Kiss My Brass

The Top 10 Ways to Prevent Brassiness in Your Hair

Brassiness—the struggle is real! Whether you’re a blonde, brunette, or rocking highlights, those unwanted warm tones can sneak up fast, leaving your hair looking dull, uneven, or just not the shade you intended. At Sessions, we understand how frustrating it is when your perfect cool blonde starts turning yellow or your rich brunette balayage picks up too much orange.

Understanding the Root Causes of Brassiness

Brassiness occurs when the underlying warm pigments in your hair start to show through. This can happen for several reasons:

• Oxidation: When hair color is exposed to oxygen, UV rays, or heat, the molecules break down, revealing underlying warm tones.

• Hard Water Exposure: Minerals like iron and copper in tap water build up on the hair, causing a brassy or orange cast.

• Overwashing: Shampooing too often can strip toner and deposit-free color molecules, allowing natural warmth to resurface.

• Improper Color Selection: Lightening hair too much or not enough can leave behind unwanted yellow or orange undertones.

• Chlorine & Saltwater Exposure: Both can fade toner and deposit minerals that interact with hair color, leading to brassiness.

• Heat Styling Damage: Excessive heat breaks down cool color molecules faster, causing warmth to become more prominent.

Blondes tend to battle yellow brassiness due to the natural undertones of lifted hair, while brunettes and darker blondes often deal with orange or red brassiness when their hair is lightened. Understanding these root causes makes it easier to prevent and correct brassiness effectively.

The key to maintaining your color is a mix of the right products, professional treatments, and healthy hair care habits. Here’s your ultimate guide to preventing brassiness and keeping your hair looking like you just walked out of the salon.

1. Use a Purple or Blue Shampoo

Toning shampoos are a game changer when it comes to neutralizing unwanted warmth. Purple shampoos counteract yellow tones in blondes, while blue shampoos neutralize orange tones in brunettes. Incorporate one into your routine 1–2 times per week to keep your color balanced. Our favorites include Kevin Murphy Blonde.Angel Wash for blondes and Keune Silver Savior Shampoo for brunettes.

2. Schedule Regular Toner Refreshes

Toners are essential for keeping color-treated hair vibrant. Since toners gradually fade, scheduling a refresh every 4–6 weeks will keep your hair looking salon-fresh. At Sessions, we customize your toner to maintain your desired cool or neutral tone—book your refresh today!

3. Wash Less Often

Frequent washing can strip away toner and color, making warm tones more noticeable. Try washing only 2–3 times per week and use Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo between washes to absorb oil without dulling your color.

4. Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo & Conditioner

Sulfates can be harsh on colored hair, leading to faster fading and more brassiness. Switch to a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner like Davines Alchemic Silver Shampoo & Conditioner to maintain your cool tone without stripping moisture.

5. Install a Shower Filter

Hard water is a major culprit when it comes to brassiness. It contains minerals like iron and copper that oxidize on the hair, causing unwanted warm tones. Installing a shower filter helps remove these minerals and keeps your color clean and bright.

6. Protect Hair from Heat Styling

Excessive heat causes oxidation, which leads to brassiness. Always use a heat protectant like Kevin Murphy Heated.Defense before blow-drying, curling, or straightening to keep your color fresh and hair healthy.

7. Shield Hair from the Sun

UV rays break down hair color, leading to unwanted warm tones. Protect your hair with a UV-protectant spray like Keune Care Sun Shield Oil or simply wear a hat when spending time outdoors.

8. Rinse with Cool Water

Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing color to fade faster. Rinsing with cool or lukewarm water helps seal the cuticle and keeps your toner locked in for longer-lasting results.

9. Use Color-Depositing Treatments

A weekly color-enhancing mask can help maintain your desired tone. We recommend Davines Alchemic Silver Mask for blondes and Kevin Murphy Cool.Angel Treatment for brunettes looking to extend their cool tones.

10. Avoid Chlorine & Saltwater

Chlorine and saltwater can strip color and cause buildup that leads to brassiness. Before swimming, apply a leave-in conditioner like Amika Vault Color-Lock Leave-In Conditioner to create a protective barrier, or rinse your hair with fresh water immediately after your swim.

Your Brass-Free Maintenance Plan

Here’s an easy breakdown to keep your color looking fresh between salon visits:

✅ Weekly: Use sulfate-free shampoo & cool water rinses

✅ 1–2x per week: Use purple/blue shampoo & deep condition

✅ Every 4–6 weeks: Refresh toner & schedule a trim

✅ As needed: Use heat protectant, UV protection, & dry shampoo

At Sessions, we specialize in custom color maintenance to keep your hair looking salon-fresh long after your appointment. Need a toner refresh? Want personalized product recommendations? Book your session today!

Shop at https://shop.saloninteractive.com/store/knockouts to keep your color looking flawless. ✨