How To Remove Brassy Tones From Brunette Hair

Struggling to maintain the perfect brunette shade? Tired of brassy tones ruining your hair color goals? You’re not alone. As a fellow brunette, I know the struggle all too well. But fear not, because there is a solution.

In this post, I’ll share my top tips for banishing brassy tones from your beautiful brown locks. Say goodbye to dull, orange hues and hello to vibrant, true-to-tone tresses.

What Are Brassy Tones?

Brassy tones often appear in brunette hair when you try to lighten it, or as your professional hair color starts to fade.

These unwanted warm tones—typically orange and yellow—result from the underlying pigment in your brown hair.

Your hair contains melanin, the natural pigment that gives it color. When lightening hair, the melanin is broken down, but can leave behind the warmer tones that make up the underlying pigment of your hair.

This happens more noticeably in brunette shades due to their specific melanin composition.

The color wheel is a useful tool in understanding why these brassy tones come to be.

Opposite brown on the color wheel, you will find cooler tones which can neutralize the warmth, thus countering the brassiness.

However, when the balance shifts, and these warm tones become dominant, your hair adopts a brassy hue.

Here’s a concise breakdown of what leads to brassy tones:

• Lightening treatments: They break down melanin, revealing warmer hues.
• Hair dye fading: Over time, dye fades, allowing natural warm pigments to show.
• Mineral buildup: Things like hard water can alter hair color over time.

To maintain your desired brunette shade free of brassy tones, specific hair care routines and products are used to neutralize these warm undertones, which will be discussed in the following sections.

Why Do You End Up With Brassy Brown Hair?

Brassy tones in brunette hair, reflecting unwanted orange and yellow hues, can often surprise you after coloring treatments.

Your once captivating natural hair color might have evolved into a warmer palette with red undertones that you didn’t expect. Several factors are responsible for these changes.

External Factors:

• Sun Exposure: UV rays from the sun can penetrate and alter the color of your hair, leading to those pesky warm tones.
• Pool and Beach: Chlorine in pools and salt from the beach also play a role by stripping away color and exposing underlying brassiness.

Color-Treating Consequences:

• Bleaching: If you’ve lightened or highlighted your hair, bleaching can lift the natural pigment, revealing the brassy orange and yellow tones instead.
• Color Fade: Over time, color-treated hair tends to fade, causing the brassy colors to become more visible.

Hair Care Habits:

• Incorrect or excessive use of hair care products can contribute to brassiness as can washing hair in hot water.

To maintain your rich, brunette shade, it’s important to recognize these elements and take proactive steps to protect your hair.

Use products designed for brunettes and those that specify color protection, and consider using filters for your water to minimize the influence of chlorine and heavy metals.

How To Remove Brassy Tones From Brunette Hair

Brassy tones in brunette hair can be corrected with a variety of methods, from using specialized shampoos to trying home remedies or seeking professional treatment.

The Role Of Toning Shampoo

To combat brassiness, a blue or purple shampoo can be very effective. These shampoos deposit blue pigment and violet pigments onto the hair to counteract the unwelcome orange and yellow hues.

• Blue Shampoo: Ideal for darker brunette hair with orange tones.
• Purple Shampoo: Best for light brunettes with yellowish tones.

Consistent use of these shampoos once or twice a week can help maintain the desired shade.

At-Home Remedies And Treatments

There are ingredients in your kitchen that can assist in neutralizing brassy tones:

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix with water to create a balancing rinse that can enhance shine and correct slight brassiness.
• Baking Soda: Combine with your regular shampoo for a gentle clarifying effect.

Additionally, treatments such as hair masks containing coconut oil can nourish and protect color-treated hair, thus preventing future brassiness.

Professional Salon Solutions

Professional options for removing brassiness include:

• Toner: A salon-grade toner specifically tailored to your hair color can effectively remove unwanted tones.
• Gloss: A colored gloss applied at a salon can also refresh your hair’s tone and add vibrancy.

These treatments have long-lasting effects and can also enhance the overall health of your hair.

It’s important to consult with a professional to determine which solution is best for your specific hair type and color.

Tips On How To Prevent Brassiness For Brown Hair Colors

Maintaining a vibrant brunette shade without unwelcome brassy tones involves regular hair care and protection from various external factors.

Here’s how you can keep your brown hair looking its best.

Regular Maintenance

• Use Color-Specific Shampoo: Integrating a blue shampoo into your routine can neutralize orange and red undertones. Apply this specially formulated shampoo once a week to maintain your color’s cool tones.
• Apply a Blue Toner: For brown hair with balayage or highlights, a blue toner can help manage warmth. This is essential after coloring to preserve the desired tone and prevent brassiness.

Adjusting Hair Care Routines

• Cool Water Rinses: When washing your hair, opt for cool water instead of hot. This helps to keep the cuticle closed, locking in the color and preventing the warm tone from showing through.
• Limit Heat Styling: Excessive use of hot tools can strip away color and contribute to brassiness. Try to minimize the use of hairdryers, flat irons, and curling irons, and always use a heat protectant when you do.

Protect Against External Factors

• Shield from Sunlight: UV rays can lead to hair color fading and an increase in brassy tones. Wear a hat or apply hair products with UV protection when spending time outdoors.
• Avoid Chlorine and Mineral Deposits: Chlorinated water in swimming pools can cause significant color changes. Before swimming, wet your hair with clean, cool water and after swimming, use a clarifying shampoo to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits that can lead to brassiness.

Best Type Of Shampoo To Combat Red And Orange Tones In Your Brown Hair

When dealing with unwanted brassy tones in brunette hair, the type of shampoo you use can make a significant difference.

Blue shampoo is specifically designed for brown hair to counteract red and orange tones.

These shampoos have blue pigments that, when used consistently, can help to maintain a cooler hair color.

Choosing the Right Shampoo

• Blue vs. Purple Shampoo: While purple shampoo is favored by blondes, as a brunette, blue shampoo is your go-to for neutralizing warm tones.
• Pigment Concentration: Look for shampoos with a noticeable blue hue, indicating a higher concentration of blue pigments.

Application Tips

1. Consistency is Key: Incorporate blue shampoo into your regular hair care routine, using it 1-2 times a week to manage brassiness.
2. Leave It On: For best results, leave the shampoo on your hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing.

Additional Benefits

• Color Fading: These shampoos can also protect against color fading, keeping your brunette shade vibrant for longer.
• Neutral Hair Dye: Some blue shampoos contain neutral hair dye which can further extend the time between color treatments.

Remember to follow the shampoo with a conditioner, choosing one that complements your efforts to combat brassiness.

With regular use of the right blue shampoo, you can keep your brunette hair free from unwanted red and orange tones.