First of all, let’s get one thing straight: dying your hair more than 1-2 shades lighter at home is risky business. If you’re going for a dramatic hair transformation, it’s best to leave this to a professional, otherwise you risk seriously damaging your hair.

However, if you’re already blond and you just want to go a little lighter, it can be achieved at home. (Brunettes and redheads, get thee to a salon!)

Step 1: Before you do anything, follow the first three steps listed in the All-Over Color section. Then, starting at the back of your head and working forward, apply the solution, keeping it one inch away from your roots. Massage the color in so every strand is covered.

Step 2: Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, but check the progress every five to 10. Don’t be alarmed if you see a tinge of red; hair exposes in stages as it lightens, says Robinson.

Step 3: After 30 minutes, apply the rest of the solution onto roots, and time for an additional 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how light you’re going.

Step 4: Rinse a strand above your ear and gently pull on it to make sure it doesn’t break. If it does, rinse your hair immediately and follow with a protein mask or bond repair product like Olaplex ($28). If your hair still has a golden tint, leave the dye on for 10 more minutes. If the color looks good, rinse with warm water, then shampoo your hair and condition.

What to Do If You Hate Your New Hair Color

Fret not: here are some ideas for how to fix (or, at least, improve) every color mishap. The things you’ll need on hand: a clarifying shampoo, a conditioning mask, and a few pantry goods.

If your hair is too dark…

Wash it immediately, says celebrity colorist Jennifer J. If it’s far too dark, mix a tablespoon of baking soda (which acts as a mild detergent) with a clarifying shampoo like Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three ($11.50) and let it sit on wet hair for five minutes. Or apply olive oil to damp hair, wrap it all up in a shower cap, and place a hot towel over it. “The heat opens up the cuticle just enough to let a few dye molecules slip out,” she says. Follow with your regular shampoo ASAP.

If it’s too light…

You’re going to have to add more dye. For hair that’s just a little too pale, choose the next shade darker than the one you started with, and apply it only on the areas you think are too faint. Leave the color on for half the time indicated on the box, and keep checking to make sure it doesn’t go too far. If hair is way too light, see a pro.

If it’s brassy…

You’ll need to tone down your hair’s warm tint. If you used semipermanent dye, try a lavender-hued shampoo like Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo ($7) for the next few days. If you went with a permanent formula, paint a shade that’s two tones darker just on the orangey spots. Next time, go for cooler tones with a blue base.

If it turned green from dyeing (or it was exposed to chlorine)…

Try washing the tint out with a clarifying shampoo or a deep treatment mask like Matrix Biolage HydraSource Deep Treatment Hair Mask ($15) right away. If that doesn’t do the trick, rinse hair with ketchup. The red counteracts the green, and the acidity helps neutralize the reaction. Then make sure to study up how to protect your color before jumping in the pool.

How to Make Your Hair Color Last

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