Ever since the sixth grade, I've been coloring my hair. And I've seen almost every hair coloring mishap out there. I even had highlighter-orange hair for a while (by accident, of course)!
If you color your hair on the regular like me, and have problems,below are some simple solutions.
PROBLEM: GREEN HAIR
Fix: Ketchup
Being blonde can be pretty dangerous. A quick dip in chlorinated water or too much sun exposure is all it takes to cause an unwanted color change. When this happens, washing hair with ketchup cancels out green tones. I know it sounds crazy, but the red from the tomatoes counteracts the green tints. And the acid helps remove minerals that caused the nasty chemical color reaction. Simply massage the ketchup into your hair with your fingertips, leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse out thoroughly with cool water.
PROBLEM: GRAY ROOTS
Fix: Eyeshadow
If you color your hair to camouflage gray roots, but you don't have time to touch up before your next board meeting, try dusting a matching shade of eyeshadow on your part to hide grays. Take a makeup brush, dampen the bristles and dip into powder. Then, dab the shadow on your part where it's gray.
PROBLEM: DULL COLOR FROM PRODUCT BUILDUP
Fix: Apple cider vinegar
Overusing the same products can cause buildup that coats your hair, giving it a dull appearance. I've definitely been there myself, multiple times. To help your color shine through, de-gunk your hair with a clarifying shampoo like Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. Or if you want to save the cash, use a natural hair rinse once in a while -- like apple cider vinegar -- which can remove buildup.
PROBLEM: OBVIOUS, DIFFERENT COLORED ROOTS
Fix: Braid your hair
If your hair grows ridiculously fast like mine, you probably end up having roots before you have time (or money) for your next hair coloring sesh., Braiding mixes the two-toned hair, which helps make the roots less noticeable. Side-braid the front of your hair, including any bangs you may have, and tuck it behind one ear. You can also zigzag the part, rather than creating a straight one to camouflage highlights.
PROBLEM: DRY HAIR FROM FREQUENT COLORING
Fix: Semi-permanent dye
If you color every couple of months, you may be left with dry, coarse hair. There are some great options to keep your hair looking healthy. First, go for a semi-permanent hair color. It's much less damaging than full-on hair color. Or do a root application when re-coloring your hair rather than coloring all over. That way, your grays and obvious roots are covered up without applying product over every strand. It's also important to use a deep conditioning product once a week when your hair is colored to restore moisture.
[credit: Total Beauty]