Brassy hair is a common issue, especially for those with blonde, highlighted, or color-treated hair. Brassiness happens when unwanted warm tones—like yellow, orange, or red—start showing up in your hair, dulling its vibrancy. While brassiness is natural over time, there are effective ways to prevent and correct it.
Experts recommend a mix of targeted products and healthy hair habits to keep brassiness at bay. Here are 14 expert-approved steps to help you get rid of brassy tones and keep your color fresh and bright.
1. Understand What Causes Brassiness
Brassiness is often caused by color fading or the underlying pigments in hair color. Environmental factors, like sun exposure and hard water, can also play a role. Knowing the cause helps you pick the right solution.
2. Start with a Purple Shampoo
Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow and orange tones by counteracting warm hues. Use it once or twice a week to keep brassiness under control and maintain cooler shades.
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3. Use a Blue Toning Conditioner for Darker Hair
If you have darker blonde or brunette hair with brassy tones, a blue-toning conditioner can help. Blue tones target orange hues, making them ideal for balancing warmth in deeper shades.
4. Limit Sun Exposure
The sun’s UV rays can fade hair color, exposing warm undertones. Wear a hat or use UV-protective products to prevent brassiness and keep your color fresh.
5. Avoid Hard Water
Minerals in hard water can cause buildup, leading to brassiness. Consider installing a shower filter or using a clarifying shampoo to reduce mineral deposits.
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6. Use a Color-Depositing Mask
Color-depositing masks are tinted treatments that refresh color and neutralize brassiness. Apply them once a week to enhance your tone and add shine.
7. Rinse with Cold Water
Hot water can strip hair and fade color faster, leading to brassiness. Rinsing with cold water seals the hair cuticle, helping your color last longer.
8. Invest in a Quality Color-Safe Shampoo
Regular shampoos can strip color over time. Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo to preserve your shade and prevent warm tones from emerging.
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9. Avoid Frequent Heat Styling
Heat styling can damage and fade color-treated hair, leading to brassiness. When you do use heat, apply a heat protectant to shield your color.
10. Get Regular Gloss or Toner Treatments
Glosses and toners add shine and neutralize brassiness. Visiting your salon for a gloss treatment every few weeks can keep your color looking fresh.
11. Use Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses
Apple cider vinegar helps balance pH levels and remove mineral buildup, which can contribute to brassiness. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water and rinse occasionally.
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12. Opt for Cool-Toned Hair Dyes
Cool-toned hair colors, like ash or platinum shades, reduce the chance of brassiness. If you’re planning to dye your hair, ask your colorist about cool-tone options.
13. Incorporate a Purple Mask Weekly
A purple hair mask is a deeper treatment than shampoo and helps reduce brassiness by neutralizing yellow tones. Use it once a week to keep your color cool and bright.
14. Avoid Chlorine Exposure
Chlorine can add unwanted green or yellow tones to color-treated hair. Before swimming, wet your hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner as a barrier against chlorine.
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