If you’ve ever done a box dye at home, I can pretty much guarantee you’ve had a scenario where the color didn’t match the color chart on the back of the box, and you’ve ended up with darker hair than you wanted. It happens to me whenever I dye my hair any shade of red.
If your hair color is darker than you want, don’t feel tempted to reach for the bleach… just yet. I’m going to share some tips on what to do if hair color is too dark? Incase you need to lighten the color, without spending a fortune.
Reasons Your Hair Dyed Hair Looks Darker Than You Wanted
Box dyes are notorious for being temperamental, with the chart on the back of the box showing you what your hair *should* look like, and it’s kinda like you’re kinda trusting the box of developer and dye, rather than putting your trust in the hands of a professional hair stylist.
One reason your hair dye job might look darker than you wanted, is that you’ve applied a color too close to your natural shade, or a shade that’s more than two tones lighter, which can cause excess color to settle too deeply.
If you used hair bleach before your box dye, it could be that the bleaching process didn’t lift your hair enough beforehand, so your dye might cling a little more than wanted, giving you a darker hair look.
You could have an issue with residual color from previous dye jobs, and the new pigments will mix with the old pigments, to intensify your hair color.
Your hair’s texture and porosity could also lead to a darker color, with coarse or highly porous hair absorbing more of your dye.
If you have product buildup, or excess sunlight exposure, this can also affect the results of your hair color.
What To Do If Hair Color Is Too Dark?
Your first step will be to use a clarifying shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Micellar Shampoo, as this will help to strip away excess dye.
You should wash your hair frequently for the first ten days with the clarifying shampoo, and then switch to a more moisturizing shampoo formula to help loosen any residual stubborn hair dye pigments.
If natural hacks are your thing, you can mix together baking soda and lemon juice, or baking soda and apple cider vinegar, as a hair color removal treatment.
Although, these duos are very drying to make sure you use a nourishing hair mask afterwards, to help replace any lost moisture.
Home Remedies For Removing Box Hair Dye From Your Hair
Let’s go through some home remedies you can try to remove your too-dark hair dye from your hair.
Start by creating a paste with the baking soda and lemon juice. The alkaline properties of the baking soda will help break down your hair dye molecules.
You could also try washing your hair with apple cider vinegar, as that’ll restore your hair’s pH balance and strip that excess dye.
For a mild bleaching effect, crush vitamin C tablets and mix them with your shampoo, but this is very drying, so ensure you follow up with an intensively hydrating hair mask.
Regular use of a clarifying shampoo can also remove stubborn dye buildup, lightening your hair over time.
Tips On Preventing Box Hair Dye From Being Too Dark
To prevent box hair dye from turning out too dark, always start with a strand test. I know it’s boring, and nobody wants to do one, but it is recommended for a reason.
This simple step helps you see how that specific box hair color will develops on your personal hair strands.
When you are choosing which dye you want, choose a shade no more than two tones darker than your natural color to avoid any surprise shades once developed.
Look for box dyes labeled as “light” or “natural,” as these tend to give more subtle results, and are less likely to give you a surprise too.
Before dyeing your hair, you can always use a hair color remover, or a clarifying shampoo a few days before you dye your hair, to help you prepare your hair for your new color, and this will reduce the intensity of your hair dye.
Lastly, during application, always read the manufacturer’s instructions, and avoid leaving the dye on longer than recommended, as leaving it on your hair longer, will give you darker and deeper results.
