If your hair turned orange after you dyed it brown, the dye did not fully cover the warm tones underneath. This is common on dark hair and on hair that was lightened before.
You can fix it at home, or you can go to a salon. The goal is simple, neutralize the orange with cool tones to even out the color.
Key Highlights
- Orange tones need blue based products to look more neutral.
- Fast home fixes are an ash brown dye, a blue based toner, or blue shampoo.
- Purple shampoo is for yellow blondes. It will not fix strong orange.
- If hair feels stretchy or snaps easily, a colorist is the safer choice.
Why Did Your Hair Turn Orange?
Many women end up with orange hair after trying to lighten their hair with bleach. Brown hair can also show orange tones from sun exposure or from iron in the water.
There are a couple of reasons you might have ended up with orange hair:
- Not using enough bleach to lighten dark hair
- Not using bleach at all to lighten your hair first
- Spending too much time in the sun without a hat or shade to protect your head
- There is a high amount of iron in the water you use to wash your naturally brown hair
If hard water (iron) caused the orange, use a chelating or clarifying shampoo once before toning to remove the mineral buildup.
To get rid of orange tones, your goal is to neutralize the warmth. You can do that with cool or ash shades or with a blue-based toner.
Safety Notes
- Do not buy “powder toner.” A powder mixed with developer is usually a lightener, not a toner. On already processed hair, this can cause a chemical burn.
- Always do the skin test and follow the timing on the box. Hair dye can trigger an allergic reaction.
- If your scalp is burning, blistering, or swelling, rinse with cool water and get urgent medical help. Use general burn first aid guidance from Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America.
- For product safety and labeling basics, review the FDA hair dye safety Q&A.
How to Fix Your Orange Hair
Start with the gentlest option. If the orange is mild, try blue shampoo. If it is strong, use an ash brown dye or a blue-based toner.
Dye It Again
One of the quickest ways to fix orange hair is to dye it again. Instead of going much darker, focus on the tone. Choose an ash brown or cool brown shade. “Ash” shades have blue or green undertones that help cancel orange.
Use a demi-permanent gloss or dye. Since your hair is already lightened (orange), you don’t need the ‘lift’ of a permanent ammonia dye. A demi-permanent dye deposits color gently, saving you from breakage.
Pick an ash brown that matches your current depth, or go just one level deeper if your hair is very porous. Follow the box directions, and do not extend the processing time.
Caution: Check Your Hair Porosity First
If your hair is very light, dry, or damaged, it may be porous. This means it can soak up color fast, like a sponge.
The green risk
A strong ash dye on porous hair can look muddy, or slightly green.
The dark risk
Porous hair absorbs color quickly, so it may turn out much darker than the box shows.
The fix
Always do a strand test first. If the strand turns green, or too dark, choose a “Natural” brown instead of an ash shade.
Anti-Brass Treatment
An anti-brass treatment is available in stores (often about $10). It is a quick at-home method that can soften orange tones between color appointments.
Work the product into clean, dry hair. Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse. Use it 2 to 3 times a week until the tone looks better.
Touch-Up Patches
If your hair only turned orange in certain areas, do a touch up on those spots only. Use an ash or cool brown, and match the depth of the rest of your hair as closely as you can.
Blue or Purple Shampoos
If you look at a color wheel, blue sits opposite orange. That is why blue shampoo can help reduce orange brassiness.
Purple shampoo is made for yellow tones in lighter blonde hair. It is usually not strong enough for dark orange. For orange hair, use a blue shampoo a couple of times a week, then condition well. If you want to compare the two, see purple shampoo vs. blue shampoo.
Toner
Use a demi-permanent liquid or cream toner, not a powder. To cancel orange tones, look for a blue-based toner. These are often labeled “ash” or “cool.”
Mix the toner with a low volume developer (often 10 volume) exactly as the product directions say. Apply evenly, then rinse when the recommended time is up. Many toners process in about 20 to 30 minutes.
After toning, use a gentle shampoo and a conditioner. If you still see warmth, use a blue shampoo between washes.
If you have doubts, see a professional colorist. Orange correction can be tricky, especially on previously bleached hair.
FAQs
You can, but only if you are trying to go lighter. If you want brown hair, avoid bleaching again. Use an ash brown dye or a blue based toner instead.
It can help if your hair is already light, and the orange is closer to yellow orange. If your hair is darker and very orange, an ash brown or a blue based toner is usually a better match.
Use a blue shampoo once or twice a week to keep brassiness down. Blue shampoo can feel drying, so follow with a conditioner, and do not overuse it.
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