What Causes Hair Color to Turn Brassy, And How to Fix it
Brassy hair is a common issue, especially for those with blonde, silver, or light brown hair. It occurs when your hair develops unwanted warm tones, like yellow or orange, that clash with your desired color. Several factors can contribute to this brassiness, including exposure to the sun, hard water, improper hair care products, and overprocessing. These elements can alter the delicate balance of your hair’s color, causing it to lose its cool, neutral tones.
Fortunately, fixing brassy hair is possible with the right products and techniques. In this guide, we’ll explore what causes hair to turn brassy and how to restore your hair to its true, vibrant shade.
What Causes Hair Color to Turn Brassy
Brassy hair happens when color-treated hair develops unwanted yellow, orange, or reddish tones, making it look dull or uneven. This is common in blonde, silver, or light brown shades. Understanding what causes brassiness can help you prevent and fix it.
1. Oxidation
Oxidation occurs when your hair color is exposed to air, heat, and sunlight. Over time, oxygen breaks down color molecules, creating yellow or orange tones, especially in lighter shades like blonde. Sunlight and heat styling tools speed up this process, causing quicker color changes.
2. Mineral Buildup
Hard water with minerals like iron, copper, and calcium can build up in your hair, shifting the color. Copper, in particular, can leave blonde or light hair looking green or brassy. These minerals stick to the hair, making it harder to maintain your desired tone.
3. Improper Hair Care Products
Using shampoos and conditioners not formulated for color-treated hair can strip your hair of oils and color. Products with sulfates or harsh chemicals can fade or unbalance the color, while shampoos with warm pigments can worsen brassiness, especially in cool-toned hair.
4. Overprocessing
Excessive bleaching or lightening makes hair porous and more prone to color changes. Overprocessed hair struggles to maintain color and quickly takes on brassy tones. Heat styling tools can worsen the damage, increasing color distortion.
5. Environmental Exposure
Pollution, UV rays, and humidity can impact your hair color. Sunlight often causes blonde and light shades to turn brassier, while humidity can lead to frizz and uneven tones.
By understanding these factors, you can take steps to prevent and fix brassy hair.
How to Fix Brassy Hair
Brassy hair, with unwanted yellow or orange tones, is a common issue for those with color-treated blonde, silver, or light brown hair. It can result from sun exposure, hard water, or over-processing, but there are simple ways to fix it and restore cool tones. Here’s how to tackle brassiness and keep your color vibrant:
1. Purple or Blue Shampoos
Purple and blue shampoos are great for neutralizing brassiness. Purple shampoo cancels yellow tones in blonde or light-colored hair, while blue shampoo works better for light brown or orange tones. Use these shampoos once or twice a week, leaving them on for a few minutes before rinsing. Be careful not to overuse, as they can leave a slight tint if left on too long.
2. Clarifying Shampoo
Minerals from hard water can cause brassiness, but a clarifying shampoo can remove this buildup and restore your color. It strips away impurities like minerals, chlorine, and product residue. Since clarifying shampoos can be drying, follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. Use sparingly, about once a month, to avoid drying out your hair.
3. Professional Toner
If at-home fixes don’t fully work, a professional toner can neutralize yellow, orange, or red tones. Applied by a stylist, toners restore a cooler, natural tone and are semi-permanent, fading over time. For the best results, especially with heavy brassiness, consult a professional.
4. Deep Conditioning Treatments
Color-treated hair, especially bleached or lightened hair, is more porous and prone to damage and fading. Deep conditioning treatments restore moisture and keep your color fresh. Hydrated hair is also less likely to develop brassy tones.
Use hair masks or treatments designed for color-treated hair to nourish and repair, while adding a protective layer to extend your color’s vibrancy. Regular use will keep your hair shiny and reduce brassiness.
5. Heat Protection
Excessive heat styling can fade color faster and worsen brassiness. Always use a heat protectant spray or serum before blow-drying, straightening, or curling. Heat protectants shield your hair from damage and help preserve cool tones.
Try to limit heat styling, let your hair air-dry when possible, and avoid high heat to protect your color.
6. Avoiding Sun and Chlorine Exposure
The sun’s UV rays can fade hair color, making blonde and light shades look brassy. Protect your hair by wearing a hat or using UV-filter hair products. Leave-in sprays designed for color protection can also help.
Chlorine from swimming pools can cause blonde or lightened hair to turn green or brassy. Use a swim cap or apply a leave-in conditioner to create a barrier against chlorine.
7. Regular Salon Touch-ups
To manage brassiness, schedule regular salon visits for touch-ups. Professional colorists can use toners or make adjustments to maintain a cooler tone. Depending on your hair, you may need touch-ups every 6-8 weeks.
Preventing Brassiness in the Future
Once you've tackled brassiness in your hair, it's essential to take steps to prevent it from returning. With the right care and maintenance, you can keep your color looking fresh and vibrant, avoiding those unwanted yellow and orange tones. Here are some tips to help you prevent brassiness in the future.
1. Use Color-Safe and Sulfate-Free Products
Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip hair color, leading to fading and the emergence of brassiness. Using color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners will help preserve your hair color and prevent premature fading. These products are gentler on your hair, keeping it vibrant for longer.
2. Incorporate Purple or Blue Shampoos Regularly
To neutralize yellow or orange undertones, make purple or blue shampoos a regular part of your hair care routine. These shampoos are designed to cancel out brassiness by depositing the opposite colors (purple for yellow and blue for orange). Use them once or twice a week to keep unwanted warm tones at bay.
3. Limit Heat Styling
Excessive use of heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can cause hair to become damaged and lose its tone. To minimize color distortion, avoid heat styling as much as possible. If you must use heat, always apply a heat protectant spray to safeguard your hair.
4. Protect Hair from Sun and Chlorine
UV rays from the sun can break down hair color, making it appear dull and brassy. To protect your hair from sun damage, use UV-protectant sprays or wear a hat when outdoors. Additionally, chlorine from swimming pools can also affect your hair’s color, so consider using a swimming cap or applying a leave-in conditioner before entering the pool.
5. Deep Conditioning Treatments
Color-treated hair can become dry and porous, which makes it more prone to picking up brassy tones. Regularly using deep conditioning treatments will keep your hair hydrated and healthy, preventing damage and ensuring that your color stays true.
By following these preventive measures, you can keep your hair color vibrant and brass-free for longer. And remember, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional hairstylist for personalized advice and recommendations based on your specific hair type and color. With the right care and maintenance, you can rock your colored locks with confidence!
FAQs
What causes orange and red tones to appear after the hair coloring process?
Brassiness happens when underlying warm tones in natural hair or natural pigment become exposed, especially in brunette hair and gray hair. The hair coloring process may not fully neutralize these tones, and hot tools or excessive sun exposure can fade the color pigments, revealing orange and red tones.
How can I prevent brassy hair and maintain my desired shade?
To prevent brassy hair, wash with cool water, use a shower filter or water filter, and apply styling products with UV protection. These steps help protect the color pigments and natural oils from damage caused by environmental factors like UV light and minerals in water.
How do I counteract brassy tones and neutralize unwanted warmth?
Use toning products with blue pigments or follow the color wheel to pick the right tones for your natural hair color. Regular toning treatments that are specifically formulated for gray hair, natural color, or brunette hair can prevent brassy tones and restore balance.
Can product buildup or poor care affect how natural color holds after hair dye?
Yes—product buildup blocks penetration of toners and can worsen brassiness. Avoid overwashing, reduce hot tools use, and stick to specifically formulated products. Proper care ensures your hair dye holds the desired shade longer and helps avoid brassiness caused by underlying pigment exposure.
Conclusion
Hair color often turns brassy due to factors like fading pigments, mineral buildup from hard water, and exposure to UV rays. This unwanted warmth can affect lighter shades, from blondes to brunettes, altering their intended hue. But the good news is that brassiness is manageable with the right care.
To combat it, use purple or blue toning shampoos designed to neutralize orange and yellow undertones. Protect your hair from environmental damage by wearing a hat or using UV-protectant sprays. Incorporating color-safe and clarifying products into your routine can also minimize mineral deposits.
For stubborn brassiness, consult a professional stylist for toning treatments or personalized advice. With proper care, vibrant, brass-free hair is totally achievable, allowing you to enjoy your perfect color longer!
Salon Haze is an award-winning hair salon in Vancouver, Kitsilano area. We are specialists in colour and style. If you are considering a new colour or style for your hair, contact us, and we’ll talk you through all the options to ensure your choice of colour reflects your personality and complexion.
Call today for a free consultation with one of our stylists. We have the best hairdressers and the best hair colourists in Vancouver. Call now at 604-620-9986 or email us at service@salonhaze.com.