How To Get Rid of Orange Tones In Your Hair
Thomas StrangwoodShare
Orange and brassy tones are one of the most common frustrations for anyone with bleached or lightened hair. The good news is they're very fixable — and in most cases you don't need to book another salon appointment to sort it. Here's everything you need to know about why it happens and exactly how to get rid of it.
Why Does Hair Go Orange After Bleaching?
When bleach is applied to hair, it works as an oxidising agent — it opens the hair cuticle and dissolves the hair's natural melanin (its natural pigmentation). As the melanin breaks down, it passes through a series of underlying pigment stages: the darker the starting colour, the more of these stages the hair goes through.
For most people with medium to dark brown or black hair, the hair will pass through red and orange stages before reaching yellow and pale blonde. If the bleach is removed at the orange stage — either because it's been left on for the right amount of time for the hair's condition, or because the hairdresser is doing a gradual multi-session lightening process — you'll be left with orange or brassy tones.
Orange tones can also appear a few weeks after a bleaching session, as the hair oxidises and the colour shifts. This is completely normal and very common.
How to Get Rid of Orange Tones in Hair
There are several approaches depending on how orange your hair is and whether you want an at-home fix or a salon result.
1. Use a Blue Shampoo
This is the most effective at-home solution for orange and brassy tones. Blue sits directly opposite orange on the colour wheel, which means blue pigment neutralises orange — cancelling it out rather than covering it up. A good blue shampoo used regularly will gradually tone down brassiness and orange tones between salon visits.
The key is using a professional-grade blue shampoo — the supermarket alternatives are often so lightly pigmented they make almost no visible difference. Browse our blue shampoo collection for professional options that actually work. We've personally found the Fanola range to be exceptional value for money and very heavily pigmented — a little goes a long way.
2. Use a Blue Hair Mask
For more stubborn orange tones, a blue hair mask will deliver a more intensive toning result than shampoo alone. Because a mask is left on for longer, the blue pigment has more time to deposit and neutralise the orange. Apply after shampooing, leave on for 5–20 minutes depending on the intensity of your brassiness, then rinse thoroughly.
Browse our hair masks and treatments for toning options suited to bleached and colour-treated hair.
3. Use a Hair Toner
A toner is a more targeted solution than a toning shampoo and will produce more dramatic, longer-lasting results. Toners are applied to bleached hair to neutralise unwanted tones and shift the hair to the desired shade — whether that's ash blonde, beige, platinum, or any other cool tone. They work best on hair that has been lightened to at least a level 8 (pale orange/yellow).
If your hair is still very orange (level 6 or below), a toner alone won't be enough — the hair will need to be lightened further before toning will be effective. Explore our full hair toners collection to find the right shade for your target colour.
4. What About Purple Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is most effective for yellow and pale brassy tones — not orange. Purple neutralises yellow on the colour wheel, so if your hair is more yellow than orange, purple shampoo is what you want. If it's more of a warm orange or copper tone, blue shampoo will be significantly more effective. Browse our purple shampoo collection if yellow tones are your main concern.
5. Book a Toning or Colour Correction Service
If your hair is deeply orange or you've had an uneven result, the most reliable fix is a professional toning or colour correction service. A colour technician will be able to assess the level and tone of your hair accurately and either apply a targeted toner or carry out a further lightening session before toning, depending on what's needed.
If you're local to Wolverhampton, our team at Revive Hair Artists specialise in colour correction and would be happy to help.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Orange Hair?
It depends on how orange your hair is and which method you use. A good blue shampoo used consistently 2–3 times a week will typically show a visible difference within 2–4 weeks. A blue hair mask used once a week will work faster. A professional toner will produce an immediate result in a single application — though the longevity depends on how well the hair holds colour and how it's maintained afterwards.
How to Prevent Orange Tones Coming Back
- Use a blue or purple shampoo regularly — incorporate it into your routine 1–2 times per week to keep brassy tones at bay between appointments
- Use colour-safe products — harsh shampoos and hot water both cause colour to fade faster, which accelerates the return of brassiness
- Protect your hair from the sun — UV exposure oxidises the hair and can cause colour to shift warmer and brassier over time
- Book regular toning appointments — a toner applied every 6–8 weeks will keep bleached hair looking fresh and cool-toned
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Hair Tones
How do I get rid of orange tones in my hair?
The most effective at-home solution is a blue shampoo or blue hair mask — blue pigment neutralises orange on the colour wheel, cancelling out the brassy tones. For a more immediate result, a professional hair toner applied to adequately lightened hair will remove orange tones in a single application. If the hair is very orange, a further lightening session may be needed before toning will work.
Why has my hair gone orange after bleaching?
Orange tones appear when bleach breaks down the hair's natural melanin and exposes the underlying warm pigments in the hair shaft. Darker hair contains more red and orange pigment, so it passes through an orange stage during the lightening process. If the bleach is removed at this stage, or if the hair oxidises over the following weeks, orange and brassy tones will appear. This is completely normal and can be resolved with toning products or a salon toning service.
Does purple shampoo get rid of orange tones?
Purple shampoo is most effective on yellow and pale brassy tones, not orange. Purple neutralises yellow on the colour wheel. For orange tones specifically, blue shampoo is the better choice — blue sits opposite orange on the colour wheel and is much more effective at cancelling out warm orange and copper tones.
How long does it take blue shampoo to remove orange tones?
Used 2–3 times per week, a professional blue shampoo will typically produce a visible difference within 2–4 weeks. A blue hair mask used once a week will work faster due to the longer contact time. For immediate results, a professional toner applied at a salon will remove orange tones in a single session.
Will toner fix orange hair?
Toner works best on hair that has been lightened to at least a level 8 — pale orange to yellow. If the hair is still a deep orange (level 6 or below), a toner alone won't have enough lightness to work with and the hair will need further bleaching first. For hair at the right level, a toner is the most effective and immediate solution for removing orange tones.
What is the best shampoo for orange brassy hair?
A professional blue shampoo is the best choice for orange or brassy tones. Fanola's blue shampoo range is particularly well regarded for its strong pigmentation and results. Avoid supermarket alternatives — the professional formulas are significantly more pigmented and effective. For yellow tones rather than orange, switch to a purple shampoo instead.
Can I fix orange hair at home?
Yes — blue shampoo, blue hair masks, and at-home toners are all effective at-home options for managing orange tones. For best results use a professional-grade product rather than a supermarket brand. If the orange tones are very deep, uneven, or you're unsure of the hair's condition, it's always safest to consult a professional hairdresser before attempting further chemical treatments at home.
