What Causes Brassy Orange Hair and How Do You Fix It?

After all the time and effort you put into dyeing your hair, the last thing you want is for your bright blonde to transform into a coppery orange mess. Brassy hair is a common concern amongst those who frequently lighten their hair, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Picking up a good toner for orange hair and stocking your shower with the right shampoo and conditioner are all small steps toward putting orange red hair behind you. Keep scrolling to learn more about what contributes to brassy hair and how to stop it in its tracks.

Understanding Brassy Tones

Brassy hair refers to the unwanted warm tones that can gradually develop in hair color. Brass is most commonly seen on those with dyed or lightened hair but can also appear on those with lighter virgin hair colors (like natural blondes and light browns). These tones often look copper or orange on lightened or highlighted brown hair and skew more yellow on cool-toned blonde, white, and gray hair.

Why has my hair turned brassy orange?

Hair turns brassy orange when the color begins to oxidize from exposure to the elements. For some quick background, when you light your hair with peroxide or bleach strips the melanin (or natural pigment) from your strands. This process reveals your hair’s naturally warm undertones, especially if you’re starting with a darker base color. Applying a hair dye or a hair toner for orange hair can neutralize some of this warmth, but only temporarily. As time passes, the cooler tones in your toner or dye will fade, and those warmer undertones will resurface.

How to identify brassy tones in your hair

Determining whether your hair is brassy typically depends on your desired shade. If your deep espresso locks now have hints of copper, or if your cool blonde highlights look like the inside of a banana peel, chances are good you’re dealing with brass.

It’s worth mentioning that brassy hair tends to be confused with warm-toned hair, but each has defining characteristics. Warm hair usually has a deliberately golden look with richness and dimension. Hair may also appear shiny and healthy-looking thanks to the infusion of these brilliant tones. Brassy hair, on the other hand, is unintentional, with an unnaturalred orange hair tint that can make your overall hair color appear dull or “dirty.”

How To Prevent Brassy, Orange Hair

Brass is sometimes an inevitable part of the hair coloring process, though there are preventative measures you can take to prolong your color’s vibrancy. Here are three easy changes you can implement in your haircare routine now.

1. Use the right cleansing system

Using the right shampoo and conditioner is essential for any hair type, but it’s especially true for those who dye or lighten their hair. Washing your hair with products that aren’t meant to protect your color could prematurely strip your hue, fading those cool tones more quickly.

Systems specifically designed for color-treated tresses often contain gentler or more nourishing ingredients that work to maintain your color. Plus, many are sulfate-free, so you don't have to worry about harsh cleansers or salts further breaking down your dye. The EverPure  line from L’Oréal Paris makes many shampoos for color-treated hair—and we recommend pairing yours with the corresponding conditioner for the best possible results. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Conditioner  because they manage dryness on colored hair. This set is designed to rebuild weak hair bonds while strengthening and being gentle on color. Its formula has a bonding care complex with citric acid.

2. Protect your hair from the sun

As much as we love laying out in the sun (with sunscreen, of course), the practice can be just as damaging for the hair as it is for the skin. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can fade your hair color, which in turn may lead to brassiness. We recommend wrapping your hair in a loose low bun to shield it from UV rays and popping on a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp and strands when outside.

3. Skip the hot tools

There are plenty of benefits of opting for heat-free hairstyles, including extending your hair color and improving the look and feel of your hair. Heat—artificial or otherwise—can cause your strands to dry out quickly and fade your hair color. It’s best to avoid over-applying heat to your hair to keep those brassy tones at arm’s length. 

Editor´s tip: if you do need to use heat on your hair, make sure you apply a heat protectant first. A great pick is the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner. This product contains almond milk and rose extract to prime and perfect color-treated hair. 

How To Fix Orange Hair

If you’re past the point of prevention and need a remedy, using a toner for orange hair is one of the best ways to kick brass to the curb. But the best toner for orange hair depends on whether your brassiness leans more yellow or it’s dark orange hair. Keep reading to learn more.

What color neutralizes orange hair?

Blue toner for orange hairformulas can help counteract brassy tones in the hair. The reasoning goes back to basic color theory: Shades positioned opposite on the color wheel are complementary and effectively cancel each other out when combined. (This same rule is also why purple shampoo is used to neutralize yellow brassy tones on lighter blondes.) In some cases, hair dye may help mask brassiness, too—though the effects will vary based on how brassy your hair is as well as the color you choose for your dye.

Preventative Measures

• Professional techniques: Proper bleaching and coloring methods are crucial to avoid brassiness. Always seek expert advice to ensure your hair is processed correctly, reducing the risk of unwanted orange tones.

• Quality products: Use color-safe shampoos, conditioners, and purple shampoos to maintain a cool tone and neutralize brass. Look for products specifically designed to enhance and protect color-treated hair.

• Routine maintenance: Regular deep conditioning treatments help nourish and strengthen hair, while UV protection shields color from fading. Avoid excessive heat styling to minimize damage and maintain your hair’s vibrant, cool tone.

How To Use Toner for Orange Hair

Hair toners come in several forms, including professional treatments and at-home glosses, tinted shampoos, and masks. The best toner for orange hair ultimately depends on the severity of your brass and how much time, money, and effort you’re willing to devote to upkeep. Discover four popular toning options to help your hair appear as bright as it did on day one.

1. In-salon toner

Salon toners, which are often hair glosses or demi-permanent dyes, deposit sheer pigments onto your hair to enhance its overall color (think of them like pantyhose for your hair). These formulas help neutralize brass, impart shine, brighten your color, and make your hair feel silky-soft. Professional glosses are ideal for stubborn or severely brassy orange hair. The pampering salon technique can last six to eight weeks on your hair, depending on how often you wash it.

2. At-home toner

Bringing home all the benefits of a toner is possible, so you can eliminate the orange hair color and add cool tones to reduce unwanted warmth in record time with products you can apply yourself. To say goodbye to unwanted brassy and red tones a fantastic option is L’Oréal Paris Feria Power Toner. This toner is a great pick for in-between salon visits that will help to keep your strands fresh and vibrant. Its built-in conditioning formula gives you a softer, smoother, shinier, blonde result. 

3. Blue shampoo

For lightened brunettes and dark blondes, a blue toner for orange hair—namely, blue shampoo—will be your best friend. As you can probably imagine, blue shampoo contains cobalt-colored pigments that help offset orange and other copper-leaning tones. Use it in place of your regular shampoo once or twice a week to help fend off unwanted warmth.

4. Purple shampoo

If your hair is on the yellowish-orange end of the spectrum, purple shampoo can help. Like blue shampoo, purple shampoo is another at-home option with color pigments formulated to counteract brassy yellow tones in color-treated hair. It’s primarily used to tone lighter hair colors, such as platinum blonde or silvery gray.

Try using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Conditioner for Blonde Hair. This system hydrates strands and neutralizes brassy tones in blonde, bleached, highlighted, and silver hair. Apply the shampoo and follow with the conditioner two to three times a week or when hair looks orange.

Supplement your shampoo and conditioner with a purple mask, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Anti Brass Purple Treatment, for extra toning assistance. Once a week, spread a full tube over damp, towel-dried hair. Let it sit for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

How To Use Toner for Orange Hair: The Bottom Line

Orange hair can be beautiful if it’s the look you’re going for. But if your shade becomes too warm for your liking, remember you have options to help fix it. Next time, be sure to consult with the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge to talk to live experts and access online resources and tools before you color your hair. You can even set up a one-on-one video consultation with a professional colorist so that you can color with confidence.

Next Up: Hair toner 101: Everything you should know about toning your hair

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris