If you’ve ever dyed your hair blonde, light brown, or even gray, you’ve probably faced the frustration of brassy tones creeping in. Those unwanted yellow, orange, or red hues can make your hair look dull and uneven. The good news? You don’t need to rush to a salon or spend a fortune on toning products. There are plenty of effective home remedies to get rid of brassy hair naturally.
I’ve personally battled brassy hair after multiple dye jobs, and over time, I’ve discovered simple remedies that deliver real results. In this guide, I’ll share the best home remedies to eliminate brassiness, so you can maintain that fresh, salon-like color from the comfort of your home.
Why Does Hair Turn Brassy?
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand why brassiness happens. Brassiness occurs when hair dye fades over time, revealing the natural warm tones of your hair. This is especially common if:
- Your hair has been lightened (bleached or highlighted).
- You’re exposed to hard water, chlorine, or UV rays.
- You use sulfate-laden shampoos that strip your color.
Brassy tones are a natural part of the coloring process, but with the right care, you can keep them at bay.
Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Brassy Hair
Here are some tried-and-true home remedies to eliminate brassiness and restore your hair’s vibrant color:
1. Purple Shampoo or Conditioner
Purple-tinted shampoos and conditioners neutralize yellow and orange tones because purple is opposite to yellow on the color wheel. While these are store-bought, using them at home is easy and affordable.
- How to Use: Massage the purple shampoo into damp hair and leave it on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. Follow with a purple conditioner.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps balance the pH of your hair, sealing the cuticle and reducing brassy tones.
- How to Use: Mix 2 tablespoons of ACV with 1 cup of water. After shampooing, pour the mixture over your hair as a rinse. Let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
3. Chamomile Tea Rinse
Chamomile tea is a natural lightener that can tone down yellow hues and enhance blonde or light hair.
- How to Use: Brew a strong chamomile tea and let it cool. Pour it over clean, damp hair and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
4. Baking Soda and Shampoo Mix
Baking soda is a gentle clarifier that removes product buildup, minerals, and discoloration that can cause brassiness.
- How to Use: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with your regular shampoo. Apply to your hair, lather well, and rinse thoroughly.
5. Lemon Juice Spray
Lemon juice’s natural acidity can brighten hair and help neutralize brassy tones.
- How to Use: Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray onto your hair and sit in the sun for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and condition well to avoid dryness.
6. Coconut Oil and Blue Food Coloring Mask
For a DIY toner, combining coconut oil with blue food coloring can neutralize orange tones (blue cancels out orange on the color wheel).
- How to Use: Mix a few drops of blue food coloring with 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil. Apply evenly to your hair, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
7. Honey and Olive Oil Treatment
Honey naturally lightens hair over time, and olive oil keeps it hydrated.
- How to Use: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply to damp hair, leave it on for 30 minutes, and rinse.
8. Green Tea Rinse
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that protect your hair while subtly toning down brassiness.
- How to Use: Brew a cup of green tea, let it cool, and pour it over your hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
9. Ditch Hard Water with a Filter
Hard water is a sneaky culprit that deposits minerals, causing brassiness. Installing a shower filter can make a big difference.
- How to Use: Install a shower filter to remove minerals and chlorine from your water supply, reducing brassy buildup over time.
10. Aloe Vera and Lavender Oil Mask
Aloe vera soothes and hydrates the scalp while lavender oil helps tone down yellow hues with its cool undertones.
How to Use: Mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply to damp hair, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
11. Rosemary and Sage Rinse
Rosemary and sage have natural darkening properties that can counteract brassiness in darker hair tones.
How to Use: Steep 2 tablespoons each of dried rosemary and sage in boiling water for 30 minutes. Let it cool, strain, and pour over your hair. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
12. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Paste
This combination can act as a mild lightening treatment to eliminate brassiness in blondes or highlights.
How to Use: Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Apply it to the brassy areas, leave it for 5-10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Use sparingly to avoid over-lightening.
13. Blueberry Mask
Blueberries are rich in purple pigments that can help cancel out yellow tones naturally.
How to Use: Blend a handful of fresh blueberries with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply the mixture to damp hair, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse.
14. Activated Charcoal Clarifying Wash
Activated charcoal helps remove impurities and mineral buildup, reducing dullness and brassiness.
How to Use: Mix 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder with your shampoo. Massage into your scalp and hair, then rinse thoroughly. Follow with a conditioner.
15. Epsom Salt and Baking Soda Rinse
This duo works as a clarifier to remove brassy buildup from minerals and product residue.
How to Use: Mix 1 tablespoon each of Epsom salt and baking soda in 2 cups of warm water. Pour it over your hair after shampooing, let it sit for 10 minutes, and rinse with cool water.
16. Cucumber and Lemon Mask
Cucumber hydrates while lemon helps neutralize unwanted tones with its natural acidity.
How to Use: Blend half a cucumber with the juice of half a lemon. Apply to damp hair, leave it on for 15 minutes, and rinse.
17. Turmeric and Yogurt Mask
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties can subtly tone down brassiness while yogurt hydrates and nourishes.
How to Use: Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply to hair, leave it for 10-15 minutes, and rinse. Ensure thorough rinsing to avoid a yellow tint.
18. Milk and Honey Rinse
Milk contains lactic acid that can gently tone your hair, while honey lightens naturally over time.
How to Use: Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of honey. Pour over damp hair, leave it for 20 minutes, and rinse with cool water.
19. Black Tea Rinse for Brunettes
Black tea adds richness to darker tones, reducing the appearance of orange brassiness.
How to Use: Brew 2 cups of strong black tea and let it cool. Pour it over clean, damp hair, leave it for 20 minutes, and rinse.
20. Vitamin C and Shampoo Treatment
Vitamin C removes product and mineral buildup, subtly lightening brassy tones.
How to Use: Crush 5-6 Vitamin C tablets and mix with your shampoo. Apply to wet hair, lather, and leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing.
21. DIY Beet and Carrot Juice Gloss
The natural red pigments in beet and carrot juice can help counteract overly ashy tones and add warmth.
How to Use: Mix equal parts beet and carrot juice, apply to damp hair, and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and condition.
Tips for Long-Term Brassiness Prevention
- Use UV Protection: Protect your hair from sun exposure with a UV-protectant spray.
- Wash Less Frequently: Over-washing can strip your color. Aim to wash your hair 2-3 times a week.
- Avoid Heat Styling: Heat tools can speed up color fading, so limit their use and always use a heat protectant.
- Invest in Sulfate-Free Products: Sulfates can strip your hair’s natural oils and color. Switch to a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
When to Seek Professional Help
While these remedies can help significantly, stubborn brassiness might require a salon visit. If you’re not seeing results or need a major color correction, consult a professional stylist.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of brassy hair doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With these home remedies, you can keep your color vibrant and fresh without stepping into a salon. I’ve used many of these methods myself, and they’ve saved me countless trips to the stylist.
So, the next time you find yourself asking, “What home remedy gets rid of brassy hair?” you’ll know exactly what to do. Try these tips, and let me know which one works best for you!
Discussion about this post