How to Correct Gold Tones in Hair Color

Many people like getting highlights to add dimension and a little color to their hair. However, if the hair color is not done correctly or not taken care of properly, those highlights can turn orange or brassy. There is possibly because the hair color was not left on long enough or the elements (sun, chlorine, wind, hard water) have damaged it.

Things You'll Need

• Water test
• Blue or purple shampoo/conditioner
• Hair toner

Instructions

1. Apply a blue or purple shampoo to your hair as part of your daily routine (see Resources), wash with the shampoo, then rinse out. According to Blonde-Ambition.co.uk, tinted shampoos and conditioners work by neutralizing and calming the brassy and orange tones of the hair. These shampoos and conditioners can be purchased at any beauty supply store.

2. Apply the blue or purple conditioner, leave it in for 15 minutes then wash that out.

3. Add a semi-permanent hair dye to your hair. Use a color that's one shade darker than your hair to help tone down the brassiness. This isn't as harsh as bleaching or dying, so it won't damage your hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your local water company and get your water tested. If you have hard water or well water, iron may be running through it. Those iron deposits in the water can "dye" your lightened highlights orange. If this is the case, adding a water softener to the water tank will filter out the iron in the water.

• Protect your hair during the summer months. UV rays can turn highlighted hair brassy if you're out in the sun too often.

References

• Hairstyle Blog: Hair Colouring Highlights Brassy?
• Style Hair Magazine: Help for Orange Brassy Highlights on Dark Brown Hair
• Blonde Ambition: Maintaining Bleached Hair

Resources

• Hair Boutique: Blue/Purple Color Shampoo
• Aveda: Blue Shampoo