How To Lighten A Stock Hair System (#1)

JohnathonNY · May 15, 2020

I've been having some technical trouble using the search function in finding similar threads so I've decided to post this question instead.

I have just received a first stock hair system in the mail as a test run, and I've noticed that it's very dark compared to my natural hair. This is surprising because I've always had black hair, but this was a little bit more blacker that I expected. I was wondering what methods people use to lighten a hair system or if this is a normal occurrence that will sort itself out.

Since this is my first hair system, I'm not sure what to do with this color discrepancy. I have already shampooed it once and let it dry, but I'm considering leaving it in the sun or rinsing it with lemon juice to it to get it a shade lighter. I do NOT want to bleach this system.

Does anyone have any tips? Is this normal when you buy a new stock hair system (#1) to be darker? *I should of bought the 1B shouldn't I?

Noah · May 15, 2020

Hi Johnathon

Even if you are buying a stock system, it's a good idea to send your supplier a small sample of your biohair, and let them give you the best match they can. Even within the colour descriptions like "1B" there are small variations.

There is a product called "Sun In" that I have used to lighten a system. Amazon stock it. It is like a stronger version of lemon juice, so it's fairly easy to control. You can speed up the process by using a hairdryer. You might try that. Disclaimer: I have only used it to adjust between different light brown tones - I don't know how it will work on black hair. It might bring out red tones, in which case you will have to use a colour-correcting shampoo to take them out again.

Good luck
Noah

BaldBearded · May 16, 2020

I would see if you can return it, and get the right color. You are unlikely to be able to get a uniform color result.

deg_dilemma · May 21, 2020

I tried the sun-in on black hair but unfortunately it didn't make much of a difference. That was in winter. In summer I think it would work if you put the hair piece out in the sun for a while.

The black dye that suppliers use is ridiculously black. I had the same problem with my first 2 systems. The shock of a solid black wall of hair was distressing, especially as pretty much every single strand of hair was the same ridiculously dark shade of black, i.e. no breaks in the colour. These kind of pieces have a "doll's hair" look, awful and wiggy.