What Would You Do: Removing Red Haircolor From My Clients’ Hair

There’s nothing more annoying than when a client comes down with a nasty case of buyer’s remorse with their haircolor. One of our BTC fam is currently trying to remove a tricky red hue from her client’s mane and is DESPERATE for help! How would you tackle this color catastrophe? Scroll down and find out!

“I have a client who last week decided to go red and hated it. We’ve bleached it, washed it twice and put a 4AA on it and it’s still really red. What else can we do to remove the red? I worry about causing irreparable damage to her hair, but she is still highly unhappy.”

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Use A Color Remover

“Try using a color remover. I have had good luck with Matrix’s color remover.” – @hair_is_my_canvas16

“I’d use hot water to open up the cuticle, before a applying a soap cap at the bowl. This will help keep the integrity of her hair. Repeat this process until you start to see the color leave the hair. Remember red is the largest color molecule, which won’t allow the red to completely penetrate the hair. It’s a slower process, but necessary.” – @heatherbunni_

“I would’ve used a color extractor, like the one from Pravana or Rusk, first. Then depending on the results, I would either lighten from there or tone her. Then I would have her wait a week, before extracting again. You always get better results with an extractor prior to bleaching.” – @hairartistashleyj

“Try Wella Renew. It’s gentle on the hair and removes permanent color.” – @breezywood7

“Joico’s Blonde Life plus 40-volume and Olaplex will strip the red out, then color over with an ash-based color. Scruples is really good. It’s pure pigment and it has a lot of filler already in there.” – Tracey O’Donnell

Neutralize The Red With An Opposing Color

“Is it red, copper or copper red? You have to use the correct ash to neutralize the hair. Just because a color says ‘ash’, doesn’t mean it’s the right one. If it’s red? Use a color with a green ash. If it’s orange? Use a blue ash and so on. You can put all the blue in the world on a true red, but it won’t neutralize it.” – @getbabbed

“Color lines do not make a solid green base, but a yellow-green base. In order to get rid of the red, you must first lift to an orange and neutralize it with a blue.” – @lyndzshairs

“The red at a level 4 requires green to neutralize, and will appear muddy if you try to get ALL of the warmth out. So I would recommend, as the stylist, that your client maintain some natural warmth at that level if they do not want to appear dark. I know that I’ve used an oxidative color remover from Malibu C to remove some permanent color, but it’s for levels 1-3… I’d recommend treatments, and explain to the guest that without the integrity of her hair nothing will be possible. It might be best to give it some time and product to help replenish it!” – @stylistamandaelaine

“You can try to cancel a lot if it out temporarily with a green semi-permanent, like Pulp Riot or Joico Color Intensity. Dilute the color in a toner bottle mixed with warm water, and put it over wet hair at the bowl. I’ve had success cancelling out warmth in the past, when toners alone wouldn’t do the trick.” – @brooketeligades

Home Remedies

“I’ve had clients fade their hair with Dawn dish soap until our next session.” – @p_1_t_a

“If you want to try an unconventional way, I like using apple cider vinegar with Dr. Bronner’s soap.” – @michelle.miami

Be Patient & Let It Fade

“First of all, I would have told my client that you have to let it fade—reds fade pretty well. I would have given her some Malibu C to use at home a couple times until her next appointment. If you have just dyed it a week ago, it’s not going to come out by just putting color over it…” – @stephygoddess

“She needs patience, before anything. I’ve had a few clients regret colors we’ve consulted on. It happens. I’ve done it myself. But, PATIENCE is the key to maintaining the integrity of the hair and her bank account…” – @melissag77