Don’t Panic, We’ve Got You

We’ve all been there. You leave a salon expecting sun-kissed balayage, soft creamy blondes or rich dimensional tones. But instead you end up with stripes, brassiness or something that just doesn’t suit your skin tone. Whether it’s orange hair after bleaching, a colour that’s way too ashy, or something that feels over toned and dull, it can be really upsetting. But here’s the good news: colour correction is possible.

At Love Hair, we see colour correction cases in our Singapore salon almost every month from other salons and at home dye jobs. From botched balayages to uneven tones, we’re here to walk you through what colour correction is, how it works and what you can expect from the journey.

What is Colour Correction? 

Colour correction is a specialised process that fixes unwanted tones, imbalances and harsh lines left behind by previous colouring. It might involve lightening, darkening, re-toning or rebalancing certain sections of the hair to create a more cohesive, flattering look.

Think of it as a hair detox. We strip back what doesn’t belong and start building towards a result that complements your hair health and skin tone. And no, it’s rarely just a quick fix, but we promise, but it’s worth the journey.

Understanding the Science Behind Colour Correction

Ever wondered why your hair turns orange after bleaching, or why toners sometimes leave you looking grey or purple? That’s where the theory of colour correction comes in—and it all starts with the colour correction.

Hair colour is all about balance. On the colour wheel, every shade has an opposite—known as its complementary colour. When hair goes too warm (like yellow or orange hair), we use its opposite (violet or blue tones) to neutralise and bring the shade back to harmony. This is the foundational logic behind a successful colour correction guide.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet from the colour wheel:

• Orange hair ➝ needs blue toner
  
  
• Yellow hair ➝ needs violet toner
  
  
• Red tones ➝ need green toner
  
  
• Over toned ash or grey ➝ may need warm or gold to rebalance
  

Adding warmth or coolness isn’t about preference—it’s about what your hair needs to counteract what's gone wrong.

A visual colour correction guide showing the colour wheel can make this process easier to understand. We often show this to clients during consultations so they can visualise how we plan to fix unwanted tones and create a colour that suits their skin tone and personal style.

It’s not just about toning to get your hair back on track—colour correction might involve lightening with bleach, re-colouring with dyes or even both, depending on your end goal. We take all of this into account during your initial consultation to make sure we’re creating a plan that works for your hair, your lifestyle and your vision.

Common Colour Correction Mishaps We See

There are a few themes that come up often with colour correction:

• Botched balayage: Harsh stripes and solid lines instead of soft blends
• Orange hair: Common after bleaching, especially without toner or heat protection
• Over toned hair: Blonde that looks grey, purple or lifeless due to excessive purple shampoo or toner
• Too ashy: Trying to avoid brassiness but swinging too far into cool tones

Sound familiar? A quick scroll through colour correction guide forums or any social platform shows just how many people are searching things like ‘how to fix orange hair after bleaching’ or ‘my hairdresser over toned my hair’.

Why Colour Correction is a Journey, Not a Quick Fix

The truth is, colour correction takes time. If your end goal is a creamy, dimensional blonde but you’re starting with patchy orange hair tones and dark bands, we might need multiple sessions to get you there safely. Rushing the process can cause further damage and we believe your hair’s health will always come first.

We map out the journey with you, managing expectations honestly and kindly. The goal is always to get you where you want to be, in a way that preserves the integrity of your hair.

Why Colour Correction Can Cost More 

We get it, you’ve already paid for a colour that didn’t work out. It feels unfair to pay more to fix it. But colour correction is a detailed, often complex service. It requires advanced training, premium products and a lot more time than a standard colour.

Clients often say, “It should be simple to correct.” But when we’re dealing with overlapping tones, compromised condition or unrealistic colour layers, a skilled approach is essential.

Our stylists are trained to carefully rebalance light and dark, tone down brassy hues and bring everything into harmony. It’s like the difference between DIY touch-ups and professional artistry.

How We Approach Colour Correction at Love Hair

1. Consultation first: We analyse your current colour, hair history and desired outcome.
2. Skin tone analysis: Using our specially designed colour analysis tool we work out the tone that will complement your skin. Read more about tones and our exclusive colour analysis tool here. 
3. Strand testing if needed: Especially for fragile or over-processed hair to test how the hair will react to dyes and bleach.
4. Correction plan: Whether it’s a two-step fix or a longer roadmap, we’ll walk you through each stage.
5. Aftercare and maintenance advice: A specialised plan to help keep your hair healthy and your colour lasting.

We also use gentle, eco-conscious products like Kevin Murphy colour and the Bhave keratin treatment to restore softness and protect your strands.

How to Avoid Ending Up Here Again

• Always book a consultation before a big colour change
• Don’t DIY bleach or tone at home (please!)
• Use colour-safe and sulphate-free products
• Know how to use purple shampoo properly. Too much can lead to over toned hair!

Colour Correction Gives Hope, You’re Not Doomed

Yes, your hair might not look how you imagined right now. But it’s fixable and more importantly, you’ve found a place that can help. Colour correction is not about judgment, it’s about understanding your hair’s story and helping you fall back in love with it.

Ready to fix that brassy orange hair or over toned uneven streaks? Book a consultation with our team at Love Hair Singapore. We’ll create a personalised plan just for you.

Because you deserve to love your hair again.