Many people try to transform their hair color at home only to end up with disastrous results. One of the most common issues people come across is hair color that’s too red – this is often the case when going from a darker hair color to a lighter hair color. Show
The problem is often painfully apparent as soon as your hair is dry, prompting you to search for ways to tone the red down. In this article, we discuss several ways to neutralize the red tones and save your hair. Note: Many of our recommendations work for orange or red tones. Table of Contents
What Color Cancels Out Red Tones?Before you begin neutralizing red tones in your hair, you need to know what color cancels red tones. It’s got everything to do with color theory. On the color wheel, green and red are opposite each other. Therefore, green (i.e., the opposite color) is effective at canceling out red tones. While green is not the only color that you can use to cancel out those pesky red tones, it is the first color that people reach for in situations like this. As you look at the hair color wheel, you’ll notice that other options to cancel out red and orange tones (or similar shades of unwanted tones) are blue toning shampoo and purple shampoo. For example, blue cancels orange undertones in blond hair. In this section, we’ll tell you step-by-step how to get rid of red tones (or orange tones) in your hair. There are several methods you can use, and we’ll cover each of them in detail. Let’s get right into it! Green Toning ShampooApplying green hair color on red hair | What happens when you mix green color on red hair Green shampoo is one of the easiest ways to cancel out red at home. You can find a green toning shampoo at your local drugstore or add two or three drops of green food coloring (or green dye) to your shampoo. The green tones within the shampoo help to counteract the red dye on your strands. Here is how to neutralize red tones with green shampoo:
Note: Always remember to use green food color very cautiously. If you overuse the food color, you may end up with a green mess. Also, green shampoo is not recommended for neutralizing red tones on light hair. It’s only appropriate for dark or brown hair. Ash Color HairHair Transformation - Red to Ash Brown (no bleach needed) You may have heard people refer to ash shades as calming tones – it’s true, and this makes them great for color neutralization. A permanent or semi-permanent ash hair dye that’s close to your desired shade will work perfectly. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you neutralize red tones with ash hair dye.
Darker Hair DyeHAIR TRANSFORMATION • red to brown without bleach Another option you have when your hair comes out too red is to use an ammonia-free dye that’s darker than your hair. Doing so will cover the red, leaving you with a more wearable shade. If you opt for this one, be sure to follow the same application process mentioned above. Hair Color Corrector (or Color Remover)If none of the options above sound just right, you can try a color corrector, like Color Oops. This is another quick and easy way to neutralize or remove the red tones in your hair. Although similar to hair bleach, color correctors are not nearly as harsh on your hair. They enter your hair shaft and break down the red color molecules within it. When you wash your hair after using the color corrector, you will find that the red tones in your hair have totally disappeared. Color correctors are particularly helpful when you have tried other methods to neutralize the red, but it still hasn’t gone away. You can use color correctors just as you would a box dye. Take the same precautionary steps, such as Vaseline, an old t-shirt, and gloves, and reference the instructions on the box. Note: If your looking for a potential solution using household products, some ladies have “corrected” their hair naturally using an apple cider vinegar rinse. In our experience, this solution provides inconsistent results removing warm tones. Dos and Don’ts of Neutralizing Red TonesSometimes, trying to neutralize red tones can result in a whole new hair disaster. To prevent that, we’d like to share some dos and don’ts that can help make the process run smoothly. Dos
Don’ts
Professional color correction services can be extremely expensive. But you don’t have to worry about that now that you have all the information you need to get rid of unwanted red tones in your hair at home. Related Articles
ConclusionThe color wheel is a helpful tool when you’re looking to cancel out red tones in your hair. Green, the opposite of red on the color wheel, can counteract those pesky reddish-orange tones. If green shampoo isn’t effective enough, other colors can help neutralize brassy tones like purple and blue. These two colors work well as they also operate within an opposing relationship on the color wheel (i.e., purple being opposite of yellow). In addition, the DIY approach outlined in this article is much more cost-effective than professional services at a hair salon. With the tips and helpful information in this article, you’ll finally be able to achieve the hair color result you’ve always wanted! Kenneth Byrd holds a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a serial hair blogger that has been writing about hair care since 2008, when he co-founded Curl Centric and Natural Hair Box. Curl Centric is a website operated by a husband and wife team that encourages healthy hair care. How can I remove red hair dye without damaging it?But if you want to transition from a red-head to a blonde in one day, you cannot do without bleach. But the least damaging way would be starting with shampooing, then moving to a hair dye remover, and then ending with bleaching and toning – all extended over days and alternated with hair treatments.
What color cancels out red in hair dye?Before you begin neutralizing red tones in your hair, you need to know what color cancels red tones. It's got everything to do with color theory. On the color wheel, green and red are opposite each other. Therefore, green (i.e., the opposite color) is effective at canceling out red tones.
How long does it take to get red dye out of your hair?This also means it slips out of the cuticle faster with each wash. Even with the most talented colorists in the best salons, red hair dye will noticeably fade in around four weeks. It can even take a few attempts to get the red pigment to stick to your hair.
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