Before & After: How to Reduce Brassy Hair & Get Silver Tones
*Products bought by me
Sian Victoria © - Crazy Color & Touch of Silver Toner shampoo
How to Remove Yellow-Orange Hair and Get Ash Blonde at Home
Tired of your hair being brassy? Well, you're in luck because a beautiful cool-toned transformation is just a combination of silver toner and purple shampoo away.
This blog post not only explains why these two products are effective at reducing brassiness but also offers tips on how to achieve optimal results.
So, say goodbye to brassy hair forever and read on to discover more.
What Causes Brassy Hair
Dealing with brassy hair can be a bothersome experience. Nonetheless, knowing the root causes of this common hair problem can equip you with the necessary tools to steer clear of it. Brassy hair happens when the cooler tones in your hair, like silver or ash, diminish, leaving behind warmer tones such as orange or yellow.
There are numerous reasons why this occurs, ranging from overexposure to sunlight, chlorine found in swimming pools, to minerals present in the water. Regular usage of heat styling devices such as straighteners and curling irons can exacerbate brassiness over time. Similarly, if you bleach or lighten your hair, it is bound to oxidise and turn brassy especially if you have 'hot roots'.
Having a good understanding of the triggers behind brassy hair, you can adopt proactive measures to evade this problem. Employing purple shampoo and silver toner frequently can neutralise the warmer tones and ensure that your hair stays vibrant and cool.
Sian Victoria © - Before & After silver hair toner
What Is 'Hot Roots' And How Can I Avoid It?
If you are a newcomer to the world of hair toning and bleaching, you might have come across the term hot roots. But, what exactly does it mean? Hot roots occur when the roots of your hair turn out lighter or warmer than the rest of your hair after lifting the colour. This can be a frustrating outcome, especially when you have worked hard to achieve a gorgeous cool-toned look.
The reason behind hot roots is the heat that your scalp generates, which accelerates the toning process, causing the roots to absorb more bleach and become lighter. This is particularly prevalent among those who have dark hair or have recently lightened their hair.
So, how can you avoid hot roots? Here are some tips that you can follow:
1. Use a lower volume developer: If you are bleaching your hair at home, opt for a lower volume developer such as 10 or 20 volume. This will slow down the colour process, preventing the roots from becoming too light. A lower volume developer will be less damaging to your hair, however it may take longer to process.
2. Apply bleach to mid-lengths and ends first: Begin the lifting process at the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, then work your way up to the roots. By doing this, the roots will have less exposure to the toner, reducing the chances of them becoming too light. I recommend watching YouTube videos from expert hair colourist Brad Mondo for more on this.
3. Use a root-specific toner: Certain toners are formulated to target the roots and prevent hot roots. Look for toners that are labelled as root toners or root touch-up toners.
4. Consult a professional: If you are uncertain about toning your hair or have had a previous experience with hot roots, it may be best to consult a professional hairdresser. They can assess your hair and provide personalised advice to prevent hot roots.
By following these tips, you can decrease the risk of hot roots and achieve a more uniform and even-toned result. Keep in mind that hair toning is a process that requires patience and practice, so don't be discouraged if you come across hot roots along the way.
The Science Behind Toning Hair
Science offers an effective solution for those annoyed by brassy hair. Toning hair relies on the principles of chemistry, specifically the underlying pigments in hair. Cool tones contain blue and violet pigments, whilst warm tones are rich in red and yellow. Combining silver toner and purple shampoo can restore coolness to hair by countering the warmth.
Silver toner is a semi-permanent dye that imparts cool pigments onto the hair shaft, and purple shampoo contains violet pigments that neutralise warm tones. Understanding the colour wheel is crucial as purple cancels out yellow tones, which is why blondes with brassiness often benefit from using purple shampoo.
Similarly, silver toner uses blue and violet pigments to counter orange or yellow undertones. By comprehending the science of toning hair and utilising silver toner and purple shampoo properly, you can reduce brassiness and get cool-toned hair.
What is Silver Toner and How to Use It
Silver toner is a specialised hair product that works to neutralise unwanted brassy tones in hair. The semi-permanent dye is formulated with cool pigments, like blue and violet, which counteract the warm tones responsible for creating brassiness.
To use silver toner effectively, begin by cleansing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove build-up and optimise the toner's ability to penetrate the hair shaft.
Once you've towel-dried your hair, apply the toner evenly, working from roots to ends, and ensuring all hair strands are coated. Allow the toner to work its magic for the specified duration (around 20 minutes, but check your product instructions), then rinse thoroughly and condition your hair to maintain moisture and softness.
Remember, silver toner is a temporary solution, so it's essential to reapply the product every few weeks to preserve your desired tone. Always refer to the instructions on the packaging for precise usage guidelines.
What is Purple Shampoo and How to Use It
Designed specifically for blonde, silver, and highlighted hair, purple shampoo effectively fights brassiness with its unique formulation of purple or violet pigments.
By neutralising unwanted warm tones like yellow or orange, purple shampoo maintains a cool, ash-toned colour, keeping hair looking fresh and vibrant with regular use.
When applied, the shampoo deposits a small amount of purple pigment on the hair strands, counterbalancing warm tones. For optimal results, wet your hair and massage the shampoo into your hair, leaving it on for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing.
Like toner, it's important to remember that purple shampoo is not a permanent solution and will vary in effectiveness depending on factors like your hair's natural colour and the degree of brassiness present.
For best results, use once or twice a week as recommended by the product instructions and follow up with conditioner for added hydration and healthy hair.
Tips for Maintaining Your Hair's Tone
Once you have achieved your stunning cool-toned, silver and ash shade hair! To keep it looking fresh and vibrant, you'll want to take some necessary steps to maintain its beauty. Here are some top tips that will help you keep your hair tone in its prime:
1. Avoid using shampoos with sulphates: These harsh chemicals strip away your hair's natural oils, causing it to become brittle and dry. Opt for a shampoo that's specifically formulated for coloured hair to help maintain its integrity.
2. Be cautious when using heat styling tools: Regular use of curling irons, straighteners, and hair dryers can cause severe damage to your hair, making the colour fade away faster. Use these tools sparingly and set them to a lower heat setting when possible.
3. Shield your hair from the sun: Sun exposure can cause your hair to lose its lustre and become brassy. Protect your hair from the harmful UV rays by wearing a hat or applying a leave-in UV protection spray before going outside.
4. Deep condition regularly: Coloured hair is more prone to damage and dryness, so it needs a little extra TLC. Keep your hair nourished and moisturised by using a deep conditioning treatment once a week or as suggested by your stylist.
5. Touch up your roots: As your hair grows, the roots may start to show, affecting the overall tone of your hair. Touch up your roots every months to maintain the consistency of your hair colour.
By following these five easy steps, you can prolong the life of your cool-toned hair and keep it looking fabulous. Remember, consistency is key, so make these practices a part of your regular hair care routine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Achieving cool-toned hair can prove to be a daunting task, but one can easily maintain a brass-free appearance by steering clear of some common mistakes. Here are some things to avoid when using silver toner and purple shampoo.
1. Excessive use of silver toner: While silver toner is highly effective in reducing brassiness, its overuse may lead to an unflattering ashy or dull appearance. It's crucial to adhere to the usage guidelines specified on the packaging.
2. Prolonged use of purple shampoo: Purple shampoo is a potent weapon in combating brassiness, but keeping it on for too long can cause a purple tint in your hair. Always make sure to rinse the shampoo off thoroughly after a few minutes.
3. Not protecting your hair from heat: The use of heat styling tools can lead to rapid fading of hair colour, resulting in unwanted brassy undertones. Shield your hair with heat protectant products and minimise the use of styling tools to retain your hair's hue.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can retain the cool-toned charm of your hair and wave goodbye to brassiness once and for all.
My Experience Using Purple Shampoo & White Toner
Over the last few months, I have been on a mission to achieve a silver shade for my hair. I have tried countless purple shampoos, white toners, and grey-silver semi-permanent hair colours, all in the pursuit of this elusive colour. I have always been drawn to the coolness of grey hair, which I attribute to my love for anime characters who often sport it. But it wasn't until the #grannyhair trend took over that I saw how beautiful it looked in real life and decided to give it a go.
My natural hair colour is a mousy dark blonde, and a few months ago, I got it dyed bleached blonde at the hairdresser using a balayage technique. However, the blonde shade wasn't quite what I had envisioned, and I wanted it to be lighter. Ever since getting it bleached, I have been using PRO:VOKE Touch Of Silver Brightening Shampoo regularly to eliminate the brassy yellow tones.
This product has worked wonders in reducing brassiness, but I wanted to take it to the next level by purchasing Crazy Color Silver Semi-Permanent Cool Grey Hair Dye to achieve the perfect silver tone. It was relatively inexpensive, so I decided to give it a try with some at home beauty treatments.
To use the Crazy Color hair dye, I first washed my hair with purple shampoo and left it on for five minutes before rinsing it off. Then began with Crazy Color. The hair dye solution is straightforward to use as there is no mixing involved; you simply squeeze it into your hands.
I would advise wearing gloves, then evenly apply it to your hair, making sure every strand is covered and rubbed in well. You could also use an applicator brush if you have one. Applying the hair dye in small sections of hair individually will help ensure that it is done evenly.
It is important to follow the instructions on the hair dye packaging as the time it takes to take hold of the colour can vary depending on your hair type and how porous it is. I left the hair dye on for 40 minutes as my hair typically takes longer to absorb colour.
I then washed out the hair dye and applied a generous amount of Bleach London Reincarnation Mask, leaving it on for an hour to help soften my hair as hair dyes typically leave my hair dry. I then blow-dried my hair as usual after washing away the conditioner.
The before and after photos speak for themselves. As you can see, there is a significant difference in colour, and this duo has made the most difference so far out of all the grey hair products I have used. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking to achieve the perfect silver shade.
For those looking for more information on silver toners, I also suggest checking out my review of the Bleach London Silver Toner and a guide to purple shampoos. These blog posts are sure to be helpful in your journey to achieve your desired hair colour.
*SHOP THE POST
Banish brass and embrace cool tones with a purple shampoo & conditioner duo to gently cleanse and neutralise, a weekly silver toning mask for icy brights, a monthly clarifying shampoo to remove hints of purple buildup, a heat protectant spray to shield from damage, and a purple leave-in conditioner for nourished, manageable strands so your new ash blonde hair colour looks its best.