What Causes Brassiness in Blonde Hair? 10 Top Tips to Beat the Brass


What Causes Brassiness in Blonde Hair? 10 Top Tips to Beat the Brass

So, your beautiful blonde has started to look a little... off. Warmer than you’d like? A bit too golden? Maybe even veering into orange? That brassy tone is something most blondes face at some point — but what actually causes it, and more importantly, how do you fix it?

Brassiness is a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all answer. At Arena Creative Hair, we hear this concern a lot. While there are general causes and quick fixes, sometimes the best way forward is to speak with a professional who knows your hair’s history and condition.

Let’s explore what brassy hair actually is — and the top 10 ways to fight it.

 

 

Why Does Hair Go Brassy?

Blonde hair becomes brassy when unwanted warm tones (like yellow, gold or orange) start to peek through. This often happens over time as toner fades, natural undertones come through, or external factors like water, product build-up or sun exposure affect the hair.

Here’s why it happens:

  • Blonde hair is porous, which means it absorbs environmental minerals and pollution easily.

  • Toners fade — even the best ones — and without regular top-ups, those yellowy tones can return.

  • Hair health matters — damaged or over-processed hair won't hold colour or toner as well.

  • Water quality plays a part — hard water can deposit minerals that alter tone.

  • Mixing shades can make brassy sections stand out more — for example, cooler ash blonde mixed with warm golden highlights can enhance contrast.

 

 

But First — What Blonde Actually Suits You?

Before we jump into fixes, it’s worth asking: Does this blonde suit me in the first place? Many clients go for popular shades without realising that their skin tone plays a huge role in how a colour will look on them.

Knowing whether you suit cool, warm, or neutral blondes is a brilliant starting point. At Arena, we offer personal skin tone and face shape analysis so you can understand which shades truly light you up — and which to avoid.

Sometimes that brassy tone is actually just your skin tone and hair colour clashing!

 

 

10 Top Tips to Prevent & Fix Brassiness

1. Understand Your Hair History

If your hair has been previously coloured, bleached, or chemically treated, it can behave differently. We always recommend a consultation to assess what’s underneath — because your stylist may be cautious for good reason!

Over-lifting already compromised hair can lead to damage, so sometimes those brassy bits are best left alone temporarily.

 

 

2. Use a Gloss Refinement After Toning

At Arena, we always recommend pairing your toner with a Kevin Murphy Colour Gloss Refinement for longer-lasting results. When used together, these two services create a powerhouse duo — not only enhancing colour depth and shine, but also doubling the lifespan of your toner in many cases.

Glosses are more than just a topcoat — they are conditioning, shine-boosting, and pigment-enhancing treatments that smooth the hair and seal in tone. They help lock down the cuticle after lifting and neutralising, making your blonde brighter, silkier and healthier.

The combined effect of toner and gloss will give your hair that clean, polished blonde finish — but keep in mind that longevity still depends on the condition of your hair. Healthier hair will always hold colour better.

 

 

3. Use Purple Shampoo (Wisely!)

Purple shampoo is the go-to for blondes battling brass, but not all are created equal. In fact, most purple shampoos on the market can be quite drying — and if your hair is already compromised from bleaching, they can make things worse.

That’s why we recommend the Kevin Murphy Blonde range, which has been specially formulated with blondes in mind. Their products — like BLONDE.ANGEL WASH and TREATMENT — contain not only purple pigments for toning, but also rich hydration and bond-strengthening ingredients to help repair and moisturise the hair.

They tone, treat and transform — without the dryness. You’ll notice softer hair and a more refined blonde with consistent use.

 

 

4. Consider Lowlights

If your blonde feels too bright or patchy, lowlights can reintroduce depth and help balance out brassiness. They add contrast and reduce the appearance of warmth in certain areas.

 

 

5. Don’t Rely Solely on Toner

Toners fade — even those labelled permanent. This is completely normal. The rate at which they fade depends on:

  • Your hair health

  • Your hair care routine

  • Environmental exposure

Keep in mind: regular toner refresh appointments are part of blonde hair maintenance.

 

 

6. Improve Hair Condition

Damaged hair = dull, porous, brassy hair. Focus on hydration and strength-building treatments at home and in-salon.

Try:

  • Kevin Murphy’s RE.STORE protein cleanser

  • Arena’s In salon TREATMENTS for deep repair

The healthier your hair, the longer your colour lasts — it’s that simple.

 

 

7. Avoid Hard Water

Hard water contains minerals like iron and copper which can turn blonde hair brassy.

Use a shower filter, or occasionally wash with a clarifying shampoo like MAXI.WASH to remove mineral build-up and refresh tone.

 

 

8. Protect from the Sun

UV exposure fades toner and encourages brassiness, especially in lightened hair.

Use a leave-in UV shield like EVERLASTING.COLOUR LEAVE-IN SPRAY from Kevin Murphy, which protects colour while adding strength and hydration. And if you're heading out for longer periods, don’t underestimate the power of a good sunhat — it's a stylish and effective barrier.

 

 

9. Limit Heat Styling

High heat damages the hair cuticle, leaving it more vulnerable to brassiness. If you must use heat:

Less heat = less colour fade and less yellowing.

 

 

10. Use Shine Spray

Blonde hair often struggles to reflect light, making it appear dull. At Arena Creative Hair, we recommend Blonde Shimmer Shine—a must-have finishing product that not only adds instant shine but also contains silver particles to combat brassiness. Even better, it doubles as a treatment spray to nourish and protect your hair. This multi-tasking product is a total game changer for keeping blonde hair glossy, cool-toned, and healthy-looking.

 

We recommend Blond Shimmer shine 


11. Book in for In-Between Maintenance

You don’t always need a full colour appointment to keep your blonde looking fresh. Booking a gloss refresh or toner-only service in between your bigger visits can make a huge difference.

These shorter maintenance appointments improve tone, boost shine, and keep your blonde looking intentional — all while improving the health of your hair at the same time. Win-win.

 

 

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About the Blonde — It’s About Your Blonde

Blonde is beautiful — but not every blonde suits every person. And not every blonde behaves the same way.

Your hair’s history, tone, health, and even the colours mixed into your blonde can all influence how brassy it looks. That’s why we always recommend speaking to one of our stylists at Arena for personalised advice.

Whether it’s time for a gloss, a new shade, or a custom blend to tone things down — we’re here to help your blonde shine.

Book an appointment today 

Fill out our FREE online consultation. 

✨ Let’s banish the brass and get your glow back

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