Tips to Prevent Brassy Hair: How To Keep Your Blonde or Highlighted Locks Radiant

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Yes, you can prevent light hair from turning brassy! With a few simple changes in your haircare routine, your hair color will look less orange and more vibrant.

Blonde and highlighted hair can look stunning when you have freshly colored it but many who opt for lighter hues are all too familiar with the unwelcome appearance of brassiness. If you’ve ever noticed your beautiful blonde turning a dull yellow or orange, you’re dealing with brassiness—a common issue that can be frustrating to manage. But don’t worry; with the right care, you can keep your color-treated hair looking vibrant and fresh.

A hair toner can be your best ally to help an unwanted brassy shade from showing up in your hair. Blonde locks are more prone to developing brassy color when exposed to harsh chemicals, chlorinated water or the son. The good news is that you can avoid extra salon visits by using the best products, like purple shampoo, hair masks and oils that neutralize unwanted yellow tones. 

Why Does Blonde or Highlighted Hair Turn Brassy?

Brassiness occurs when the underlying warm pigments or red tones in your hair become more pronounced. This can happen for several reasons:

• Oxidation: Exposure to the sun, air, and water can cause your hair color to oxidize, bringing out those unwanted warm tones.
• Hard Water: Minerals in hard water can deposit onto your hair, leading to a change in color and making brassy tones more noticeable.
• Product Buildup: Some hair products contain sulfates or silicones that can build up on the hair, dulling your color and contributing to brassiness.
• Fading of Toner: After a salon visit, your stylist might apply a toner to neutralize warm tones. However, as the toner fades, those warm pigments can resurface.

Top Tips to Prevent Brassy Hair

1. Use a Purple Shampoo

   Purple shampoos are formulated to neutralize yellow tones in blonde or highlighted hair. The purple pigment counteracts the yellow, leaving your hair cooler and brighter. Use it once or twice a week to maintain your desired shade. It can really become your best friend to keep brassiness at bay.

2. Invest in a Water Filter

   If you live in an area with hard water, consider installing a shower filter. This can help reduce the mineral content in your water, preventing those orange tones from developing.

3. Limit Sun Exposure

   The sun’s UV rays can cause your hair color to oxidize and fade, leading to brassiness. Whenever possible, wear a hat or use a UV-protectant spray when spending time outdoors to shield your hair from the sun. Salt water can also add to brassiness.

4. Rinse with Cool Water

   Hot water opens the hair cuticle, which can lead to faster color fading and the development of brassy tones. For best results, rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water to help seal the cuticle and preserve your color.

5. Avoid Heat Styling

   Excessive heat from styling tools can also contribute to the fading of hair color, revealing brassy tones. When you do use heat, always apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimize damage.

6. Use Color-Safe Hair Products

   Opt for shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that are specifically designed for color-treated hair. These products are formulated to be gentle on your hair, helping to maintain your color and prevent brassiness. Look for products that say “sulfate-free” for best results.

7. Schedule Regular Toner Treatments

   Visiting your stylist for regular toner treatments can help keep brassiness at bay. A toner will refresh your color, neutralizing any warm tones that may have emerged since your last appointment. You can also ask your hair stylist to add a toning gloss after they color or highlight your hair. My colorist also uses a product called root lifter that lightens and tones the hair roots.

Protecting Color-Treated Hair: A Must for Long-Lasting Results

Preventing brassiness is just one part of caring for color-treated hair. To keep your locks looking their best, it’s important to protect your hair from damage and fading. Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep your hair hydrated and strong, and always be mindful of the products and tools you’re using. In general, I prefer using a color-safe shampoo and will use one with purple pigments once it’s been several weeks since my last salon visit. 

By following these tips, you can enjoy your blonde or highlighted hair without the worry of brassiness taking away its shine. With the right care, your hair will stay radiant and beautiful for weeks to come.

Top Products To Fight Brassiness

Purple products can work wonders when trying to prevent brassy hair color. Here are some of my favorite hair products to prevent brassy hair (contains affiliate links which help support this blog at no extra cost to you):

• KÉRASTASE | Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
• MOROCCANOIL  Purple Hair Oil For Blonde Hair
• SHU UEMURA | Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
• REDKEN | Color Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo
• L’OREAL PARIS | Everpure Purple Shampoo
• MOROCCANOIL | Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
• MOROCCANOIL | Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo & Conditioner Liter Bundle
• AMIKA | Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
• MOROCCANOIL | Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner
• FEKKAI | Blonde Rx Purple Toning Shampoo
• COLOR WOW | Color Control Purple Toning + Styling Foam – Blonde
• OUIDAD | Tone It Away Purple Shampoo
• OLAPLEX | No. 5p Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Conditioner
• KERASTASE | Blond Absolu
• OLAPLEX | No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
• IGK | Blonde Pop Purple Toning Shampoo
• KÉRASTASE | Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask
• L’OREAL PARIS | Everpure Purple Shampoo
• SHU UEMURA | Yubi Blonde Full Replenishing Conditioner
• OLAPLEX | No. 5p Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Conditioner
• NEXXUS | Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo Color Care Shampoo For Blonde Hair
• PHILIP KINGSLEY | Pure Blonde Booster Colour-Correcting Weekly Hair Mask
• BONDI BOOST | Blonde Baby Purple Hair Mask

Currently, the Moroccanoil Purple hair oil is my latest obsession because it keeps frizz at bay, smells amazing and counteracts brassy hair, so it’s a winner on all fronts.

Shop more of my favorite products here.

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