How to Get Orange Tones Out of Hair: An At-Home Guide

Use Purple or Blue Shampoos

If you're looking for an at-home remedy, Kaeding suggests reaching for a blue or purple shampoo. It's a simple matter of color theory, relying on the complementary colors of a color wheel to cancel out unwanted tones. "Using a color correcting purple shampoo will undoubtedly cancel out the overly warm, orange tones and keep that cooler, brighter blonde you desire," says Cunningham.

So if your blonde is too warm and you want to cool it down, opt for a purple shampoo. And if you're dealing with straight up orange (less yellow), try working with a blue shampoo. As Cunningham notes, the tones of these shampoos are going to help neutralize your lightened strands.

Apply A Gloss or Toner

Another preemptive move you can make before leaving the salon: "Talk to your colorist about booking a follow-up gloss about four weeks after your color service," says Kaeding.

Cunningham agrees that using toners and glosses over time will help keep unwanted brass at bay. "Ask your stylist to use a gloss before you leave the salon to lock in your desired tone, add shine and condition." (Her pick for a gloss: Redken Shades EQ.) Ensuring your colorist uses a toner after bleaching is also crucial, Cunningham adds. "A professional will know what color cancels out orange in order to neutralize the brassy warm tones before you leave."

At the end of the day, Kaeding says hair color is going to require maintenance—so be prepared to stop into the salon regularly to get a quick gloss treatment and keep your color looking vibrant and fresh.

Use A Water Filter

T3 Adjustable Chrome Shower Head with Chlorine Filter $150.00

Shop

Water also plays a huge role in the lifespan of our hair color. Many of us (especially blondes) have heard the common adage of avoiding pool water because, be it chlorinated or salt, these chemicals have the potential of oxidizing and turning the hair an unwanted hue (most commonly, green). But pool water isn't the only H20 to be considered. "High minerals in water can cause hair to turn brassy," says Cunningham, who highly suggests using a purifying shower head filter to keep those minerals from building up and stripping your precious strands.

Kaeding reminds us that water exposure in general is a possible cause if your color begins to slowly shift before your eyes. "The more you shampoo, the easier it is for your color to fade."

Stay Sulfate-Free

Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Shampoo $23.00

Shop

The products you use on your hair at home are another consideration. "Hair products that contain a lot of chemicals, especially alcohol, can have an effect on your hair color," notes Kaeding. "These products can range from shampoos and conditioners to coconut oil, hairspray, and beyond."

To combat such effects, both experts recommend staying sulfate-free. "A sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner will keep you hydrated and neutralize the brassy tone," says Cunningham, who suggests the use of three or four times a week. 

"My two personal favorites that I recommend to my clients are Redken's color treated shampoos, conditioners and masks," says Kaeding. "For blondes, I love the Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo and Conditioner. For brunettes, I highly recommend Redken's Color Extend Brownlights Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner. Using these products on a weekly basis will help with the wanted hues of brass!" 

Ease Into Lighter Color

When taking a lighter approach with your strands for the first time, be patient. Especially when doing something extreme or in high contrast with your natural color, a platinum or light blonde result, if done all at once, can lead to that brassiness that nobody wants, explains Cunningham. "A single-process allover blonde color session is something I do not recommend," she says. "Instead, have your colorist work in highlights and lowlights versus coloring every strand."

Easing into lightened strands, Cunningham assures us, will minimize the potential for a whole head of unwanted orange tones. 

Avoid UV Rays

Similar to water exposure, sun exposure can have unwanted effects on your hair color. "Exposing your hair to excessive sun exposure can dry out your hair and cause the blonde to fade," says Cunningham. "When your hair is exposed to oxygen and UV rays, your hair’s underlying warm tones are revealed, and before you know it—brassiness and orange abounds."

Wearing a hat and opting for some shade can help protect your blonde from the unwanted effects of those UV rays. That's not to say you have to avoid your daily dose of vitamin D at all costs, but simply be mindful of your exposure time, especially if you're beginning to see some changes in your color. "The strength of the sun can really strip out hair color just enough to leave it orange or red," says Kaeding.