Why does blonde hair turn brown in water?

Author: Leora Leffler  |  Last update: Sunday, November 9, 2025

When more light is absorbed by your wet hair, less light gets reflected back to your eyes. The result is that your hair appears darker than when it's dry. Your hair itself doesn't change, though. All you have to do is let it dry and it'll be back to its usual color!

Why does my blonde hair turn brown when wet?

Light Reflection: Wet hair reflects light differently than dry hair. When hair is wet, it can absorb more light rather than reflecting it, which can make it look darker.

Why does blonde hair change to brown?

As we go through puberty and into adulthood, hormonal fluctuations can affect the activity of genes that control hair color. This can lead to a shift in the production of melanin, resulting in a change in hair color from blonde to brown (2).

What color does blonde hair turn when wet?

Ever wondered why blonde hair looks darker when wet? 💧✨ It's all about light absorption! When light hits wet hair, it reflects and refracts within the water, giving it a second chance to be absorbed by the hair, making it appear darker.

Why does light hair look dark when wet?

But when light hits wet hair, some of the light reflecting off the surface of the hair strikes the inside surface of the water film at the right angle to be reflected or refracted back onto the hair again. This creates a second chance for the light to be absorbed, making the hair appear darker.

Why you will never get ‘That Hair’. (I tried for 10 years, brutally honest)

What is it called when hair goes from light to dark?

Ombré /ˈɒmbreɪ/ (literally "shaded" in French) is the blending of one color hue to another, usually moving tints and shades from light to dark.

Do highlights look darker when wet?

DID YOU KNOW hair can look 2 to 3 shades darker when wet? This is because when your hair absorbs water it can not reflect back light thus appearing dark. Always wait until your hair has been dried off and/or styled to make a judgement call 😁 Love this colour?

What is the rarest hair color?

Nature's Rarest Palette: Red Hair Standing at the apex of rarity, natural red hair occurs in just 1-2% of the global population. This striking shade results from a specific genetic variant of the MC1R gene, requiring both parents to pass on the recessive trait.

How to stop blonde hair from going brown?

But blonde hair can also begin to darken over time. If you want to keep your hair blonde as long as possible, use purple shampoo, a shower head filter, and regularly get your hair toned at a salon. Applying apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide on your hair can also help it lighten naturally.

Why does blonde hair look orange when wet?

Well, those blonde locks may develop brassy tones after bleaching if you have a buildup of chemicals or minerals in your hair. Brassiness can also occur if you've been hanging out in salt water or a chlorinated pool. Red and orange pigments are the most dominant undertones in dark hair.

Why has my hair turned brown?

Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can affect melanin production. These changes can result in blonde hair darkening over time. For instance, increased levels of certain hormones can stimulate melanin production, leading to a gradual shift from blonde to brown.

Why does bleached hair look yellow when wet?

Your hair will mainly be exposed to your tap water due to hair washing. This water is actually filled with metals and minerals, and since blonde hair is very porous, these will be absorbed, causing a slight yellow tint.

Does blonde hair make you look younger?

Obviously, nature reserves the light blonde hair color to the very young. Light blonde hair turns a few shades darker as the years go by. However, lighter hair is not necessarily an optical fountain of youth and will not bring back the looks of our younger years.

Can hard water ruin blonde hair?

If you color your hair, hard water can also affect your hair's hue. The minerals in the water can cause hair color to fade faster and can even cause your hair to turn brassy or orange. Color can wind up looking dull or uneven.

What cancels out blonde hair?

Blue and purple shampoos neutralise unwanted brassy tones to reveal a cooler blonde or light brown shade.

How to make your hair stay blonde?

How to maintain blonde hair at home
  1. Wash your hair less. ...
  2. Choose a good blonde shampoo. ...
  3. Try a purple shampoo for brassiness. ...
  4. Rinse with cool water. ...
  5. Use a weekly hair mask. ...
  6. Have a monthly trim. ...
  7. Use a hair heat protectant. ...
  8. Filter your water.

What does purple shampoo do?

What is Purple Shampoo? Purple shampoo is a toning shampoo specially designed for blonde hair. It features crushed violet pigments that neutralize style-ruining brassy and yellow tones. On the color wheel, purple is the opposite of yellow, which is why purple pigments cancel out brassy, yellow tones.

What eye color is the rarest?

The rarest eye colors are red and violet, which are primarily found in individuals with albinism. Excluding those affected by albinism, green and gray eyes are considered the most uncommon.

Is strawberry blonde hair the rarest?

3. How rare is strawberry blonde? Natural strawberry blonde hair is very rare, as it contains a red hue. Only 1-2% of people have the red hair gene globally, so others must use styling such as hair dye to achieve this shade.

Why does my blonde hair look brown when wet?

When more light is absorbed by your wet hair, less light gets reflected back to your eyes. The result is that your hair appears darker than when it's dry. Your hair itself doesn't change, though. All you have to do is let it dry and it'll be back to its usual color!

What is a root melt hair?

Root melting creates depth and dimension within your color, creating a 'lived in' look. This look is low maintenance as it lets you embrace your roots and natural color while also having the lightness and brightness of highlights or balayage lower down.

Will a toner darken my highlights?

However, toner is a great option if you find yourself in this predicament. While it may not literally darken the color of your hair, it can neutralize or reduce the appearance of the brighter, brassier tones in your hair, making it appear a bit darker in the process.

Previous article
What hair length is most flattering?
Next article
How damaging are I tip extensions?