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How to tone brassy hair at home?

8 replies

disconnected101 · 25/05/2021 11:42

How do I dye my hair light ash brown or a dark ash blonde with an overall cool tone, without ending up with copper/brass tones?
I can't afford to get it done in a salon atm. I had been having my hair coloured until shortly before the first lockdown, and the last bleaching treatment damaged it so I just wanted to grow it all out and NEVER DYE IT AGAIN!! All the damaged bits were just about grown out, my own colour (used to be blonde, now sort of dark blonde / light brown) was more than half through (shoulder length hair) but then.... THE GREYS. It seemed like there were more each day. I thought, I'll start using a simple box dye that I can return to when I need to cover more grey and picked a 'natural dark ash blonde' but I've ended up with copper / brassy tones and I wish I'd never bothered. I want to avoid going to a salon to have it fixed so is there any at home fix you can recommend?

OP posts:
karalime · 25/05/2021 11:45

Have you tried purple shampoo?

dementedpixie · 25/05/2021 11:48

Purple is for yellow tones
Blue is for orange tones

disconnected101 · 25/05/2021 12:35

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I used to use the purple Bleach London shampoo when I was lightening my hair but I was hoping for a more long lasting solution & to undo the last result. I was looking at this: www.boots.com/beauty/hair/hair-dye/hair-toners/scott-cornwall-colour-restore-cool-ash-hair-toner-100ml-10140312
and some of the reviews sound promising but only lasts 'up to 8 washes'.
I think I may just have to start saving for the salon! Sad

OP posts:
RacheyCat · 25/05/2021 15:10

My experience of toner is that it never lasts, even from the salon, and you'll be back to brassy before you know it.

Rather than toning shampoo, experiment with direct dye. I use Artic Fox but would use the Shrine drops if I could get them here. I just mix steel grey and dark blue dye and put it on my hair. The problem for me is that some of my hair is white blonde, so I can't tone too enthusiastically or I'll end up with parts of my hair actually being blue. If you're all over brassy, I'd have a go with that.

I also resorted to putting a permanent brown over my most violently and persistently orange bits. At least it just stayed dark. It does have a reddish gleam in certain lights, but only if I'm really scrutinizing it.

Rubyrecka · 25/05/2021 15:38

Bleach London is apparently good -
They do some funky colours

Bluebell9 · 25/05/2021 15:45

The Scott Cornwall toners are good but dont last long.

What number was the dye you used? ie 10 is really light blonde

lindyloo57 · 25/05/2021 17:11

I last had salon half head highlights January 2020, I been growing them out but putting a few highlights in every 2 months or so just along the top parting and a few in the back to blend in, I use a purple shampoo 3 times a week and it keeps it a nice cool blonde, even had someone ask me if I been to the hairdressers this week and my highlights done.

disconnected101 · 25/05/2021 18:16

No idea what number the dye was! I can't even remember which brand it was Blush it wasn't overly light, it was definitely 'natural dark ash blonde' as that's pretty close to my own colour & I just wanted the whole thing to blend together. My hair has changed sooo much over the years. It was white blonde when I was a kid, darkened a lot in late teens/early 20s & now definitely does have some natural copper/red tones in certain light as RacheyCat said. I think this brassy edge really ages me, especially with dull roots & greys making an appearance. I could save & get it done professionally but I couldn't afford the maintenance. I'd love to never colour it again but I just don't feel ready for greys!

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