Help! New hair colour. Look like a corpse :(

[vitaminC]

I naturally have very low-contrast, very warm colouring. I have Mediterranean-type tanned skin, orangey-hazel eyes and chestnutty light brown/caramel hair which I usually have highlighted with copper highlights, a shade lighter than my natural base.

My wardrobe consists mainly of cream, tan, light khaki, burnt orange, royal blue and warm navy, all of which really suit me and which bring out my eyes (my best feature) without overwhelming me. I'm a borderline warm spring/warm autumn (spring colours suit best, but officially an autumn due to hazel eyes!)

A few days ago, my hairdresser convinced me to have my shoulder-length hair "tie-died" instead of highlighted. It is now coppery at the ends, progressing from a warm brown at the roots. It is a semi-permanent colour, so should fade after a few washes, but right now I look dreadful!

I can't go back to the hairdressers as I have a busy week ahead, then leave for 2 weeks holiday at the end of the week. But I need to do something to look vaguely human!

I found a lime green scarf in my wardrobe earlier, which made me look slightly healther, but what else should I change? Do I need to wear more make-up? Buy a few brighter clothes? It's only one shade darker than my usual colour but nothing suits me any more. WWYD

Can you put a semi permanent dye through yourself? If you hate it, might be worth a try.

I think darker hair needs stronger make up, can you nip to boots in your lunch hour and see if the ladies on the make up counter can suggest something?

Would I be able to dye it lighter? I thought it was only possible to go darker with semi-permanence home colours!

I think stronger make up is a good idea. Will try to put on more eye make-up tomorrow and buy a brighter lipstick... Thank you!

Wash your hair with Head and Shoulders a few times. It should help fade the dye quickly but use a good conditioner afterwards.

Oh Yes. That sounds like it might help! Thank you

Fractured I took your advice and washed it with my husband's dandruff shampoo this morning (and then my own, so it smelled right) and blow-dried it and it's looking a bit brighter.

I'm also wearing an orangey coral lipstick and a jumper the same colour and I look slightly more alive... I guess I'll just have to get into the habit of wearing stronger colours to avoid looking washed out!

Get some scarfs in colours that tone with the rest of your wardrobe but are more saturated/brighter in colour until it fades a bit. Brick red lipstick too should help balance things.

Next time you wash it soak it in oil first, anything, cooking oil will do. Bung a plastic shower cap or even a plastic bag over it & warm it with the dryer for half an hour. Then wash the oil out with the Head & Shoulders. A hairdresser friend gave me this tip, the warm oil helps to loosen the hold of the dye.

Flange that's a good idea. I love scarves, so having to buy more is not a problem

Aquelven I've never heard of that before, but it has to be worth a try! I'll do it tonight, as I would never have time for that in the morning...