Why does my hair still look brassy after toning?

Author: Carlo Wisoky  |  Last update: Sunday, December 14, 2025

There's two reasons why your hair is still brassy after toning or colouring. Either the undertone of the toner/colour is wrong, or the product is too light for you.

What if hair is still brassy after toner?

  • Reapply Toner: If your hair is still brassy, consider reapplying a toner that targets the specific undertones present in your hair.
  • Use Purple/Blue Shampoo: Incorporate a purple or blue shampoo into your hair care routine to help neutralize brassiness between toning sessions.

Why is my hair still orange after bleaching and toning?

If you were a blonde to start with and you've ended up with orange hair after bleaching, it could be due to a build-up of chemicals or minerals in your hair. Brassiness can also happen if you've been in the sea or a chlorinated pool frequently.

How to fix stubborn brassy hair?

Brassy hair can be fixed with purple shampoo, blue shampoo, or a color neutralizing toner. You can also try these methods to prevent brassy hair: Use a water softener or color-protecting shampoo Minimize washes with dry shampoo Wash hair with cool water Avoid excessive sun exposure.

Why did toner make my hair more brassy?

Toning Mistakes

Some people have warmer undertones than others, and those warm undertones can look brassy if not toned with a neutral or cooler shade.

Say Bye To Brassy/Yellow Hair Instantly!

What to do when toner doesn't work?

"New toner not working," it may be time to get a new printer.
  1. Check to see if you put in the right toner cartridges in the right color order.
  2. Check to see if a new cartridge was put in.
  3. Check to see if you are using OEM toner cartridges.
  4. Check to see if the toner cartridge is installed correctly.

Will toner with 20% developer lighten hair?

20 Vol Developer will lighten your hair slightly and will give permanent results. Use this with Wella Colour Charm Permanent Toners, along with Shimmer Lights Toners and Lightener. Keep in mind, as 20 Vol Developer lightens your hair slightly, it can cause brassiness at your roots (if they're darker than your lengths).

How do hairdressers fix brassy hair?

How to Get Rid of Brassy Hair in the Salon
  1. Use a Hair Toner for Brassiness. For clients who want their color touched up or their freshly-lightened locks beautifully balanced, a toner is your go-to. ...
  2. Carry Out a Glossing Service.

How do you get rid of brassy hair ASAP?

Get rid of brassy tones in the hair in 4 different ways
  1. Bleach to lift more pigment from your hair. One way to give your hair a cooler blonde shade is to do a bleach service. ...
  2. Toning to balance out the warm tones. ...
  3. Products for home use that keeps the yellow away. ...
  4. Protect your hair from UV radiation.

What happens if I leave purple shampoo in my hair for 30 minutes?

If you leave purple shampoo in your hair for 30 minutes, the risk of over-toning increases significantly. While purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy or yellow tones, leaving it on for an extended period can lead to overly cool or even purple-tinted hair, especially for those with light or porous hair.

Can I tone my hair again if it's still orange?

If your lousy bleach job has come out more yellow, you'll need a purple toner. Purple shampoo can help neutralize the yellow. If your hair is orange, you'll need a blue toner. Try a blue shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.

Can I use purple shampoo immediately after bleaching?

When To Use Purple Shampoo After Bleaching? Avoid washing your mane for the first 48 to 72 hours after bleaching it. This is to give your hair enough time to seal in its new color. If you waited 72 hours before washing your hair after it was bleached, you could use the purple shampoo the next time you shower.

How to make hair less brassy?

  1. ADD A PURPLE SHAMPOO TO YOUR REGIMEN. Need an at-home brassy hair fix? ...
  2. TRY AN ANTI-BRASS PURPLE HAIR MASK. ...
  3. HEAD TO THE SALON FOR A PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION. ...
  4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT HAIRCOLOR FOR YOU. ...
  5. PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM THE SUN & POOL. ...
  6. INVEST IN A SHOWER FILTER. ...
  7. USE BLONDE HAIRCARE PRODUCTS.

Can you overuse hair toner?

Since overusing toners can make your hair dry and brittle, it is a good idea to balance this by using moisturising hair masks after toning. This will keep the scalp properly hydrated and the hair fibres will remain soft and supple.

How to tone level 7 orange hair?

The Color Wheel Shows You Which Hues Tone Orange Hair

In the case of orange hair, a touch of blue pigment will cool and calm hair that is too warm, while a hint of violet is also helpful for yellow/orange strands, on a level 7.

Which Wella toner cancels out orange?

Purple cancels out yellow and blue cancels out orange, for example, so if you have orange in your hair, you will want a Wella toner with blue tones.

What is the best shampoo for brassy hair?

Nexxus Blonde Assure Shampoo

Our top pick for this category is Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo Color Care Shampoo because it not only includes keratin protein but also effectively neutralizes brassy tones while nourishing strands.

Will vinegar tone down brassy hair?

Remove orange and yellow tones simply by applying two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with water, using a cotton ball. After 30 minutes, wash your hair with cool water.

Will clarifying shampoo get rid of brassiness?

This brassy effect could be the result of mineral deposits from your shower, pollution from city air, cigarette smoke or even your styling products. It's a good idea to introduce a clarifying shampoo once a week, along with a purple shampoo, for tone, once a week, if you have a problem with brassiness.

Why does my hair go brassy so quickly?

Sun Exposure + Colour Fade

The sun's powerful UV rays can break down hair dye molecules, fading the cool tones faster than the warm tones. This can lead to the hair taking on a brassy, orange, or yellow tint.

What neutralizes brassy hair?

For those who might not be familiar, toner is a hair product that stylists use on recently bleached hair in order to neutralize brassy tones and create a cooler color. Applying a toning gloss with purple and blue hues will counteract the natural yellow and orange pigmentation in the hair strands.

Will a toner dry out my hair?

It's essential to assess the hair's condition before applying toner and use conditioning treatments to restore moisture and strengthen the hair when necessary. Overlapping the toner application or leaving it on for too long can lead to overprocessing, which may result in dryness, breakage, or a change in texture.

Will 20 vol lift orange?

Orange hair does not require strong peroxide developers. 6% (20 volume) will be more than sufficient to lift hair those last few levels.

What happens if you use too much developer in toner?

Higher volumes of developer are used for darker and thicker hair types, while lower volumes are recommended for lighter or more delicate hair. Using a higher volume than recommended for thin or fine hair can lead to severe damage, dryness, and breakage.

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