Lightening your hair is all fun and games until the brassiness kicks in.
You know what we’re talking about – the dreaded yellow, orange, and red undertones that begin to peak through a few months after you’ve colored your hair. Not cute, but not permanent either! There are 5 easy ways to correct brassy hair, and we’re here to share.
Let’s start with the basics: why brassy hair?
This tone happens when you’re lifting color from the hair – whether you’re a brunette going lighter or simply a blonde going brighter. If the lightening process isn’t able to pick up all the underlying pigment in your hair, your warm tones can hold on and reappear as time passes.
It’s not uncommon to see brassy hair come through once the toning gloss has washed away, but this discoloration can also be caused by a number of external factors like sun exposure or water mineral reactions.
No matter the situation, we’ve got some solutions to get you from brass to sass in no time!
Here’s how to prevent brassy hair:
Top 5 Ways to Correct Brassy Hair
1. Invest in toning gloss.
For those who might not be familiar, toner is a hair product that stylists use on recently bleached hair in order to neutralize brassy tones and create a cooler color. Applying a toning gloss with purple and blue hues will counteract the natural yellow and orange pigmentation in the hair strands.
While toning gloss is a great way to correct brassy hair, it is not a permanent solution. Toner is only meant to last 4-6 weeks, so you’ll want to schedule semi-regular toning appointments with your Facetté hair stylist in order to keep your color fresh.
Keep in mind, however, that you may be able to prolong the periods between toning if you practice proper hair maintenance and care! Keep reading to learn how…
2. Maintain cool-toned colors & correct brassy hair with a blue or purple shampoo.
Okay, you’ve just stepped out of the salon, and you’re currently rocking the color of your dreams. How can you keep it that way?
There are few simple habits you can practice in order to maintain healthy hair without the brass.
One of our favorite low-maintenance methods to keep the color in the cool-toned family? Investing in a purple shampoo or conditioner. These products actually leave a violet tint on your hair, actively correcting the brassy tones as they surface and providing proper nourishment to your strands.
We recommend using purple products one to two times a week in order to get the best results! Keep in mind, you’ll want to pair the right blue tones to your particular shade of blonde or bright brunette hair.
You can always consult with a stylist at our Fort Collins hair salon for guidance on this brassy hair fix.
3. Protect your hair at all costs!
Because pool and beach water can dry the hair and make it more susceptible to color stripping, we recommend staying away as much as possible! In a similar fashion, extended time in the sun can damage your hair and bring those brassy tones to the surface.
Good thing hair scarves and hats are in style, right?
4. Rethink the way you shower.
In order to protect your beautiful, cool-toned color, you’ll want to consider some shower modifications!
First off, wash your hair less – this will allow the color to last longer, extending the time between appointments at our Fort Collins hair salon.
Secondly, use cool water to wash out your shampoo and conditioner. Colder water helps seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture, improving health and appearance.
And lastly, one easy way to correct brassy hair is installing a shower filter to avoid unnecessary mineral buildup. You’d be surprised at the ways in which hair reacts to certain mineral in water! Best to filter out the bad when you wash your hair.
5. Use salon-grade products intended for colored hair.
When your stylist recommends products for your newly-colored hair, listen to them! They truly want to preserve your results and ensure you get the most out of your color.
This process might involve some different shampoo, deep conditioner, and hair protection spray to better care for your locks.
At the end of the day, we want you to love your hair color, and part of that involves maintaining the color over time! With the proper care and the 5 tips above, you’re well on your way to better and less brassy hair.
If you’d still like to speak with a professional hair stylist regarding how to fix brassy, orange hair, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’re happy to help.