How To Prevent (And Fix) Brassy Blonde Hair

Whether you’ve gone all-in on platinum or just added a few face-framing highlights, lightening your hair often comes with an uninvited guest: brass. That yellow-y, orange-y tinge tends to show up when bleach lifts your natural pigment and reveals underlying warm tones.

But brassiness isn’t just a bleach problem. From hard water and sun exposure to heat styling and product buildup, lots of everyday things can shift your tone over time. The bright side? It’s totally fixable. With the right products and a few simple habits, you can balance out your tone and keep your blonde looking just how you like it.

Let’s talk about what causes brassy blonde hair and how to prevent—and correct—those unwanted yellow tones.

What causes brassy hair?

Brassiness happens when lightened hair reveals warm undertones, like yellow, orange or gold. While it’s especially common a few weeks after coloring, even natural blondes can see these tones pop up over time.

What it looks like:

• Yellow, gold or orange-y streaks
• Dull, uneven tone
• Loss of brightness or ash
  
  

Why it happens:

• Fading toner: Toner is semi-permanent and fades with washing and heat styling.
• Hard water: Minerals like calcium and iron build up on the hair and can leave behind a yellow cast.
• UV exposure: Sunlight oxidizes pigment and fades cool tones, letting warm ones show through.
• Product buildup: Dry shampoo, chlorine and pollution dull your hair’s surface and shift tone.
• Heat styling: High heat can strip color and make brassiness more noticeable.
• Just plain time: Even if you’re doing everything “right,” brass can develop as your color naturally fades.
  
  

The fix? A few habit changes and the right products—starting with a purple reboot.

How to get yellow out of blonde hair

1. Bring in the purple.

Purple is yellow’s opposite on the color wheel, which means it cancels it out—ideal for neutralizing brassiness. Our award-winning Purple Shampoo is packed with violet pigments that enhance and restore blonde tones, plus amaranth and plant-based proteins that help promote overall hair health. Pair it with our Purple Conditioner for hydration and extra tone correction.

Tip: Use once or twice a week, depending on how much tone correction you need. Leave the shampoo on for 1–3 minutes before rinsing to allow the pigment to work.

2. Check your water.

If you live in an area with hard water, minerals might be the root of your brass.

What to try:

• Install a shower filter to reduce mineral exposure.
• Use a clarifying shampoo every few weeks to remove buildup.
  
  

3. Turn down the heat.

Heat can open up the hair cuticle and speed up color oxidation. That means it can make your blonde fade faster—and brass show up sooner.

To help your color last:

• Lower your tool temps (try to stay below 400°F).
• Always use a heat protectant.
• Embrace air drying when you can.
  
  

4. Moisturize often.

Lightened hair tends to be drier than natural hair, and dryness can make brassiness more noticeable. Moisturizing is key to keeping your blonde smooth and shiny, while also preventing damage that can cause uneven tones.

What to do:

• Use a deep conditioning mask once a week to restore hydration.
• Try a leave-in conditioner to keep hair hydrated and healthy all day.
• Choose moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that are gentle on your hair while maintaining color integrity.
  
  

5. Guard against the elements.

To protect your blonde from UV and environmental damage:

• Wear a hat if you’re going to be in the sun.
• Rinse your hair thoroughly before swimming. Wetting your strands before hopping in the pool prevents them from absorbing as much chlorinated water.
• Use purple shampoo and conditioner after swimming to preserve your tone.
  
  

6. Stick to color-safe everything.

Harsh, drying shampoos can strip your toner and color faster. Stick to gentle, color-safe formulas to help your shade stay put.

Look for products that are:

• sulfate-free
• labeled “color-safe”
• moisturizing, to help reduce dryness and breakage
  
  

(Psst—all of our shampoos and conditioners are color-safe and sulfate-free.)