I am wondering if it's too late to lighten (in any way!) my too dark hair. Last week, I was light blonde with bad dark roots.   To go back to my natural shade, I went for the Preference home color in medium golden brown.  It was true to the color on the box, and didn't look too bad.   Yet, I thought some highlights would make it more lighter and better suited to my fair complexion.  It was a tad darker than my natural color.....and I just wanted a little light.

 

Soooo... a couple of days later, I went to a salon and the hairdresser suggested semi-permanent all over color to make it a honey brown.  She said that highlights would be more damaging and "take too long."  (My hair isn't in that bad of a condition, though).  Obviously she was busy.  So, after the application I was dismayed not to see honey brown, but dark mahoghany brown - much more dark than before! I now look like a vampire. 

 

Anyway, I was rushed out of the door by Ms. Apathy Hairdresser who had a few more clients waiting and didn't want to bother anymore with me.  I have been crying ever since.  I basically spent money that I really do not have to have the opposite of what I wanted happen to my hair. 

 

Can it be lightened now, and preferably by me at home after all this processing?  The salon was rude, and I really do not want to go back to someone who obviously doesn't know what she was doing and refuses to admit it.

 

Any help would be appreciated.  Any home remedies even? I am desperate. Thanks!

I agree with Ally also that the mahogney color should wash out.

 

Try washing it with a harsh shampoo a couple of times like Head and Shoulders or use dishwashing soap (Ajax or Dawn) I have even heard using TIDE works.