How to Tone Brassy Hair This Summer | Toner Guide

Summer is hard on blonde. Between strong Australian sun, salty Newcastle beaches and long afternoons in Western Sydney backyard pools, a cool, creamy blonde can turn yellow or orange in a matter of weeks. Knowing how to tone brassy hair, and how to stop it coming back, keeps colour looking fresh between salon visits.

This guide covers what causes brassiness, the difference between toner and purple shampoo, how to choose the right tone, how to look after toned extensions, and how to protect blonde from sun and chlorine.

What causes brassy hair?

Brassiness is the warm yellow, gold or orange tone that shows up in lightened or naturally light hair. It happens for a few reasons:

Underlying pigment. When hair is lightened, the natural warm pigments are exposed. Dark hair tends to show orange, lighter hair shows yellow.
Toner fading. Salon toner is usually a demi or semi permanent colour, so it gradually washes out.
Sun exposure. UV can fade cool tones and dry the hair, making warmth more obvious.
Water and minerals. Hard water, chlorine and salt can leave blonde looking dull or discoloured.
Heat styling. High heat can change how colour looks, especially on lightened hair.

How to tone brassy hair: the colour wheel basics

Toning works by neutralising unwanted warmth with the opposite colour on the colour wheel:

Yellow tones are neutralised by violet
Orange tones are neutralised by blue
Red tones are neutralised by green

That is why purple products are used on pale yellow blonde, and blue based products are used on orange tones in brunettes and darker blondes.

Toner for brassy hair: salon toning

A professional toner for brassy hair is the most effective way to correct warmth. It is usually a demi permanent colour mixed with a low strength developer or activator and applied after lightening, or between lightening appointments as a gloss.

Benefits of salon toning:

Precise control over the final shade
Even coverage from root to ends
Can be adjusted to suit the client’s lightened level

If you are a colourist, keep the toner and developer from the same system together and follow the brand’s mixing guide. For more on choosing the right developer strength, see our developer guide.

Toning at home: purple shampoo and toning products

Purple shampoo

Purple shampoo deposits a small amount of violet pigment each wash to counteract yellow tones. It is ideal for maintaining toned blonde between salon visits, but it will not fix heavy orange brassiness on its own.

How to use it:

Wet the hair and apply purple shampoo evenly through the lengths.
Leave it on for the time stated on the label. Start with a short time and build up.
Rinse thoroughly and follow with a conditioner.
Use it once or twice a week, alternating with a gentle colour safe shampoo.

Overusing purple shampoo can leave very light blonde with a lilac tinge, so less is often more.

Best purple shampoo in Australia: what to look for

People search for the best purple shampoo in Australia constantly, and the answer depends on your hair:

Pale or platinum blonde usually needs a gentler formula.
Golden or darker blonde may need a stronger pigment level.
Dry or over lightened hair benefits from a moisturising formula.

Look at the brand’s description for pigment strength, check whether it suits natural, lightened or grey hair, and read the directions for leave on time. You can compare options in the blonde shampoo range and the wider colour shampoo range.

Leave in toners and toning treatments

Leave in toners and toning masks give a little more toning power than shampoo alone. The CPR Serious Blonde Instant Toner is a leave in toning product, while the CPR Always Blonde Toning Treatment is a treatment for blonde care routines. Follow the directions on the label for how often to use them.

How to tone brassy hair without purple shampoo

If purple shampoo is not right for you, there are other options:

Book a salon gloss or toner between lightening appointments.
Use a toning conditioner or mask, which can be gentler on dry hair.
Use a blue based product for orange tones.
Reduce the causes: limit heat, protect from sun and rinse after swimming.

How to tone brassy hair extensions

Extensions can turn brassy too, especially lighter shades exposed to sun and chlorine. Because extension hair does not get natural oils from the scalp, it can dry out faster with toning products.

Check the extension brand’s advice before using toning products.
Use toning products sparingly and for short times.
Keep toning products away from tapes and bonds.
Follow up with a moisturising conditioner on the lengths.
For bigger corrections, ask your extension technician rather than toning at home.

The extension care range has shampoos, conditioners and brushes designed for extension hair, and our extension care guide covers washing, brushing and swimming.

How to protect hair from sun bleaching

Prevention is the best way to keep brassiness away all summer.

Wear a hat. A wide brim hat shields both hair and scalp.
Use a leave in product with UV protection on the lengths before heading outside.
Avoid peak sun where possible.
Keep hair conditioned, because dry, porous hair fades and turns brassy faster.

Chlorine hair protection for summer swimming

Pools are a summer staple across Western Sydney, and chlorine is one of the biggest causes of dull, discoloured blonde.

Wet the hair with clean water before swimming, so it absorbs less pool water.
Apply a leave in conditioner before getting in.
Wear a swimming cap for regular laps.
Rinse straight after swimming, then shampoo and condition.
Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally if your hair feels coated, followed by a toning or moisturising treatment.

The same routine helps with salt water at the beach.

A summer toning routine for blonde clients

Book a toner or gloss before summer holidays.
Use purple shampoo once or twice a week.
Use a moisturising conditioner every wash.
Apply UV protection and wear a hat outdoors.
Rinse after every swim.
Rebook a toner refresh every few weeks during peak summer if needed.

Elite Hair Supplier stocks blonde shampoos, toners and summer care products at Beresfield and Wetherill Park if you need to restock between appointments.

FAQ

How do I get rid of brassy tones in my hair?

Use a salon toner for the best correction, then maintain with purple shampoo for yellow tones or a blue based product for orange tones. Protect hair from sun, heat and chlorine to slow brassiness.

What colour cancels out brassy hair?

Violet cancels yellow tones, blue cancels orange tones and green cancels red tones.

How often should I use purple shampoo?

Most people use it once or twice a week, alternating with a gentle colour safe shampoo. Follow the product’s leave on time.

Can you tone brassy hair at home?

Yes, for maintenance. Purple shampoo, toning conditioners and leave in toners work well for mild warmth. Heavy orange brassiness is best corrected by a colourist.