Blonde hair has a tendency to lean brassy as time goes by. This is due to minerals in your water (which show up better on lighter strands) and, if dyed, a result of the toner wearing off. The solution? Re-up on the toner. Mesquit says, "The violet pigments in this Wella shampoo neutralize any yellow tones to keep the color looking fresh. I like this product especially because the pigment is not too strong, so it won't turn your hair purple or over-tone it like many others will."
In addition — or as an alternative — to washing your hair with a toning shampoo, try a spray-on toner. "I love this blowout spray because it adds cool tones while eliminating warm tones. Ice is for crystal clear, anti-yellow neutralization and the Steel Blue is used for a cool, anti-orange neutralization," says editorial hair stylist Kendall Dorsey. "It's easy to use and perfect for giving your blonde a boost or instant color change! You're able to experiment with color without the commitment as it comes out in three washes."
"For grey coverage clients who love their blonde, I love using the Color Protection Hair Bath by Oway," says John Blue, master hair colorist and owner of Chicago Salon Boss Hair Group. "It gently cleanses highlighted or colored hair while guarding color from fading with a powerful antioxidant blend of biodynamic red vine, organic goji berries, and fair trade kakadu plum." These ingredients come together to help prolong hair color, health and radiance, and by protecting against UV fading and damage.
Blue says that no client of his walks away without a customized hair color conditioner by Fabuloso Pro. "This pure-pigmented take home conditioner not only leaves the hair with incredible shine and vibrancy, but also deposits color that I can customize to match any in-salon color formula," he says. "It's a little 'colorist' in a bottle for easy, at-home maintenance to keep your blondes bright, golden, or cool and icy." While Blue customizes his colors for clients, you can purchase premade products online yourself.
In case you haven't noticed... neutralizing brass is really important for blondies. Our last neutralizing recommendation comes from Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. "If you want to remove the brassiness in minutes at a great price point, give Kristin Ess products a try; it works extremely well on both colored or natural blonde hair," she says. "I like that it has the ability to restores the hair's shine and that it's gentle enough to use on a daily basis."
