AF Blog — haircare

So you've gone blonde, but now you're dealing with those annoying yellow tones? Don't panic! Your besties are here with all the tea on how to transform that brassy blonde into the cool, ashy shade of your dreams. 

This isn't rocket science, just a few tricks that'll have you serving ice queen vibes in no time!

Why Does Hair Turn Yellow? 

Hair turns yellow mainly due to oxidation, sun exposure, and mineral buildup from hard water. When you bleach your hair, it's actually revealing the underlying warm pigments that naturally exist in your strands - those stubborn yellow tones are what's left behind after the bleach lifts your natural color! 

Over time, these yellow tones become more noticeable as your bleached hair continues to oxidize. Heat styling tools and chlorine from pools can accelerate this yellowing process too. 

Basically, your blonde is constantly fighting environmental factors that are trying to turn it into a yellow mess, it's like your hair's own little battle against the elements!

What Color Toner Neutralizes Yellow Hair?

Purple toner is your bestie for neutralizing yellow hair! This works because purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so it cancels out those brassy tones when applied. Look for purple shampoos, conditioners, or professional toning treatments depending on how intense your yellowing is. 

For a DIY hack that seriously works, mix a tiny dot of Arctic Fox's Purple AF, Girls Night, or Periwinkle semi-permanent dye into your regular shampoo or conditioner. You will have created an instant custom purple toning product without the salon price tag! 

For subtle warmth, a weekly purple treatment might do the trick, but for that "I just left the salon" cool blonde, you might need a more concentrated purple formula to kick those yellow tones to the curb.

Say Goodbye to Yellow and Hello to Ash!

Yellow tones can be stubborn little devils, but with the right approach, you can banish them for good. 

Whether you're a DIY queen or a salon regular who needs some maintenance between appointments, we’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide that actually works.

Step 1: Wash That Yellow Away

First things first, let's try the gentlest approach before bringing in the big guns. Sometimes those yellow tones are just buildup that needs a good cleanse!

• Start washing your hair more frequently with warm (not hot!) water

• Switch to a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup that might be causing discoloration

• Make sure to follow up with our Pool Party Hair Mask to replenish moisture because nobody wants straw-like strands, am I right?

• Massage that mask in, leave for 5-10 minutes, and rinse with cool water

Trust us, this simple step makes a HUGE difference for some blondes, and your hair will thank you for the hydration boost!

Step 2: DIY Vitamin C Treatment

If those yellow tones are as stubborn as your ex who keeps watching your Instagram stories, it's time to try this miracle worker!

• Crush up about 5-10 vitamin C tablets into a fine powder

• Mix the powder with your regular shampoo until it forms a paste

• Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the yellowest areas

• Cover with a shower cap and let it sit for 30-60 minutes

• Rinse thoroughly and follow up with our Money Hunny Serum to restore shine and hydration

This vitamin C trick is literally life-changing and works by gently stripping away color molecules that cause yellowing. Your hair might feel a bit dry afterward, but that's why the Money Hunny Serum exists, bestie!

Step 3: Purple Power to the Rescue

Now for the main event! Purple is yellow's opposite on the color wheel, which means it neutralizes those brassy tones like magic. Choose the right purple product based on your specific yellow situation:

• Periwinkle: Our pastel blue with purple undertone hair dye is perfect for darker yellow tones that lean orange. Mix Periwinkle with conditioner and leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.

• Girls Night: THE holy grail for achieving that ashy platinum look. Dilute our pastel purple hair dye, Girls Night, with conditioner and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.

• Purple AF: For darker blondes, mix 1-2 drops of Purple AF with your regular conditioner for a gentle toning effect without going overboard.

Pro tip: Always wear gloves when applying purple products unless you want purple-stained nails for your date night! 

Also, don't leave these products on too long, or you'll end up with lavender hair color (cute, but probably not the look you're going for!).

Step 4: Prevention is Key

Once you've achieved that perfect ashy tone, let's keep it that way, shall we?

• Avoid chlorine like it's your toxic ex! If you must take a dip, apply our Pool Party hair mask for protection before diving in

• Apply our OG Hair Perfume, which not only smells like our famous grape scent, but it also doubles as a UV protectant to prevent sun damage

• Use cold water for final rinses to seal the cuticle and lock in your color

Remember: maintaining that perfect ash tone is a marathon, not a sprint. A little maintenance goes a long way!

FAQs About Toning Yellow Hair

How often should I tone my hair?

 Listen to your locks! Most people need to tone every 2-3 weeks, but if you're using purple hair treatments 1-2 times a week as maintenance, you might stretch that even longer.

Can I tone my hair too much?

Yes, babe! Over-toning can lead to dryness and even a purple cast. If your hair starts looking dull or lilac-tinted, take a break from toning products.

Will toning damage my already-processed hair? 

When done correctly, toning is much gentler than bleaching. Always follow with deep conditioning treatments to keep your hair healthy.

Can I go from golden blonde to ash blonde at home? 

Absolutely! As mentioned above, there are a few ways to do this, like washing your hair with clarifying shampoo, using a vitamin C hair mask, and using purple hair toning products!

But be patient, it might take a few sessions to reach your desired level of ashiness.

What if purple products aren't working? 

You might need a stronger professional toner with blue tones if you're dealing with orange-yellow hues. Consider messaging our color specialists if purple products aren't cutting it.

Ready for Your Ash Blonde Journey?

That's it, bestie! From one blonde to another, trust us when we say that achieving and maintaining ash blonde hair isn't as complicated as the internet makes it seem. With these simple steps and the right products, you'll be serving cool-toned realness in no time!

Remember: healthy hair should always be the priority, so don't skip those hydrating treatments. Now go forth and rock that gorgeous ash blonde like the queen you are! 💁♀️✨

Want more hair tips and tricks? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and all other socials @ArcticFoxHairColor!

Ever looked in the mirror and thought, "Whoa, my blonde is looking more like a traffic cone"? Don't panic! 

Brassy orange tones happen to the best of us, especially after bleaching or when blonde hair color starts to fade. The good news? You've got options that don't involve hiding under a hat for weeks.

Understanding the Color Wheel: Why Blue Neutralizes Orange

Remember that color wheel from art class? It's about to save your hair!

Blue and orange are directly opposite each other, which makes them complementary colors and total besties when it comes to color correction. 

Here's why this matters for your hair: When these opposite colors meet, they cancel each other out! So when your blonde has gone all orange and you're freaking out, reaching for a blue toner isn't just random—it's color theory magic! The blue pigments swoop in and neutralize orange hair, leaving you with the cool, balanced color you actually wanted. 

This is exactly why we all need purple shampoo for yellow tones and blue products for those orange nightmares. Once you get this color wheel trick, you'll never panic over brassiness again!

The Magic of Color Theory: Periwinkle to the Rescue!

Before and after using Periwinkle to tone brassy orange hair

Blue sits opposite orange on the color wheel, which means it neutralizes those warm, brassy tones. 

This is why Arctic Fox's Periwinkle is your new BFF for toning orange hair.

Simply dilute Periwinkle with conditioner (the ratio depends on how intense your orange is) and apply it to dry hair. This creates a gentle, blue-based toner that cancels out the orange without compromising your hair's health. It's like a cool-toned hug for your stressed-out strands!

Apple Cider Vinegar: Your Kitchen Cabinet Savior

When you need a quick fix with what you have on hand, reach for that bottle of ACV! A diluted apple cider vinegar rinse can help remove mineral buildup that contributes to brassiness while balancing your hair's pH.

Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water, apply it to your hair after shampooing, let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Your hair will not only look less brassy but will also feel softer and shinier. Win-win!

When All Else Fails: Embrace the Dark Side

If your orange tones are particularly stubborn, sometimes the best solution is to cover them up entirely with a darker shade. Think of it as a hair reset button! Some of our favorite Arctic Fox shades for covering orange hair include:

Wrath: A deep, vibrant red that transforms brassiness into intentional fire-engine fabulousness

Purple AF: A striking violet that makes orange disappear like magic

Transylvania: The ultimate deep black that gives you a fresh start with a dramatic edge

FAQ: Your Orange Hair Questions, Answered!

What color cancels out brassy orange hair?

Blue as it sits directly opposite orange on the color wheel, meaning it neutralizes the warm orange tones; therefore, a blue-based dye like Periwinkle is a great option for toning brassy orange hair.

How to get rid of orange brassy hair at home?

The best way to get rid of brassy toned hair at home is to use the above methods like tone your hair with our pastel blue semi-permanent hair dye in the shade Periwinkle, use a DIY apple cider vinegar rinse, or simply cover the brassy orange tones with a darker hair color like red, purple, or black.

How long should I leave the toner on to get rid of orange?

If you are using our Periwinkle semi-permanent hair dye as a toner, we recommend leaving it on for at least 15-30 minutes. However, you can leave it on even longer if you'd like since there are no harsh chemicals in any of our dyes.

Orange You Glad You Read This?

Don't let brassiness bring you down! With these simple solutions, you can kick orange tones to the curb and get back to loving your locks. 

Whether you choose the gentle approach with Periwinkle toner, the natural route with apple cider vinegar, or decide to transform completely with a new color, your hair journey is in your hands. 

Remember, even bad hair days are just opportunities for great hair transformations! Make sure to follow us on all socials @arcticfoxhaircolor for more hair tips and inspo.

Ready to switch up your fiery red locks? We get it! While that vibrant crimson hue may have been exactly what you wanted a few weeks ago, sometimes you're just ready for a change. 

Let's dive into some tried-and-true methods to help you bid farewell to your red tresses without sacrificing the health of your hair.✨

The Gentlest Option: Wash More Frequently 🧼

Poison fading

Shampoo is your bestie! Up your wash days to gradually break down red pigment over multiple washes. Red dye molecules are larger than other colors, which makes them both long-lasting and eventually easier to wash out as they start to break down.

Use warm water (not hot!) and our Resurrected Shampoo to gently encourage those pigments to release their grip. If you need some extra strength, add a clarifying shampoo to your routine once or twice a week.

PRO TIP: Use Money Hunny as a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair moisturized and happy during this process. More frequent washing can be drying, so this step is crucial!

Next Best Thing: Vitamin C Hair Mask☀️

Ritual fading

For a bit more fading power without harsh chemicals, try this DIY vitamin C treatment:

1. Mix colorless vitamin C powder or crushed vitamin C tablets with your shampoo to create a paste

2. Apply to damp hair (not soaking wet)

3. Leave on for 30-60 minutes

4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water

The acidic properties of vitamin C help break down artificial color molecules while being gentler than chemical removers.

PRO TIP: Follow up with a deep conditioning hair mask like Pool Party to re-hydrate your locks! This treatment can be slightly drying, so showing your hair some extra love afterward is essential.

Last Resort: Bleach Bath🛁

Wrath fading

When gentler methods aren't cutting it, a bleach bath can help lift that stubborn red dye color. This diluted bleach method is less harsh than full bleaching but still effective:

1. Combine 1 part bleach powder, 2 parts developer (20 volume or lower), and 2 parts shampoo to create a paste

2. Apply to damp hair

3. Leave on for 5-20 minutes (check frequently!)

4. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a deep conditioner

PRO TIP: Use our White Powder Bleach for a colorless formula that allows you to easily monitor your lifting process. The transparent mix helps you see exactly when those red tones start to lift!

Frequently Asked Questions💭

Is red hair dye hard to get out?

Red hair can be a blessing and a curse because it lasts a long time on one hand, but on the other, once you're ready to switch gears, it can be a little stubborn to remove. This is especially true for permanent red dyes, which penetrate the hair shaft and chemically alter the structure, making them significantly more difficult to remove than semi-permanent red dyes that only coat the hair's outer layer and gradually wash out over 4-12 weeks.

Luckily, there are several ways to remove red hair dye such as washing more frequently, using a DIY vitamin C hair mask, or doing a bleach bath. The approach you choose should depend on whether you're dealing with semi-permanent or permanent color, as permanent formulas typically require more intensive removal methods. Please reach out to our color specialists via email at support@arcticfoxusa.com for personalized assistance!

How can I remove red hair color without damaging my hair?

Your gentlest options are frequent washing with warm water and Resurrected shampoo or trying the vitamin C mask method. Both of these approaches gradually fade the color without harsh chemicals. You can also check out our previous blog on the best colors to cover red if you're looking to transition rather than remove it completely!

Can I use bleach to remove red hair dye?

Yes, the bleach bath method mentioned above is effective, but always do a strand test before proceeding with your whole head. 

Remember that bleach will always cause some level of damage, so use with caution, follow all instructions carefully, and never leave it on longer than recommended.

How do I tone out stubborn red tones in my hair?

Use a cool-toned shade like Periwinkle mixed with Arctic Mist Diluter to neutralize leftover red tones. The blue-purple pigments in Periwinkle will help cancel out any lingering warmth.

Ready For Your Next Color Adventure?🎨

Remember, hair color removal is a journey—sometimes it takes multiple sessions to achieve your desired result. Be patient with your locks and give them lots of TLC between treatments!

Ready for inspiration for your next hue? Follow us @arcticfoxhaircolor for endless color combinations, styling tips, and transformation stories that'll have you planning your next hair adventure before this one's even complete!