AF Blog — haircare

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!