How to get rid of brassiness when dying blonde

**cab54** · 06-04-2010, 11:51 AM

Well, I had let my own haircolor grow out completely and had it that way for months. I guess I was bored with it, and decided to apply some L'oreal light ashe blonde (preference). That's the color I used to use.

I always had trouble with brassiness (WAY too much red/gold) when coloring, but used to use l'oreal drabber in my color application. OK, now they don't make it anymore.....

So--I tried the color without it and voila----brassy as he!!

I do not have the coloring for reddish hair, only for ashy colors. Looks awful.

I am going over to Sally's today and was thinking of trying something I saw on their site called Ardell's Unred, and they also have Ardell's red/gold corrector.

What do you all think? Have any of you fought red/gold brassiness with going blonde, and what did you use? Help!

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-04-2010, 12:47 PM

Mine was only brassy if I did not leave it in long enough. Are you timing properly??

**cab54** · 06-04-2010, 04:22 PM

It was 25 minutes for a full head of coloring. I did about 27 minutes.

I'll try the Red/gold corrector and see what happens.

**cab54** · 06-05-2010, 01:03 PM

Well, I tried the Ardell red/gold corrector-in-conditioner treatment. It did some 'drabbing', but not as much as I'd like.

I'm going to wash it tonight in the 'purple shampoo' (Clairol shimmer lights) that they talked me into. I think if I keep using the purple shampoo and the corrector, it will eventually ash up a bit. Gahh!

**Michelle** · 06-05-2010, 04:54 PM

Cheryl, did you try calling the hair color company (the one you first used)? They usually have 800 numbers with experts who can advise what to do in situations like yours.

I hope you get it just the way you want

**Brat** · 06-05-2010, 07:20 PM

I always have to leave the blonde on for 45 minutes to keep the red out...

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-05-2010, 07:33 PM

The only time I had issues with that was when I was trying to go way too light in one coloring.

Here's something that might help:

Google Image Result for http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/unbranded/a/unbranded-advance-techniques-true-blonde-anti-brassiness.jpg

**Palooka** · 06-06-2010, 01:30 AM

Yeah, if you try to lift too many levels past your natural hair color or not high enough peroxide, you will get that brassiness.

You could do a bleach cap at home. Mix a small cap full of bleach with a little peroxide(just until creamy) and 'wash' you hair with it mixed in with shampoo. Leave it on for a bit and just watch it. It should lift some of the gold out without damaging the hair.

Also Clairol shimmering lights shampoo works really well too. I'm sure you will see a difference using that.

**frugalfoster** · 06-06-2010, 09:13 AM

The reason why the hair goes brassy in many cases is because of what Palooka said. If you originally had medium to dark hair...the lift goes through a parade of colors (your dark hair...lighter brown ...red...orange.... gold.. yellow.. pale yellow to white) sometimes when the developer is opening up the cuticle to the hair to allow for the color to deposit...it will bring the color up to a brassy tone. Other factors can determne how much brassiness happens....such as is there iron in your water or was the weather very warm when you did this? Your own body heat accelerates that process.

Anyways....now that you have it...what do you do? Well for sure the bluing type of shampoo will help cut it but probably not completely take it away. I'm not familiar with over the counter coloring products because I have never used them. Try what Palooka said and if the color is something you can't live with....find a salon that does redken shades and have them use that.

**miller514** · 06-07-2010, 04:13 PM

You can usually find products at a beauty supply store to help get rid of unwanted "brassiness". For initial help try a "drabber" or a "toner" product, they are usually labelled for the specific issue you are trying to correct (example: get rid of too much gold, or too much red, etc.). Then, to help keep brassiness from creeping back try one of the "purple" shampoos that the other poster mentioned periodically throughout the week. Ask the ladies at the supply store, they should be able to help you locate products to help you.

**cab54** · 06-07-2010, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Yeah, if you try to lift too many levels past your natural hair color or not high enough peroxide, you will get that brassiness.

You could do a bleach cap at home. Mix a small cap full of bleach with a little peroxide(just until creamy) and 'wash' you hair with it mixed in with shampoo. Leave it on for a bit and just watch it. It should lift some of the gold out without damaging the hair.

Also Clairol shimmering lights shampoo works really well too. I'm sure you will see a difference using that.

Yes, that Clairol SL shampoo did help a LOT. Better than the corrector. I was told to shampoo with that every time till it is the shade I want, then every second or third shampoo. It's going well.

Thanks, everybody!

**Palooka** · 06-07-2010, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by cab54

Yes, that Clairol SL shampoo did help a LOT. Better than the corrector. I was told to shampoo with that every time till it is the shade I want, then every second or third shampoo. It's going well.

Thanks, everybody!

Glad that is working for you.

I seriously love the smell of that shampoo.

**cab54** · 06-08-2010, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Michelle

Cheryl, did you try calling the hair color company (the one you first used)? They usually have 800 numbers with experts who can advise what to do in situations like yours.

I hope you get it just the way you want

Maybe it's just me, but whenever I've called the 800-help-me #'s for ANY product, I always get someone who sounds like they are 12 yrs old, and it becomes clear not-too-far into the conversation that they know less about _______(haircoloring or whatever) than I do. LOL! I swear they hire people off the street and tell them to try and sound knowledgeable and fake it.

I guess that's why it wasn't my first thought to call them.

I figured you all would be MUCH more knowledgeable--and you HAVE been, LOL!

I am getting pretty good results from the shampoo (I like the smell, too, Palooka!) With my next application of color (about a month from now)----I will add the drabber stuff and leave the whole mess on longer. Thanks everyone!