Hair turning brassy over summer? Don't reach for the hair dye; try these 5 simple tips at home instead
These expert-approved swaps will keep blonde and grey hair cool and classy for longer
Summer's all fun and games until your preferred (and possibly quite expensive) hair colour starts to turn a fetching shade of yellow.
From UV rays to swimming or simply shampooing more often because you're feeling sticky, warm weather can have unfortunate repercussions for blonde or grey hair. And while permanent toning for blonde hair is an option, salon appointments add up, and DIY highlights are far from a simple - or foolproof - process.
Luckily, according to celebrity session stylist and colourist Kris Barnes, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your hair colour and maintain cool and creamy tones at home - some of which cost absolutely nothing, and can actually save you time.
5 easy tips to stop blonde or grey hair going brassy
Barnes, a colour expert whose client list includes Amanda Holden and Kate Lawler, wants to demystify toning hair, so we can help preserve the colour we love for longer. "It can feel complicated, but toning is actually very easy to get right,” he says, and has detailed his top five habits that anyone can adopt to maintain cool and creamy tones and stretch out salon visits.
1. Hydrate the hair
"The biggest favour you can do for clean and bright colour is to keep your hair hydrated. Well‑moisturised hair reflects light better, feels softer, and holds onto tone for longer," advises Barnes.
This budget-friendly, moisturising mask from Garnier only needs to be left on for three minutes to work its magic, so it's easy to stick with regular use.
2. Protect from everyday stresses
"If you’re nervous about toning, start by protecting your blonde from the things that cause brassiness in the first place," he explains. "Hard water, heat styling, and sun exposure all push hair tone warmer. A shower filter, one of the best heat protection sprays, and a hat on holiday make a huge difference and will keep your hair cooler for longer."
3. Stretch the time between washes
Wondering how often to wash your hair if colour maintenance is a priority? According to Barnes, "Washing less often is a small change that makes a big difference. Every wash lifts a little colour, so spacing them out, even by a day, helps your tone stay fresher between appointments." He also advises using colour-safe shampoo when wash day rolls around, to prevent unnecessary fading.
L'oreal's Elvive range designed specifically to protect coloured hair contains UV filters, making it particularly effective at preventing summer brassiness.
4. Be gentle
Dullness can also contribute to grey or blonde hair looking a bit sad, and a softly-softly approach can help keep everything smooth and shiny. "Anything rough, for example, brushing too hard and using tight hairbands or hot tools on high, can make it look dull or frizzy," explains Barnes. "Treat it like delicate fabric: slow, soft, and low heat to keep the fibre smooth and the colour luminous."
Just as the name suggests, this brush is perfect for gently detangling and styling hair without breakage or roughing it up. Plus, unlike the original Tangle Teezer it has a handle, so won't escape from your clutches.
5. Try gradual toning
"Toning is essential for keeping both natural silver and blended highlights crisp rather than yellow," explains Barnes. Lots of us have experimented with violet toning products to cool down brassy hair, but the best purple shampoo isn't always the most highly pigmented, according to Barnes. "When pigment is controlled and buildable, toning becomes incredibly easy. Gradual toning lets you stay in charge of your colour, keeping blondes bright without the risk of over‑doing it."
The classic purple shampoo has had a gradual makeover, so you can go gently with at-home toning - plus, it contains hydrating ingredients, Pro‑vitamin B5 and protein for strength.
Explaining the benefits of gradual toning, Barnes concludes, "Think of it like the difference between fake tan and gradual tan. Low‑level violet pigments that build slowly, neutralising yellow and brassy tones a little more with every wash. It means you stay in control of your colour, and you get cleaner, brighter results without dryness or the risk of over‑toning.”
