EXPERT TIPS
Expecting a rich chocolate shade only to be left with ebony locks? You’re not alone! One of the most common DIY hair dye mishaps is being left with a shade you weren’t quite envisioning. However, there’s no need to panic. We might just have the solution to get your colour back on track…
There are a range of factors that can affect the outcome of your colour.
Your application method
Are you a self-confessed serial box-dyer? You might notice your colour looking darker with each application. Unless you’re completely switching up your shade, the trick is to just dye your regrowth rather than your whole head. Dying over previous colour can contribute to build-up and leave your strands with a darker hue.
Your hair’s condition
The condition of your strands can also affect the outcome of your colour, especially your hair’s porosity. In simple terms, hair porosity refers to how thirsty your hair is for moisture and colour. Hair types with higher porosity may absorb dye more easily than lower porosity hair types, leading to unexpected results—like a darker hue! High porosity is linked to open hair cuticles, meaning curly, wavy or frizzy hair types are more likely to end up with a shade that’s too deep.
Want to figure out if your hair has high or low porosity? There’s no definitive test, but you can use the float test as a general indicator. Simply pluck a stray strand of hair from your hairbrush and pop it in a glass of room temperature water. Observe for a few minutes. If the strand floats, it likely has low porosity. If it sinks, it’s on the higher side, depending on how quickly it lands at the bottom.
To avoid any nasty surprises, we recommend doing a quick strand test before committing to colouring your whole head. All you need to do is take a small section of hair (ideally from somewhere a little more hidden) and follow the instructions in the box to mix and apply the dye to that strand. Once the dye has been left to process for the recommended time, rinse and dry the strand. If it looks too dark, you might want to opt for a lighter shade.
When dying your hair at home, we recommend staying within two shades of your natural hair colour for best results.
Whatever you do, if you find yourself in a colour crisis, try to resist the urge to grab more dye! Using a lighter dye on top of your existing colour will not only give underwhelming results but could also leave your hair feeling a little worse for wear. Although it might be hard to believe, there is a simple solution to encourage intense pigments to fade and it’s probably already sitting in your bathroom!
Washing your hair continuously with a clarifying shampoo will help to remove colour build-up and encourage darker tones to fade. Lather up with each wash until enough dye has rinsed away and you’ve reached your desired shade. It’ll take a little patience and some elbow grease, but after around a week of daily washes, the colour should start to shift.
Before grabbing your clarifying shampoo, make sure it’s not one designed to protect coloured hair as this will encourage the dye to linger.
Don’t forget to nourish!
Following all that shampooing, although your colour may be back on track, your scalp may feel a little sensitive. Restore your scalp and hair health by investing in a leave-in treatment or deep conditioning hair mask and try alternating with your regular conditioner to keep your locks hydrated.
If you’re still not happy with your shade or are wanting to achieve a colour which is more than two shades lighter than your natural hair, it might be time to call in a pro.
Going too light at home could result in uneven tones and brittle strands, so to prevent further damage consider enlisting the help of an expert. They’ll be able to use specific formulas and techniques to safely correct and guide your colour journey.
Dying your hair at home can sometimes feel like a bit of a rollercoaster, exciting but unpredictable! But armed with the right knowledge you can handle whatever twists and turns come your way!
With a little patience and the right products, you can still achieve your dream shade from the comfort of home, even if it takes a clarifying shampoo or the help of a professional to get there.
Need more shade guidance? Try out our Find Your Colour tool to identify your perfect shade and achieve a look you’ll love.