How do you lighten colored hair that is too dark?

To lighten colored hair, use baking soda, clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioner. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/4 cup of clarifying shampoo. Wet the hair with hot water, and apply the mixture throughout the hair. Rinse and apply a deep conditioner.

1. Prepare the lightening mixture

   Gather a nonmetal bowl, a whisk, some baking soda, and a bottle of clarifying shampoo. Measure 2 or 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and place it into the bowl. Add 1/4 cup of clarifying shampoo, and blend well using the whisk.

2. Wet the hair

   Set the water temperature to hot. Wet the hair and scalp completely with hot water.

3. Apply baking soda and shampoo mixture

   Rub the lightening mixture evenly throughout the hair. The length of time it should be left in the hair depends on how much color needs to be removed. It takes five minutes for slightly dark hair and up to 15 minutes for darker hair.

4. Rinse the hair

   Rinse the hair with cool water.

5. Examine the hair color

   Under good lighting, check the final color of the hair. If it is still too dark, repeat steps 2 through 4. If not, continue to step 6.

6. Condition hair

   Apply a deep conditioner to the hair to replace the oils removed by the lightening process. Rinse the hair thoroughly and dry.