Yellow and Blue Make Green! (Hair Issue)

Disneyphile · 03-01-2009, 01:34 AM

Um... Wendybeth???

How can I get blue hair dye to actually look blue and not green?

I bleached first, and it was a light golden blonde, but it gave the blue a very prominent greenish undertone.

Do I need to bleach completely white first?

Or, should I just add another round of blue and let it set for longer?

Besides this, I'm very happy with the new dye job. Once I get the streak to a proper blue, it'll be perfect.

wendybeth · 03-01-2009, 02:00 AM

Your hair needs to be bleached as light as possible- any yellow will go green when mixed with blue, as you've already noted. If you're using a dark blue, it might work to just go over it again, but if it's lighter than you will have to strip out as much of the yellow as possible. Keep in mind when bleaching that the hair will always look lighter when covered with product- to get a true idea of the level of lightness you need to wipe off a test section completely, then reapply bleach if it's not light enough. What kind of color is the blue- semi, demi or permanent?

Disneyphile · 03-01-2009, 02:21 AM

It's by Color Fiend:

Here's the link.

It's a semi permanent, and supposed to last 4-6 weeks, but I have enough to keep touching it up every couple of weeks for awhile.

Sounds like I should have tried to bleach it for longer. I let the stuff sit for over 45 minutes, so I thought that was enough. D'oh!

Here's a pic of the current state:

keith - SuPeR K! · 03-01-2009, 04:23 AM

Bleach longer, use a good dark blue. Special Effects has an awesome really dark blue that almost looks purple when you first apply it. The dark blues are good because after a few washes they are a nice bright blue and stay that way for a bit. Another thing I do is put a bit of the dye in my shampoo so when I wash my hair it doesn't strip the color so drastically. And my blue hair looks pretty effing rad if I do say so myself

innerSpaceman · 03-01-2009, 07:15 AM

And the professionals speak.

Love The LoT.

Betty · 03-01-2009, 08:11 AM

I love the streak though! I'm not quite brave enough.

innerSpaceman · 03-01-2009, 08:48 AM

Oh, and Beware Green Hair.

My blue coif was universally admired and made me the talk of my town for months.

The green i did for a fantastic Joker costume was frowned upon by all, and loathed by me.

Follow the above advice, and that of Merriweather - Make It Blue!

Kevy Baby · 03-01-2009, 10:17 AM

Funny timing as Susan just dyed part of her hair pink. Looks great!

wendybeth · 03-01-2009, 12:21 PM

Your base color is pretty dark, so it usually takes longer to bleach it up to a light enough level. Can you get your hands on bleach that has a bluing agent in it, like Clairol's 7th stage? Those types of bleaches work great at lifting and canceling out yellow. Judging from the picture, you're going to have to lift it a bit more- I know it probably looked pretty light contrasted against your other hair, but I can see the gold through the blue. Also, keep the bleach wrapped in foil or plastic, as bleach stops working when it dries.

Disneyphile · 03-01-2009, 12:58 PM

Wendy and Keith - you rock.

I'm going to let it relax for a few days and will try bleaching it down further. And, if the Color Fiend doesn't seem to stick too well, I'll order a bottle of the Special Effects.

03-01-2009, 01:34 AM	#1
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Yellow and Blue Make Green! (Hair Issue) Um... Wendybeth??? How can I get blue hair dye to actually look blue and not green? I bleached first, and it was a light golden blonde, but it gave the blue a very prominent greenish undertone. Do I need to bleach completely white first? Or, should I just add another round of blue and let it set for longer? Besides this, I'm very happy with the new dye job. Once I get the streak to a proper blue, it'll be perfect.
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03-01-2009, 02:00 AM	#2
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Your hair needs to be bleached as light as possible- any yellow will go green when mixed with blue, as you've already noted. If you're using a dark blue, it might work to just go over it again, but if it's lighter than you will have to strip out as much of the yellow as possible. Keep in mind when bleaching that the hair will always look lighter when covered with product- to get a true idea of the level of lightness you need to wipe off a test section completely, then reapply bleach if it's not light enough. What kind of color is the blue- semi, demi or permanent? __________________
	Submit to Quotes

03-01-2009, 04:23 AM	#4
keith - SuPeR K! Community Fruit Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 547	Bleach longer, use a good dark blue. Special Effects has an awesome really dark blue that almost looks purple when you first apply it. The dark blues are good because after a few washes they are a nice bright blue and stay that way for a bit. Another thing I do is put a bit of the dye in my shampoo so when I wash my hair it doesn't strip the color so drastically. And my blue hair looks pretty effing rad if I do say so myself
	Submit to Quotes

03-01-2009, 07:15 AM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	And the professionals speak. Love The LoT.
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03-01-2009, 08:11 AM	#6
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	I love the streak though! I'm not quite brave enough. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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03-01-2009, 08:48 AM	#7
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Oh, and Beware Green Hair. My blue coif was universally admired and made me the talk of my town for months. The green i did for a fantastic Joker costume was frowned upon by all, and loathed by me. Follow the above advice, and that of Merriweather - Make It Blue!
	Submit to Quotes

03-01-2009, 10:17 AM	#8
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Funny timing as Susan just dyed part of her hair pink. Looks great! __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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03-01-2009, 12:21 PM	#9
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Your base color is pretty dark, so it usually takes longer to bleach it up to a light enough level. Can you get your hands on bleach that has a bluing agent in it, like Clairol's 7th stage? Those types of bleaches work great at lifting and canceling out yellow. Judging from the picture, you're going to have to lift it a bit more- I know it probably looked pretty light contrasted against your other hair, but I can see the gold through the blue. Also, keep the bleach wrapped in foil or plastic, as bleach stops working when it dries. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

03-01-2009, 12:58 PM	#10
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Wendy and Keith - you rock. I'm going to let it relax for a few days and will try bleaching it down further. And, if the Color Fiend doesn't seem to stick too well, I'll order a bottle of the Special Effects.
	Submit to Quotes