Bleached Blonde Hair: How to Repair Damaged and Brassy Hair

Freshly bleached hair is beautiful, youthful and eye-catching, but it can also come with its share of difficulties. Bleach can damage your hair and turn it to the wrong shade. Also, blonde hair is prone to brassiness when in regular contact with heat-styling tools, air pollutants, exposure to the sun and frequent hair washes (copper and calcium in the water can tinge the hair to orange or green).

Here are some tips for preventing blonde hair pitfalls, and correcting them if they occur.

1. Always Do a Strand Test

Rather than applying numerous dyes to correct hair color mistakes—which can turn your hair dry and brittle—it’s better to get your desired shade on the first try. For optimal results try your new shade on a small piece of hair from your under-layer first and wait for 24 hours to see if your hair is the color you expected. Keep in mind that you can’t always rely on the picture given on the box because end-results are determined by previous hair color, the condition of your hair and the color you’re adding.

2. Choose a Hair Dye for Color-treated Hair That Will Nourish Your Hair

Garnier Nutrisse Cream is specially formulated to give your hair a rich, radiant, healthy color look while providing you with a 100 percent grey coverage. These hair products are all enriched with grape-seed oil and the conditioner contains nourishing hair oils such as avocado, olive and shea oil. This unique formula helps maintain your beautiful blonde hair color by protecting them against dryness until the next time you color.

3. Protect Your Hair from the Sun, Pollution and Environment Aggressors

Try to minimize the number of hair washes or purchase a shower filter to strain minerals in your water supply. It is also beneficial to wear a hat or UV protection spray when in the sun, brush your hair frequently to eliminate pollutants and use hair products designed for colored hair, such as Fructis Color Shield range.

4. Take a Break from Your Hair Styling (590) Tools

If you’ve noticed dryness after bleaching, take a break from your blow dryer, straightening iron and curling iron, as they can further damage your hair. You don’t have to forego your tools forever, but take a break for a week or two and be sure to constantly use heat-protecting creams or sprays when you return to them.

5. Hydrate with Hair Oils and Hair Masks

Make deep conditioning hair masks and hair oils -such as argan oil - a part of your weekly routine because damaged hair needs extra nourishment. If you have thin hair or are prone to oiliness, only apply from mid-shaft to ends.

6. Use Purple Conditioner and Clarifying Shampoo

If your hair has started to turn brassy, you can counter the orange or yellow hue with a purple toning gloss or conditioner. Once or twice a week, wash with clarifying shampoo as well, this will help remove some of the minerals that are causing your hair to shift from beautiful to brassy.