A blue toner cancels out brassy orange hair by neutralizing the orange tones.
What Toner Cancels Out Brassy Orange Hair?
Let’s be honest, battling brassy orange hair is a constant struggle for those who lighten their locks. Whether you’ve gone blonde or added highlights, those warm, unwanted tones always seem to sneak back in. But don’t worry – the secret weapon lies in color theory and a good hair toner.
Understanding Color Theory
To get rid of that brassy orange, you need to understand the color wheel. It’s your best friend when it comes to color correction. Here’s the key: colors opposite each other on the color wheel neutralize one another. So, since orange sits opposite blue on the color wheel, that means blue toner will cancel out those brassy orange tones.
Choosing the Right Blue Toner
Not all blue toners are created equal! For that brassy orange, here’s what you need to look for:
- Tone Intensity: Choose a toner with a strong blue pigment for the best neutralization.
- Hair Level: Find a blue toner that matches your current hair level for the most effective results.
Popular Blue Toner Products
Here’s a quick hit list of some highly-rated blue toning products:
| Product Name | Brand | Type |
| Shimmer Lights | Clairol | Shampoo |
| Total Results Brass Off | Matrix | Shampoo & conditioner |
| Fanola No Orange | Fanola | Shampoo & mask |
How to Use a Blue Toner
Using a blue toner is easy-peasy. Here’s a basic guide:
- Choose Your Product: Whether it’s a shampoo, conditioner, mask, or even a semi-permanent gloss, make the choice that works best for your hair needs.
- Follow the Instructions: Manufacturer instructions are your best bet, so read those carefully!
- Start Slowly: Begin with a short toning time to avoid over-toning and achieving an ashy or gray-ish tint. You can always increase the toning time gradually.
- Maintain Your Tone: To keep the brass away, use your toning products regularly based on the product recommendation and how quickly your hair develops warmth.
Table 1: Benefits of Using a Blue Toner
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Neutralizes Brassiness | Blue pigments counterbalance orange and other warm tones. |
| Enhances Cool Tones | Gives your hair a cooler, ashier shade. |
| Improves Hair Color | Creates a more even and desirable color. |
| Affordable | A cost-effective solution compared to frequent salon visits. |
| Easy to Use | Can be easily applied at home. |
Additional Considerations
Here are a few things to keep in mind before hitting the shower:
- Hair Damage: Lightening your hair can leave it a little fragile, so make sure your locks are in good enough condition for toning. You might need a protein treatment to strengthen your strands beforehand.
- Over-Toning: Too much blue toner and you’re saying hello to ashy or even slightly purple hair. Go easy at first!
- Color Correction: If your hair is more yellow-orange, you might need a blue-violet toner instead of a pure blue one.
Table 2: When to Consider Other Toner Colors
| Hair Color Issue | Toner Color | Explanation |
| Yellow-Orange Tones | Blue-Violet | Blue-violet combination helps neutralize both orange and yellow tones. |
| Red-Orange Tones | Blue-Green | Blue-green combination helps neutralize red or red-orange tones. |
Beyond Toning: Other Tips to Combat Brassiness
Toning tackles the obvious issues, but there’s more you can do to get those cool tones to stick around longer.
- Use a Purple Shampoo: A less intense option to a toner, a good purple shampoo helps maintain your tone in between toning sessions. Plus, it’s easy to incorporate into your regular shower routine!
- Watch Out for Heat Styling: Excessive heat tends to make brassiness pop through faster, so try to minimize the use of hot styling tools. When you do need heat, use a heat protectant spray beforehand.
- Filter Your Shower Water: Hard water, with all its minerals, can lead to dullness and brassy tones. Consider installing a shower filter to help.
- Consider a Gloss Treatment: A gloss treatment adds shine and can deposit a slight cool tint to keep your hair color fresh.
Table 3: Other Products to Help Fight Brassiness
| Product Type | Use | Examples |
| Purple Shampoo & Conditioner | Regular maintenance | Shimmer Lights, Matrix Total Results Brass Off, Fanola No Yellow |
| Color-Depositing Masks | Occasional boost | dpHUE Cool Blonde, Moroccanoil Color Depositing Masks |
| Gloss Treatment (Clear or Tinted) | Adds shine & can deposit a slight pigment | Redken Shades EQ Gloss, IGK Mixed Feelings (tinted) |
When to Call a Pro
Sometimes, it’s just too much to tackle at home. Here’s when to consider a visit to your stylist:
- Major Color Corrections: When the brassiness is extreme, or if your at-home toning session goes awry, it might be time for a salon color correction.
- Uneven Toning: If your hair is patchy and some areas are stubbornly brassy, your stylist can even things out.
- Adding Dimension: A professional can add some cool-toned highlights or lowlights for a multi-dimensional look, helping minimize the appearance of warmth.
Conclusion- What Toner Cancels Out Brassy Orange Hair?
Brassiness happens, but it doesn’t have to win! A blue toner does an amazing job at neutralizing those pesky orange tones. And with good maintenance practices and a few extra hair care tricks, you can rock that cool, ashy color for longer.