Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing a color shampoo
• Part 2 of 3: Wash with color shampoo
• Part 3 of 3: Using color shampoo on dry hair
• Tips
• Necessities

When you color your hair, it is not uncommon for unattractive yellows, oranges or reds to appear between your locks over time. It is usually the result of environmental factors such as sun exposure and pollution, but luckily you can correct the yellowness by washing with a color shampoo. The process is similar to washing your hair with normal shampoo, but you have to be a little more patient - and if you are dealing with a lot of yellowness you may need to use the shampoo on dry hair.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Choosing a color shampoo

1. Determine the colors in your hair that you want to correct. Color shampoos can help with yellowness that occurs with different hair colors. When choosing a shampoo, it is important to know which color tones in your hair you want to correct with it. View your hair in a mirror in both natural and artificial light to determine which shades you want to get rid of.
   • With blond and gray hair, it is usually yellow and gold tones that become visible when your hair turns yellow.
   • Depending on what shade of blonde your hair is, orange, copper, or red shades may appear when your color turns yellow.
   • Dark hair with highlights may appear yellowish orange or red.
   • If you are not sure what shades you have in your hair, ask a professional hairdresser.
2. Choose a matching color shampoo color. Once you know which shades in your hair you want to neutralize, it will be easier to choose a color shampoo. That's because you can use the color wheel to figure out what color pigment you need to correct the yellowish tones in your hair. You want a color shampoo that contains pigments in a shade opposite to the shades in your hair on the color wheel.
   • If your hair has golden or yellow tones that you want to neutralize, look for a violet or purple shampoo.
   • If your hair has copper-gold tones that you want to neutralize, choose a blue-violet or blue-purple shampoo.
   • If your hair has copper or orange tones that you want to neutralize, use a blue shampoo.
   • If your hair has reddish-copper or reddish-orange tones that you want to neutralize, choose a blue-green shampoo.
   • If your hair has shades of red that you want to neutralize, look for a green shampoo.
3. Check the color depth and consistency of the shampoo. It is best to buy your own color shampoo so that you can control the color and consistency. Visit a beauty supply store for advice from a retailer who is familiar with these products. For dark colored hair, you need to have a formula that is extremely pigmented and has a thick consistency for the best results. If possible, remove the cap from the shampoo bottle to see how it looks before purchasing.
   • Remember, if you have fine or thin hair, you may be better off with a coloring shampoo that is lighter in color or not as pigmented. In fact, pigment rich formulas can color your hair if you use them on a daily basis. For example, using a deep, dark purple color shampoo every day can give your hair a light purple hue. However, if you use the shampoo once a week, your hair should not discolor.

Part 2 of 3: Wash with color shampoo

1. Wet your hair. Just like you would with normal shampoo, wet your hair completely in the shower or over the sink. It is best to rinse your hair with warm water as it opens the hair cuticles and allows it to absorb the color shampoo better.
2. Apply the shampoo. Once your hair is completely wet, squeeze some color shampoo on your hand and apply it to your hair, starting at the roots and from there to the ends. Gently massage the shampoo into your hair so that it lathers well.
   • If you have short hair, use about a fingertip of shampoo.
   • For hair that ends between the chin and the shoulders, use about a medium-sized coin size amount of shampoo.
   • If you have hair that falls over your shoulders, use about a large coin-sized amount of shampoo.
3. Let the shampoo absorb into your hair. Once you have massaged the color shampoo into a foam, leave it on for a few minutes to allow the color pigments to soak into your hair. Check the directions on your shampoo, but in most cases you should leave it in for between 3 and 5 minutes.
   • If you have fine or thin hair, you should not leave the color shampoo in for the full recommended time as it can discolor your hair if left in for too long.
4. Rinse your hair and follow up with a conditioner. After leaving the shampoo in your hair for the recommended amount of time, rinse your hair with lukewarm water to rinse out all of the shampoo. Then you use a conditioner and finish with a rinse with cool water to close the hair cuticles.
   • Many color shampoo companies sell conditioners in the same colors to help further the coloring process. You can use one of these color correcting conditioners after the color shampoo or opt for your normal conditioner.
   • If you end up with colored hair after using the color shampoo, the color will fade after repeated washing. You can speed up the process by using a clarifying shampoo the next time you wash your hair.

Part 3 of 3: Using color shampoo on dry hair

1. Divide your dry hair into sections. To make it easier to put the color shampoo in your hair, it helps to divide it into sections. Use clamps or pins to pin away the parts you're not working on to keep them out of the way.
2. Apply the shampoo in your hair. Once you have divided the hair, you can start applying the shampoo. Start with the parts that need the most color and have the most resistance to treatment, then move on to the other parts. Make sure to apply the shampoo throughout your hair so that it doesn't look uneven when you're done.
   • You need to be more generous with the shampoo than if you were to apply it to wet hair. Use enough to cover all of your hair thoroughly. Keep in mind that the shampoo will not lather as much as it would when wet.
   • Using color shampoo on dry hair can give more dramatic results because no water is added to dilute the pigments. As a result, it can sometimes discolor hair, so you should not try this treatment if you have fine or thin hair.
3. Leave it on for a few minutes. If you have applied the shampoo all over your hair, you should give it some time to fully absorb into your hair. Check the instructions on the shampoo to see how long it is recommended to leave it on, but you can leave it on for up to 10 minutes.
   • The thicker and stiffer your hair is, the longer you can leave the shampoo in. However, you should err on the side of caution and start with a shorter time to see how your hair reacts.
4. Rinse the shampoo and condition your hair. After letting the color shampoo soak into your strands for a few minutes, rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water to get it out completely. Then use a conditioner and rinse once more with cold water.

Tips

• When you start using a color shampoo, start using it once a week to see how your hair reacts. Depending on your hair type and how much yellowness you want to correct, you will need to use it more often.
• Using a color shampoo on dry hair is a more powerful treatment, so you should only do it once or twice a month.

Necessities

• Color shampoo in the appropriate color
• Conditioner
• Clips or pins
• Comb