A demi-permanent hair color is gentler than a permanent hair color and will be more translucent when applied to wet hair.

Prevention is always best, so I recommend always seeing a professional hair stylist if you are changing your hair color more than two shades from your current color. If you are coloring or lightening your hair yourself, fix orange hair before it starts by keeping an eye on hair color as it processes. If you are lightening hair, you need to watch the color as it changes and lifts out of the hair.

Wait until hair has gone past the orange/yellow stage before rinsing. The time will vary from person to person, so you’ll have to check every five to ten minutes or so. Also, remember that hair color cannot lighten hair color, so you’ll need to use a lightening product like bleach if you want to go lighter.

If you don’t feel confident in any of these steps to fix orange hair, save yourself some headaches and take it to the hair salon!

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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