How to Correct Red Hair Color

If you have ever had a red hair color mistakes at home, you will know how embarrassing it can be.  The good news is red hair dye is not permanent. You have 24 to 72 hours before the hair color fully sets into the hairs cuticles. You need to take advantage of this window to remove your red hair color. You know what; hair color toner is the answer.


What Is Color Toner?

The simple answer is that a color toner is just another fancy phrase for a semi-permanent hair color. The only real difference is that a hair color toner only deposits color on the hair shaft and does not contain any lightening chemicals. Toners are also transparent to some degree, so it allows the color underneath to show through.

How can color toner fix hair mistakes?

In cases where the hair color is completely wrong--let's say you ended up with yellow or bright orange, a toner can be applied over it to neutralize that color. The way it works is that the toner you choose should be the complimentary color of the shade of your hair. The easiest way to figure it out is to look at a color wheel. If your hair has turned a certain shade then the toner color you need will be directly opposite on the wheel.

• Red hair can be neutralized by a green or ash-based toner.

• Green hair can be treated with a red-based toner to bring it back to a more natural shade. 

• Orange hair will need a toner with a blue base.

• Yellow hair can be fixed by using a toner with a violet base or by using a beige hair color.

• Blue hair will need an orange-based toner to neutralize it.

The really nice thing is that you just need to look for a semi-permanent hair color with the right base or undertone and apply it at home. Being able to fix our own hair is a must for those of us who are on a budget, and can be liberating too, especially for those of us who like to experiment!