Highlights that have turned green due to swimming in pools with chlorine? You have a few options to explore.
Firstly, if it’s only a hint of green, you can shampoo the hair with Wella Aqua Pure shampoo. Leave the shampoo on, cover the hair with a cap, and apply heat for 10 or 20 minutes. This might be enough to lift and shift the unwanted tone.
If Aqua Pure doesn’t work, you can try a mild lightener on the hair. Mix Blondor Granules or Powder with 1.9% peroxide, with a mixing ratio of 30 grams of Granules or Powder to 120 grams of 1.9%. This will give you 2-3 levels of lift. Apply it to the affected areas and visually develop for up to 30 minutes.
If your client wants a tonal look, you can highlight and lowlight through your client’s hair with a chosen darker shade with warmth in it. Once developed and washed twice, you can do a glossing service to tone in any remaining unwanted shades. If any green tones are still left in the hair, you can use a glossing shade like 9/73 from Shinefinity. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse and apply conditioner as usual.
If the hair has a very green undertone, and the client wants to go for a base shade of 5 or below, you will need to prepigment with Perfection /44. Mix it with a ratio of 20ml of Perfection to 40ml of warm water. Apply this to dry hair with a sponge. Once applied, use a dark towel to remove excess product. Let it develop for 10 minutes, then apply your chosen Koleston Perfect or Color Touch shade.
Don’t forget to talk to your client about aftercare if they swim regularly. Suggest leave-in conditioners before swimming or recommend special shampoos and conditioners designed for swimmers to help maintain their hair’s health and colour.