Fashion hair colors, direct dyes, and semi-permanent colors are a blast to experiment with. If you color your hair frequently, you’ll understand the pain of always wanting to try something new. However, sometimes it can take a heavy toll on your hair.
Thankfully, direct dyes and semi-permanent colors can be removed while still keeping the health of your hair intact. Most brands that sell and produce direct dyes have also created a direct dye remover that will help keep your creativity going.
What are the best direct dye removers? The best direct dye removers will keep the health and integrity of your hair. They will remove the direct dye safely, leaving you with silky strands. In addition, they can return your hair to its natural state.
However, not all direct dye removers are created equal. They have varying processing times, instructions, and guidelines to follow to ensure your hair is healthy. So, you can then decide to leave your refreshed strands or go in for a new color.
In addition, it can be overwhelming to decide what direct dye remover is suitable for you. With all the options on the market, it can be challenging to decipher how these color removers will affect your hair. Thankfully, we’re here to guide you to the right picks!
3 Things To Look For In Direct Dye Removers
Direct Dye & Semi-Permanent Compatible
Of course, it’s crucial to ensure that your color remover is formulated to work with direct dye or semi-permanent colors. Some color removers are crafted to work for permanent hair colors, but they can be more intense to use on the strands.
Color removers for direct dye and semi-permanent colors shouldn’t alter your natural hair, but they can help lift with some formulas. In addition, color removers for permanent hair colors can leave your hair in a lighter shade.
Activation & Application
Each direct dye remover will have its own ratios to mix the ideal consistency for your hair. It’s crucial to take note that some removers need to be combined with developers while others just need water.
Another thing to look for is the developing time. Depending on their formula, direct dye removers can take anywhere from five minutes to one hour to process. Others can even be left overnight to remove each last strand of pigment.
Conditioning Properties
Sometimes, direct dye removers can leave your hair feeling stripped and dry. Most brands will instruct you to wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner after you rinse the remover. Other brands will give you a conditioning mask to use afterward.
In addition, most direct dye removers will be formulated with nourishing oils or hydrating properties. However, if you feel dry, you can most likely follow up your direct dye remover with a deep conditioning mask to give your strands new life.
Best Direct Dye Removers
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Best Direct Dye Removers | Powder formula, works in 30 minute |
| 2. | Myidentity Direct Dye Remover | 5 minute remover, softening and protecting |
| 3. | Splat Color Remover For Direct Dye | Removes up to 3 shades, apply to dry hair |
| 4. | Pulp Riot Blank Canvas Color Remover | 30 min, argan oil, aloe vera |
| 5. | Color X-Change Phase-Out Dye Decolorizer | Can be used overnight, vegan and cruelty-free |
| 6. | L’Oreal Paris Effasol Color Remover | Lightens color, powder formula |
| 7. | Rusk Eliminate RSK Direct Dye Lifter | Includes dye comb, just 2 applications |
1. Scruples Urban Shock Direct Dye Remover
Scruples is a professional haircare brand that allows you to experiment with color without compromising the health of your strands.
Their Urban Shock Direct Dye Remover will eliminate color in a flash, so you have a fresh canvas for something new.
This direct dye is in a powder formula which makes it simple to use. All you need to do is mix equal parts powder and water to create your direct dye remover.
Then, allow it to process with a cap and without heat. Monitor it for at least 30 minutes.
Finally, rinse thoroughly, and your fashion colors should disappear right in front of your eyes. Your hair may be dry afterward, so Scruples recommends following up with a deep cleansing shampoo and nourishing deep conditioner or hair mask.
2. Myidentity Direct Dye Remover
One of Instagram’s most famous hairstylists, Guy Tang, created the brand #myidentity.
Guy Tang is known for his colorful, creative, and exuberant coloring techniques, so it would only make sense to create a direct dye remover.
So now you don’t have to commit to one hair color.
This removes color or dye within five minutes. In addition, it will leave your strands feeling nourished and ready to take on new hair colors. However, this is safe to let develop for up to 45 minutes.
Guy Tang recommends using a 1:3 ratio of this remover with a 10V – 20V developer. This product is formulated to protect the hair’s integrity, but if you feel dry, you can follow up with a deep conditioning mask for soft strands.
3. Splat Color Remover For Direct Dye
Splat is known for always providing the most creative and colorful direct and temporary dyes, so you can believe that their dye remover works like a charm. This is ideal for people who love multi-colored hair and can’t commit to one shade.
The Splat Color Remover can eliminate up to 3 shades of direct dye. You can apply it to dry hair, and its non-drip formula is convenient to wear. However, this product will take some time to work, allowing up to one hour to remove your color.
In addition, this direct dye remover is free of ammonia and bleach, so you can rest assured you’re working with a gentle formula. This product is ideal for preparing your hair for a new fashion color or returning it to its natural state before the color.
4. Pulp Riot Blank Canvas Color Remover
Pulp Riot’s Color Remover Packet will make your direct dye color fade within 30 minutes, leaving you with healthy, color-free hair.
You’ll receive 1.5 oz of product in one packet, so depending on your hair, it may be wise to pick up a few packets.
This packet will remove both semi-permanent and direct dye. In addition, you will need to use a 3:6 ratio of the powder and 10-20 volume developer. This powder needs to be processed for 30 minutes to remove color effectively.
Finally, you can rinse with shampoo, and you’ll be left with direct-dye-free hair. This product contains nutritional components like Argan Oils, Aloe Vera, and Quinoa. If you have natural or new hair, you may want to avoid using this product on virgin hair.
5. Color X-Change Phase-Out Dye Decolorizer
Color X-Change understands how frequently coloring can affect your hair, which is why they offer a direct dye remover with an intensive hair mask.
So now you can finally express yourself without compromising your hair’s health with Color X-Change.
Color X-Change offers a vegan and cruelty-free formula free of ammonia, peroxide, and parabens. In addition, it’s easy to use, just mix with water.
The best part is that you can apply it to damp hair and leave it on overnight or at least for eight hours.
Then, you can follow up with their intensive hair mask, which is filled with nourishing ingredients like argan, coconut, olive, and avocado oil. Let the mask soak in the hair for five minutes, rinse. You can even use this mask to lock in your new hair color.
6. L’Oreal Paris Effasol Color Remover
L’Oreal specializes in at-home color, so they also created a color remover with all their color options to choose from.
This color remover will allow you to switch up your hair dye whenever you get tired of your hair or need a refresh.
L’Oreal’s Color Remover will make color build-up or muddy tints disappear so you can recolor your hair instantly.
One thing to note is that this powder will not return your hair to its natural state. Instead, it will leave the hair in a lightened state.
This powder can be mixed with either water or the developer, depending on your preference. Because it’s an intense formula, it’s crucial to read the directions and ensure that you will keep the integrity of your hair. Then, follow up with a conditioner.
7. Rusk Eliminate RSK Direct Dye Lifter
If you’re looking for an all-in-one direct dye remover kit, this one from Rusk will be your best friend.
Rusk is a professional brand that is present in most salons, so they’ve created a Direct Dye Lifter as well.
This kit includes one Elimin8 Direct Dye Lifter packet and Rusk’s Sleek 3-in-1 comb and brush to make the application process breeze.
This product uses a simple 1:1 ratio, and it’s suitable for all hair types looking to remove direct dye.
Rusk also states that it can take up to two applications to safely and completely remove your unwanted color. However, their Sleek 3-in-1 comb will provide an even application, so you don’t have to worry about patchy strands.
Your hair will be ready to be recolored, or you can deep condition it for a silky finish.
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