YOUR Guide to Fixing Hair ColoUr Mistakes: Expert Solutions for Every Scenario

As a professional hairdresser, you will have encountered your fair share of colour mishaps. Whether it's a client’s hair turning too dark, brassy tones creeping in or an uneven application, hair colour mistakes are all part of learning and developing and a reality every stylist faces. The good news is, with the right techniques and a bit of know-how, these mistakes can be fixed efficiently and professionally.

Let us walk you through some of the most common hair colour mistakes we all face and provide solutions to ensure your clients leave the salon with the perfect shade every time.

Common Hair Colour Mistakes & How to Fix Them

1. Hair Turned Too Dark After Colouring
This is one of the most common issues that can happen when colouring hair and typically happens when the developer used is too strong or the colour was left on for a little too long.

Solution:

• Clarifying Treatment: If the colour has been applied too dark, the first step is a clarifying treatment. This helps remove some of the excess pigment and can lighten the shade a bit.

• Color Remover or Bleach Wash: If the hair is significantly darker, a colour remover might be necessary. Alternatively, a bleach wash can lift the colour without fully stripping the hair.

Pro Tip: Always strand-test before applying colour remover or bleach to ensure it doesn’t further damage the hair.

2. Brassiness & Unwanted Warm Tones

Brassy tones often emerge in blonde hair, especially when lifting hair to a lighter shade. If the hair has underlying warm tones, like yellow or orange, they can pop through after lightening.

Solution:

• Toners: The best way to eliminate brassiness is by using a toner that neutralises the warm undertones. Choose a blue toner for orange tones or a violet toner for yellow undertones. You can use one of our Colorissimo Intensifiers for this process.

• Color Wheel Guide: When selecting a toner, keep a colour wheel handy to determine which toner to use based on the client’s undertone.

Pro Tip: Always let the toner sit for the full recommended time for optimal results.

3. Uneven Hair Colour & Patchy Results

Uneven hair colour is often the result of uneven application or the hair’s porosity. Areas with higher porosity will absorb more colour, resulting in patches of lighter or darker tones.

Solution:

• Pre-tone Porous Areas: Before applying colour, pre-tone the most porous areas with a milder shade to even out their texture and absorbency. This will ensure an even application and consistent colour.

• Section Application: Apply colour in smaller, more controlled sections. This allows for more thorough saturation, especially in areas with different porosity.

Pro Tip: Always apply colour in a systematic pattern, working from the back to the front for more control over the results.

4. Hair Colour Faded Too Quickly
Hair colour fading quickly can be due to several factors including exposure to heat styling, washing with products containing sulphates or simply not allowing the colour to process for long enough.

Solution:

• Use Professional Aftercare Products: Recommend a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to your clients. These products are gentle on colour-treated hair and help preserve the vibrancy. Why not use our sister brands – Crazy Color- range now in 1L ready for the backwash!

• Reassess Processing Times: Ensure that the colour is left on for the recommended processing time. Using the correct developer strength is key to longer-lasting colour.

Pro Tip: After colouring, rinse with cool water to lock in the pigment and prevent premature fading.

The Hairdresser’s Ultimate Hair Color Correction Toolkit

Having the right tools on hand is essential for fixing hair colour mistakes. Here’s what you’ll need to tackle the most common colour mishaps:

• Colour Remover: A must-have for lightening darkened hair or unwanted pigment.

• Toners: Have a variety of toners available to neutralise brassiness or unwanted warm tones.

• Sulphate-Free Shampoo & Conditioner: Essential for aftercare to prolong colour vibrancy.

• Colour Wheel: Helps you quickly identify the right toner to use based on the undertone.

• Developer & Developer Activators: For quick fixes to correct colour mistakes and help with precise application.

At Colorissimo, we offer a comprehensive range of professional colour products that can help prevent colour mishaps and provide long-lasting, vibrant results. Check out our 94 fade-resistant shades for your next colour correction service.