I bleached my hair out, and there's residual red dye at the ends that won't lift. How do I neutralize the red?

Question

The root area is a perfect platinum blond, but there's a residual red tint at the ends that just will not lift, and it's giving me a yellow-pink tint that is driving me crazy. (Husband says it's not that noticeable) What product or process can I do to neutralize the red?

Answer 1

Green does neutralize red but when blonde hair still has that yellow pink tint its because it wasn't lifted light enough.  Toners that are of a light shade work at their best when the hair is lifted to yellow or pale yellow.  If you put a toner on the ends it will most likely only neutralize some of the color but your ends will still be a different shade and look darker and not as platinum as the rest.  You have to get rid of the underlying pigment (yellow-pink)

You will have to re-lighten the ends with a bleach and possibly have to tone if you want the ends to match the rest of your hair.

Or you could get a haircut to remove the unwanted color.

Answer 2

You always neutralize one color with the opposite. i.e. red with green; yellow with purple ; blue with orange

Blond however is different. you have now opened your cuticles so your hair will take any color VERY quickly. So you have to use what is called a toner. It is a clear mixed with a very light color. To get rid of red you will have to use an "ash" toner as they call it. Only apply it to the tips then use an overall toner in clear.

Good Luck!!!