It’s just a few weeks after your colour session, and then disaster strikes—your perfect blonde starts turning red, yellow, or even orange. The frustration? We all understand too well, especially for blondes and brunettes. The good news is, brassy hair isn’t permanent. The correct hacks will help you tone and maintain your shade for longer.
Why Does Hair Turn Brassy?
The natural pigments that remain in your strands start to show after you lighten your hair. For blondes, this often means yellow or gold tones become more visible. Darker hair can show red or orange tones you don’t want. Research showed that hard water, sun, heat tools, and shampoos containing sulfates can make these tones appear sooner.
Spotting Brassy Tones: What to Look For
You need to know how to recognize brassy hair before you can fix it. Here is what you should be on the lookout for:
- Look for yellow or orange tones: When your blonde or lightened hair starts showing streaks of yellow or orange, that’s brassy hair setting in. You will notice it especially under bright light or in photos.
- Watch for copper or red shades: If you have dark hair, brassiness often shows as red or copper tones after colouring. The reason is because the darker pigment underneath is still present and begins to surface once the dye starts to fade.
- Notice when your hair looks dull: Brassy hair doesn’t just change colour; it also causes the hair to lose its shine. If your hair looks flat or “dirty” no matter how often you wash it, brassiness is likely the reason.
- Check for uneven patches: Sometimes, brassiness doesn’t spread evenly. You may see brighter sections near the roots or tips, while the rest of the hair looks different. In other instances, your hair can appear patchy and feel like the colour has lost consistency.
Simple Ways to Tone Blonde Hair and Eliminate Brassy Tones
If you’ve already spotted brassiness, the next step is knowing how to tone it down.
Step 1: Get Started With a Purple Shampoo
Your coloured hair arsenal is never complete without a purple-toning shampoo. Many people run back to the salon for a colour retouch, but you don’t always have to. With a good purple shampoo, your blonde or platinum shade can stay fresh for weeks. Make this happen by using GK Hair’s Ultra Blonde Bombshell Masque. This way, your hair stays vibrant, and you remain confident between colouring appointments.
Step 2: Add a Hair Shine Spray
Once brassy hair is toned, you want your hair to reflect light beautifully. That’s where shine spray comes in. After rinsing out a purple shampoo, use a refresher spray to add both shine and softness. We recommend layering a shine-enhancing cream with the nourishing GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner Spray right after application. You will notice the difference immediately.
Step 3: Switch to a Colour-Safe Shampoo
Keeping brassy tones away is not a one-time fix. That is why you need a gentle shampoo for colour-treated hair for long-term nourishment. Avoid sulfates, since they strip the colour faster. GK Hair’s juvexin-infused protein blend works especially well here because it protects your hair from fading and enhances your undertones at the same time.
Step 4: Treat Your Hair With a Deep Conditioning Mask
Lightened and blonde hair usually needs more attention compared to other shades. You can bring back strength and softness by using a deep conditioning mask once or twice a week. This aids in replacing the lost water and in keeping your hair healthy; thus, brassiness would not appear easily.
Step 5: Keep Your Hair From Heat and Sun
Your hair colour can change faster than you expect when you blow it out or spend time in the sun without protection. Always use a heat protectant like GK Hair ThermalStyleHer Cream before styling and a UV spray before going outside.
How to Prevent Brassy Hair in Canadian Climates
The best way to deal with brassy hair is to stop it early. Prevention is easier than correction, and here’s how you can stay ahead of it:
Reduce Hard Water Exposure
Water rich in minerals can leave deposits on your strands that shift the tone of your colour. In parts of Canada where this is more common, a shower filter can make a big difference. It helps your blonde stay clearer and your brunette look richer between salon visits.
Stay Away From Sulfates
Sulfates remove moisture and fade colour. Regardless of the season, apply the products that do not contain sulfate in order to keep your hair.
Protect Your Hair From the Sun
Summer in Canada brings strong UV rays that speed oxidation and warm blonde shades. Use UV sprays or hats outdoors to keep your tone cooler.
Use Heat Tools Wisely
High heat breaks colour molecules and worsens brassiness. Always apply protectant and lower the temperature of hair dryers to maintain fresh, bright colour.
Perhaps you’re planning to try it yourself. Here is a simple guide on How to Lighten Hair Naturally and Safely at Home
