How to Fix Orange Hair After Bleaching: Pro Tips That Actually Work

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Don’t panic if your bleaching adventure left you looking like a traffic cone – there’s hope!

To fix orange hair after bleaching, you’ve got several proven solutions.

Start with a blue or purple toner to neutralize those brassy tones, or try a DIY fix like mixing blue food coloring with your conditioner.

For a natural approach, an apple cider vinegar rinse (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) can work wonders.

If you’re dealing with stubborn orange, a salon visit for professional color correction might be your best bet.

The key is understanding why your hair turned orange in the first place – it’s all about those pesky underlying pigments.

Key Takeaways

You’ll need a blue or purple toner to neutralize orange tones—either use a professional product or create a DIY version by mixing blue food coloring with your conditioner.
You can prevent orange hair by installing a shower filter to remove hard water minerals, using sulfate-free products, and protecting your hair from UV damage with hats or UV-protective products.
If DIY methods aren’t working, visit a salon for professional color correction—they’ll assess your hair’s condition and use specialized treatments like strategic re-bleaching or toning to achieve your desired shade.
Don’t immediately re-bleach orange hair—wait at least 7–8 days between bleaching sessions and try using blue-based products first to neutralize the unwanted tones.

Why Did My Hair Turn Orange?

If you’ve just bleached your hair and discovered an unwanted orange tone, you’re not alone.

This common issue happens when the natural red and orange pigments in your hair aren’t fully removed during bleaching.

Your hair might turn orange due to factors like chemical buildup, pool water exposure, or incomplete bleaching.

But don’t worry because there are effective solutions to fix it.

Dark Hair Turns Brassy

After bleaching, dark hair often reveals those stubborn orange undertones hiding beneath the surface. Luckily, there are many effective toners for orange hair available to help neutralize those unwanted tones. It’s a common issue when lightening darker shades, but don’t worry – you’ve got options.

Here’s what’s really happening:

Natural melanin in dark hair contains red-orange pigments
Bleach lifts color in stages, starting with the darkest
Incomplete lifting leaves behind brassy tones
Your hair type affects how quickly it lightens

Chemical Buildup

Over time, those expensive hair products you’re using can secretly turn your bleached blonde into an unwanted orange disaster. Buildup causes from styling products, hard water minerals, and even your daily shampoo create a perfect storm for brassiness.

To fix orange bleached hair and prevent future issues, you’ll need a strategic approach to removing buildup.

Here’s your action plan for neutralize orange bleached hair:

Use a clarifying shampoo weekly to strip away product residue and mineral deposits
Alternate between protein treatments and moisturizing masks to maintain hair health
Apply a chelating treatment monthly to remove stubborn mineral buildup
Deep condition after every clarifying session to prevent damage

Remember, bleached hair color correction starts with a clean slate.

Try working these prevention tips into your routine before that subtle brass becomes full-blown orange. Your blonde will thank you later.

Pool Water Exposure

Beyond chemical buildup, pool chemicals can be a sneaky culprit behind your orange hair after bleaching.

Every dip in chlorinated water puts your bleached strands at risk of developing brassy tones. chlorine damage isn’t just about dryness—it’s a color-changer too.

The solution? Shield your hair before swimming by applying a leave-in conditioner. Afterward, rinse thoroughly and use a clarifying shampoo to remove pool chemicals.

For extra hair protection, wear a swim cap or consider installing water filters at home. Remember: pool chemicals can cause orange hair.

Fixing Orange Hair at Home

If you’re dealing with unwanted orange tones after bleaching your hair, you’ll be glad to know there are several effective ways to fix it at home.

You can tackle this common problem using blue shampoo, hair glazes, or even simple DIY remedies.

These will help neutralize those brassy shades.

DIY Toners

So your bleach job left you with orange hair – now what? The good news is you’ve got some powerful DIY toner options right at your fingertips.

Your secret weapon? Purple shampoo mixed with white conditioner in equal parts.

For stronger toning power, try adding a few drops of blue or purple food coloring to your regular conditioner.

Got stubborn orange tones? Mix up a black tea-conditioner blend to deposit subtle brunette tones.

Looking for a gentler approach? Combine lemon juice with your conditioner to gradually brighten and neutralize those brassy shades.

Just remember to start with small amounts and adjust based on how your hair responds to these homemade toner recipes.

Hair Masks

While toners tackle brassiness from the outside, DIY mask recipes work their magic from within.

You can whip up powerful homemade toners after bleaching hair using ingredients from your kitchen.

For those looking for additional help, products like an orange hair mask can also be a great solution.

Here’s what works best to fix orange bleached hair:

Honey and egg yolk mask: Moisturizes while gently toning brassy shades
Coconut oil and blue food coloring: Creates a natural toning effect
Avocado and banana mash: Deeply conditions while neutralizing warmth

Apply these masks weekly for the best results fixing that stubborn orange tone.

Vinegar Rinses

Looking for a natural fix for brassy tones?

Apple cider vinegar rinses can help neutralize unwanted orange after bleaching.

Mix one part vinegar with three parts water, apply to damp hair, and leave for 15 minutes.

Use this DIY toner weekly between salon visits for best results.

Salon Treatments for Orange Hair

If you’ve tried fixing your orange hair at home without success, a professional salon visit might be your best bet.

A skilled colorist can assess your hair’s condition and use specialized treatments.

color correction, toning, or strategic re-bleaching to transform those unwanted orange tones into your desired shade.

Bleaching

Every successful bleaching process starts with understanding your hair’s unique needs.

To fix orange hair after bleaching, follow these expert steps:

Test hair porosity before applying bleach
Mix bleach with 20-volume developer for damaged hair
Apply root touch-ups first, avoiding overlap
Monitor carefully to prevent further damage

Toning

Professional toning transforms your brassy nightmare into the cool, ashy shade you’ve been dreaming of. Your stylist will assess your hair’s undertones and choose the perfect toner to neutralize those orange hues.

Here’s what to expect:

Toner Type	Processing Time	Results
Demi-permanent	20-25 mins	Natural finish
Gloss	15-20 mins	Subtle shine
Purple/Blue	5-10 mins	Quick fix

Want to maintain those results? Ask about take-home toning products to keep brassiness at bay between appointments.

Color Correction

Sometimes toning isn’t enough to fix orange hair after bleaching.

When that happens, visiting a salon for color correction might be your best bet.

A professional colorist will assess your hair’s health, understand the color wheel basics, and create a custom plan.

They’ll use techniques like root melts and targeted toning to remove those orange tones, leaving you with the gorgeous color you wanted.

Preventing Orange Hair

You can prevent your bleached hair from turning orange by taking a few smart steps before and after your treatment, including using filtered water and avoiding sun exposure.

If you’re planning to bleach your hair, you’ll want to protect your investment by choosing sulfate-free products that won’t strip away your color or cause unwanted brassiness.

Avoid Sun Exposure

Sunlight can sneakily turn your freshly bleached hair into an unwanted orange mess.

After bleaching, your strands become extra vulnerable to UV damage, making sun protection essential for maintaining your desired shade, as UV rays can break down melanin, causing hair to lighten, read more about why is my hair getting lighter.

Rock cute sun hats or scarves when you’re outside, and consider using hair masks with UV protection to shield your locks.

If you’ve already noticed your hair turning orange after bleaching, limit sun exposure and apply an after-sun care treatment to prevent further oxidation and color changes.

Use Sulfate-Free Products

Looking to keep your bleached hair from turning into a sunset? Switching to sulfate-free hair care products can be your secret weapon against those pesky orange tones.

Sulfate-free shampoo preserves your hair’s natural oils, preventing the stripping that leads to brassiness
These products maintain color longer by avoiding harsh detergents that can fade your bleach job
Natural ingredients in sulfate-free options help balance your hair’s pH levels, reducing orange undertones
Your scalp stays healthier without sulfates, leading to stronger, more resilient bleached hair
Many DIY sulfate-free alternatives use ingredients you already have at home

When shopping for products, look for brands like Olaplex, Redken, or Matrix that specifically target bleached hair. Remember, it’s not just about fixing orange hair – it’s about preventing it from happening in the first place.

Filtered Water

Hard water can throw your hair color completely off track, turning your freshly bleached locks into an unwanted orange mess. Installing a quality water filter in your shower helps knock out those pesky minerals before they build up.

Here’s what you need to know about water quality and your hair color:

Water Type	Effects on Hair	Solution	Cost Range
Hard Water	Mineral buildup, brassiness	Install shower filter	$20-50
Soft Water	Minimal mineral deposits	Use as is	$0
Tap Water	Chlorine damage, dullness	Filtered rinse	$5-15
Well Water	Iron stains, discoloration	Heavy-duty filter	$50-100

Understanding Orange Hair

You’re probably wondering why your hair turned orange instead of the perfect blonde you wanted.

It’s actually a common issue that happens when darker hair isn’t fully stripped of its warm pigments during bleaching.

When you understand that these orange tones are just part of the lightening process, you’ll be better equipped to fix them with the right toning products and techniques.

Importance of Toners

With prevention steps in place, let’s talk about your secret weapon against brassy disasters – toners. These color-correcting heroes work like magic to fix orange bleached hair and give you that perfect, cool-toned finish.

Here’s what makes toners your new best friend:

Blue-based toners knock out stubborn orange tones while violet ones tackle yellowy brass
The right toner selection depends on your current shade and desired result
Proper toner application timing matters – usually 15-20 minutes does the trick
Regular toning maintenance (every 4-6 weeks) keeps brassiness at bay
Using color-depositing shampoos between toner sessions prolongs results

Transitioning Hair Colors

Taking your hair from dark to light doesn’t have to be a nightmare of orange mishaps. Smart color correction starts with a solid game plan and the right timing between treatments. Understanding how to navigate the hair color wheel helps in selecting the right shades and tones.

Here’s what pro colorists recommend:

Space root touch-ups 4-6 weeks apart to maintain hair health
Mix highlights with all-over color to reduce damage
Start with demi-permanent shades before permanent ones
Use blue-based toners between services to fight brassiness
Monitor your hair’s response to new color ideas and adjust accordingly

These maintenance tips help you achieve your dream shade while keeping your strands strong.

Causes of Yellow Hair

Bleached blonde beauty often turns into a yellow nightmare when mineral buildup and hard water wreak havoc on your locks. Product residue from daily styling can trap these minerals, while sun exposure and chlorine damage strip away your intended color.

To combat this, consider using toning products specifically designed for color correction, such as those found here for toning products.

When you’re fixing yellow hair after bleaching, understanding these triggers helps prevent future mishaps.

Your hair turned orange after bleaching because the natural warm pigments weren’t fully lifted.

To fix orange hair, start by identifying these underlying causes, then choose targeted treatments for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What cancels out orange hair after bleaching?

Blue-toned shampoo or toner will cancel out orange tones in your hair.

You’ll also get great results using a blue hair gloss treatment.

Getting a professional ash-toned color correction at the salon is another great option.

Should I bleach my hair again if it turned orange?

90% of botched bleach jobs can be fixed without re-bleaching.

You shouldn’t bleach orange hair again for at least 7-8 days.

Instead, try blue shampoo or toner first to neutralize the orange tones.

How do you get orange tint out of bleached hair?

Try using blue toning shampoo or violet-based toners to neutralize unwanted orange.

You can also apply a hair gloss treatment or seek professional color correction.

Regular deep conditioning helps maintain your desired tone.

What color kills orange hair?

Looking at the color wheel, you’ll want to use blue-based products to neutralize those unwanted orange tones.

Blue shampoo, blue-violet toners, or ash-based dyes will effectively cancel out and eliminate orange shades in your hair.

How long should I wait between bleaching sessions?

Wait 7-8 days between bleaching sessions to let your hair recover. If you’re experiencing damage or breakage, extend this to 2-3 weeks. You’ll want to deep condition during this time.

Will my orange hair fade on its own?

Orange hair won’t fade naturally – it’s a chemical reaction that needs correction.

You’ll need to use blue shampoo, toner, or additional treatments to neutralize those warm tones.

Don’t wait around hoping it’ll disappear.

Does hard water make orange tones worse?

Yes, hard water’s mineral deposits can intensify those dreaded orange tones in your hair.

The minerals, especially iron and copper, cling to your strands and gradually make the brassiness worse over time.

Can certain hair products intensify the orange color?

Products with harsh sulfates, metallic salts, or copper-based ingredients can definitely make your hair more orange.

You’ll want to stick with sulfate-free shampoos and avoid anything containing metal particles or mineral deposits.

Conclusion

Take Sarah’s success story – she fixed her orange hair after bleaching by following these proven methods, and you can too.

Whether you choose DIY solutions like toners and masks or opt for professional color correction, there’s always a way to achieve your desired shade.

Remember to maintain your treated hair with the right products and protect it from damage.

With these tips on how to fix orange hair after bleaching, you’re well-equipped to tackle any brassy surprises that come your way.