Got a little dye-happy and accidentally end up with completely the wrong shade? You're not the first and you definitely won't be the last.
Rather than hiding away for the next six to 12 months while your bad dye job slowly grows out or rushing back to the salon to fix your tresses professionally, it's worth trying a hair colour remover first.
Hair colour remover works by shrinking the artificial colour molecules in your hair, making them easier to wash out. While it won't restore your natural colour, it'll definitely help to lift or remove the most recently applied shade, which will hopefully be a lot closer to your natural hair.
You'll want to ensure you choose a hair colour remover that's suitable for your hair type and colour. Some products are designed for dark colours, while others are for light or brighter shades. Some products may contain ammonia or bleach, which can be harsh on your hair and scalp. If you're not a fan of bleach, it's probably best to avoid these harsher products.
It may sound like repeating the obvious but always follow the directions on the package exactly. Don't be tempted to leave the product on your hair longer than recommended, as this can cause damage or uneven results.
Once you've applied your colour remover, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water until the water runs clear. Then, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any residue and condition your hair to restore moisture and shine. You may need to repeat this step several times, especially if you're using a strongly scented product. You may also want to use a deep conditioning treatment or a protein filler to strengthen your hair and prepare it for re-colouring.
We've rounded up all of the best hair colour removers below
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JoBaz Hair Colour Remover Extra Strength
JoBaz’s Hair Colour Remover Extra Strength is one of the most popular and effective products around and helps to wash away any unwanted colour in a matter of minutes. Better yet, this kind-to-strands formula does all of the above without leaving you with straw-like locks at the end. Easy to use and famed for working when other formulas have not been up to the task, this hair colour remover strips all kinds of shades including tough blues and purples.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Scott Cornwall Decolour Hair Colour Stripper
Previously a treatment only available in salons, Decolour Stripper uses a safe, gentle pigment removal powder to strip both artificial colour pigments. Taking less than an hour, this unique formula creates a lighter base which can be effectively and immediately recoloured.
It’s an ideal method if you want to change dark hair to blonde or red, or simply achieve a lighter brunette result than your current shade. Its unique formula protects hair lipid levels and retains hair condition, which means you can even use it twice to lift very dark shades in one go.
Buy now £12.99, Boots
Revolution Haircare Plex Hair Colour Remover
The Revolution Haircare Plex Hair Colour Remover places an emphasis on the condition of your hair with its technologically advanced formula. It contains added Plex Bond Restore technology that will not only safely remove dye colour and stubborn build-up, but will smooth hair, reduce frizz and restore the hair’s fibres, with no harsh bleach or ammonia included. A colour remover that’s kinder to your hair, it’s renowned for not having the same strong smell that many competing brands struggle with.
Buy now £8.66, Boots
Colour B4 Hair Colour Remover Extra Strength
Colour B4’s Hair Colour Remover is an easy-to-use extra-strength hair colour remover that turns back the clock on unwanted shades, tones and multiple colours no matter how many of the above you’re trying to strip back. One of the best solutions to getting an unwanted hue out, it’s ammonia-free and bleach-free, ensuring smooth, undamaged locks by the end. One thing to note: if you have thick hair, you’ll likely want to buy two bottles.
Buy now £7.99, Revolution Beauty
Schwarzkopf Professional Bond Enforcing Color Remover
Lightening your hair colour using standard bleach can cause irreparable damage. The Schwarzkopf Professional Bond Enforcing colour remover offers an innovative way to remove unwanted shades while preserving the quality of your hair. This remover is applied in two steps: dissolving all artificial pigments from your hair while unifying your natural tone. In the second step, it deeply nourishes your hair and prepares it for a new colouring process. Before you start, do a patch test first.
Buy now £15.40, Notino
PROVOKE Hair Colour Remover
Whether your home colour resulted in a tone you didn’t want or you simply want to go back to the shade underneath, this remover is an essential product if you’re someone who often gets a little too dye-happy. Suitable for use on light to mid-toned hair types, this formula gently reduces the size of permanent hair dye particles held within your hair so they become small enough to simply wash out, whether those are permanent or semi-permanent. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.
Buy now £8.48, Amazon
Superdrug Colour Rewind Hair Colour Remover
Tried a new colour and realised that perhaps it wasn’t for you? No worries: Superdrug’s Colour Rewind Hair Colour Remover is an ammonia-free formula that strips back any unwanted colour to bring your natural shade back through. One of the most lauded options around, it’s ideal for stripping back even the strongest of shades without damaging your hair.
Buy now £8.99, Superdrug
Colourless Extra Hair Colour Remover
The Colourless Extra Hair Colour Remover safely does away with unwanted tones and comes in a washable formula for a seamless experience. This gentle formula is best for those who only need a little help lifting out artificial hues to find the shade underneath. It won’t work as well if you’re lifting heavy colour that’s a world away from your natural locks. But, if you’re trying to be kind to your hair and keep its condition strong, this is a great bottle to try first.
Buy now £6.66, Boots
Developlus FCOP0002 Color Oops Hair Color Remover
You’ll have the best results using Developlus dye remover if you’re looking to strip your hair colour with the intention of re-dyeing it afterwards. The formula of this product is designed to lighten the hair underneath, which means you may not be back with your natural hair colour but will definitely be left with hair that’s lighter. It’s a top choice if you’ve accidentally gone a little too dark and want to see your lighter hair again.
Buy now £22.06, Amazon
L’OREAL Effasol Color Remover
These L’OREAL Effasol Color Remover sachets may look a little clinical but they’re renowned for their effectiveness in the haircare world. Surprisingly gentle on the hair yet impressively efficient at lifting unwanted colour, the dye stripper is one of the fastest options around and works quickly to restore your hair back to its previous glory. If you have thicker or curly hair, you’ll want to buy two sachets for best results.
Buy now £11.95, Amazon
Verdict
There are plenty of hair colour removers around but the tried-and-tested JoBaz Hair Colour Remover Extra Strength works its magic the best and keeps your hair feeling good even post-lifting.
