Brassy tones in hair are a common issue, especially for those who lighten their hair with bleach or hair dye. These unwanted warm hues—typically yellow, orange, or red—can make your hair look uneven and unnatural.
If you’ve ever tried to go blonde or lighten your brunette hair, you may have noticed these brassy tones appearing after a few washes. But what causes brassiness, and how can you prevent it? In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about brassy hair and how to maintain a cool, balanced color.
What Are Brassy Tones in Hair?
Brassy tones refer to the unwanted warm hues that appear in dyed or bleached hair. These tones usually show up as yellow, orange, or reddish shades, depending on your natural hair color.
- Yellow brassiness – Common in platinum or light blonde hair.
- Orange brassiness – Often seen in medium blonde to light brown hair.
- Red brassiness – Happens in dark brown or black hair when lightened.
These warm tones appear when the underlying pigments in your hair become exposed after bleaching, coloring, or fading dye.
What Causes Brassy Hair?
Brassiness occurs due to a combination of hair chemistry, product choice, and environmental factors. Here are the main reasons why brassy tones develop:
1. Underlying Pigments in Hair
Every hair color has an underlying pigment:
- Blonde hair – Pale yellow
- Light brown hair – Orange
- Dark brown/black hair – Reddish-orange
When you lighten your hair, the bleach removes some of the natural pigment but doesn’t eliminate it completely. If the lightening process is not done correctly, the underlying pigment becomes visible, leading to brassiness.
2. Fading Hair Dye
If you’ve dyed your hair blonde or brown, the color will gradually fade over time. As the artificial color washes out, the warm underlying tones start to show, making your hair appear brassy.
3. Hard Water and Mineral Buildup
Hard water contains minerals like iron and copper that can deposit on your hair, causing unwanted warm tones. These minerals interact with your hair dye, making the color look dull or brassy.
4. UV Exposure
Sun exposure can cause oxidation, which fades your hair color and enhances brassy tones. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, your hair is more likely to develop brassiness.
5. Heat Styling
Frequent use of flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers can strip your hair of moisture and make brassy tones more noticeable.
How to Get Rid of Brassy Tones
Brassy hair can be frustrating, but the good news is that you can neutralize and prevent it with the right hair care routine.
1. Use a Purple Shampoo
Purple shampoo is the most effective way to neutralize yellow and orange tones in blonde or light brown hair. The purple pigments counteract warm hues, leaving your hair looking cooler and more vibrant.
✔ Use 2-3 times a week for best results.
✔ Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing.
✔ Avoid overuse, as it can make your hair appear too ashy.
2. Try a Blue Shampoo
If you have brassy orange or red tones, a blue shampoo works better than purple shampoo. The blue pigments help balance the warmth in brunette and darker blonde shades.
3. Use a Toner
A toner is a semi-permanent color treatment that removes brassiness and enhances cool tones. You can apply a toner at home or visit a salon for professional toning.
Popular options include:
✔ Purple toners – For blonde hair.
✔ Blue toners – For light brown hair.
✔ Ash toners – For neutralizing warm tones.
4. Avoid Hard Water
To prevent mineral buildup, use a water filter in your shower. If your water is high in minerals, consider using a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup.
5. Protect Hair from the Sun
UV rays can fade your hair color and enhance brassiness. Protect your hair by:
✔ Wearing a hat or scarf when outdoors.
✔ Using a UV-protectant spray for hair.
6. Reduce Heat Styling
Excessive heat can strip your hair color and make warm tones more visible. If you must use heat styling tools:
✔ Apply a heat protectant spray.
✔ Use low to medium heat settings.
✔ Limit heat styling to a few times a week.
7. Choose Color-Safe Hair Products
Using the wrong shampoo or conditioner can strip your hair color faster, making brassiness appear sooner. Look for sulfate-free and color-safe hair products to keep your hair looking fresh.
How to Prevent Brassiness in Hair
Preventing brassy tones starts with proper hair care and color maintenance. Follow these steps to keep your color looking vibrant:
✔ Choose the right hair dye – Go for ash or cool-toned shades to minimize brassiness.
✔ Tone your hair regularly – Use toners or color-depositing conditioners as needed.
✔ Limit exposure to chlorine and minerals – Wear a swim cap in pools, and rinse hair immediately after swimming.
✔ Wash hair less frequently – Overwashing can fade color faster, leading to brassiness.
Best Products to Combat Brassiness
Here are some top-rated products to help keep your hair brass-free and vibrant:
✔ Purple Shampoo – Neutralizes yellow tones in blonde hair.
✔ Blue Shampoo – Reduces orange and red tones in brown hair.
✔ Ash Toner – Helps maintain cool tones in dyed or bleached hair.
✔ UV-Protectant Spray – Shields hair from sun damage.
✔ Sulfate-Free Conditioner – Keeps color from fading too quickly.
Common Questions About Brassy Hair
1. Can brassy hair be fixed at home?
Yes! Using purple or blue shampoo, toners, and color-safe products can help reduce brassiness at home.
2. How often should I use purple shampoo?
It depends on your hair. Start with 2-3 times a week, then adjust as needed. Overuse can lead to overly cool or ashy tones.
3. Does brassy hair mean my hair is damaged?
Not necessarily. Brassiness is usually a result of fading color, exposure to minerals, or UV damage rather than actual hair damage.
4. Can brunettes get brassy hair?
Yes! Even dark hair can develop warm tones, especially after lightening or dyeing. Blue shampoos or toners are best for brunettes.
5. How do salons fix brassy hair?
Professional hairstylists use toners, gloss treatments, or color corrections to neutralize brassiness and restore cool tones.
Brassy tones in hair can be frustrating, but they’re completely avoidable and fixable with the right products and care routine. Whether you’re blonde, brunette, or somewhere in between, using purple or blue shampoo, toners, and protective hair care products can help you maintain your ideal shade.
By following these tips, you can enjoy beautiful, brass-free hair that looks fresh and vibrant for weeks.