How to Keep Your Blonde Hair Color From Turning Brassy

So, you've invested in blonde hair. Good for you! Now that you've shelled out a good bit of money for your new hair color, you'll want to protect your investment.

Tips for Keeping Your Blonde Hair From Fading and Brassiness

Here's how to protect your new blonde hair color, keeping it from fading and turning brassy.

Protect Your Hair From the Sun 

The chemicals found in hair dyes leave the hair cuticles susceptible to UV damage, chlorine and hard minerals in the water. This damage can cause that gorgeous new blonde color to fade and turn brassy.

If you plan to be out under the sun, cover hair with a scarf or hat because sunlight causes the color to fade more rapidly. If you choose to use a UV spray, reapply every 20 minutes. You can actually spray facial sunscreen on hair to protect it.

We recommend the following UV sprays formulated for hair:

• Paul Mitchell Color Protect Locking Spray, UV Protection
• L'Oreal EverPure UV Protect Spray

Worried about your hair turning green from swimming in salt or chlorinated water? Rinse your hair thoroughly before diving in. Hair can only absorb so much water so you won't harm hair much if you soak it first.

Ask Your Colorist to Apply a Glaze to Your Hair

A glaze is hair color that's applied after you get highlights or balayage. It is used to reinvigorate the hair tone and add shine, according to Eva Scrivo, a stylist in NYC. A clear glaze applied to hair is like the topcoat on your nails, Scrivo says.

You can get glaze (also known as gloss) added to your hair a few weeks after your hair is colored as well. This will boost your glossiness and fix any brassiness or fading.

Every 3- to 4 weeks, you can apply an at-home glaze to restore the cuticle and boost color and shine. We recommend John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze and L'Oreal Couleur Experte (there are 12 colors to choose from).

Invest in a Clarifying Shampoo (And Use It!)

To prevent dullness and a green tint caused by chlorine and hard minerals in water, shampoo with a clarifying shampoo once a week. Look for the word "clarifying" on the bottle.

We recommend Neutrogena Shampoo Anti-Residue Formula.

Buy a Shampoo Made for Blonde Hair

To prevent brassiness, stylist Louis Licari recommends in Allure Magazine shampooing once a week with a purple-toned shampoo such as Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo or Alterna Caviar Blonde Shampoo.

Apply Heat Protector Before Using a Dryer, Flat Iron or Curling Iron

If you use styling tools, always use a protector on hair before applying the flat iron or curling iron or drying with a blow dryer. Stylist Kim Vo recommends Nexxus Phyto Organics Canopy Thermal Protection.

What to Do If Your Hair Has Turned Brassy Already

If your hair has turned brassy, apply a rich gloss treatment made to reduce brassiness. We've heard very good things about L'Oreal Paris Colorist Secrets Brass Banisher.

Restore Softness to Your Colored Hair

Hair color from a box is much harsher on hair than salon-quality hair color. If your hair feels like straw after it's colored, try an after-sun hair mask to restore softness. Deep conditioning also helps. And next time, skip the box or go to another colorist. Your hair should never feel like straw after it is colored. It should feel soft and wonderful.