I can’t think of a time that orange hair was in style.
If your hair has suddenly begin to give off an orange hue, you’re unfortunately suffering from brassy hair.
While some people can pull this look off, they are few and far between.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of brassy hair, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ll be sharing my own expertise on brassy hair along with a few tips and tricks from my friends on YouTube, 5FootCloset and Brittany Marie.
Ready to stop the orange? Let’s go!
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What is Brassy Hair?
Brassy hair is often compared to a penny. Think of how the copper hue shines in the light. It might look great coming from a penny but the same shine coming from your hair doesn’t normally look good.
This usually happens when hair has been dyed but has not gone through every stage of color development. It can happen to natural hair as well though.
Hair is categorized into color levels. It also has many undertones, which is what makes all of our hair shades unique.
The pigmentation of brassy brunette hair is different from brassy blonde hair. Brunettes are more prone to brassy hair but blondes might have to battle the brass from time to time as well.
Whether you bleach your hair, favor the ombre look or add highlights and lowlights from time to time, there’s a good chance that you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed brassy hair.
If you’re one of the lucky few that can pull the look off, I’m incredibly jealous. For most of us, brassy hair is not a good thing.
Why is Brassy Hair Bad?
Brassy hair itself isn’t necessarily bad. It’s the reasons that your hair is brassy that are cause for concern. There are several causes for brassy hair. Do any of them sound familiar?
- Hair Products: Using certain hair products can make your hair brassy. For example, using products with silicones and parabens can lead to brassiness. So can shampoos with sulfates. All of these ingredients can lead to damaged or thinning hair. If your hair is brassy, it might already be damaged.
- Summer Lifestyle: Both chlorine and sun exposure have been linked to brassy hair. Unprotected sun exposure can lead to a list of health problems, not just hair damage. If you spend plenty of time in the pool, chlorine could be drying your hair and therefore changing the color. It removes natural oils, leaves your hair brittle and prone to breakage.
- Your Water: If the water in your home is full of mineral deposits, build-up can form in your hair. It then dries out and can begin to appear brassy. Try to always avoid hard water when washing and rinsing your hair.
For some, their natural hair color could be the reason behind their brassy hues. If you’re like me and have dark brown hair, any attempt to go lighter can be an invitation for brassy hair.
Do you have an idea of what’s causing your brassy hair? If so, it will be easier to prevent the issue in the future.
But for now, let’s learn how to get rid of brassy hair at home and make a DIY hair toner for brassy hair.
How to Fix Brassy Hair at Home
There are several ways to rid yourself of brassy hair, ranging from purple shampoo, using color-protective products and using a shower filter. Here’s how to fix brassy hair, according to 5FootCloset.
1. Gather your ingredients. You’ll need hair dye (a demi-permanent with no ammonia), a color correction product, a developer, a few clips, a mixing bowl and an applicator brush. Make sure that you wear a protective glove and clothing that you don’t mind getting dye on.
2. Mix your hair dye and developer. Use two parts developer and one part hair dye. Add 15 drops of the color correction product to help cancel out the brassiness.
3. Clip the top layers of your hair on top of your head. Section your hair and begin to brush on the dye. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
4. Keep working through the layers until all the brassiness is covered. When working with a demi-permanent dye, you don’t have to worry about your hair becoming any lighter. It’s just correcting the pigmentation and eliminating the unwanted brassiness.
5. Leave the hair dye on for about 25 minutes. Rinse it out and style as desired. Your hair should have a cooler hue to it and the orange should be a distant memory.
Below is the video:
DIY Hair Toner For Brassy Blonde Hair
Here’s another method you can try. Sometimes, a toner is the best weapon against brassiness. But they can be pricy or only last a week or so.
Brittany Marie has a great DIY solution to tone down brassy hair that you’re sure to love.
1. Gather your ingredients. You’ll need Color Brilliance by Ion Lavender Hair Dye, your favorite conditioner, a few clips, a mixing bowl and an applicator brush. Make sure that you wear a protective glove and clothing that you don’t mind getting the toner on.
2. Put ⅓ of the dye into a mixing bowl. Add double the amount of conditioner. Mix well. The toner should have a lilac hue to it.
3. Clip the top layers of your hair on top of your head. Section your hair and begin to brush on the toner. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
4. Keep working through the layers until all the brassiness is covered. You don’t need to worry about your hair turning purple. The toner just acts as an overlay of color to your current shade, whether it’s natural or dyed.
5. Leave the toner on for about 20 minutes. Rinse it out, condition again and style as desired. Using a flat iron or curling iron is fine. Your hair should have a cooler hue to it and the orange should be long gone.
There you have it! Two super easy ways to eliminate the brassiness from your hair and get the exact shade that you want.
Now that you know how to get rid of brassy hair and what causes it, you should be better equipped to prevent it from happening again in the future. Keep in mind that some people are just more prone to it but you’ll always be able to eliminate it with these tips.