I have Leeloo'd my hair. Now what the F do I do?

[FlemCandango]

I believe it is called the orange panic? I got the henna on my hair did a terrible job and now my greying strawberry blonde hair is shocking orange (used Lush Venetian). Now I am trying to hide the vibrancy in the Google team meetings - thank fuck I work from home! Desperately googling what to do getting too many options and need some advice. Do I brave it out like I meant to look like this? Do I double down use more henna in a darker shade to look less orangey? Wtf do I do?

Henna oxidises to a darker/richer colour over the first few days, so it will get less orangey. I also love it, and if you’re naturally strawberry blonde I’m sure you can pull it off. The problem with henna is that it is really truly permanent on most hair types so if you have significant grey then you might get quite a sharp line as roots grow in. There are other herbs you can mix with henna to change the colour - indigo and amla for instance. If you experiment with those then definitely do your research first to avoid accidentally dying your hair permanently black though!

Ha - great minds @tuppatea

Another one who loves it!!

Head and Shoulders is supposed to be good at stripping out colour but I would absolutely keep it if I was you! I've been trying to find a similar shade to colour my grey, I think it's gorgeous especially with the style.

Does not get a MULTIPASS from me! (That means I like it)

It's fine. Wear brown, mustard, plum and green to show it off.

Bloody love that! Looks fabulous!

I think it looks great on you. Thumbs up.

I actually think that looks fabulous and I would assume you'd paid to have it done. An excellent accident op!

Agree with the others @FlemCandango I think it looks fab! 'Leelooed my hair???!' Never heard of that before!

But yeah it DOES look like Leeloo!

www.bing.com/images/search?q=Leeloo+&form=HDRSC2&first=1

Another who thinks it looks great and was 😂😂😂😂 at the Leeloo reference.

I'm not sure you have to style it out as it were in the sense it looks fab anyway.

I think its probably just a shock to you but I'd definitely live with it for a few days and then see how you feel.

I've also noticed after a big colour change that I look "wrong" and have realised it's my clothes and make up that need to change a bit.

Lipstick for example that looked great previously made me look "flat" or a shirt that was a flattering colour just looked odd/draining.

So I'd also do a bit of a trial in that department by digging out colours you might have put aside previously and seeing how they work now.

I love it, looks a very vibrant and feisty real ginger! I’m also very greying strawberry blonde and had tried for that before!

Oh dear. I could never carry it off but I do think it looks cool!

If it's real henna you can't use regular dye over the top, it reacts badly AFAIK. (I use henna.)

I think you look like a supreme being, FWIW.

Completely Leeloo. Tell work you're having trouble with your camera and enjoy it.

"We lead, others follow, my dear FlemCandango"

I do like it but I can understand that you might feel a bit self conscious about it. I had similar once and while I loved the look on the pictures of a model I was hoping to look like, I’m not sure if I could really pull it off myself.

After a quick google it looks like vodka might help remove the colour if you want to tone it down a bit.

I would agree with others about leaving it a couple of week as henna does change over the first week or so and also give yourself a chance to adjust to it.

Pretty much my daughters natural colour, wear autumnal colours and you'll look great.

On Teams meetings etc the bright light probably makes it more vibrant, try a lower wattage bulb etc near your face will probably help.

What industry are you in? Its amazing! You look like a terrifying cool (if that's still the right word!) fashionista!

Not only does it look magnificent but that colour is quite 'in' at the moment according to my big shopping trip at the weekend. Maybe you really are the height of fashion without even trying,

None of the tips for stripping hair dye will work on henna so don't start washing your hair with washing up liquid! I also think it looks fab but henna colour does chill after a week or so and it might get less orange. Lush henna blocks are a bit weird and I don't like them. If you want to continue with henna I would buy some Moroccan henna powder from eBay (about £5 for 100g, you'd need about 25-50g for your hair) and use that. You'll always get a strong colour if your hair under is blonde but probably less orange than this.

It really is Leeloo colour! It looks vibrant and not like a mistake at all so I wouldn't be panicking about it. Why not go with it for a bit?

Just say it's a mark of respect for the late Dame Viv and dare anyone to criticise.

It looks fab OP. I hope you decide to keep it.

It's gorgeous!

Maintenance tip-

(I do mine regularly)

Every six weeks or so mix some up and apply to your root line/parting. It doesn't need to stay on as long, if you want a softer colour over time. Then you can do your whole head once a year or so.

Henna is very forgiving. It settles down over time, so you don't really get harsh lines as it grows out, and when you top up the roots you don't need to be careful.

I wash my hair with henna powder every couple of months. The roots might be brighter or lighter depending how long I leave it on.
Even If I only leave it briefly- a few minutes while I do my teeth, face then body in the shower- it still warms brightens the roots and softens any line.

You'll get used to how it works over time, and be able to move toward your natural colour when you want to.