How to Remove Yellow Hair Dye: Easy Fading Tips | Arctic Fox
Yellow hair is definitely a moment - bold, sunny, and unapologetically bright! But here's the tea: when you're ready to switch things up, yellow is actually one of the easiest colors to fade and transition from. Whether you're going for a fresh new shade or just ready to tone things down, we've got your back with all the insider tricks to wave goodbye to those yellow tones. Let's dive in!
How to Keep Yellow Hair from Fading
Cold Water Is Your New BFF
@vivisterling in Cosmic Sunshine
Hot water opens up your hair cuticles and lets that gorgeous yellow hair color slip right out. Switch to cold rinses and your color will thank you. Yeah, it's a little shocking at first, but trust us—it's worth it to keep that sunshine shade popping. Cold water seals everything in and leaves your hair shinier too. Win-win.
Sulfate-Free Is the Way to Be
@erikatheblasian in Cosmic Sunshine
Ditch those harsh sulfates and grab color-safe shampoo and conditioner instead. Sulfates strip your hair faster than you can say "brassy," so keep your yellow hair fresh by using gentle, color-protecting products. Your hair will stay softer, healthier, and way more vibrant. It's literally the easiest upgrade you can make to your routine.
Shield That Shade from the Elements
@itslauren.jpg in Cosmic Sunshine
The sun and wind are basically color vampires. Throw on a cute hat, twist your hair into a fun braid or bun, and you're already winning. If you're planning a full day outside, spritz on our OG Hair Perfume—it smells amazing AND doubles as UV protection. Your hair gets to look cute and stay protected. Total no-brainer.
Turn Down the Heat
@__panterra_yoga__ in Cosmic Sunshine mixed with Sunset Orange
We know hot tools are tempting. But they're also fading your color faster than you think. Try to give your hair a break from straighteners and curling irons when you can. If you absolutely need the heat, always use a heat protectant first. Your yellow hair will stay bright and your hair won't get fried. Everybody wins.
DIY Touch-Ups in the Shower
@al.xo.e in Cosmic Sunshine
Here's a game-changer: mix a little bit of your favorite yellow hair dye into your conditioner. When you're in the shower, you're basically giving yourself a mini color boost without any extra effort. It keeps your color fresh between dye sessions and makes your routine even easier. Genius, right?
How to Get Yellow Out of Hair
Turn Up the Heat (On Your Water, That Is!)
Starting shade: Cosmic Sunshine mixed with Arctic Mist Diluter
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective, bestie! Increasing your wash routine with warm water and a clarifying shampoo can work wonders.
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Wash your hair more frequently - we're talking 3-4 times a week instead of your usual routine
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Use warm (not scalding!) water to help open up the hair cuticle and release color molecules
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Switch to a clarifying shampoo that's specifically designed to strip away buildup and stubborn pigments
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Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment because hydration is key to keeping your strands happy and healthy
Pro tip: This method is super gentle and perfect if you're not in a rush. Think of it as the slow and steady wins the race approach!
The Vitamin C Hair Mask Hack
Starting shade: Cosmic Sunshine
This DIY miracle worker is about to become your new BFF! The citric acid in vitamin C tablets helps break down and lift those stubborn yellow pigments without harsh chemicals.
Here's how to do it:
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Grab 5-10 vitamin C tablets (the plain kind, not gummies!) and crush them into a fine powder
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Mix the powder with your regular shampoo until it forms a paste-like consistency
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Apply the mixture to damp hair, making sure to coat every strand evenly
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Pop on a shower cap and let it work its magic for at least 15-30 minutes (or up to an hour if you're feeling ambitious!)
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Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a nourishing conditioner or hair mask
Your hair might feel a bit parched after this treatment, but that's totally normal! Just show it some extra love with a hydrating mask and you're golden - well, less golden, actually!
Take a Splash in Chlorine or Salt Water
Starting shade: Cosmic Sunshine mixed with Frosé
Plot twist: that summer swim session can actually help fade your yellow hair! Both chlorine and salt water are known for their color-stripping properties.
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Pool time: Chlorine is a natural bleaching agent that can help lift yellow tones (though it can also turn blonde hair brassy, so use with caution!)
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Beach vibes: Salt water combined with sun exposure can naturally fade hair color over time
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Make it intentional: Spend extra time in the water and let your hair soak up those color-fading elements
Just remember: both chlorine and salt water can be super drying, so you'll definitely want to deep condition afterward to keep your strands from turning into straw!
Soak Your Hair in an Epsom Salt Bath
Starting shade: Neon Moon
Here's a gentler alternative to the pool or ocean! Epsom salt can help draw out hair color without the harshness of chlorine.
DIY Epsom Salt Rinse:
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Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salt in warm water
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Pour the mixture over your hair and let it saturate every strand
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Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly
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Repeat a few times a week for gradual fading
This method is perfect if you want to fade your yellow tones gradually without shocking your hair system!
Color Theory Magic: Purple Power
Yellow hair toned with Girls Night
Now for the fun part! If you're looking to neutralize yellow hair color and achieve a cooler, ashier blonde look, color theory is about to become your secret weapon. Remember: purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, which means it cancels out those warm brassy tones like actual magic.
Choose your fighter:
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Periwinkle: Perfect for darker yellow tones that lean slightly orange. This pastel blue with purple undertones is your go-to for balancing out warmer yellows.
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Girls Night: The holy grail for transforming bright yellow into dreamy ash blonde or platinum tones. This lilac shade works beautifully on lighter yellow hair.
How to apply:
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Mix a small amount of your chosen Arctic Fox purple dye with conditioner (start with a 1:3 ratio and adjust based on your desired intensity)
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Apply to dry, clean hair
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Leave on for 10-20 minutes, checking frequently to avoid over-toning
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Rinse with cool water until the water runs clear
The best part? Arctic Fox semi-permanent hair dyes are vegan, cruelty-free, and actually condition your hair while they work their color-correcting magic. It's the most gentle and hair-friendly way to neutralize yellow tones!
The Nuclear Option: Bleach Bath (Proceed with Caution!)
Okay, real talk: this method is the most intense way to remove yellow from your hair, and it's not for the faint of heart. A bleach bath involves mixing Arctic Fox's White Bleach Powder with shampoo to create a gentler (but still powerful!) color removal solution.
Before you even THINK about trying this:
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Message Arctic Fox's color experts to get personalized advice for your specific hair situation
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Understand that this method can be damaging if not done correctly
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Make sure you have experience with bleach or have done extensive research
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Have deep conditioning treatments and repair products ready to go
We're serious about that consultation, bestie - your hair's health is way more important than rushing the process! The pros are always here to help you make the best decision for your hair journey.
FAQs About Getting Yellow Out of Hair
How can I fix my yellow hair at home?
Great news - you've got options! Try increasing your wash frequency with warm water and clarifying shampoo, whipping up a vitamin C hair mask, taking a dip in chlorine or salt water, soaking your strands in an Epsom salt bath, or using diluted purple hair dye to color-correct those tones. Start with the gentlest methods first and work your way up if needed!
What cancels out yellow hair color?
Purple! Thanks to color theory, purple sits directly opposite yellow on the color wheel, making it the perfect neutralizer for those brassy, warm tones.
Why is my hair still yellow after using purple shampoo?
This usually happens for a few reasons: Your hair might not have been lightened to a pale enough yellow base to begin with, or your undertones might actually be orange (which needs blue-based products, not purple!). If your hair is pale yellow, you probably didn't leave the purple shampoo on long enough, or the formula wasn't pigmented enough to fully deposit those violet tones. You might need to upgrade to a stronger toner or actual purple dye like Girls Night or Periwinkle for more dramatic results.
How do I lift yellow out of bleached hair?
The easiest and most hair-friendly method is to use a diluted purple hair dye as a toner! Mix Arctic Fox's Periwinkle or Girls Night with conditioner and apply it like a hair mask to neutralize that brassiness. It's gentle, effective, and actually conditions your hair at the same time - a total win-win!
You're Ready to Ditch That Yellow!
Whether you're team gentle-fade or ready to go all-in with color correction, you now have all the tools you need to say goodbye to yellow hair on your own terms. Remember: there's no rush, and your hair's health should always come first. Take your time, experiment with different methods, and don't be afraid to reach out to our color experts if you need guidance!
Want more hair coloring advice, inspo, and behind-the-scenes content? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, X, and Threads @arcticfoxhaircolor - we're serving up tips, tricks, and color transformations daily.
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