You left the salon (or your bathroom, no judgment) with color that isn’t what you pictured. Maybe it’s patchy. Maybe it’s more orange than the photo, or darker than you ever meant to go. Maybe it just doesn’t feel like you anymore.
First, deep breath. This is exactly what color correction is for.
The short answer: color correction is a plan, not a single step. It starts with a consultation, and your stylist will tell you what’s realistic and how to get there.
There’s no formula you grab off a shelf for this. Every head of hair has its own history, so the plan gets built around yours.
How we start
Before any color goes on, we need the full picture:
- the color you have now, and where it’s darkest or lightest
- what’s been done to your hair before (box color, salon color, lightener, smoothing treatments)
- the condition of your hair
- the result you want
Every visit at Authentic Strands begins with a consultation, and for a correction it’s the most important part. We’ll talk through what’s realistic and recommend a way to get there. Curious about our color services? Our hair coloring page has the rundown.
Why it’s rarely just one step
Most corrections involve a few decisions: lifting or removing existing color, balancing the tone, then finishing the shade. How many of those your hair needs depends on its history and its condition. For some people it fits in one visit. For others, the kinder plan is to spread it out so your hair stays in good shape. Either way, we’ll tell you straight which one applies to you, and why.
What to bring
- two or three photos of the color you want (and, if you can, one you don’t want)
- photos of your color before the problem, if you have them
- a list of what’s been done to your hair, and when
The more you tell us, the better the plan. Box color receipts or product names? Weirdly helpful.
Do this, not that
- Do be honest about your history, including box color and smoothing treatments. No judgment here.
- Do stay open to the plan we recommend, even if it takes more than one visit.
- Not her best: another round of color at home between visits. Extra color can make a correction harder.
Where to go from here
Correcting toward blonde? Take a look at blonding. Want something softer and lived-in? That’s balayage.
Ready to start? Book a consultation, grab a snack when you get here, and we’ll build a plan around your hair. ✨