How to fix overdone highlights with ultimate guide

Ultimate guide about how to fix overdone highlights will be revealed in this article. Let’s discover and check out the best solutions with Jen Hair. 

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to fix overdone highlights. If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of highlights that turned out too light, too brassy, or just not quite right, you’re not alone. Overdone highlights can happen for various reasons, such as inexperienced stylists, incorrect color choices, or even DIY attempts gone awry.

But fear not! In this article, we will provide you with expert tips, techniques, and remedies to help you rectify those overdone highlights and achieve the beautiful, natural-looking hair color you desire. So, let’s dive in together!

How to fix overdone highlights?

Jen Hair will provide you with ultimate guideline about how to fix overdone highlights, which will be listed below:

Assess the severity

Start by assessing the severity of the overdone highlights. Determine if they are too light, brassy, or simply not blending well with your natural hair color. 

By thoroughly assessing the severity of the overdone highlights, you gain a clearer understanding of the specific issues that need to be addressed. This evaluation allows you to choose the most appropriate solutions and techniques to fix the problem effectively. 

Keep in mind that if you are unsure about the severity or the best course of action, it is advisable to consult with a professional hairstylist who can provide expert guidance based on your unique hair characteristics and desired outcome. By the way, if you seek for a credible address near you, Jen Hair which has professional gurus is a perfect choice. 

Clarifying shampoo

To tone down overly bright or brassy highlights, utilizing a clarifying shampoo can be helpful. Look for a clarifying shampoo specifically designed to remove excess color or build-up from your hair. Use it as directed to gradually reduce the intensity of the highlights.

Gentle color removal & Toning the highlights

To discover how to fix overdone highlights, you should handle them based on each situation.

If your highlights are significantly lighter than desired, a gentle color removal technique can help tone them down. One common approach is using a color remover or color reducer. These products work by breaking down the artificial color molecules in the hair, allowing for controlled lightening. The color remover is applied to the highlights and processed according to the instructions provided. This technique gradually reduces the intensity of the highlights, bringing them closer to the desired shade.

Brassiness refers to unwanted warm or orange tones in the highlights. To address this issue, a gentle color removal technique combined with toning can be effective. Start by using a color remover or color reducer to reduce the intensity of the highlights. Then, follow up with a toning treatment using a toner with the opposite undertone to neutralize the brassiness. For example, a purple toner can help counteract yellow or orange tones, creating a more balanced result.

If the highlights appear too stark and don’t blend seamlessly with your natural hair color, a gentle color removal technique combined with lowlights will help achieve a better blend. What you have to do is use a color remover or color reducer to soften the highlights and reduce their intensity. 

Balancing with lowlights

Lowlights can be added to help blend the highlights with your natural hair color, creating a more seamless and dimensional look. Lowlights are applied in shades closer to your natural hair color, helping to soften the contrast between the highlights and the rest of your hair.

Types of trendy highlights in recent years

In recent years, there have been various types of trendy highlights that have gained popularity among both celebrities and everyday individuals. These styles offer unique approaches to adding dimension and brightness to the hair. Here is a collection of popular highlight techniques:

• Traditional highlights

Traditional highlights involve applying lighter shades of color to sections of the hair. These highlights are typically created using foils or caps and are placed throughout the hair for an evenly distributed effect. Traditional highlights can range from subtle and natural-looking to more dramatic and bold.

• Balayage highlights

Balayage is a French technique that involves hand-painting highlights onto the hair for a sun-kissed and natural look. The color is strategically applied to create seamless transitions and a soft, blended effect. Balayage highlights are known for their low-maintenance nature, as they grow out gracefully without obvious regrowth lines.

• Babylights

Babylights are ultra-fine, delicate highlights that mimic the natural highlights seen in children’s hair. These highlights are typically created using very fine sections of hair and lighter shades, resulting in a soft and subtle effect. Babylights can add a touch of brightness and dimension to the hair without overpowering the overall look.

• Ombre Highlights

Ombre highlights involve a gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends. This technique creates a striking contrast between the two tones, with the color shift occurring midway through the hair. Ombre highlights can be achieved with various color combinations, allowing for a range of creative and personalized looks.

• Foil Highlights

Foil highlights are a classic method of adding dimension to the hair. These highlights involve applying color to small sections of hair and wrapping them in foil to create heat and intensify the color processing. Foil highlights offer precise control over placement and can be customized to achieve a variety of effects, from subtle to bold.

• Chunky Highlights

Chunky highlights are characterized by thicker sections of lightened hair. These highlights create a more pronounced contrast and are often chosen for a bolder and more dramatic look. Chunky highlights can be achieved using various techniques, such as traditional foiling or balayage, depending on the desired effect.

Important notes about how to fix overdone highlights

When attempting to darken highlights at home or fix overly light highlights, it is important to keep in mind some essential tips. Here are some fundamental factors to consider for achieving perfect highlights.

How to fix overdone highlights: Do’s and Don’ts

Things you should do while fixing overdone highlights:

• Focus on creating depth and dimension

When fixing overdone highlights, vary the size and intensity of the highlights and consider your base hair color. For light highlights, choose warm tones for warm base colors, beige or sandy shades for cool base colors, and cool or warm tones for neutral base colors. Matching the highlight tone to your base color creates a balanced look.

• Equip your face with a framing 

The placement of highlighted hair plays a crucial role in the process of darkening overly light highlights. For example, it is recommended to place the brightest and most intense highlights around the face when correcting highlights that are too light. By creating deeper and sparser highlights away from the face, you can achieve a natural-looking effect similar to how the sun naturally lightens hair. This aspect is crucial when learning how to darken highlighted hair.

• Adjusting your highlights  

Adjusting your highlights to match the changing seasons is essential when learning how to correct overdone highlights. During the summer months, when you spend more time outdoors and experience the sun’s proximity, which emits a warmer and more yellow light, it is recommended to have brighter highlights. This means that when learning how to darken highlighted hair, you may need to make adjustments to ensure your highlights are not overly light and maintain a balanced appearance.

Whereas, there are some things you should not do unless you want to ruin your hair while fixing highlights:

• Avoid excessive bleaching

Over-bleaching the hair can cause significant damage and weaken the strands. If your highlights are too light, refrain from applying more bleach to lighten them further. Instead, focus on toning down the existing highlights or seeking professional assistance.

• Don’t mix too many highlight colors

Avoid mixing too many different highlight colors, as it can result in an unnatural appearance. It is generally advised to stick to a maximum of three shades within your hair texture: a base color, a highlight, and a lowlight. This guideline helps maintain a natural and balanced look.

• Avoid going too light

It is important to avoid going too light when using highlights, as it can have detrimental effects on both the hair and the person using them. It is crucial to consider the potential damage and prioritize the safety of your hair when learning how to tone down highlights that are overly light.

Hair maintenance

After fixing overdone highlights, it’s crucial to establish a proper hair maintenance routine to keep your hair healthy and maintain the desired results. Here are some tips for post-treatment hair care:

• Firstly, invest in a high-quality shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for color-treated hair. These products help preserve the vibrancy of your highlights and keep your hair looking fresh. Make sure to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner during every wash.
• It’s important to minimize heat styling as much as possible. Excessive use of heat tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can further damage the hair and fade the color. If you must use heat, always apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimize damage.
• Avoid over-washing your hair as it can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause the color to fade. Aim to wash your hair every other day or less frequently if possible. When you do wash, use lukewarm water and a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to maintain the integrity of your highlights.
• Lastly, protect your hair during swimming. Both chlorine and saltwater can be damaging to your hair and may cause color fading. Before swimming, wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to create a barrier between your hair and the pool or ocean water.

By following these hair maintenance tips, you can help prolong the life of your highlights, keep your hair looking healthy, and maintain the desired results after fixing overdone highlights.

FAQs

Do highlights soften over time?

Highlights can appear more subtle and blend in over time as they undergo slight fading and natural hair growth. This softening effect is more noticeable with natural-looking highlights or those that are only a few shades lighter than the base color. 

However, the extent of softening can vary depending on individual hair characteristics and maintenance routines. Regular touch-ups and proper hair care can help maintain the desired level of brightness and prevent excessive softening.

How to fix overdone highlights that are too blonde?

If your highlights are too blonde and you want to tone them down, there are a few options to consider. One approach is to use a toning treatment or purple shampoo, which can help neutralize overly warm or brassy tones in the highlights. Another option is to incorporate lowlights in a slightly darker shade to create more depth and balance. 

What can I do if I don’t like my highlights?

If you’re unhappy with your highlights, there are a few steps you can take. First, communicate your concerns to your hairstylist, as they may be able to make adjustments or suggest solutions. If the issue is minor, you may be able to address it with a toning treatment or color-correcting shampoo at home. Alternatively, you can consider adding lowlights or opting for a color correction service provided by a professional stylist. They can help modify or blend the highlights to achieve a more pleasing result based on your preferences.

What if my highlights are too subtle?

If your highlights are too subtle and you desire a more noticeable effect, there are several options to consider. You can discuss your concerns with a hairstylist who can recommend techniques to enhance the highlights, such as increasing the contrast or adding more layers of color. Balayage or foiling techniques can also be used to create bolder and more defined highlights. Additionally, using styling products and techniques that enhance texture and volume can help make subtle highlights more apparent. Collaborating with a professional stylist will help you achieve the desired level of visibility for your highlights.

Wrapping up

Don’t be discouraged if you’re not entirely satisfied with your current highlights. Through our article, it’s likely that all of you know about appropriate techniques about how to fix overdone highlights. With the right approach and professional assistance, you can transform overdone highlights into a stunning and flattering hairstyle that suits your preferences. Take the necessary steps to fix overdone highlights and embrace a hair color that makes you feel confident and fabulous. Contact Jen Hair if necessary!

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