If you've ever tried to lighten your locks, whether through a professional or an at-home kit, you've probably been disappointed a time or two. Even if you pick out the perfect shade of hair color, over time, you can end up with less than perfect results. If your attempts at going blonde have been anything but fun, you need to know how to keep your hair color from turning brassy.
Understanding why the hair can turn an orange tint over time requires a simple science lesson. According to Naturally Curly, when the hair is bleached, its natural pigment is diluted but not completely removed. The brassiness happens when the tones that are left in the hair aren't properly neutralized. As StyleCaster pointed out, those with naturally darker hair are more susceptible to those annoying brassy tones.
The kind of shampoo you use, the amount of time you spend in the sun, and even the minerals found in the water in your shower can all contribute to the less than flattering orange tones you are seeing in your dyed hair. But there's no need to sign up for the circus. Protecting your hair from heat, adding a filter to your shower, and shampooing less often can help extend the life of your gorgeous blonde hair.
So the next time you dye, try some of the tips on this list to keep your hair looking it's best. Now, if only someone would share these tips with Donald Trump.
1
Change Your Shampoo
According to StyleCaster, shampoos with sulfates can turn your hair color to a brassy hue. Good Housekeeping recommended washing your hair with a shampoo with a blue or violet pigment weekly to cancel out those brassy tones.
2
Stay Out Of The Sun
If you're going to be out in the sun, make sure you protect your bleached hair with a sun hat to preserve the color. According to Naturally Curly, exposure to the sun will make your brassiness worse.
3
Lose The Lemons
You might think that using Sun-In or lemon juice on your dyed hair will help it preserve it's sun-kissed glow, but you're probably doing more harm than good. As StyleCaster mentioned, using lemons and lightening sprays can make your hair look orange.
4
Use A Toner
When you lighten your hair, it is important to neutralize the warm tones with a toner to avoid a disappointing result. Naturally Curly suggested using a toner right after lightening your hair to reduce the brassiness.
5
Change Your Water
According to Refinery29, the minerals found in tap water contribute to the discoloration of your hair. Rather than buying bottled water for every shampoo, try attaching a filter to your shower to help maintain your color.
6
Hold Off On The Heat
Protecting your hair from heat damage is important part of maintaining your color. As InStyle suggested, use a lower temperature and heat protecting products when heat styling your hair.
7
Prep For The Pool
The chlorine in a swimming pool can completely strip the toner from your hair and change your hair color as a result. To prevent some of the damage, Refinery29 suggested wetting your hair in the shower and applying some conditioner before hopping in the pool.
8
Shampoo Less Often
Shampooing can strip your hair of the color pigments. The more you wash your hair, the faster your hair will go brassy. According to XO Jane, you should avoid washing your color treated hair more than once a week. Instead, try dry shampoo to extend the life of your color.
