color treated hair How To Fix Brassy Brown Hair

After freshly dyeing your hair, the first thought that probably crosses your mind is how great it looks—quickly followed by the dreaded notion that your new hair color could one day fade, or even become brassy. And it turns out, blondes aren’t the only ones who have to worry about their hair turning brassy—it can happen to people with brown hair too. If you’re a brunette, chances are you don’t want any unexpected red or orange tones making their way into your mane. So, how can you fix brown hair that’s turned brassy? We’ve got you covered—just follow the hair care tips below to help prevent brassy brown, color-treated hair and learn what to do if your brown hair has already become brassy.

HOW TO HELP PREVENT BRASSINESS IN BROWN HAIR

Once you’re the proud owner of a new hue, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of your color-treated hair properly. Here are our best tips to help prevent unwanted brass:

1. SWITCH TO PRODUCTS FOR COLOR-TREATED HAIR

It’s true, shampoo and conditioner aren’t one size fits all. Colored hair requires something special to get the job done. Look for a system of hair care products that's safe for color-treated hair, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Conditioner. Free of harsh sulfates, salts and surfactants (foaming agents) that strip the hair, these products will keep your color looking vibrant. 

2. REDUCE SUN EXPOSURE

While you surely know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun by wearing a broad-spectrum SPF daily, you may not be aware that it’s just as essential to protect your hair color from the sun. That’s right, UV rays can affect your color. If you know that you’re going to be spending a prolonged period of time outside in the sun, make sure to shield your hair by wearing a hat. You can also swap out your standard hair spray for one with a UV filter, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold with UV filter for Color-Treated Hair. It’s specially designed for color-treated hair and it’s humidity resistant, so we suggest you pack this in your bag!

3. STEP AWAY FROM THE HEAT TOOLS

Heat from the sun isn’t the only kind that’ll wreak havoc on your hair color. Heat styling with blow dryers, hair straighteners, and curling irons can impact your color, too. Instead of risking your color to heat style your hair, consider this your opportunity to embrace your natural texture—whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or anywhere in between. There are also tons of beautiful heat-free hairstyles, so don’t be afraid to experiment. 

4. USE A NEUTRAL HAIR DYE

If your hair has warm undertones, it’s a good idea to use a neutral hair dye to nip brassiness in the bud. Enter the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Neutral Medium Brown and Neutral Dark Brown. These two brown hair colors are formulated with blue and green dyes that counteract natural red and copper underlying pigments in dark bases, which can help prevent brass.

Of course, preventing your pretty brown hair color from turning brassy is easier said than done. But, if you find yourself already struggling with brassy brown hair, try these tips:

USE A GLOSS TREATMENT

A hair gloss can be used to even out hair color and provide an extra boost of shine. The L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss is a perfect product to rid your hair of brass right at home. In just one 15-minute shower treatment, it enhances hair color and tone, boosts shine and deeply conditions. Kiss your dreaded maintenance trips to the salon goodbye.  

TRY A BLUE OR PURPLE TONING SHAMPOO

Loyal blondes practically can’t live without their purple shampoo, and incorporating one into your hair care routine can make all the difference in the appearance of your brown hair. Look for a toning shampoo specifically designed to help fix brassiness in brown hair, like a blue shampoo. If you have brown hair with highlights, another option is the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Brass Toning Purple Sulfate Free Shampoo. Use this purple shampoo up to three times a week when you notice your highlights getting brassy, and be sure to pair it with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Brass Toning Purple Sulfate Free Conditioner.

Photo: Shutterstock

Next: 21 Stunning Shades Of Brown Hair For All Skin Tones