Brassy Hair No Matter What

Brassy Hair No Matter What

Do you have brassy hair no matter what you do to correct it? If an orange tinge plagues your blonde hue, then Ask the Pro Stylist has a solution in today’s weekly Q&A.

Whoop, whoop it’s Hump Day and time for another question and answer with Ask the Pro Stylist. Cindy, a former hairstylist, emailed me with a question that many blondes want to know: how to neutralize her brassy hair.

Hello, I have tried almost everything to get an ash brown base color with ash blonde on my ends for my highlighted areas…I am Hispanic and a natural level 3 dark brown. I did achieve my desired color once a few years ago, by accident LOL… well really by redoing the hair color over and over in the span of 7-10 days.

Needless to say, I had beautiful long hair down to my mid-back that had to be cut shoulder length and felt like a Brillo pad in the end. But, with products the hair seemed to look okay and I did finally like the color.

Anyway, I’m at it again, but I really want to do this right the first time. My hair is still dry, brittle and over-processed. It is shoulder length but I really need a makeover and this will make me happy. Hopefully any suggestions on formulas please… I am enclosing pictures so you’ll have some idea of what I’m working with.

In one pic is what I have now, and the other is what I want to have again…HELP…I know it looks easy to formulate, but my hair just will not leave the red orange stage too easily. I would appreciate any advice you can offer, thank you Cindy.

Brassy Hair No Matter What

I had emailed Cindy with a few questions of my own, which would help me help her with the brassy hair challenge, because, as all good professionals know, we need to have a proper and thorough consultation before continuing.

I asked her if she is a licensed professional and what products she uses to color her hair, i.e. box color. She replied that she was once, 25 years ago, but sadly buys her color from…GASP…Sally Beauty Supply, ulta.com, and some drugstore products as well.

Although her question was very detailed, and Cindy did enclose photos, without feeling her hair and seeing it in person, it is difficult to properly formulate. But even if I could, which I could, I wouldn’t because I will never recommend box hair color, as readers are undoubtedly aware.

I answered with: “The reason you have brassy hair is because you are not using professional products. Ulta and Sally’s cannot sell professional hair color. (It appears as if Cindy wants to go at least 3 levels lighter, which will not properly happen with pharmacy brands.) If you still have your license, and can go to CosmoProf or Royal Beauty, then I would be able to recommend a formula. Otherwise, seek out a licensed salon professional who would be able to eliminate your brassiness and give you the color you desire. The only other advice I can offer is to remember your color wheel. What is your target level, then neutralize from there? (the opposite on the map from the dominant pigment at your target level)”

Your hair is now compromised and in need of a really good haircut and conditioning treatment. Before you try to recolor your brassy hair, I highly recommend heading to Ulta for professional hair masques and treatments to strengthen your hair.

If you have a question similar to Cindy’s brassy hair query, please email me at DeirdreAHaggerty@gmail.com. Until then, happy styling!