11 do It Yourself Ways to Fix a Dye Job Gone Wrong ...

1. Brassy Tones

Use: Ash Toner/Dye
One of the easiest ways to fix a dye job and a lifesaver any blonde would recommend, an ash toner or ash dye is something you should buy before you decide to lighten your hair. Cool ash neutralizes warm brassy tones and is a rather fool-proof choice in case you need a fast, budget-friendly, DIY fix for a color that “should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque.” Toner won’t damage or further lighten your hair while a choice between medium, light or very light ash blonde could help you both lighten and tone your hair to a desired shade.

2. Overly Dark Hair

Use: Clarifying Shampoo
If your chocolate brown looks more like midnight black, give clarifying shampoo a try before you opt for a harsher color-lifting procedure. Most dyes do wash out over time and this product will help speed up the process considerably, allowing you to enjoy the color you want after a short delay. Team it up with a homemade olive oil treatment you’ll keep on your hair for an hour before washing and watch even more unwanted color wash out!

3. Going Back to Your Old Color

Use: Color Lifter
In case you’ve decided to go a lot darker and are now seriously regretting it, you should give color lifter a shot before you reach for bleach! It will not make your currently black hair go back to its former strawberry blonde glory but it will, at least, give you a much lighter shade to work with and help you go back to your former color faster.

4. Patchiness

Use: More Dye
Let this be a lesson to you, honey – if you’re planning to be frugal and go DIY at least make sure you have enough hair dye to fully saturate your hair. The solution is pretty simple, at least! Dye your hair one more time, paying special attention to those problematic bits. And remember to buy two boxes next time.

5. Dull, Washed out Blonde

Use: Dye Bath
I’ve never actually used that oh-so-famous bleach bath but have enough experience with a dye bath to guarantee that it not only works but doesn’t cause a lot of damage as a bonus. A dye bath involves mixing a portion of your product of choice with just a bit of developer and enough shampoo to create a creamy concoction that should be kept on for about 15-20 minutes. Use an ash dye bath in case you can’t get your hands on a toner or want tone down brassiness without having to dye fully or try mixing 1/3 of your favorite shade with a tablespoon of developer and shampoo to freshen up dyed tresses between two touch ups.

6. Green Hair

Use: Red Color Depositing Shampoo, Ketchup
In case your attempt to end your blonde days and join the ranks of brunettes has resulted in a hue that could make any fashion conscious swamp monster go even greener with envy, you will be able to fix it by adding red pigments to your hair to neutralize the green tinge. Try a color depositing shampoo or mix a bit of temporary dye into your conditioner. You can try applying ketchup, too, although this DIY hair fix is mostly for blonde hair gone green because of chlorine.

7. Over-processed Badly Stained Hair

Use: Vitamin C
Trying to get those crazy pink, blue or green tips off your bleached blonde hair or lifting color off hair that’s been processed repeatedly can be done with a simple DIY recipe! Crush a few vitamin C tablets, mix with shampoo in 1:2 ratio, apply and let it sit on your head for at least an hour. Shampoo off, condition and repeat in a few days if necessary.

8. Too Light

Use: Purple Shampoo
If your hair is accidentally too light or too blonde, don't freak out! Just head to the beauty supply and pick up a lavender shampoo or ash blonde toner to help your hair come back from the overly light color. I've had highlights come out a lot more blonde than intended and this is definitely a life saver.

9. You Want to Get Rid of It

Use: Dandruff Shampoo
If you just hate your hair color and don't want to fix it, but want it strip it, there is a way to do that at home. Use shampoos like Head & Shoulders right away. This will help to get rid of the dye in your hair. If you just got your hair done, keep washing your hair with these types of shampoos to be rid of the color.

10. Dull Color

Use: Apple Cider Vinegar
If you dye your hair a lot, you can suffer from dull hair due to product build up. A wash of apple cider vinegar can help to get all of the gunk out of your hair and revamp your color. There are shampoos that can perform the same function, but this is a great way to save money and keep it all natural.

11. Need It Gone Now

Use: Color Opps
If you're feeling completely lost and don't want to waste too much time worrying about fixing this problem, you can go out and buy Color Opps. If your hair was bleached before you dyed it, you do have to realize that your hair will remain bleached after you use Color Opps. It will remove all of the dye in your hair and is fairly cheap.

Have you ever tried fixing a bad dye job at home and do you really think color corrections are most successful within the first two to three days, before dye has had a chance to fully settle?

This article was written in collaboration with editor Lydia Sheehan.