home hair colour model home hair colour model

Home Hair Colour Problems: Hair Dye Mistakes Solved

Need some home hair colour quick fixes to your home hair colour nightmares? Never fear, Garnier is here, from fixing brassy hair to stripping colour – let the experts help.

Interested in knowing what your favourite shade will look like on you? Don’t forget to use our Virtual Try-On feature to see what shade best suits you. Find out more on our Virtual Try-On homepage at the end of this article, or by clicking on one of our products with the 'Try It On' icon.

There’s something really exciting about dyeing your hair. You can create a whole new look, feel like a completely different person, and get a fresh perspective on your style and makeup routine.

However, there’s nothing quite like that gut-wrenching moment when you take the towel off your head, look in the mirror and realise that your chosen home hair colour is totally different to what it looked like on the packet.

There are several reasons why home hair problems arise. No matter how many ‘how to dye your hair’ articles you read beforehand, these things happen. But whatever the cause of your less-than-ideal hair colour reaction, there is a solution.

How to adjust colour that’s too dark

For the moments when your vision of chocolatey-brown turns into a lack-lustre charcoal, there’s a pretty simple fix - wash it out.

The trick is to use a shampoo that isn’t a ‘colour protecting’ one, as it helps to strip your hair of any unwanted colour and lift it back to its lighter tones. It also helps to add a little bit of soap into the mix too.

You’ll need to apply an intensive hair mask after you’ve finished rectifying your colour though, as your hair is likely to be drier than usual. We love Argan Oil and Cranberry Hair Balm for Coloured Hair. It’s enriched with natural extracts, keeping your colour vibrant and your hair soft wash after wash.

How to adjust the shade when your hair is too red

Most brunettes have had a vision, at some point, of having some feisty red undertones that shimmer in the light, but with home hair dye it can sometimes go wrong. If the finished colour is more fire engine than sultry maven, try dyeing your hair again with a shade of brown that’s at the same colour level as the red you used. For example, if you were aiming for a deep red, but it went too far, the Garnier Nutrisse 3.23 Dark Quartz Brown Permanent Home Hair Dye will help to even it out. Leave the hair dye on for five to ten minutes and keep checking the colour so you don’t overcook it. When you’re happy with your new shade, simply wash it out and go.

How to adjust the shade when your hair is too blonde

If you want to give your hair colour a bit more of a golden tone, the Garnier Nutrisse Creme Gold Pearl Blonde Permanent Hair Dye is a great choice. It will leave your hair looking warmer and feeling nourished. The Garnier Nutrisse Creme 8N Nude Medium Blonde Permanent Home Hair Dye is perfect for anyone who wants a more multi-tonal look made up of blondes and very light browns. It combines a unique blend of ash, gold and pearl, giving luminous colour that still looks natural.

When you’ve found the right shade to lift your hair, keep it on for half the recommended time. Check how your hair colour is changing every five minutes and take it off when you feel like it’s dark enough.

How to fix brassy hair colour

If you’re venturing from brunette to blonde, it’s not uncommon to find brassy shades in your hair. This is caused by certain minerals in the water, which create that less-than-ideal orange colour. If this happens, a purple or silver shampoo and conditioner will be your saviour. The purple colour infused in the formula works to neutralise the brassy undertones, giving your hair a more ashy finish.

Our Garnier Nutrisse D+++ Bleach Maximum Lightener comes with a purple conditioner to restore hair and remove any brassy tones at home. Our formula is enriched with natural flower oils and violet pigments to ensure an anti-yellow and anti-orange effect for blondes and brunettes. No ammonia for a pleasant scent and no paraben formula for all blondes and brunettes, both colour treated and natural hair.

Protecting your colour from fading away

Once you’ve found the right hair colour, it’s important to protect your hair from damage. To do this, look at how often you’re using heated products, washing your hair and exposing your locks to the sun. Always use a good quality shampoo and conditioner such as our Garnier Ultimate Blends Argan Oil and Cranberry Extracts Conditioner for Coloured Hair, which will help to protect your coloured hair.

IMPORTANT: Actual results may vary based on your hair colour and condition. For more information, please read our Terms page. Like how this shades looks on you? Make sure it works on your hair. Take our 1-minute quiz to be certain.

Pick your next colour in less than one minute

With Color Match you can find the perfect shade for you
in just a few clicks. Launch the quiz and start your diagnosis!

What look are you going for?

First pick exactly the look you want to achieve using our virtual try on technology to see all our shades. Whether
you want a bold new look or to boost your current
colour, there’s a Garnier shade that will suit your needs.

Get your personal recommendation

We’ll give you a selection of shades recommended by
our hair colour experts just for your needs. If the shade
you want needs professional haircolour assistance,
we'll give you an alternative product recommendation
you can try instead.

Tell us about your hair

Tone, shade, any grey hair to cover? To make sure we provide the best hair color match for you, there’s a few things we need to know. Get our expert recommendations.

Try your personalised shades

Use the latest Virtual Try On technology to try your
tailored product selection and see how they look live on you! Pick your favorite shade and buy online.

Hair Colour 101: Top-Tips and How-To Advice

For more useful hair colour tips and how to advice please visit our Hair Colour 101 page

Discover More

3 steps for dying hair