OK- I let my cousin, the beautician (really) color my hair a few years ago. It was darker than my hair had EVER been, I hated it, I wanted it out of my hair. So I went to a beauty supply shop and she suggested I wash it several times with Dawn dishwashing detergent. She said that is hard on the hair but would help remove the color - or reduce the color - it worked!! I conditioned the heck out of it - success!!!