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Brassiness is an all-too-familiar nightmare for those who color their hair regularly. And while it can be a frustrating and annoying thing to deal with, it's not impossible to mitigate with the right insight and care. In this article, we'll explain brassy hair in detail, as well as what you can do to reduce and prevent it.

Hair Brassiness Defined

In a general sense, brassy hair is exactly what it sounds like - warmly toned, yellowish hair. It's a common problem for those who dye their hair, particularly with blonde or light brown shades.

Hair brassiness can look slightly different depending on your hair color. For example, blonde hair that becomes brassy may take on a more golden or yellow tone, while brown hair that becomes brassy may appear redder or orange toned.

Is It Okay to Have Brassy Hair?

Brassy hair is a controversial topic in the world of hairstyling - most people either love it or hate it.

At the end of the day, it's up to you whether or not you want to have brassy hair. If you like the way it looks, then go for it! But if you're not a fan, then there are steps you can take to reduce brassiness and achieve the hair color you desire.

What Causes Hair Brassiness?

Hair brassiness can be caused by a number of factors, but almost always has to do with hair dye reacting to some sort of outside influence.

Over-Processing: One common cause of brassy hair is over-processing. This happens when hair is dyed too frequently, and the chemicals in the dye begin to break down the hair's natural pigment. As a result, your hair may appear more yellow or orange than it did before.

Over Bleaching: One common cause of brassy hair is over-bleaching. When hair is bleached, it strips away the natural pigment (color) from your strands. This can leave your hair looking yellow, orange, or even red - particularly if the bleaching wasn't done correctly.

Using The Wrong Products:  Another common cause of brassy hair is using the wrong products. For example, if you use a shampoo or conditioner that's too harsh, it can strip away the color from your dyed hair, resulting in a brassy appearance.

Hard Water: Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of minerals, such as iron and magnesium. Iron is among the most common oxidizers in these cases, and it can cause your hair to turn yellow or orange depending on its mix of colors.

Environmental Factors: Believe it or not, the environment can also play a role in hair brassiness. Things like sun exposure and chlorine from swimming pools can cause your hair to lose its color and become brassy over time.

Why Brassy Hair Is Especially Common During the Summertime

The summer season is a common period of time in which brassy hair can develop, mainly for the reason that sun exposure can further impact and lighten the hair's appearance.

Think about it - during the winter, you're likely to spend more time indoors and less time out in the sun. But during the summertime, you're probably spending more time outdoors, which means your hair is being exposed to more UV rays.

This additional sun exposure can further oxidize your hair color, leading to brassiness.

How To Get Rid Of Brassiness In Hair

There are a few different ways that you can reduce the brassiness in your hair. We've listed some of the most effective methods below.

1. Book A Color Correction Appointment

The simplest and most straight-forward fix to addressing brassiness in your hair is to just book a color correction appointment.

If you're not already familiar, a color correction appointment is a service offered by most hair stylists and colorists. Essentially, they will assess the current state of your hair and determine the best way to get it back to its desired shade.

This is usually done by re-bleaching the hair and then toning it - but keep in mind that every head of hair is different, so the specific process may vary from person to person.

Some color correction appointments can last up to six hours, and stylists generally have to use quite a bit of color in creating the specifically desired tone.

Of course, this method won't be the most cost effective or convenient to implement, but it is the most direct way you can create targeted, effective changes in your hair color.

If you are looking for something more cost-effective to do at home, try a color correcting cream. Designed to neutralize brass and deliver cooler results in just 1-3 minutes, use in place of your conditioner once a week.

2. Invest In a Filter for Your Shower Head

If you find that your brassiness is primarily concentrated around your hairline - that is, the area that gets the most wet when you're showering - then investing in a shower head filter can be a great way to reduce brassiness.

These filters work by trapping minerals and chlorine particles from your water supply, which can help to reduce the number of brassiness-causing agents that come into contact with your hair.

Shower head filters are relatively inexpensive, and they can be a great way to improve the overall quality of your hair. Not to mention, they can also help to reduce fizziness and static electricity!

3. Use The Right Color Shampoo

There are tons of specialty shampoos out there - each with specific value as it pertains to protecting certain hair colors. These products themselves come in unique colors that are designed to counteract brassiness, so using the right one can be a great way to reduce the amount of brass in your hair.

For example, if you have blonde hair, you might use a purple shampoo to help neutralize any unwanted yellow tones. Similarly, if you have brunette hair, you might use a blue shampoo to help keep your hair from looking too red or orange.

These color shampoos can be a great way to help maintain the desired tone of your hair in between color appointments. Just be sure to use them as directed, and always follow up with conditioner to prevent your hair from drying out.

4. Get Toner from A Professional

Toner is a type of hair color that can be used to help correct the tone of your hair. It's generally not used as a standalone color, but rather as a way to enhance or balance the tones that are already present in your hair.

Toner can be a helpful way to mitigate brassiness, and it's usually applied after you've already gotten your hair colored.

Keep in mind that toner is a pretty powerful tool, so it's best to leave it to the professionals. A stylist will be able to assess your hair color and choose the right tone of toner to help achieve the desired result.

How To Prevent Brassy Hair

Unwanted brassy hair tones can be a frustrating problem to deal with, but the good news is that there are a number of steps you can take to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

1. Use A Good Quality Shampoo and Conditioner

One of the best ways to prevent brassiness is to use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Look for products that are specifically designed to protect color-treated hair, as these will be the most effective at keeping your hair looking its best.

In general, you should avoid using shampoos and conditioners with sulfates, as these can strip away color. You should also avoid using hot water when you wash your hair, as this can also cause color to fade.

2. Avoid Chlorinated Water

Chlorinated water is one of the leading causes of brassiness, so it's important to avoid it if you want to keep your hair looking its best.

If you swim regularly, be sure to use a swimming cap or other type of head covering. This will help to protect your hair from the damaging effects of chlorinated water.

You should also avoid using hot tubs, as the high levels of chlorine in the water can cause your hair color to fade.

3. Use A Heat Protectant

If you use heat styling tools on a regular basis, it's important to use a heat protectant. This will help to keep your hair from being damaged by the heat, which can cause brassiness.

Be sure to apply the heat protectant evenly throughout your hair, and be sure to use it every time you style your hair.

4. Limit Your Time in The Sun

Too much sun exposure can cause your hair color to fade, so it's important to limit your time in the sun. If you're going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure to wear a hat or other type of head covering.

You should also avoid using tanning beds, as the UV rays can cause your hair color to fade.

5. Get Your Hair Colored Regularly

One of the best ways to prevent brassiness is to get your hair colored on a regular basis. This will help to keep your hair looking its best, and it will also help to prevent the brassiness from coming back.

Be sure to talk to your stylist about how often you should get your hair colored, as they will be able to give you the best advice.

So there you have it! These are just a few of the things that you can do to prevent brassiness. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to keeping your hair looking its best