Boxed hair color can be a gamble — especially if you're using a color or product you don't have experience with. "If your color comes out too light, you can apply a darker shade to your hair, but be careful not to end up with the opposite problem of going too dark," said Jim Markham, CEO and founder of ColorProof Color Care Authority.
You can also try to fix it with a second application. "Let the color set for just half the suggested time on the box," he said. "As a rule of thumb, try to stay within a half shade to a shade of your natural color for a flattering look." If you're too nervous to apply another round of hair dye, try a color depositing shampoo to boost the existing shade.
If bleach was involved the first round and its left your hair feeling dry and brittle, he recommended reversing the damage with patience and the right products. "Begin immediately by washing the bleach out using a gentle, sulfate- and salt-free, professional shampoo," said Markham. Follow with a nourishing hair mask treatment.
"To fix the color, the best thing you can do is find a colorist who specializes in corrective color," said Markham. "Even in quarantine, they may be willing to give you a consultation via FaceTime."
