What if I dyed my hair red and it's too bright?

Author: Kirk Braun  |  Last update: Sunday, December 28, 2025

The best thing to do is to dye your hair again but with a natural shade. Dyeing in a natural shade, a colour ending in . 0, neutralises the bright hair colour. So if you have dyed your hair, for example, with our hair colour copper red light brown (6.64), choose the hair colour light brown (6.0), to dye it again.

How to fix too bright red hair?

Look for products that are specifically designed to neutralize red tones. Blue or green shampoos can help counteract the warmth in red hair. A professional toner can be applied to neutralize the red tones. Look for a toner with ash or violet undertones, as these can help balance out the warmth.

What cancels out bright red hair?

Green cancels red. So look for a semi or Demi color with green or ash undertones. The level needs to be as dark or a little darker to kill the red.

What to do if I dyed my hair too light?

5 Tips to Correct Hair that Was Colored too Light
  1. 1) Apply a darker shade to your hair. Be careful not to end up with the opposite problem: having to correct a color that is too dark. ...
  2. 2) Choose a color full of nutrients. ...
  3. 3) Prevent other hair dye mistakes. ...
  4. 4) Pamper your hair. ...
  5. 5) Test before going forward.

What color can I put over bright red hair?

Ashy Tones: Using an ash blonde or ash brown dye can help neutralize the red tones. Ash colors contain green and blue undertones that counteract red. Cool Colors: Shades like violet, purple, or blue can also help neutralize the red. A purple shampoo or conditioner can tone down the redness over time.

Hairdresser Reacts to People Going Brown to Bright Red

How to tone down red hair after coloring?

Reach for green shampoo

Much in the way that purple shampoo can help neutralize brassy tones in blonde and silver hair, green shampoo can help tame unwanted warmth in red hair.

How to make bright red hair darker?

It's easier to make your red hair darker than lighter—plus black on red? Gorgeous. Remember that if you put a true black dye on top of red, your hair won't become brunette. Instead, you will get a true black color that may fade to burgundy, both of which can look fabulous.

How do you tone down too bright hair color?

The best thing to do is to dye your hair again but with a natural shade. Dyeing in a natural shade, a colour ending in . 0, neutralises the bright hair colour. So if you have dyed your hair, for example, with our hair colour copper red light brown (6.64), choose the hair colour light brown (6.0), to dye it again.

How soon can I recolor my hair if I don't like the color?

Generally speaking though, it's best to wait 4-6 weeks before having another color treatment – in most cases, this is enough anyway and reduces the risk of hair damage. There are some exceptions, but in general, it's better to err on the side of caution and wait for this long.

How do you slightly lighten dyed hair?

How to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark with a DIY Approach
  1. Use a paste of Baking Soda and Lemon Juice.
  2. Wash your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar.
  3. Take some Vitamin C Tablets.
  4. Wash Hair With Clarifying Shampoo.
  5. Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Brassy Tones.
  6. Do a Bleach Bath.
  7. Bleed the Color Out.
  8. Use Hair Lightener or Toner.

How to fix hair that is too red?

  1. How to Remove the Orange and Red Tones at Home. Dye It With an Ashy Hair Color. ...
  2. Try a Cool-Toned Color-Depositing Conditioner. ...
  3. Strip the Color With a Color Remover.

What color cancels out red paint?

For this example we chose Fluid Permanent Green Light and Quinacridone Red. When mixed together in equal parts they produce an achromatic gray, or a colorless gray approaching black. This means their color biases cancel each other out, which is an indication that they are good complements.

Will purple shampoo tone down red hair?

Purple Shampoo on Red Hair:

If you have naturally red hair a purple shampoo may not make much of a difference but it can help those with chemically dyed red hair. Purple shampoo will not fade or remove red color but can impact its visual effect. A purple shampoo used sparingly can help remove bronzy and brassy tones.

How to make red less vibrant?

Combine red with gray to make a darker, flatter red.

Mixing paint with gray instead of black means that you're adding some white to your color, which creates a more neutral impression. The white and the black cancel each other out in terms of vibrancy, resulting in a flatter, muted red.

How long does it take for bright red hair to fade?

Even with the most talented colourists 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. And even then, red hair is prone to fading and looking orange or brassy.

What to do if you don't like the color you dye your hair?

Go Back to Your Natural Color

Whether you opt for a new colorist or return to the original colorist for a re-do, opt for a shade that's not too far off from your own. "Using your roots as a guide, select a color shade as close as possible to your natural color," says colorist Richy Kandasamy.

What happens if I dye my hair again the same day?

What happens if I re-dye my hair too soon? If you dye your hair too soon, you can cause permanent damage to your hair cuticle, which will make your strands feel dry, frizzy, and rough. Common signs of overprocessed hair include: Drastic changes in hair texture.

Why do hairdressers hate box dye?

Certain harsh chemicals in popular box dyes have given many stylists pause. Common concerns include: Ammonia - This mixing agent lifts cuticles to deposit colour but is quite drying over time. Peroxide - High volumes like 30+ developer cause more damage to delicate hair.

How to fix a bad hair dye job?

If you had a bad coloring job your best bet is to visit a reputable beauty salon and have a trained professional perform corrective coloring that will rid you of the unnatural color and give your hair a second chance.

How do I make my red hair less bright?

Green shampoo is to redheads as purple shampoo is to blondes. This mask is great for all hair types as a weekly or twice-a-week treatment. It will color-correct and hydrate while neutralizing any unwanted red and copper undertones in dark hair.

What color cancels out red hair?

The opposite of red on the color wheel is green, which means that green can cancel out red tones in the hair. However, it's essential to note that adding green to your hair will result in a brownish color. To achieve a cool shade, you should use a blue shampoo over a warm hair base.

What can I do if my hair color is too light?

A Clarifying Shampoo Works Wonders

You might have heard about this tip in salons but clarifying shampoos can be helpful for hair colors that are too light or bright. A clarifying shampoo is meant to remove color from your hair and it can even out your hair color as well.

How to make dyed red hair lighter?

Mixing Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide for Dyed Hair
  1. Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a plastic bowl. ...
  2. Brush the mixture onto your hair with a hair dye brush. ...
  3. Let the mixture sit for 30 to 60 minutes. ...
  4. Rinse your hair out with cold water.

Will the sun lighten red hair?

So, think again about whether you're willing to let your red hair become sun-bleached this summer. Sure, it'll lighten your ginger shade, but your strands will be crying out for much-needed moisture and protection.

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