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Writer's pictureJessalyn Bold Hearts

What Causes Brassy Hair And How To Prevent It.

Updated: Jun 20, 2023

6 tips to keep the brass away.


Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

Before and after of brassy hair

So what is brassy hair? It is unwanted warm tones in blondes and also brunettes. Blondes will turn yellow and brunettes will turn orange when proper care isn't followed. Brassy hair is caused by over use of hot tools, long exposure to sunlight, washing with the wrong shampoo, over washing, and minerals in your water. All of which will cause your color to fade. The more your color fades the warmer it will get. Read on to learn how to prolong your color, keeping brass away.





Amika Supernova Blonde Moisture And Shine Cream

Tip #1 - Less Heat


Cut back on using hot tools and when using them make sure to set them to a lower heat setting. I recommend setting your iron between 320-350F. If your iron doesn't have a temperature heat setting then it's time to get a new one because that is risky. You have no idea how hot it is and chances are it's in the 400's which can very easily burn your hair. For use I would only us your iron 1 to 2 times a week and you should only run the iron through your whole head once. After that it should just be touch ups. Using a heat protectant is also a must to protect your hair from the heat. I recommend Amika Supernova Blonde Moisture And Shine Cream. This violet leave-in cream weightlessly conditions, tames frizz, keeps brass away and heat protects. Yes the violet in the cream will keep your hair for getting brassy. This product is great for blondes and can be put in damp or dry hair. Apply product after you wash your hair and reapply on dry hair as needed to tame flyaways and refresh dry ends. Buy Supernova Blonde Moisture And Shine Cream.


Amika Vault Color-Lock Leave-In Conditioner

Tip #2 - Protect Your Hair From The Sun


Long exposure to sunlight will fade your color and make it brassy. Going to the beach is when you definitely want to wear a hat and did you know that there's sunscreen for your hair? Amika Vault Color-Lock Leave-In Conditioner is that sun screen. It has UV protect which protects the hairs color and vibrancy from the sun. It also instantly detangles, softens, and moisturizes for a more manageable mane. Buy Vault Color-Lock Leave-In Conditioner.



Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

Tip #3 - Purple Shampoo


Blondes BFF, purple shampoo will make your color last longer. Purple shampoo is specially formulated to combat brassy tones. On the color wheel purple is directly opposite to yellow which means purple will cancel out yellow. Purple shampoo removes unwanted yellow tones. I recommend Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. What makes Bust Your Brass special is it's reparative. It will tone unwanted brassy hues and strengthen your hair. Resulting in less breakage and stronger, healthier-looking hair. Buy Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo and Conditioner.


Tip #5 - Don't Wash Your Hair Everyday


The longer you go between washes the longer your color will last. I recommend washing your hair every 4 days. However if you have oily hair this will be harder to achieve. For tips on how to go longer between shampoos. Read: How Often Should I Wash My Hair?


Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Repair Mask

Tip #5 - Toning Mask


I recommend that everyone uses a hair mask once a week to keep their hair healthy. Read: Which Hair Mask Is Best For My Hair? A toning mask is specifically for blonde. I recommend Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Repair Mask. This ultra hydrating mask will get rid of any unwanted brassy hues and strengthens hair to reduce breakage. Buy Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Repair Mask.



Tip #6 - Do Hard Water Treatments And Get A Shower Head Filter

Depending on where you live and if you have well water or town water the amount of minerals in your water will vary. However no matter the amount over time minerals will turn your hair brassy and create build up which will make your hair brittle. When enough build up is present your hair will have a waxy residue and no matter how many moisturizing products you use your hair will still be dry. This is because the build up is blocking the moisture from being able to go into the hair cuticle. When Your hair feels like this it is time to do a hard water treatment. This treatment can be done at home or at the salon and will remove all the mineral build up in your hair. Buy Malibu Rehab Hard Water Wellness. Depending on how hard your water is, meaning how much minerals are present you may need to do this treatment monthly. I also recommend investing in a shower head filter. This will reduce the amount of minerals in your water, creating less build up. I got mine from Amazon. FEELSO Handheld shower head with filter.


Tip #7 - Get A Gloss

So first let's start with what a gloss is, also know as a toner. A gloss is done after a lightening service to close the hair cuticle back down, add shine, and to create the desired color you want. When lightening your hair the cuticle is opened to remove pigment. When this happens warmth is exposed. I am talking the not pretty oranges and yellows. The gloss gets rid of those unwanted tones and creates a pretty color. A gloss however only lasts 6 weeks. So over time as your hair fades it will get warmer and another gloss will be need. Yes a gloss can be booked by itself and is a great in between appointment refresh.


Hairstylist Jessalyn in her salon

Being Blonde Takes Work


At home care and in salon up keep is key to maintaining a healthy beautiful blonde. Most of my client come in between 8 to 12 weeks for their highlights. This is only possible because they follow all these steps. When they come into their appointment they have roots but their blonde is brass free. My clients that go every 12 weeks for highlights coming in every 6 for a gloss or are a warm blonde. I hope you find these tips helpful. Comment below if you have any questions.

Creatively,

Jessalyn

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