Scandi hairlines, strawberry-soda color, rainbow hair: There are more amazing trends (and cute names to match) than we can keep track of RN. The urge to try every one and switch up your color is *real*—but what happens when your copper looks more ketchup than cowboy, or an icy blonde hue isn't as selfie-worthy as your inspo pics? I experienced this firsthand during my freshman year of college, when I finally got my hands on a boxed hair color to dye my dark-brown hair red. Spoiler alert: My hair came out eggplant-purple, and my mom helpfully pointed out that my eyebrows no longer matched it. (Salt, meet wound!)
That's where hair-color remover comes in; for the uninitiated, this stuff can actually undo your dye job and restore your previous shade. It can also be a game-changer if you just want to lighten your color a bit—no bleach (or extra damage) required. But not all hair-color removers are created equal. Some can be harsh on hair—not ideal when your hair is already a lil damaged from color treatments—and others only work for specific hair types.
Enter Color Oops Fix & Fortify Bond Rejuvenating Color Remover, which works without wrecking your hair. "When you color and it's not quite right, there's now a healthy solution to remove your color," says pro colorist Mandisa Duperval. This is an especially big deal for those with textured hair, which tends to be drier and more prone to damage than other types. In fact, while it can be used by everyone, Color Oops thoughtfully formulated the kit to address the unique needs of textured hair. Here's what you need to know before giving a color remover a try.
What to look for in a color remover
Some color-removing formulas "break up the pigment, but you still have to use lightener afterward," says Duperval. (Translation: The color remover doesn't fully remove the pigment, so you’ll have to follow it up with bleach and risk further damage to completely reverse the dye job.)
Others weren't made with certain hair types (curls, kinks, coils) in mind—which Color Oops brand manager Whitney Moorman experienced herself. "I have textured hair and thought we needed something for our hair type," she says. Not only is this type more prone to dryness, as mentioned above, but you also risk weakening your curl pattern with excessive processing. Plus, using harsh chemicals "can cause hair to get brittle and break off," says Duperval.
For that reason, "when I pushed to get the formula developed, I wanted to make sure we used ingredients that add moisture and strength back into the hair during the color-remover process, as well as post-process," Moorman says.
And this is precisely where Fix & Fortify stands out from the crowd. Not only does the remover contain aloe vera and soy proteins, the kit also comes with a Bond Rejuvenating Masque, which helps strengthen and fortify color-processed hair. Bottom line? "Having Fix & Fortify as an option to remove any mistakes while leaving hair conditioned is a lifesaver," says Duperval.
How and when to use Fix & Fortify
The color remover works for pretty much ~any~ permanent hair-color sitch. Want to remove your permanent color without causing additional harm? You got it. Want to fade a too-dark shade and color-correct? Sure thing. Dealing with an over-toned look and fragile strands and want to remove color without making things worse? Abso-freakin-lutely.
The four-step process is simple: Combine the Part 1 Color Remover with the Part 2 Activator Mixer, then apply the mixture to the areas of hair you want to fix. Pop on a shower cap, let it process for 20 minutes max, then rinse. The kit also comes with a Charcoal Shampoo, which clarifies hair, tones, and completes the color-removal process (so, don't skip it).
After shampooing—and this is *the* most important step—rinse your hair for a full 20 minutes. Set a timer, play some music, think about your next hair color, whatever. "Some people think they can cut the time short, but the results won't be as good," says Moorman. This step will give you the softest, healthiest texture.
Finally, work in the Bond Rejuvenating Masque and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing to soften and detangle, as well as strengthen and repair compromised coils and kinks. Breakage, where?
What results to expect
Get ready: Once you complete the steps, your hair will return to your last-processed color. (Magic!)
Since the formula is so gentle, you can even re-color your hair the same day with another you like more—or, ya know, bask in the glow of your OG shade. (Heads up, though: It won't return your hair to your natural color since permanent dye alters the pigment. Only good old time can achieve that.)
Bottom line? People with textured hair want to have fun and play with color, too, says Duperval—and Color Oops Fix & Fortify makes it no risk, all reward.
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor currently based in New York. She has more than 10 years of experience writing about beauty and wellness.
