Did you just do it? If so, I’ve read somewhere that washing your hair immediately, using liquid dish soap (like Dawn) will take most of the color out.

@augustlan Unfortunately no. I did this a few days ago. I tried not to panic and figured I’d give it some time to get used to it before asking for help. But everytime I look in the mirror I’m disappointed. I look like a gothic ghost.

Ok, first, stop using boxes. They suck. You need to go to Sally Beauty, and get a bottle of color (like this) and a bottle of developer like this. Since you want it to be lighter, I’d get a 30 or 40, not a 10 or 20. Mix equal parts color and developer. Second, you can dye it a lighter color, and it will help. I’ve done it before.

Did you use the temporary dye? Even if it is permanent it will fade because you put it on hair that was very stripped from highlighting. Highlights are so expensive and I know you wanted to avoid going to a salon. Seriously, I would call Miss Clairols 1–800-CLAIROL number and ask them if you can dye it a lighter shade. They make the temporary dye I like Natural Instincts.

This happens a lot, choosing a color that winds up being too dark.

@MyNewtBoobs That sounds simple enough. So I can make it lighter? I always thought once you go too dark, you have to strip your hair completely and dye it all over again to the correct color.

@JLeslie I think it was permanent. I checked the box a million times but nothing said temporary.

Or, go to the salon for a single process, it will be much cheaper than highlights. When you call to make the appointment make sure they can make it lighter.

@ItalianPrincess1217 Probably was. There are very few temporary hair dyes on the market.

@ItalianPrincess1217 No, you don’t. Plus, the developers lift the color (or something…) so that they help as like, teeny bits of bleach. 10 doesn’t lift at all, 20 does a bit, 30 more, and 40 the most. But I’ve done it a few times when I miscounted how much black I was putting in (my color is actually a combo of three different colors, because I can’t find the one that best fits me, so I make my own).

@MyNewtBoobs This might be a stupid question but I’ve never dyed my hair any other way than from a box or had a professional do the work so…how different is the process? The developer and dye are mixed together? The same as the box dyes come?

@ItalianPrincess1217 Mmmm… It’s been a long time since I used box dye, so correct me if I’m wrong. In box dye, they give you a squeeze bottle, and you dump the liquid color plus some developer powder in, shake, and then squeeze it into your hair, right? So this, get a small (or large) tupperware thingy that you can throw out or dedicate to hair dye, and you put in equal parts of dye and developer (which is liquid, in this case). I usually eyeball it, but I’m only doing my roots – you’ll probably want more, so maybe half a bottle of color, depending upon how long/thick your hair is. Then you dump in the same amount of the liquid developer, and use your brush (get a brush, they’re a buck fifty max) to stir them together thouroughly. Then use the brush to paint the roots. Then (favorite part) dump the rest of the dye onto your hair, like how you do shampoo with it all up on your head and scrubby-scrubby (technical term I picked up). Then let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse, condition with something like this (they have small packets you can buy for around a buck), and then you’re done. Make sure to buy gloves, also. They have smaller packets for around 3ish dollars, but I buy the big case of 100 for 10 bucks because I dye my hair all the time. Do the Vaseline thing around the edges of your face so your skin doesn’t get dyed. You can buy a cape or something to protect you; I have a sundress that got ripped up that’s been dedicated to the cause, and anything that gets elsewhere you can get off really quickly with rubbing alcohol.

I don’t want to scare you, but I thought that hair dying can pose some health risks, especially while pregnant. Here is one site that discusses this.

@Pied_Pfeffer Pretty sure she’s already discussed that on another thread.

I would go to a salon and get them to fix it, They are used to people coming in with mistakes. Also the way they dye hair in the salon means that less of it gets on your scalp so fewer issues with allergies and toxins.

Alternatively, if you can’t face/afford salon, I have heard that anti-dandruff shampoos will strip hair of colour so you could buy a bottle of Head and Shoulders and get washing.

If the box said lasts up to 28 washes it may be a semi-permanent dye. I have used these before as they are less harsh and because they wash out the root regrowth is not so noticeable – your natural hair colour just comes back, grey in my case

You should wait a week, see if it fades. Sometimes box color fades a lot faster then they say. If you still think it’s too dark, go to the salon and get natural weave highlights to break it up.

Hair lightener can be used on your hair when pregnant because it should not be applied directly on the scalp. But, hair color should not be applied at all when pregnant until the second trimester.

I am hairdresser and if I could I would fix this for you! :)

Put a tablespoon of dawn dish soap in the bottle of your normal shampoo and wait 2–3 weeks and then dye it lighter. I dye my hair black and thats what i do when i want to go lighter. It sucks waiting 2–3 weeks, but frying your hair from excessive dying can cause major damage to the hair. I would try the shampoo trick since dark hair dye washes out in about 4 weeks on its own, its hard to keep it dark.

I also wouldnt use a hair lightener! My sister tried it and her hair broke off. Give it a few weeks, and besides once the shock factor is gone you might like it.

I would go to the salon!!!!