Why won't my hair bleach past orange?

Author: Dr. Khalid Wolff DDS  |  Last update: Saturday, March 22, 2025

If you tried to lighten your hair but the end result was a brassy orange colour, there's a good chance you're a brunette. Darker hair is made up of several underlying pigments which give your brown, dark brown or black hair depth and dimension, and red and orange are the most dominant undertones.

How do you bleach your hair past the orange stage?

Orange hair to blonde: Wait for at least two weeks before re-bleaching your hair to achieve a yellow tone as this is easier to neutralize compared to orange. Once you have reached the desired yellow tone, maintain your blonde hair by applying an ash blonde box dye to lighten and neutralize your hair color.

Why won't my hair bleach lighter than orange?

Areas of your hair may have different porosities, leading to uneven bleaching. This can cause some sections to appear more orange or red. Bleach Strength and Timing: If the bleach was too weak or not left on for the appropriate time, it may not have lifted enough of the pigment, resulting in warmer tones.

Why won't my hair lift past orange after bleaching?

You are not using a good enough bleach with sufficient lifting power. Or the developer you are using is an old batch and it has lost its lift. Or you did not get the bleach mixture moist enough. Or you did not apply on the hair correctly.

How to fix hair that turned orange instead of blonde?

Purple shampoo can help neutralize the orange tones. Look for a high-quality purple shampoo and use it a few times a week. Leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing to let the purple pigments work. Consider applying a toner specifically designed for blonde hair.

how to fix orange hair from bleaching

What color cancels out orange bleached hair?

The key to fixing orange hair is usually to neutralise the orange with its opposite colour – blue.

Why won't my hair take color after bleaching?

When you bleach your hair you strip it of its natural pigments, which means it won't react to dye in the same way. Dye can come out darker than you would assume and you may need to use a protein filler. Speak to your stylist and be sure you're choosing the right colour and products for you.

What is the best toner for orange hair?

What color neutralizes orange hair? Blue toning formulas can help counteract orange tones in the hair. The reasoning goes back to basic color theory: Shades positioned opposite on the color wheel are complementary and effectively cancel each other out when combined.

Will a bleach bath lift orange?

Yes, a bleach bath can help to fix orange or yellow hair by neutralizing brassy tones. The bleach solution can help to remove excess pigments from the hair, resulting in a more neutral, natural-looking color.

Why is my hair still yellow after bleaching and toning?

Usually, when I'm speaking with women who have just freshly bleached and toned their hair and found their roots are still yellow it's for one reason: You needed to leave the bleach on for longer. Otherwise, your toner really isn't going to do much.

Can I bleach my hair again if it didn't lift enough?

Repeated bleaching is not recommended since you're putting yourself at risk of overprocessing and breakage. If you do bleach again, make sure to wait 3 weeks to give your hair cuticle enough time to heal, close and lay flat again.

Can I dye over a bad bleach job?

If your bleach job is so bad that you literally can't imagine leaving your home, your best bet may be to simply cover it with a darker shade of hair dye. Take a look at the darkest patch on your head and go a shade darker, so it covers everything evenly.

What happens if you don't use toner after bleaching?

Why is Toner Needed? Toners are more than just an accessory to your color treatment. They refresh and enhance your hair's tone, and they're a lifesaver for tackling any unwanted oranges, brassiness or yellows as bleaching exposes the hair's underlying pigments that can get damaged without further treatment.

How do you bleach orange bleached hair?

How to get rid of yellow and orange tones in your hair
  1. Bleach your hair with the help of a professional hairdresser.
  2. Use a toning to counteract the brassy tones.
  3. Try products made for home use, like a silver shampoo, silver conditioner and a silver mask.
  4. Protect your hair from UV radiation.

Will blue shampoo help orange hair?

The blue pigment cancels out orange, and the purple pigment cancels out yellow. All this talk about color comes down to two important points. Blue shampoo removes orange tones from brunette or darker hair, while the purple shampoo is a great option when yellow tones appear in blonde or light-colored hair.

How long should you wait to tone your hair after bleaching?

Make sure to follow these rules if you want to keep your gorgeous blonde hair looking just the way you want it. If you want to re-tone your hair, wait at least 2 weeks.

How many levels will a bleach bath lift?

A bleach bath typically lightens hair by about 1-2 levels, but the result can vary based on factors like hair colour and processing time.

What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

Should I rinse bleach out of hair with cold or hot water?

Step 7: Wash it

Use lukewarm water, too hot or cold of water can shock your hair in its already fragile state. Make sure to completely rinse out the bleach and gently wash your hair to get out all the product.

Is T14 or T18 better for orange hair?

If you have any orange left in your hair, T14 is probably the best for your hair over T18. T18 is only effective if your hair is a level 10 or higher (purely yellow). Putting the wrong toner in your hair won't necessarily harm it, but it likely won't affect the color at all.

What Wella toner cancels out orange?

The most powerful toner against orange tones is the Wella Colour Charm Toner in 050 Cooling Violet. Used alone on blonde hair this gives a steel grey result. Used alone on orange hair this will really reduce the orange tones and leave you with an ashy dark blonde/light brown result.

Is purple shampoo a toner?

Is purple shampoo a toner? Any product that dispenses pigment to adjust hair tone can be considered a toner, and that includes purple shampoo. Its pigments work to neutralize brass.

Why didn't my hair bleach work?

Make sure the hair is clean/clarified with no conditioner or product before you start. Also it is possible that the hair is just stained, and won't go much lighter regardless of what you try. Going from a dark box dye to light blonde is impossible for a lot of people.

Why won't my hair absorb color?

The Science Behind Hair Color Absorption

If it's too closed or damaged, dye can't penetrate well. Healthy hair with an open cuticle layer will soak up color better, giving you that vibrant look. The pH level and the porosity of your hair also affect how well it takes color.

Why won't my hair lift past yellow?

To recap on the chemistry of bleach, you'll remember that when the hair is lightened, the pigment is stripped to reveal natural underlying yellow hues. Most hair just simply doesn't lift past this stage to a white colour.

Previous article
Is Clinique a high-end brand?
Next article
Do hot baths help muscle growth?