Green hair is often considered the pinnacle of experimentation in the world of hair color. But what do you do if it turns out to be a little too much? This blog post will cover your bases with some tips for what color to dye over green hair!
Few things are as eye-catching and memorable as an emerald head of hair. The problem comes when you decide it’s time to change up your look again and go back to your natural roots.
How do you get rid of green hair?
Some colors will clash and make your hair look worse. What about the colors that work well together? In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the best shades for covering green hair.
What colors cover green hair?
- Blue – midnight blue, pastel shades, electric blue.
- Purple – burgundy, lavender, maroon.
- Orange – ginger and copper.
- Brown – ash brown, chocolate brown and mahogany.
- Red – auburn, rich red, cherry.
Why Is Green Hair Tricky to Cover?
Green hair color, the color of envy. The shade that is a testament to your experimental nature and your willingness to step out of the box.
A truly remarkable hue that leaves you feeling invigorated, powerful and confident. And looking as awesome as Kylie Jenner or Billie Eilish!
Green hair is a color that’s all over Instagram as a hair color trend many people are dabbling with these days. It’s the new black!
There are hundreds of different interpretations and hairstyles you can try – from a subtle hint at earthy tones to turquoise and teal hair, or a green dye and black hair dye mix to a full-blown forest green mane.
But when it comes to GETTING RID of green hair, life gets tricky.
Green hair is a color that takes commitment. Once it’s in your hair, it’s super hard to remove. Just like blue hair. Especially if you’ve got dark green hair.
The good news is that you can cover green hues using other hair dye colors. And without needing to bleach the color out.
Check out the latest green hair looks for ideas and inspiration.
The Color Wheel and Color Correction Basics
OK, when it comes to GETTING RID of green hair, life gets tricky.
Green hair is a color that takes commitment. Once it’s in your hair, it’s super hard to remove. Just like blue hair. Especially if you’ve got dark green hair.
The good news is that you can cover green hues using other hair dye colors. And without needing to bleach the color out.
If we look at the hair color wheel that all hair color science abides by, you’ll see that warm, red-orange tones are the opposite of green-blue colors.
This means that these colors counteract each other and can get rid of any unwanted tones in your hair. This is the basic principles of color theory.
Blues and brown also cancel green colors with their cooling pigments.
To cover up green hair, the colors you should try are:
- Blue – midnight blue, pastel shades, electric blue.
- Purple – burgundy, lavender, maroon.
- Orange – ginger and copper.
- Brown – ash brown, chocolate brown and mahogany.
- Red – auburn, rich red, cherry.
It depends on what color green your hair is now, what type of hair dye you used and how long the color has been in your hair, how well it will work.
We recommend always doing a strand test before you dye your hair completely to check that the color works.
What Colors Cover Green Hair?
So, you’ve rocked green hair for a while, but now it’s time for a change.
Not all colors play nicely with green, and choosing the wrong one could leave you with a mess. Let’s get into the shades that will give you the fresh look you’re after, without any unwanted surprises.
Red & Copper Hues
When it comes to canceling out green, red tones are your go-to hero.
According to colorist Lauren Grummel, “Red is the opposite of green on the color wheel, so it effectively neutralizes green tones in the hair.” This is why red-based shades like copper, auburn, and deep red work wonders to cover green without a trace.
- Copper: Perfect if you want a warm, sun-kissed look. Copper hues not only cover green but add depth and richness.
- Auburn: For those leaning toward a more subtle, natural red, auburn is a fantastic choice. The red pigment will balance out the green, leaving you with a rich, earthy tone.
- Deep Red: If you’re looking to make a bold statement, deep red shades will not only mask the green but also give your hair vibrancy and dimension.
The key is to choose a red shade based on your desired outcome—lighter shades like copper for a soft, warm finish, and deeper reds for a dramatic, striking transformation.
Warm Browns
If red feels a little too bold, don’t worry—warm browns are also an excellent choice.
“Warm-toned browns with hints of red or gold undertones help neutralize green without turning your hair into a dull, muddy color,” explains celebrity stylist Tracey Cunningham.
Opt for shades like:
- Mahogany: This warm, reddish-brown hue will work with the green to create a rich, dimensional brunette.
- Chocolate Brown: A safe option that adds warmth and depth, chocolate brown will cover the green tones while avoiding any ashy undertones that could create a murky result.
The key to avoiding a “muddy” finish is to stay away from ashy browns, which can mix with the green to produce an undesired cool tone.
Purple or Burgundy: Go Bold and Cover Green with Style
Looking to make a bold transition? Purple or burgundy shades are great for both masking green and giving your hair depth. Darker tones like burgundy or plum create a stunning contrast with green, and they’re “deep enough to overpower green pigments while adding a vibrant new color,” according to stylist Pravana.
- Burgundy: Rich and luxurious, burgundy is ideal if you want a dramatic shift. The deep red undertones in burgundy will not only cover the green but also create a multidimensional effect.
- Plum: For a more creative spin, plum adds a hint of purple without going too extreme. It’s perfect if you want a quirky yet sophisticated color change.
These darker shades provide excellent coverage and leave your hair looking shiny and dimensional.
Jet Black
When in doubt, black hair dye will always cover green—but beware, it’s a commitment!
“Black dye is the most effective at covering up any unwanted tones, including green, but it’s extremely hard to remove without bleach,” warns color expert Brad Mondo.
Going black means you’re all in, and if you change your mind later, lightening your hair will be a process.
If you’re leaning toward black, make sure you’re ready to stay dark for a while. It’s a bold look, and there’s no denying the mystery and sleekness that comes with jet-black hair.
Blonde?
Dreaming of blonde? Hold that thought.
Blonde can be tricky over green because the cooler tones in both colors can mix to create unwanted shades.
“Blonde dye over green will often result in a murky or swampy color,” says master colorist Jack Martin.
That’s why, if you’re set on going light, bleaching is likely necessary to lift the green pigment out first.
- Platinum Blonde: This could work, but only after you’ve thoroughly bleached the green out of your hair. Otherwise, you might end up with a strange mix of colors that’s difficult to fix.
Going blonde is best left to the pros if you’re trying to cover green, as the process requires careful color correction to avoid the dreaded “swampy blonde” result.
How To Cancel Out Green Hair At Home DIY
There are some at-home remedies you can try to get rid of unwanted green hair color using ingredients you already have in your cupboards. Some of these are pretty damaging for your hair so go carefully!
#1 Ketchup for green hair? Yes, really!
A popular way of getting rid of green hair is using ketchup.
Ketchup contains vitamin C, which helps break down the molecules in your dye and fade the color.
Simply massage ketchup into your hair and let it sit for an hour or two before rinsing off with warm water. Keep in mind that this method is not reliable and may cause damage to your hair if done too often!
#2 A vinegar rinse.
Vinegar can be used in place of shampoo after coloring your hair.
It helps remove excess dye from your locks while keeping them shiny and healthy.
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and water and pour over your head after shampooing as usual. Rinse out with cool water afterward.
#3 Baking soda paste
Baking soda can also be used as a natural remedy for fading green hair color.
Create a paste by mixing three tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of warm water until it forms a thick consistency.
Massage into dampened strands and rinse out with warm water after ten minutes or so, being careful not to leave it on too long as it can be drying on the scalp.
#4 Clarifying shampoo
Clarifying shampoo can help strip the green color from your hair, so try using a clarifying shampoo every couple of weeks to gradually lessen the intensity.
To make sure your hair stays healthy after removing the green, alternate between clarifying shampoo and a hydrating shampoo or conditioner.
Use gentle heat treatments such as blow drying on the low-heat setting and styling with products designed for color-treated hair.
With a little bit of effort and hair care, you’ll be saying goodbye to green and hello to gorgeous locks!
What Color Covers Green Hair FAQs
What does it mean to “cancel out” your hair color?
When people talk about “canceling out” their hair color, they are talking about using one color to neutralize or counterbalance another color.
This can be done by adding an opposite hue to offset an unwanted shade.
While it is possible to cancel out certain colors by dyeing your hair again, it may not always be successful depending on the original shade of your hair.
In other words, if you have bright green hair, a purple dye may not be enough to completely cover up that shade.
What takes away the greenish color tones in blonde hair?
Chlorine, sun and other environmental factors can turn your hair a murky greenish color. Especially if you have bleached blonde hair.
Luckily, there are many ways to remove the unwanted tones from your blonde hair such as using shampoos, conditioners or even masks that will help rid you of those unsightly stains.
So what takes away the greenish color tones in your hair?
The best way to remove green from your hair is by using a red shampoo.
The warm red pigment in the shampoo will take away any undesirable colors, leaving you with clean, green-free hair.
Depending on the severity of the green tones, this process may have to be done more than once as it doesn’t happen overnight.
If you want an even brighter result, use a red toner or gloss. These are best done by a professional colorist in a salon to get the best results!
How do you get green out of bleached hair?
Here’s a great video that shows you how to remove green tones and unwanted hair dye color pigments from bleached blonde hair, step-by-step!
Will purple shampoo fix green hair?
No. Purple shampoo will not fix green hair.
Purple shampoo is made to get rid of unwanted yellow tones and brassiness in blonde hair.
You’re better off using purple hair dye or blue dye over green hair to really counteract the green and give you a new purple shade or hue.
Does purple cancel out green hair?
Well, it depends on the type of purple and green you’re using.
For instance, if you use a blue-green hair dye or a light shade of green on your hair, like mint or lime, then yes—a bright violet or lavender will probably cancel it out.
But if you use a deeper shade of green like forest or olive, then no—it won’t be canceled out by any shade of purple.
In fact, pairing these two colors can create some beautiful results!
For example, if you pair olive-green hair with amethyst-purple highlights (or vice versa), the result will be stunning.
The deep shades will complement each other beautifully without clashing too much.
On the other hand, if you pair neon-green hair with hot-pink highlights (or vice versa), the result could be overkill—unless that’s what you’re going for!
In any case, always make sure to do a strand test first!
Does red cancel out green hair?
When it comes specifically to canceling out green tones in the hair, red shades are our best friends!
Any red hair dye that does not contain hydrogen peroxide or ammonia will help you to reduce the green color safely enough without turning it brown.
Red is located opposite green on the color wheel which means red shades and red dye will counteract that not-so-flattering hue without taking away from your original base color.
That said, be sure to consult with your stylist as these shades can vary greatly depending on your natural base tone.
Will pink cover green hair?
The good news is that yes, pink dye can cover green hair too.
But there are a few things to keep in mind before you jump in.
Firstly, the pink dye needs to be darker than the current shade of green on your tresses. If it’s lighter than your current hue, it will not create enough contrast and may leave you with an undesirable ‘muddy’ look.
The best products for canceling out unwanted greens are semi-permanent dye or demi-permanent dyes that are specifically formulated to counteract yellow or green hues.
These should be used sparingly—apply them only to areas where the unwanted tone is most prominent—and then washed out after 10 minutes or less.
It’s also important to use a toner afterwards if you want to achieve the desired result.
Toners help even out the pigment in the hair so that your new color looks more natural and vibrant.
When in doubt, seek advice from a professional hair colorist who knows their stuff when it comes to mixing hair colors – they’ll be able to recommend what looks best for you!
Parting words.
You’ve been rocking that green hair for a while now. It was fun at first, but lately you’re starting to feel like maybe it was a little too much of an experimental colour after all…we get it!
To avoid the dreaded “green roots” look, try using either purple or blue as your new base colour.
Purple will be more subtle than blue so start with that if you want something less intense. If you really want to go bold then go for the blue!
Now you know what colour to dye over green hair. Just make sure that whatever colours you choose, they compliment your style and skin tones and don’t clash.
Also remember not to pick too light of a shade because otherwise it won’t cover up the green properly! Good luck!
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
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