Orange hair – it’s a common frustration for those attempting to transition to brown, especially after bleaching or lightening. Seeing that unexpected brassy or orange tone staring back at you from the mirror can be disheartening, but don’t panic! Fixing orange hair is absolutely achievable with the right knowledge and products. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, explaining why orange tones appear, how to neutralize them, and how to maintain your desired brown shade.
Understanding Why Your Hair Turned Orange
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand why your hair turned orange in the first place. This understanding will help you prevent it from happening again in the future.
The Science of Hair Color
Hair color is determined by melanin, which comes in two types: eumelanin (responsible for brown and black tones) and pheomelanin (responsible for red and yellow tones). When you lighten your hair, you’re essentially oxidizing these melanin pigments. Eumelanin is easier to break down, so darker pigments are lifted first, leaving behind the more stubborn red and yellow undertones, which often manifest as orange.
Common Causes of Orange Hair
Several factors contribute to the development of unwanted orange tones:
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Insufficient Lightening: Not lifting the hair to the correct level before applying brown dye is the most frequent culprit. If your hair wasn’t light enough to reach a pale yellow stage, the brown dye will likely sit on top of the orange undertones, resulting in a muddy or brassy finish.
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Dark Hair Starting Point: Individuals with naturally dark hair are more prone to experiencing orange tones because they have a higher concentration of red and yellow pigments.
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Hard Water: Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can build up on the hair shaft and interfere with dye absorption, leading to uneven color and brassiness.
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Product Buildup: Similar to hard water, product buildup from shampoos, conditioners, and styling aids can prevent dye from properly penetrating the hair, resulting in an undesirable orange hue.
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Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can oxidize the hair, causing it to become more brassy and orange over time.
Assessing the Damage and Choosing the Right Approach
Once you’ve identified the cause of your orange hair, you need to assess the current state of your hair and choose the most appropriate correction method.
Determining the Level of Orange
The intensity of the orange tone will dictate the best course of action. Is it a slight brassiness, or a vibrant, intense orange? A minor correction might only require a toner, while a more significant problem may necessitate re-dyeing or even lightening again (with caution).
Evaluating Hair Health
Before attempting any color correction, carefully evaluate the health of your hair. Is it dry, brittle, or damaged from previous chemical treatments? If your hair is already compromised, aggressive color correction techniques could cause further breakage and damage. In such cases, prioritize strengthening treatments and opt for gentler correction methods.
Neutralizing Orange Tones: Your Arsenal of Solutions
Now, let’s explore the various methods you can use to neutralize orange tones and achieve your desired brown shade.
Toning with Blue Shampoo or Conditioner
Blue shampoo and conditioner are your first line of defense against mild orange brassiness. These products contain blue pigments that counteract orange tones on the color wheel.
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How it Works: The blue pigment in the shampoo or conditioner deposits onto the hair shaft, neutralizing the orange and creating a more balanced, cooler tone.
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Usage: Use blue shampoo or conditioner 1-2 times per week, alternating with your regular shampoo. Leave it on for the recommended time (usually 3-5 minutes) before rinsing thoroughly. Be careful not to overuse it, as it can sometimes cause a blue tint, especially on very light hair.
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Best For: Slight brassiness and maintaining cool brown tones.
Using a Blue Toner
For more stubborn orange tones, a blue toner is a more potent option. Toners contain pigments and developers that deposit color onto the hair and neutralize unwanted tones.
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How it Works: Blue toners deposit blue pigment to cancel out orange. The developer helps to open the hair cuticle, allowing the toner to penetrate and deposit the desired color.
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Application: Always perform a strand test before applying toner to your entire head. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, paying attention to mixing ratios and processing times.
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Choosing a Toner: Select a blue-based toner formulated for brassy hair. Look for toners specifically designed to neutralize orange tones.
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Developer Volume: Opt for a low-volume developer (10 volume) to minimize damage.
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Best For: Moderate orange tones and achieving a cooler brown shade.
Re-Dyeing Your Hair Brown
If the orange is too intense to be corrected with toning, you may need to re-dye your hair brown. This requires careful consideration to avoid further damage and ensure a successful result.
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Choosing the Right Brown Shade: Select a brown shade that is one to two levels darker than your current color. Also, choose a color with cool or neutral undertones to counteract the orange. Avoid warm-toned browns, as they can exacerbate the problem. Look for terms like “ash brown,” “cool brown,” or “neutral brown” on the packaging.
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Preparing Your Hair: Deep condition your hair for several days leading up to the dyeing process to ensure it’s as healthy and moisturized as possible.
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Application: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Apply the dye evenly, starting at the roots and working your way to the ends. Process for the recommended time, and then rinse thoroughly.
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Strand Test: Before applying the dye to your entire head, perform a strand test to ensure the color is what you expect and that your hair doesn’t react negatively to the dye.
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Best For: Significant orange tones and achieving a completely different brown shade.
Using Color Fillers
If your hair is significantly lighter than your target brown shade and has strong orange undertones, you might need to use a color filler before applying the brown dye.
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What is a Color Filler? A color filler is a dye that replaces the missing underlying pigments in your hair. It essentially creates a base for the brown dye to adhere to, resulting in a more even and long-lasting color.
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How it Works: Since your hair is lacking essential warm pigments, using a brown shade directly may result in a muddy or ashy color. A color filler replaces the missing warmth, allowing the brown dye to deposit properly.
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Choosing a Filler: Select a filler with orange or red-orange tones, depending on the intensity of the orange in your hair.
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Application: Apply the filler to clean, dry hair. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for processing time and rinsing. Once the filler is rinsed, you can proceed with applying your desired brown shade.
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Best For: Hair that is significantly lighter than the target brown shade and has strong orange undertones.
Lightening Again (Proceed with Caution!)
In some cases, the orange tones are so stubborn that the only way to achieve your desired brown is to lighten the hair further. However, this should be a last resort, as it can cause significant damage to the hair.
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When to Consider Lightening: If your hair is still very dark and the orange is deeply embedded, lightening might be necessary. However, only attempt this if your hair is healthy and strong enough to withstand the process.
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Using a Low-Volume Developer: Always use a low-volume developer (10 or 20 volume) to minimize damage.
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Monitor Closely: Carefully monitor the lightening process to avoid over-processing. Check your hair frequently and rinse as soon as it reaches a pale yellow stage.
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Professional Help: If you’re unsure about lightening your hair yourself, it’s best to consult a professional colorist. They can assess your hair’s health and determine the safest way to achieve your desired level of lightness.
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Best For: Very dark hair with deeply embedded orange tones, but only as a last resort and with extreme caution.
Aftercare and Maintenance: Keeping Your Brown Hair Beautiful
Once you’ve successfully neutralized the orange tones and achieved your desired brown shade, it’s crucial to maintain your hair’s health and color.
Using Color-Safe Shampoos and Conditioners
Color-safe shampoos and conditioners are formulated to be gentle on dyed hair and prevent color fading. They typically don’t contain harsh sulfates that can strip the hair of its color.
Avoiding Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling can damage the hair and cause color to fade more quickly. Minimize the use of heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. When you do use them, always apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from damage.
Deep Conditioning Regularly
Deep conditioning treatments help to replenish moisture and repair damage caused by coloring. Use a deep conditioner once or twice a week to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
Protecting Your Hair from the Sun
As mentioned earlier, sun exposure can cause hair color to fade and become brassy. Wear a hat or use a hair product with UV protection when spending time outdoors.
Regular Gloss Treatments
Gloss treatments can help to refresh your hair color and add shine. They deposit a small amount of pigment onto the hair, which can help to tone down any emerging brassiness.
Avoiding Hard Water
If you live in an area with hard water, consider using a shower filter to remove minerals that can build up on your hair. You can also rinse your hair with distilled water after shampooing to remove any mineral residue.
Fixing orange hair and achieving a beautiful brown shade requires patience, knowledge, and the right products. By understanding the causes of orange tones, assessing your hair’s condition, and choosing the appropriate correction method, you can successfully neutralize the brassiness and achieve the brown locks you’ve always wanted. Remember to prioritize your hair’s health throughout the process and follow a consistent maintenance routine to keep your color vibrant and your hair looking its best.
Why did my hair turn orange after dyeing it brown?
Your hair turning orange after attempting to dye it brown, especially from a lighter color or bleached hair, is often due to underlying warm tones being exposed. The brown dye you used likely didn’t have enough cool or ash pigments to neutralize the underlying warmth, revealing the orange or brassy tones that were already present in your hair. This is a common issue, especially when dyeing hair at home without professional assessment of your hair’s undertones and the correct color formulation.
Furthermore, the strength of the developer used with your hair dye can play a crucial role. A developer that is too strong can lift the existing color from your hair, rather than depositing the new brown shade, exacerbating the exposure of the underlying orange tones. Similarly, if your hair is already damaged or porous, it can struggle to hold onto the cooler pigments in the brown dye, leading to quicker fading and revealing the underlying orange hues.
How can I tone down the orange in my hair at home?
The most effective way to tone down orange tones in your hair at home is by using a blue or blue-violet toning shampoo or conditioner. These products deposit blue pigments that directly counteract and neutralize orange tones, effectively canceling out the unwanted brassiness. Be sure to choose a product designed specifically for toning, and follow the instructions carefully to avoid over-toning and ending up with a blue tinge.
Another option is to use a hair toner with a blue or ash base. Toners work to deposit pigment and correct unwanted tones in your hair. It’s essential to choose a toner that is specifically formulated to counteract orange tones, and always perform a strand test before applying it to your entire head to ensure you achieve the desired result. Remember to follow the product instructions meticulously to avoid damage or unwanted color changes.
What’s the difference between a toner and hair dye for correcting orange tones?
A toner is designed to primarily deposit pigment onto the surface of the hair shaft to neutralize unwanted tones, such as orange. It typically contains a low-volume developer, meaning it doesn’t significantly lift the existing color of your hair. Toners are best for correcting slight tonal imbalances and are less damaging than permanent hair dye.
Hair dye, on the other hand, often contains a higher volume developer which not only deposits pigment but also lifts the existing color. While hair dye can correct orange tones, it also significantly alters the overall color of your hair and can be more damaging, especially if used frequently or on already damaged hair. Choose hair dye only if you want a significant change in color along with toning.
When should I see a professional stylist instead of trying to fix orange hair myself?
You should consider seeing a professional stylist if your hair has significant levels of orange or brassy tones that don’t respond to at-home toning treatments. Also, if your hair is already damaged, brittle, or has uneven color distribution, a professional stylist has the expertise and knowledge to correct the color without further damage and ensure an even application. They can accurately assess your hair’s condition and choose the appropriate products and techniques.
Furthermore, if you’ve previously used multiple dyes or chemical treatments on your hair, it’s generally best to consult a professional. Color correction in these situations can be complex, and attempting to fix it yourself could lead to unpredictable results, additional damage, or even hair loss. A stylist can perform a strand test to determine how your hair will react to different treatments and develop a customized plan to achieve your desired brown locks safely and effectively.
How can I prevent my brown hair from turning orange in the future?
To prevent your brown hair from turning orange in the future, focus on maintaining the cool tones and protecting your hair from factors that strip away color. Use color-safe shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for brunette hair, as these are formulated to help retain color and prevent fading. Incorporating a blue shampoo into your routine once or twice a week can also help neutralize any emerging orange or brassy tones before they become too noticeable.
Additionally, protect your hair from sun exposure, as UV rays can fade hair color and reveal underlying warm tones. Wear a hat or use a hair product with UV protection when spending time outdoors. Avoid washing your hair too frequently, as this can strip away natural oils and color. When styling your hair, use heat protectant sprays before using heat styling tools like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, as heat can also contribute to color fading and brassiness.
What are some effective DIY hair masks to combat brassiness and maintain brown tones?
Several DIY hair masks can help combat brassiness and maintain brown tones. A simple and effective option is a purple toning mask made by mixing purple food coloring with your favorite conditioner. Apply this to your hair, focusing on the areas with the most orange tones, and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This helps deposit cool pigments and neutralize brassiness.
Another popular option is a mask made with apple cider vinegar. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and apply it to your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH of your hair, sealing the cuticle and reducing brassiness. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to prevent dryness.
What ingredients should I avoid in hair products to prevent orange tones in brown hair?
To prevent orange tones in brown hair, it’s best to avoid products containing sulfates, as these harsh detergents can strip away color and leave your hair more prone to brassiness. Similarly, avoid products with high alcohol content, as alcohol can dry out your hair and accelerate color fading. Opt for sulfate-free and alcohol-free shampoos and conditioners to maintain your brown color’s vibrancy.
Furthermore, be mindful of products containing heavy oils or silicones, as these can build up on the hair shaft over time, creating a film that can interfere with color absorption and potentially contribute to a dull or brassy appearance. While some silicones can be beneficial for smoothing and protecting hair, excessive use can lead to buildup. Choose lightweight, water-soluble silicones or avoid them altogether if you’re concerned about maintaining cool brown tones.