You know the feeling: you leave the salon with those perfect, cool blonde highlights, only to look in the mirror weeks later and see… orange. What gives? Brassy hair can turn a killer hair color into something that feels more “meh” than marvelous.
Having recently gone blonde myself, I get it all too well. As a natural brunette (who’s now mostly gray), my hair pulls red no matter what. So when that gorgeous ash tone starts slipping into brassy territory, I know exactly what’s happening.
But don’t worry! Brassiness may be part of the blonde journey, but it doesn’t have to stick around. Let’s look into why it happens—and, better yet, how to keep that orange out for good.
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What does brassy hair look like?
Brassy hair is when your once-icy tones turn into unwanted yellows, oranges, and even reddish hues.
Think of it as your hair’s way of pulling a not-so-cute Halloween trick on you. Brassy tones are common for blondes, brunettes, and anyone who’s lightened their hair—if your hair has a yellow or orange tint, it’s likely “gone brassy.”
But why does brassiness happen in the first place? Let’s get to the root of this problem.
Expert Insights
“Brassy tones pop up when underlying pigments in the hair begin to show through—especially in people with naturally dark hair going lighter.”
Why Does Hair Go Brassy?
Brassiness can show up due to a few factors, from sun exposure to product buildup. Here’s a breakdown of some top causes:
Over-Processing
Bleaching or dyeing your hair too often can leave it susceptible to brassiness. Over time, this can make hair porous, which allows unwanted tones to settle in. (Yikes!)
Sun Exposure
Like your skin, your hair can be affected by the sun. UV rays break down color molecules, allowing those orange and yellow tones to take over.
Pro Tip: Cover up or use a UV-protectant spray when you’re going to be out in the sun.
Mineral Buildup from Hard Water
Hard water contains high amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can leave deposits on your hair, adding to that brassy hue.
Natural Hair Pigment Shining Through
Our hair has underlying pigments—often warm tones like red, yellow, and orange—that can show up as dye fades. It’s a natural part of hair color fading over time.
Chemical Reactions in Bleaching
“When bleach removes natural pigment from the hair shaft, it oxidizes and can cause those unwanted yellow and orange hues,” says hair colorist Enza Piazza.
Expert Insights
“When hair is colored, specifically going from dark to light, unforeseen factors such as UV ray exposure, the shampoo you use, chlorine and even the minerals in your water can, bring about a yellow-orange tone, aka brassiness.”
Professional Hair Stylist, Hairstory.com
How to Know If Your Hair Has Gone Brassy
There are a few easy ways to tell if you have brassy hair.
1. Your hair looks yellow or orange.
If your once-blonde locks have started to take on a more yellow or orange hue, it could be a sign that your hair is brassy.
This usually happens when the natural pigment in your hair starts to break down, allowing underlying brassiness to come through.
2. Your hair feels dry and coarse.
Brassy hair isn’t just aesthetically unappealing; it can also be difficult to manage. If your hair feels dry and coarse, it’s likely because the brassiness has stripped away its natural moisture and oils.
As a result, your hair may become frizzy and unmanageable. If you’re struggling to tame your tresses, use a deep conditioning mask at least once a week. This will help restore moisture and make your hair easier to style.
3. You’re using too much heat styling.
Too much heat styling can damage your hair and strip away its natural color pigments, leaving behind brassiness.
If you want to protect your hair from heat damage and keep it looking shiney and healthy, limit yourself to one heat-styling session per week.
And when you do style your hair with heat, make sure to use a heat protectant spray beforehand. This will help minimize the damage caused by hot tools.
4. You swim frequently in chlorinated water.
Chlorinated water can cause brassiness in all types of hair—not just blonde locks!
If you swim frequently or spend a lot of time in chlorinated water (like at a pool or waterpark), it’s important to rinse your hair with clean water as soon as possible afterwards.
This will help remove any chlorine that might be sitting on the surface of your strands and causing brassiness. It’s also a good idea to wet your hair before swimming; this will create a barrier between your strands and the chlorinated water so that less chlorine is able absorb into your strands in the first place.
5. You live in a hard water area
Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can leave behind deposits on your strands, which can lead to brassiness.
If you live in an area with hard water , invest in a shower filter; this will help remove some of the minerals from the water before they have a chance to wreck your color.
“When was your last appointment because it could be that the toner they used has washed out of your hair or that they did not lift you high enough. Hair has the natural under tones of red, orange (brassy) and yellow. So they might not have lifted you high enough to get out of the orange zone.”
Megan Clare, Hairstylist, Denver
How to get rid of brassy hair
Now that you know how to identify brassy hair, it’s time to learn how to get rid of it! There are a few different ways you can go about this.
Method 1.Use a purple shampoo and conditioner
A purple shampoo is one of the most effective ways to get rid of brassiness or tone down blonde hair that is too bright.
Purple shampoo and conditioner work by neutralizing the yellow and orange tones in your hair. We recommend using them once a week to keep your hair looking its best.
Method 2.Try a toning or glossing treatment:
You can find toning treatments at most beauty stores or online.
Toning treatments work by depositing color onto your hair, which helps neutralize brassiness and gives you longer-lasting results.
To neutralize the warmth, you’ll need an ash toner as ashy colors are cool. If you have green tones in your blonde hair you’ll need red. I all depends on the science of color theory and the hair color wheel.
Expert Insights
“You can correct brassy hair by coming back into your salon and applying a gloss or toner to the hair. This simple fix with a conditioning treatment and blowout will make a huge difference.”
Method 3. Re-dye your hair
If all else fails, you can always re-dye or bleach your orange hair again. Choose a cool-toned hair dye like ash brown or ash blonde that will counteract the brassiness.
We recommend using a demi-permanent color if your hair is damaged, as it’s less harsh than a permanent dye.
Lastly, if all else fails, you can always visit your trusted hairstylist or colorist and they can help you get your color back on track.
Watch and learn: How to fix brassy hair.
Here’a great video that breaks down the cause of brassy hair, blonde hair levels and the talks you through the right volume of bleach you need to get rid of it.
How to Use Purple Shampoo Like a Pro
Step 1: Start with damp hair. Applying purple shampoo on damp hair helps it absorb evenly for the best results.
Step 2: Apply the purple shampoo, focusing on the brassiest areas. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes (or less if your hair grabs color quickly). For yellow tones, try Fanola No Yellow Shampoo, a go-to for instantly cooling down yellows. If your brassiness leans more orange, consider Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Shampoo, which works beautifully on deeper, orange tones.
Step 3: Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticle and lock in color. Follow up with a hydrating conditioner to keep your hair soft and smooth.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to purple shampoo, start with a shorter wait time (1-2 minutes) and adjust as needed to avoid overly ashy tones!
Brassy hair before and after
How to prevent brassy hair from happening
Keeping your hair color vibrant and free from brassy tones involves proactive measures. Hair Color Experts Redken give us these tips to maintain that salon-fresh look and extend the life of your hair color:
- Choose the Right Hair Color: Opt for cooler hair colors, such as those with “ash” in their names, as they’re less prone to turn brassy. If you prefer warmer shades, consider options like beige blonde or dirty blonde that balance warm and cool tones.
- Protect Your Hair from Sun and Pool Exposure: Chlorine in swimming pools can strip your hair, making it more susceptible to damage and color fading. Similarly, sun exposure can accelerate color fading and increase brassiness. To safeguard your hair, cover it up or use hair sunscreen when outdoors.
- Invest in a Shower Filter: Hard water, rich in minerals like chlorine and iron, can dry out your hair and fade its color. Using a shower filter can reduce these minerals, helping your hair color last longer and preventing brassy tones.
By following these tips, you can effectively protect your hair from external factors that contribute to brassiness, ensuring your hair color stays as vibrant and fresh as the day you left the salon.
Brassy Hair FAQ
Q: Why does my hair turn brassy so quickly after coloring?
Brassy tones are often due to fading color, natural warm pigments in your hair showing through, or environmental factors like sun and hard water. If your hair is naturally dark (especially with warm undertones), it can turn brassy more quickly.
Q: Can brunettes get brassy hair, too?
Yes! Brassiness isn’t just a blonde issue. Brunettes who lighten their hair or use warm-toned dyes may notice orangey or red tones creeping in as the color fades. Purple shampoos and cool-toned toners can help brunettes as well.
Q: How often should I use purple shampoo to combat brassiness?
Using purple shampoo once a week is usually enough. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes each time, but if your hair starts looking a little too cool or ashy, take a break to avoid an overly cool tone.
Q: Does swimming in pools cause brassiness?
Yes! Chlorine can lead to brassiness and can even add a greenish tint. Always rinse with fresh water before and after swimming, and wear a swim cap or use a leave-in conditioner as a barrier if you swim frequently.
Q: Can I prevent brassiness by choosing the right hair color?
Absolutely. Choosing cool-toned shades like “ash blonde” or “ash brown” is a great start since they’re less prone to brassiness. If you love warmer tones, consider regular toning treatments to maintain the shade you want.
Q: Will a shower filter really help with brassiness?
Yes, especially if you have hard water. Filters can reduce minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can cling to hair and cause color dulling and brassiness. A filter is a small investment that makes a big difference in color maintenance!
Parting words
If you’re noticing that your once shining locks are looking a little orangey, it might be because of brassy hair.
But don’t worry, there are ways to fix it! Using purple shampoo or a color-depositing conditioner can help get rid of any unwanted warmth in your hair and restore it back to its former glory. So go ahead and give your locks some love—they deserve it!
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
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