Whether you trusted your hair to the wrong stylist or an attempt at home colouring went sideways, dyeing mishaps can feel like a nightmare. 

No matter what the ads for box dyes might say, colouring hair can be a delicate process, particularly when strong chemicals like bleach are involved, and there’s a lot that can go wrong. 

You might dread ending up stuck for weeks with brassy tones or weird orange roots or worrying that you’ve permanently damaged your hair. But try to take a deep breath – no hair disaster is completely unfixable in the right hands. 

In this post, we’ll cover those common hair mistakes which can happen with permanent dye, the quick fixes you can try in the short term, and some solutions your local salon can help you with for the long term.

Bad Blonde 

Not only is blonde one of the most popular artificial hair colours, but it’s one of the easiest to get wrong. Tinting it too much either way could leave you with green-grey ashy tones, orange brassiness, or even barbie yellow hair. 

If you’re using bleach to remove the existing colour, this may also make your hair dry and brittle (more on this later).

In the short term, toning hair masks or shampoos can help to cool down lemony or brassy hair. Blue ash, iridescent pink, or purple toner treatments could work best, as they are opposite yellow and orange on the colour wheel.

You can also use toners to adjust hair that’s gone too ashy (think grey or greenish). However, in this case, you’ll want the opposite – warming toner colours such as orange and yellow. 

In the long term, salon stylists often have a wealth of knowledge about which products to use to get blonde hair to the exact colour you want. In some cases (orange highlights can be particularly stubborn), they may ultimately need to re-bleach your hair and start again to create the desired effect.

On the upside, you can now use these bad hair experiences to discuss with your stylist what you don’t want. If you couldn’t stand being an ashier blonde, for example, open a conversation about how they can help you to create a warmer effect which still looks natural.

Radical Roots

Dealing with roots growing out over weeks is a tale as old as time for everyone who colours their hair. But what if you’ve only just dyed it, and the roots are already looking a completely different colour to the rest of your hair?

Warm or orange roots are sometimes known as “hot roots”. If you frequently process your hair, or have coloured it previously, the untreated hair at the roots can have a different reaction to the dye, creating a two-tone effect. 

Hot roots can also occur when the heat from your scalp causes the dye there to develop more quickly than on the rest of your hair. 

If this happens at home, you can try patching up your colour by applying a small amount of “anti-brass” treatment or cool toner to your roots. 

If you don’t feel confident with this or it doesn’t have the effect you want, most stylists will be able to colour-correct your roots using a deeper colour or highlights so that they blend in perfectly with the rest of your hair. 

During future colouring, you can also try applying the colour to your roots after you’ve coated the rest of your hair (or keeping the dye on your roots for longer, if they came out too light last time).

Judging the correct timing for colouring along the length of your hair can be difficult at home and may end up in a drastic difference if you guess incorrectly. If possible, ask a stylist to do this for you, explaining exactly what happened during the last attempt. 

High Intensity

All it takes is one distraction and… oops, you’ve left your colour on for too long! The result: super dark or extremely intense colour you never thought you’d be seen dead wearing. 

When you need your hair colour to fade ASAP, the first thing to do is wash your hair immediately, several times if possible. You could use washing up liquid or a clarifying shampoo to strip the colour as best you can. 

While this is the fastest way to de-escalate the situation, it can be a harsh treatment for your hair, so make sure to treat it to some deep conditioning afterwards. We love the Kerastase hair masques. 

Your stylist can advise you what the best next step might be. In some cases, removing the hair dye entirely might be possible, in other cases, this might cause some undesirable damage, and continuing to encourage it to fade quickly is the best way forward. Another option is using highlights or balayage to lighten the overall effect. 

Patchy Colour

Home dye jobs or inexperienced stylists can produce patchy colour coverage, which is the last thing you need when you’re trying out a stunning new look. 

There can be many causes of uneven coverage. From incorrectly mixed dye to damaged hair, to application problems. 

Figuring out what went wrong can often help you to find the right solution. However, this is best done with the help of a professional, who will be able to best diagnose why those patches appeared, find a solution, and help you to figure out how to avoid it in the future.

Some possible fixes include re-dying the hair (either the same colour or darker), nourishing your hair to improve the condition, using toner to touch up the patches, or using gloss treatments.

Colouring hair often takes a few coats such as when painting a wall to give it the required depth and undercoat creating a smoother finish.

Tiger Stripes

It’s a tragedy when you dye your hair dreaming of delicate highlights and come out with bold streaks. Stripey highlights can be alarming, but they’re often a quick fix at a salon. 

Chunky highlights are most common when you bleach sections of your hair which are too thick, reducing the desired colour-mixing effect. 

One long term solution is to delicately dye more of your hair back to the base colour, reducing the volume of the highlights. Another is to use an effect such as balayage to disguise the highlights (see below).

Colour Spills

We’ve all cringed over those Instagram stories of someone dyeing half their face blue in the pursuit of a new hair colour. It’s more common to only suffer from stains around your neck, hairline, or hands. Either way, it’s hardly the start to a glamorous new you that you pictured. 

Hairdressers use a stain remover but, if you are at home and don’t have any, some milk on cotton wool can do a good job.

Even good old soap and water can work magic. On harder to clean areas, you can also try baby oil, body scrubs or rubbing alcohol if all else fails (make sure to apply this lightly, without scrubbing your skin).

As is often the case, prevention is the best cure. Always use gloves if dyeing your hair at home, and make sure to wipe away any drips of colour immediately rather than leaving them to set on your skin.  Putting moisturiser or Vaseline around your hairline can also work wonders.

Major Hair Damage

Bleach, as well as permanent and semi-permanent dyes, cause the protective proteins in your hair to lift. This in turn can alter your hair follicles and change the structure of your hair. 

This might bring on effects such as split ends, weaker hair, a “crunchy”, texture, frizz, or less resistance to heat. 

If you’re only experiencing minor damaging effects from hair dye, you should focus on keeping your hair conditioned, nourished, and follow the normal guidelines for maintaining hair health in coloured hair. 

For major damage, a salon will be able to help you to find the appropriate products and treatments to bring your hair back to life as much as possible. In serious cases, cutting your hair shorter may be recommended to reduce hair breakage. 

Whether you’re trying to combat a dye mishap or have decided to leave your new colour to the professionals, the expert stylists at NOCO would love to help. Contact us today to book in your free colour consultation.

We’re so happy and proud of the team to announce that we’ve been chosen as finalists for not one but TWO awards at The Salon Business Awards this year! #SBAWARDS.

Not only that, but we’re up for Salon of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business Awards.

Salon Team of the Year

Getting your hair done is more than just about the cut or colour (although it’s definitely an important part)!

It’s also an experience, a time to unwind and let yourself be pampered like you deserve.

Our team are dedicated to you – from complimentary drinks, head massages and a chance to talk (or not)! We hire based not just on skill, but making sure we hold the same core values – you.

Colour Salon of the Year

We know that changing your colour or even getting your roots done can be a risk and so disappointing when things don’t turn out how you hoped.

So we’re thrilled that our hard work and dedication to the craft has been recognised and we’re up for colour salon of the year!

There’s no better feeling or confidence booster than a fresh colouring, so book your appointment today.

We’re looking forward to the award ceremony on the 13th of June.

Salon of the Year 2

After being nominated for new salon of the year in 2021, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re a finalist for the second Salon of the Year Category in 2022!

Winners will be announced at a Westminster Bridge ceremony in July, and we can’t wait to mix with the best in the business once again.

We couldn’t have done it without our fabulous and loyal customers, so thank you for being part of the NOCO family.

The nature of thin hair can make styling it difficult. There are not too many styles that mimic the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. The search for easy hairstyles for thin hair has encouraged some to take hair growth supplements, hide under hats and hairspray, or spend a fortune on extensions. 

Don’t despair! It’s not necessary to make a big chop when you have fine hair; there are several looks you can do with it without having to sacrifice length. We even have some natural techniques to increase your hair’s thickness. 

Volumizing hair products make their sales by pushing the ‘horrors’ of dull, thinning hair. In reality, fine hair should be embraced, since it can be simple to look after and give a neat, refined look that puts the emphasis on your face.  

Of course, if you’re after fuller-looking hair, there are several styles you can choose to help you achieve this. 

1. The Tousled Bob 

If you have fine hair, the thought of chopping it off might scare you. Understandably, it seems counter intuitive, but lopping hair off gives the appearance of fuller and healthier locks. A shorter length makes volumizing styles easier. 

Adding multiple layers to your bob in a choppy style is a great way to add volume and texture to your hair, while adding body and hydration. Incorporate some styling cream into your hair as you rock the messy hair look to get effortless hold, bounce, and depth. 

2. Angled Pixie Cut 

In this style, your stylist will be able to create multiple layers of shorter hair in the back, while having the strands get longer in the front to disguise your thinning strands. This look can create an illusion of thicker and deeper hair even on thin, straight hair. 

3. Framing Layers 

Cutting layers into your hair might feel like you’re thinning out your hair even more. However, it actually works to add depth to your style, and draw attention towards your face. 

If you feel your hair is limp, having framing strands of varying lengths creates some lovely movement and energy to hair. They’ll also look effortlessly elegant when you pull face-framing locks down from an up-do.  

4. Blunt fringe 

A chic blunt bob is a timeless statement of style. It also works wonders for fine hair by providing some eye-catching structure and clean-cut edges, which give the appearance of hair being fuller. 

This style blends perfectly no matter your hair’s colour, length, or thickness. However, it’s important to avoid the temptation of cutting it yourself with kitchen scissors- mistakes with a blunt fringe are far from forgiving! 

5. Bouffant updo

This style gives some major volume to hair of any thickness. You can work this look to provide the level of drama that suits you by simply teasing out the hair around your crown in an up-do. Your hairstylist will have some great techniques to create the ultimate bouffant that won’t leave you looking like a poodle. 

6. Highlighted Waves

Wavy hairstyles can add instant volume, shape, and movement to your style- perfect for camouflaging finer hair.  

This can be achieved by a trip to your stylist, who can use the right tools to give you curls as tight or loose as you’d like, and a colour palette that matches your skin for some gorgeously toned highlights.  

This type of wave is also easy to create without using heat, which means less damage! Simply wash your hair, then braid it overnight before going to bed. In the morning, simply remove the braids to reveal gorgeous waves! 

Highlights add to this effect as they add more definition and depth to hair. They can also liven it up and emphasise the shape and movement of the waves. Combined, the result is gorgeously bouncy fuller looking hair. 

7. Asymmetrical Bob

Having a bob is a great hairstyle for women with thinning hair, since it provides volume without the thinning ends or roots. No one will notice your thinning hair as the dramatically chic cut is the star of the show. 

The length of your cut can vary depending on your personal style. Women with fine hair are more likely to opt for a shorter style, while those with voluminous hair are more likely to choose a longer cut, but the choice is entirely yours. 

8. The Clifton Cut 

This is our own signature hairstyle, carefully designed to look good on every hair type. 

The Clifton cut will enhance the layers around the crown to enhance the volume of your hair while protecting the weight line and external shape of your hair. This works to enhance your volume by lifting the hair whilst retaining your length.

The Clifton Cut was created by the NOCO experts as an energetic, full style that adds volume to your crown and is easy to maintain. The structure of this style makes your hair look thicker, and it holds layers together when tied back.  The cut reduces split ends and leaves you with stronger, fuller looking hair. 

No matter your hair texture and thickness, this versatile cut can be styled curly, wavy, or straight. Talk to your stylist about adding a fringe or adding elements from other styles to make a bespoke cut. 

Natural ways to help thin hair

Think about your diet 

Much like the rest of your body, your hair needs the right nutrients to grow healthy and strong. If you’re after thicker hair, there are vitamins that can encourage this. Try to eat more healthy fats, protein, and omega 3- these can be found in foods like avocado, nuts, lentils, and fruits and veg. We have 3 great recipes that are as delicious as they are good for your hair! Read them here. 

Don’t over wash 

You may have heard that overusing shampoo can remove the natural oils from your hair. This is true, and if your hair is dry and unprotected it is more prone to breakage, leaving your hair thinner and more limp. Whilst you should still maintain a good washing routine, take care to preserve your hair’s natural moisture. 

Use the right products 

If you aren’t using products that fit your hair, you may risk damaging it and encouraging breakage and hair loss. Those who have over bleached their hair risk having it snap off or even melt away! You should always think carefully about what goes on your hair. If you are unsure or need suggestions, your stylist can help you out. 

Consider aspects of your lifestyle 

Unfortunately, there are some situations out of our control that thin our hair. This includes your hormones, genetics, the menopause, and even stress. Whilst there may not be much you can do to prevent this, looking after your general wellbeing and health can have an impact on your hair. 

Ready for a new look? 

Remember, there is no ‘right’ way to style thin hair. What works for someone else won’t always work for you, so it’s important to choose what makes you feel good regardless of the thickness of your hair. 

Whatever you choose, do what makes you feel beautiful and confident: wear your thin hair with pride, don’t hide yourself! Whether it’s short or long, layered or bobbed, or a mixture, remember that your hair is what makes you, you.  

If you’re ready to make a change with fabulous new hair, NOCO is here to guide you every step of the way from choosing your style to finishing it off with a gorgeous flourish. Our experts can even give you advice on how to maintain and care for your look after you’ve left the salon. 

We can’t wait to meet you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about your hair, and you can book in here. See you soon!