Have you ever gone through a hair bleaching process and ended up with yellow roots? When you thought nothing could stop you on your way to perfect blonde hair, you discover that your roots didn’t tone, showing a horrifying yellow after rinsing out! But don’t worry, there are two possible solutions to fix yellow roots after bleaching and toning your hair:
The first way to fix your yellow roots is by using a hair dye with a purple tone. The second is to wash your hair using purple shampoo. But how will you know if you should choose one option or the other? It’s simple:
- If your roots turn yellow after using a dye, use the same dye with a purple tone.
- If your roots turn yellow after bleaching your hair, you should wash your hair using a purple shampoo to fix them.
These solutions are effective even for stubborn brassy highlights that won’t go away nicely. Keep reading to learn how to prevent and fix yellow roots after lightening your hair.
How to Fix Yellow Roots After Hair Bleaching
How to get rid of yellow roots? Most of the time, the method you will choose to fix your roots depends on how they ended up in this color that you’re unsatisfied with. Another aspect to note is how long it will take to neutralize the color at your roots.
The solution is immediate when using a hair dye with a purple tone. If you rinse your hair, a bright yellow color will already be toned. However, if you tone yellow roots with purple shampoo will generally take up to three washes to completely remove the bright yellow color.
Now that you know the basic idea of fixing yellow roots after bleaching, let’s discuss the two problems and solutions below.
How Do I Fix Bright Yellow Roots as a Result of the Dyeing Process?
Applying a purple-toned hair dye is important if your roots have gone yellow after using a dye. You’re probably wondering and asking yourself, “Which hair dye should I use?”
1. Use the Same Hair Dye Level You Used Before
It’s super easy! Use the same number of the hair dye you used before, but this time, it must have a purple tone, which is a number 2.
Each hair dye has a unique identifier number, as you have probably noticed, such as Light Brown 6, Dark Brown 3, or Lighter Blonde 9. The numbers indicate the hair dye’s level or color, which varies from Black 1 to Platinum Blonde 10.
Just like hair dyes have colors, these dyes also have tones, which is the secondary color in the pigment. For example:
- Golden lighter blonde 9.3;
- Light beige brown 6.2; or
- Dark ash brown 3.1.
As you can see, every tone has a number that corresponds to it. And in the case of purple — a marble or beige tone — it’s the number 2.
In other words, if you want to fix your roots, you need to go to the store and get the same color or level of hair dye you used on your hair. But this time, choosing with a number 2, like:
- 9.2 lighter beige blonde;
- 8.2 beige blonde;
- 7.2 dark beige blonde;
- 4.2 beige brown;
- 5.2 medium beige brown; or
- 6.2 light beige brown.
Once you have the hair dye, you can tone that dreadful yellow color. But how do you use it on your hair?
2. Apply It to the Roots of Your Hair
It’s best only to apply it to the roots of your hair so that the rest of your hair will have an even color. Here’s how to do it right:
- Make sure there are no knots in your hair by combing it thoroughly.
- Use the plastic container provided in the kit to mix the dye tube and developer.
- Use a dye brush or your hands to apply the color mix to your hair.
- Cover all of your roots, leaving no areas uncolored.
- Set the timer to 20-30 minutes and let the color sit.
- Proceed with the usual rinsing and drying procedures.
3. Allow Your Hair to Dry
When you dry your hair, you will see that your orange-yellow roots have completely disappeared. Like I said at the beginning, this solution is instant and permanent. Of course, you also can use purple shampoo, but it could take up to five washes for you to see its effects.
What Can I Do to Fix Yellow Roots After Bleaching?
Use a Purple Shampoo
Use a purple shampoo to fix your yellow hair roots after you have bleached them. You could also use a hair dye with a purple tone. But you would need to use it on all of your hair so that it does not turn out uneven. Imagine how it would look if your roots were toned, but the rest of your hair was yellow?
That’s the reason why I recommend using purple shampoo. A purple shampoo is an incredible tool when you want to tone down an unwanted hair color because it deposits pigments in your hair every time you wash it.
Not an Instant Solution
However, remember that this method is not an instant solution. You will still have to wash your hair with purple shampoo – at least two times – to see the change.
How Do You Use Purple Shampoo?
You use purple shampoo by replacing your regular shampoo with it. This means that you should use purple shampoo every time you wash your hair. So, if you wash your hair every day, you will use the purple shampoo every single day:
- Wash your hair as you usually do.
- Use purple shampoo in the shower.
- Lather the shampoo on your hair.
- Allow the shampoo to sit for around 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing.
- After rinsing your hair as usual and then pat it dry.
- You can brush and dry your hair in any way that works.
If you carefully follow these instructions, that bright yellow color in your roots will disappear. Additionally, by using it on all of your hair, your color will turn out uniformly without needing to use a hair dye to even it out.
How Do You Get Rid of Stubborn Yellow Roots?
When this happens, maybe you have made some mistakes somewhere during the process. Fortunately, you still have an excellent chance to fix it.
1. Identify the Reason Behind the Yellow Roots
But first, you need to know what you are dealing with so that you do not ruin your hair. Make sure to understand why your roots turned yellow after toning to prevent it from happening again.
Believe it or not, yellow roots happen to a very high percentage of people who bleach their hair at home — their roots do not tone. What caused their roots to turn yellow after toning? One of the top reasons is traces of bleach on their hair.
Therefore, if you applied the toner but your hair still had traces of bleach, the product will not tone. After rinsing it out, your roots will be as bright yellow as before applying it. Sadly, bleach tends to stick to the hair strongly and persistently. But don’t lose hope or feel discouraged!
2. Rinse Your Hair
You have to rinse your hair. When rinsing, rub your scalp using your fingertips and work up a good lather to remove the bleach mixture. You can repeat the process if you feel that your hair is still dry and rough.
3. Wait for At Least Two Days Before Toning Your Roots
So, don’t let anxiety get the better of you! The yellow roots will have to wait for at least two days before toning them again. For the time being, do not apply any hair products to prevent it from saturating, or else, it will not absorb the toner and get rid of the yellowish color from your roots.
Ask yourself, “Has it been two days since I completely removed the bleach?” If the answer is yes, it’s time for you to reapply the toner. This time, make sure to do it the right way. I’ll tell you how below.
Again, how to fix yellow roots after bleaching your hair? You’ll need a purple shampoo or toner to fix yellow roots after bleaching your hair. A purple shampoo or toner can help neutralize your yellow roots.
How to Reapply Toner to Your Roots to Keep Them from Turning Yellow
You must read the instructions carefully before applying any toner to your hair. You will probably find the instructions on the toner container or the box it came with. Why should you read the toner instructions?
If you’ve never done this before, and your roots have turned yellow, you may have missed something while doing the procedure. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations — after all, they know what they’re talking about!
Aside from following the manufacturer’s instructions, here are four steps you can follow to tone your hair properly:
1. Prepare Your Hair
Comb your dry hair into four sections: two in the front and two in the back. You can use hair clips to hold each section in place.
2. Prepare the Mixture
Mix the toner with the developer in a plastic container and combine until the two elements are appropriately blended.
Make sure to use a 20-volume developer. Once you have finished mixing both ingredients, put on your gloves.
3. Apply the Mixture
You should only apply the mixture to your hairline. Begin with the roots at the back section. After covering all the roots, comb your hair to the ends to even out the color.
Leave it on for approximately 20 minutes, but you can check your hair every 5 minutes. You have to check the toner’s exposure time on the roots every 5 minutes. By doing so, you will immediately notice any color change.
4. Rinse Thoroughly and Dry
When it’s time or when your roots are not yellow anymore, remove the toner by rinsing your hair thoroughly. For this step, you can use your everyday shampoo and conditioner.
If you followed these steps, but your roots are still yellow after reapplying the toner, I recommend that you seek professional advice. The reason is that your hair might need professional tools that are only used in salons.
And if you reapplied the second round of toner but your roots are still yellow, it may not be strong enough to cover the yellow. When this happens, it’s better to change the toner brand. So, if you are using a home-use toner, choose a professional toner instead.
5. Go to the Salon
In this case, I recommend that you go to the salon. It will be the only way to tone your roots without destroying your hair. Do not keep reapplying the toner — otherwise, you will break your hair at the roots and start losing hair strands.
It is important to note that the damage will be irreversible, unlike the damage done at the ends. Having damaged ends is usually solved by a simple 5-centimeter haircut. But when your hair bulbs are damaged, your hair will be doomed.
Frequently Asked Questions – Yellow Roots After Bleaching Hair
How Do You Get Rid of Yellow Roots in Bleached Hair?
In some instances, you need to bleach your hair to a lighter color or level before applying a toner to darken it and remove any remaining yellow.
So, even if you have your hair done at the hairdresser, yellow tones can appear after a few washes as the toner used to remove the unwanted yellow tones fades away.
How Do You Fix Yellow Orange Roots?
There are easy ways to fix accidental brassy roots. You can dye your hair back to the dark color before you bleached it. Sometimes, rebleaching your roots can also help. Try using honey and conditioner to lift brassiness. Using a toner will cancel out the orange in your roots as well.
How Long Should I Leave Bleach on Yellow Roots?
Pro-tip to keep in mind: make sure to apply the bleach one inch away from the scalp for the first 30 minutes and apply it to your roots after. Hair roots are much more virgin, making them easier and faster to bleach. They typically only need 15 minutes or so.
Should I Bleach My Yellow Roots Again?
You should be all done bleaching, particularly if your roots show a yellow color and the rest of your hair is light blonde. If your roots remain slightly orange and the rest of your hair is a darker blonde, you are all set!
Does Purple Shampoo Get Rid of Yellow Roots?
The violet pigments in the purple shampoo will help neutralize any unwanted yellow tones and leave your hair color looking cool and more rejuvenated.
How Long Do You Leave Purple Shampoo In?
You’ll leave the purple shampoo on for about 5 to 15 minutes before rinsing your hair using cool water. This is applicable if your colored hair has been recently dyed or is discolored.
However, if it is your first time trying purple shampoo, you can experiment by leaving it on for only 5 to 10 minutes before washing it out.
What Happens When You Use Too Much Purple Shampoo?
If overused, the purple shampoo can cause build-up making your hair look dull and darker. This makes the lightening process more difficult, especially when creating a seamless blend.
How Do You Fix Roots That Won’t Take Color?
Thankfully, it is an easy fix — you need to wash your hair using a clarifying shampoo. It may take a few tries, but it works. The clarifying shampoo should bring the color out.
Can You Put Toner Just on Roots?
To change the shade, you can also apply hair toner to targeted areas, such as highlights or roots. The trick here is choosing the correct hair toner to achieve your desired shade.
Conclusion – How to Get Rid of Yellow Roots
How do you fix yellow roots after bleaching and toning your hair? Remember that if your roots turn yellow after using a dye, the solution is to use another hair dye with a purple tone. If your roots turn yellow after bleaching your hair, the solution is to wash your hair using purple shampoo.
What to do when yellow roots don’t tone? Just rinse your hair, and when rinsing, try rubbing your scalp using your fingertips and work up a good lather to completely get rid of the bleach mixture. You can repeat this process, specifically if you feel that your hair is still rough and dry.
If you do not have any experience with toners, it can be very tricky and challenging, especially when you do it at home. You can try reapplying a toner on the roots at home, but make sure your hair is bleach-free. Also, it is critical to pay extra attention to the exposure times.
If you have more questions or do not have a lot of experience dyeing your hair, I recommend going to a professional salon to fix your yellow roots.
When it comes to hair coloring, every process has its quirks, so any distraction or mistake during the process could result in a disaster. I hope this article has given you more insight as you plan on fixing your yellow roots at home.
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