Why Does Hair Turn Brassy?

The are several reasons why hair often turns brassy when lightened in the salon or by the sun—more likely as the hair is darker. The main reason is because that brass is your true underlying pigment. If you did not have brass color in your hair already, your natural color would not be brown or black, it would be gray!

Salon hair color does fade too, just like car and house paint does. This fading due to showering with hot water, sun, swimming, not using the proper color shampoo, etc. would be slowed substantially if mineral deposits were removed from you hair prior to coloring. If you received highlights in your hair, your natural hair would be lightened by the sun as the summer days go on exposing natural brass if you are a brunette.

The only way to prevent your natural brown from ever turning brassy is to ask your stylist to lighten you to a complete blonde. As a colorist, after the consultation, my job is to determine the appropriate degree of removal of hair pigment and sometimes use the chosen underlying pigment to compliment the ultimate choice of salon color to put in the hair.

There are pros and cons with every choice selection, and that's where the important conversation on maintenance comes in so you can select which option is appropriate for you and desired results.

The ways you can extend your hair color at home is to wait 48 hours before you shampoo after you leave the salon, use cooler water in the shower, chose the proper pH-balanced color care shampoo, wear a hat outside, ask for a mineral removal before a color service, get a product with sunscreen or use a color mousse at home.

Keep in mind that color trends go in and out and brassy can look good on a few gals with the right skin and eye tones. It's a personal preference for the individual and a few even request/like it. 

Daisy Hair Design of Malibu & Santa Monica opened in 1996. The website is www.daisyhairdesign.com and the phone number is 310-266-9285.