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5 DIY Toners for Brassy Hair: How to Make a Hair Toner at Home (2024)

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homemade toner for brassy hairSay goodbye to brassy hair with these 5 DIY toners you can make at home with common kitchen ingredients.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar
  2. Green Tea
  3. Honey
  4. Chamomile Tea
  5. Yogurt

Key Takeaways

  • Mix 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons water.
  • Apply to hair and let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with lukewarm or cool water.
  • Repeat as needed.

What is Brassy Hair?

What is Brassy Hair
Brassy hair is unwanted warm tones that emerge in the aftermath of processing your hair. It can be caused by lightening your hair, and it can make your hair look dull and lifeless.

There are a few different ways to get rid of brassy hair, including using a toner, a purple shampoo, or a hair mask. You can also try using a natural remedy, such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

Why Does Your Hair Look Brassy?

Why Does Your Hair Look Brassy
When your hair is lightened by salon-quality products, your hope is that the products will lift the pigment entirely from your hair. Unfortunately, sometimes the existing pigment gets left behind after that first session, resulting in brassy tones like yellow, orange or red.

This can happen when you lighten dark hair significantly or when you try to elevate already blonde tresses further. The presence of these warm hues where they aren’t wanted can be frustrating and affect how you feel about your overall look.

Understanding why this happens can help guide you in preventing brassiness and achieving the vibrant color you desire.

How to Prevent Brassiness From Affecting Your Look?

How to Prevent Brassiness From Affecting Your Look
To prevent brassiness from affecting your look, it’s important to take proactive steps in maintaining the health and vibrancy of your hair.

  • Avoid heat styling: Excessive heat can strip away moisture from your hair, making it more prone to brassiness. Minimize the use of curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers.
  • Use a hair mask: Treat your tresses with a nourishing homemade or store-bought hair mask once or twice a week. This will help replenish moisture and strengthen your strands.
  • Deep condition regularly: Conditioning is essential for keeping brassy tones at bay. Look for deep conditioning treatments specifically formulated for color-treated or highlighted hair.

By following these preventive measures, you can maintain the color integrity of your locks and avoid unwanted brassy hues.

Apple Cider Vinegar Wash

Apple Cider Vinegar Wash

After preventing brassiness from affecting your look, you can use an apple cider vinegar wash to neutralize the yellow tones in your hair.

Step

  • Mix 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp water.
  • Apply to hair and let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with lukewarm or cool water.

The smell of apple cider vinegar can be strong, so you may want to rinse your hair with a light conditioner after using this toner. You can also use apple cider vinegar as a weekly treatment to help keep your hair looking its best.

Chamomile Tea Wash

Chamomile Tea Wash
After using apple cider vinegar, you can try a chamomile tea wash to further neutralize brassy tones.

Chamomile tea is a natural hair lightener and toner that can help to remove yellow and orange hues.

To make a chamomile tea wash, steep 2 bags of chamomile tea in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Allow the tea to cool completely, then strain out the tea bags.

Apply the tea to your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water.

You can use this treatment once or twice a week to maintain your desired hair color.

Hibiscus Tea Spray

Hibiscus Tea Spray
In addition to chamomile tea, you can also use hibiscus tea to combat brassy tones in your hair.

To make a hibiscus tea spray, steep 2 tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes.

Strain the tea and let it cool.

Once the tea is cool, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey.

Shake the mixture well and then apply it to your hair.

Leave the spray in your hair for 30 minutes and then rinse it out.

You can use this spray once a week to keep your hair looking its best.

DIY Purple Toner

DIY Purple Toner
If you have tried all of the natural remedies and your brassy hair is still a problem, you may want to try a DIY purple toner.

  1. Mix 1 part conditioner with 1 part semi-permanent purple hair dye.
  2. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it on for 15-30 minutes.
  3. Rinse the mixture out thoroughly and shampoo your hair.
  4. Condition your hair as usual.

Your hair should now be a more neutral shade of blonde. If you want to achieve a deeper purple hue, you can leave the mixture on for longer. However, be careful not to leave it on for too long, as this could damage your hair.

DIY purple toner is a great way to neutralize brassy tones in your hair. It’s easy to make and use, and it’s a natural way to achieve your desired hair color.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take for a homemade toner to work?

You can expect to see results from a homemade toner within 10 minutes of application. However, for best results, leave the toner on your hair for at least 30 minutes.

How often can I use a homemade toner?

You can use a homemade toner as often as needed, but it’s important to not overuse it as this can damage your hair.

Toners should only be used on dry, clean hair and should be rinsed out thoroughly after application.

Can I use a homemade toner on colored hair?

Yes, you can use a homemade toner on colored hair.

Just be sure to test it on a small section of hair first to make sure it doesn’t damage your hair.

What are the side effects of using a homemade toner?

Using a homemade toner for brassy hair can have side effects.

These may include:

  • Drying out your hair
  • Causing color fading or unevenness
  • Potential damage if not used properly

It’s important to do a patch test and follow instructions carefully.

What is the best homemade toner for brassy hair?

The best homemade toner for brassy hair is a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.

Apply to hair and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm or cool water.

Conclusion

With these 5 DIY toners, you can easily banish brassy hair and achieve your desired hair color at home.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar
  2. Green Tea
  3. Chamomile Tea
  4. Honey
  5. Lemon Juice
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Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and beard care expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of men make their beards look better and get fatter. His work has been mentioned in countless notable publications on men's care and style and has been cited in Seeker, Wikihow, GQ, TED, and Buzzfeed.