Color Correction

Color correction is a planned service to fix or change color you are not happy with, such as brassy or orange lightening, box dye that went too dark, or a big move from brunette to blonde. At SALT Salon + Spa in Antioch, IL, we book it as a Transformation, which starts with an in-salon consultation and usually takes three hours or more.

When Do You Need Color Correction?

You may need a correction rather than a regular color appointment if any of these sound familiar:

• Your blonde turned yellow, orange or red, and a gloss has not fixed it.
• Box dye or a salon color came out much darker than you wanted.
• You have bands of different colors from years of different formulas.
• You want a big change: brunette to blonde, blonde to brunette, or a fashion color.

Guests often put it this way: "I don't like red or want it to be brassy." That is a fair thing to want, and we will tell you honestly what it will take.

Why Does Color Correction Start With a Consultation?

Because the fix depends on what is already in your hair, and nobody can see that from a photo. At the consultation we look at your hair in person, ask about every color, lightener and treatment from the last few years, and check its condition. Box dye, henna and color-depositing shampoos all change how hair responds, so tell us about all of them, even the ones that seem small.

We may also do a test strand: we apply the planned formula to a small section to see how your hair takes it before we commit to the full head. Read why we do a test strand for more detail.

What Happens During a Color Correction Appointment?

Every correction is different, but most follow the same order:

1. Consultation and plan, including what can happen today and what may need another visit.
2. Removing or lifting unwanted color where needed, with Metal Detox and Bond Repair products to protect the hair, as with all of our lightening services.
3. Rebuilding the color you want, section by section.
4. A customized toner to neutralize brass and set the final tone.
5. A professional blow dry so you can see the real result before you leave.

Can Color Correction Be Done in One Visit?

Sometimes, but not always, and we will say so up front. Hair can only lift so far in one day before it starts to break down. If your hair is already fragile, or the change is large, we will split the work into stages, with care in between. A slower plan that keeps your hair healthy is better than a fast one that leaves it damaged.

One guest wrote that our stylist "...was able to fix my terrible color I had done elsewhere and last minute... was upfront about cost and was able to make some changes without over processing my hair." Being upfront about cost and about what is realistic is how we approach every correction.

How Do You Keep Corrected Color From Turning Brassy Again?

• Wash with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. Ask us which Davines or Sunlights care fits your hair.
• Use a heat protectant before hot tools, and rinse with cooler water when you can.
• Book a gloss between appointments to refresh tone. It is a semi-permanent service made for exactly that.
• Ask about K18 Molecular Repair if your hair feels dry after lightening.
• Skip box dye while your plan is in progress. It is the fastest way back to where you started.

How Is Color Correction Different From Balayage or Regular Color?

Balayage and regular color start from hair that is in a predictable place. A correction starts by undoing or working around what is already there, which is why it takes longer, needs a consultation, and is booked as its own service. You will find the Transformation, with current time and pricing, in the Balayage + Lightening section of our Service Menu.

Where Can You Get Color Correction in Antioch, IL?

At SALT Salon + Spa, 744 Main St Ste 101, in Antioch, open since 2019. Our founder has been in the salon industry since 2003, is a licensed cosmetology instructor, and provides advanced coloring training for the whole team, so your plan is built on the same technique whoever does the work.

Guests come to us from Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Lake Catherine, Fox Lake and Salem Lakes. Call the salon at (224) 788-8028 to talk about your hair before you book, or book your consultation online. You can also pick a stylist from our team first.