The part of Color Oops that takes patience is the rinsing. Don't leave the remover on longer because the dye is dark, and don't rush the washout because your hair already looks lighter.
This guide covers Extra Strength. Keep the leaflet from your exact box beside you, especially if you bought a different Color Oops product. Color Prep and Bold Remover are not interchangeable with Extra Strength.
Before you start
Have your kit, gloves, old towels, shampoo, conditioner and timer ready. Wear an old shirt and protect the counter. Leave yourself enough time to finish without interruptions.
Read the warnings before opening the bottles. Do the skin patch test 48 hours before use, following the leaflet's directions for application and removal. Don't proceed if it causes irritation. A separate strand test shows what to expect from your particular dye history.
Check what dye you used, too. Extra Strength is for oxidative color, meaning dye mixed with developer. It is not the remover for direct-dye pink, purple or blue hair. See the review and results guide if you're still deciding whether it fits your situation.
Check the box before ordering
The links below are different formulas and pack sizes. Read the listing and your package rather than picking a box based only on how dark your hair is.
Mix and apply
Start with clean, dry hair. Pour bottle 1 into bottle 2, shake for 30 seconds and open the applicator as directed, away from your face. Use the supplied bottle, not a metal bowl.
With gloves on, apply promptly to the dyed sections and work it through evenly. Cover with the included cap. Don't add water or improvise with extra ingredients.
Processing and rinsing times
Swipe across to see every column.
| Step | Extra Strength directions |
|---|---|
| Processing | No longer than 20 minutes |
| First wash | Shampoo, then rinse with warm water for 20 minutes |
| Second wash | Shampoo again, then rinse for at least 5 more minutes |
| Finish | Condition after the washout |
Those are the manufacturer's Extra Strength directions. Follow any additional steps in your package leaflet. Keep the room comfortable and avoid cold drafts; don't use a hair dryer to speed things up.
Black box dye and repeated dye jobs do not get a longer processing limit. An extra ten minutes on your head is not a substitute for the rinse.
After rinsing
Condition according to the product you use, then dry your hair and look at the result in good light. You may see warmth that the darker dye had covered up. That doesn't automatically mean you need another box tonight.
Take photos in the same lighting if you want to compare the result. A dark bathroom photo and a sunny-window photo won't tell you much about how much color actually came out.
Can you recolor afterward?
Color Oops allows same-day recoloring, but check your hair and scalp first and follow the new dye's patch-test and strand-test instructions. Waiting a set number of hours does not guarantee that damaged hair is ready for another treatment. If your hair is breaking or your scalp is irritated, stop rather than trying to fix the result with more chemicals.
What if it's still too dark?
Don't keep repeating treatments on a schedule from a blog. Check the repeat-use limits on your box and do a new strand test before another application. If you're unsure what has been used on your hair, or you're trying to undo several years of dark dye, a colorist can help you decide what is realistic.
Our before-and-after guide explains why the result may not match your original hair color.
Common mistakes
- Starting without enough time to complete the washout.
- Treating Extra Strength, Color Prep and Bold Remover as the same product.
- Increasing processing time because the first strand test wasn't light enough.
- Stopping the rinse as soon as the water looks clear.
- Buying a second box without first checking how your hair and scalp handled the first.
Getting dye off your skin
For a small dye stain, start with mild soap, water and a soft cloth. Don't scrub until your skin is sore or use household cleaners on it. A stain is different from burning or a rash; rinse off a product that irritates your skin and get medical advice for a persistent or severe reaction.
The separate Color Oops reviews guide covers common questions about results.
What about Color Prep?
Color Prep is a separate product, not a required extra step after Extra Strength. Only buy it if its own directions match what you need to do next.
View Color Oops Color Prep on Amazon →