Using Ketchup to Fix Green Hair

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How I Accidentally Turned My Hair Green

I used my blue toner for brunette/caramel colored hair. To be clear, this isn’t a green toner. The toner I used is blue and meant to be used on color treated hair that is originally brunette but a bit lighter after visiting the salon. It is meant to help get rid of orange tones and make them look cooler. Unfortunately, I left the toner in too long and my hair ended up with a green tint. I left it on just a tad bit too long, I only left it on while I shaved my legs! I found out the hard way that toners act fast and should be washed out no more than 5 minutes after being put in!

This was my hair before the ketchup. In natural lighting, it wasn’t too bad, but it still appeared “muddy”. In fluorescent lighting where I work however, the green tone was much stronger and very noticeable. I had someone even comment on it, which is not okay by the way. Here is what I did to fix my green hair!

Can You Really Use Ketchup to Fix Green Hair?

You’ve heard about beer shampoo, but have you heard about ketchup shampoo? I posted to my Instagram Stories about solutions to the green hair and a couple of the blondes I know mentioned that they had used Ketchup to fix green hair that was caused by chlorine. At first, I was appalled by the idea, because quite frankly I don’t even eat ketchup. The thought of becoming a human hot-dog to fix my hair wasn’t my first choice solution. Out of desperation, I resolved to try it for myself and document the results.

After hours and hours of online research, I found out that using Ketchup and tomato paste is sometimes used when trying to get green out of your hair. It makes sense because red and green are opposites on the color wheel, so adding something with red tint would undo green tint.

Even after all my research, I still had two big concerns:

1. Would my hair have a red tint if I left it on too long like the toner?

2. Would I smell like ketchup afterward? What would I have to do to wash out the smell?

Using Ketchup on Green Hair

I went and bought a jumbo size Ketchup at the grocery store for $4 because we don’t really eat or use the condiment in our house and I knew with my thick hair I would need a lot of it. After finding the best towel to use as a cape (I didn’t even know we owned a red towel?!), and heading to the bathroom sink.

I began with a giant glob of the hamburger lover’s accessory. I actually started by splitting my hair into four sections– two on the bottom and two on top. It was necessary to completely soak my hair in the Ketchup, which meant a messy sink and that my hands were covered. I made sure to run my strands between my thumb and pointer finger to really get the red goo globbed on every single hair. After I had done all four sections, I tied my hair up and let it sit. Originally I wanted to try for 40 min, but at the 30-minute mark, I started to stress my hair would be red and decided to wash it out.

Washing and Rinsing Out the Ketchup

I found out from this experience that you can’t just put Ketchup in your hair and wash it out with water. I went through my entire hair washing process — and then some — to get it out! The Ketchup goop washed out easily and didn’t leave a mess in the tub, however, my two big concerns from my questions above were still on my mind.

In order to make sure the ‘I-just-ate-a-hotdog’ smell didn’t linger, I triple shampooed my hair. I first used my Moroccan Oil Color Continue Shampoo because it is hydrating for my hair. Next, I washed with my Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Color Shampoo because I wanted to feel extra clean (and I love how it make my scalp tingle and smell yummy). The last wash was with my trusted Pravana The Perfect Blonde purple shampoo to make sure that my strands remained blonde instead of red.

Of course, no wash is complete without a good conditioner. This is where my all-time favorite conditioner came to the rescue to keep my hair feeling luscious and soft — Kerastase! After a good shower, my hair didn’t smell and it was most definitely not red! In fact, it almost looked more brilliantly blonde. I attributed that to the fact that my hair no longer had a “muddy” or dirty blonde look with the green masking over it.

My Honest Opinion

First of all, I have learned from this whole adventure not to leave my toner in too long! Please, please learn from my mistake and be careful about applying toner to your hair. Secondly, I would absolutely, 100% recommend the DIY Ketchup toner trick if your hair has turned green from toner or from swimming in the summer! All you have to lose is some Ketchup that is likely sitting in your fridge anyway!

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