By If your hair has ever turned orange after bleaching or coloring, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common coloring mishaps — and one of the most frustrating. Luckily, the right hair dye for orange hair can help neutralize those brassy tones and transform your color into a beautiful blonde, brown, or cool ash shade.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the causes of orange tones, the best dyes and toners to fix them, and the exact steps to get salon-quality results at home. Whether you’re dealing with coppery highlights or full-on orange streaks, this article has you covered.
Why Does Hair Turn Orange?
Before fixing the problem, it’s important to understand why hair turns orange.
When you bleach or lighten dark hair, the underlying warm pigments — red and orange — become visible. If the bleach doesn’t lift enough pigment, or if the toner fades, these warm tones are left behind.
Other causes include:
- Using hard water or chlorine-rich water
- Fading color due to sun exposure or frequent washing
- Incorrect color choice during dyeing
Understanding this helps you choose the best hair dye for orange hair that cancels out unwanted warmth instead of enhancing it.
Understanding the Color Wheel: The Secret to Fixing Orange Hair
Color correction is all about balance. The color wheel is your best friend when dealing with orange tones.
- Blue neutralizes orange
- Purple cancels yellow
So, to fix orange hair, you need blue-based hair dye or toner. If your hair is more copper than carrot-orange, a blue-violet toner can do wonders. Knowing this simple rule will help you choose the perfect hair dye for orange hair every time.
Choosing the Best Hair Dye for Orange Hair
When selecting a hair dye for orange hair, it’s important to consider both your desired outcome and your current color level. Here are some options:
To Go Darker:
If you’re tired of bleaching, you can cover orange tones with a darker shade.
- Medium ash brown or dark ash blonde works best because ash tones are cool and neutralize warmth.
- Look for dyes labeled “cool,” “ash,” or “neutral.”
To Stay Blonde:
Use a blue-based toner or ashy blonde dye (level 8 or 9). This helps lift and tone the hair to a soft beige or platinum blonde.
To Go Bold:
If you love experimenting, use vibrant semi-permanent dyes like blue, teal, or purple to transform orange hues into trendy fashion colors.
Some of the best brands for orange hair correction include:
- Wella Color Charm Toner (T14 or T18)
- L’Oréal Paris Excellence Ash Series
- Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Ash Line
- Clairol Nice’n Easy Cool Browns
Preparing Your Hair Before Dyeing
Preparation is key to achieving even, long-lasting color.
Step 1: Assess the Damage
If your hair feels dry or brittle, use a deep-conditioning treatment for a few days before applying any dye.
Step 2: Clarify
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup and minerals from hard water.
Step 3: Perform a Strand Test
Always test the dye on a small section to ensure you get the desired result and to check for any allergic reactions.
Healthy, prepped hair absorbs color more evenly, giving you salon-quality results at home.
How to Use Hair Dye for Orange Hair: Step-by-Step
Once you’ve chosen your ideal hair dye for orange hair, follow these steps for the best outcome:
- Mix the Dye – Follow the instructions on the box or bottle. Use gloves and a non-metal bowl.
- Apply to Dry Hair – Section your hair and apply evenly from roots to ends.
- Wait – Leave the dye on for 25–45 minutes depending on your color goal.
- Rinse Thoroughly – Use cool or lukewarm water to seal the cuticle.
- Condition – Follow up with the included conditioner or a sulfate-free option.
Avoid shampooing for 48 hours to let the color set.
Using Toner After Dyeing
If your hair still looks slightly brassy, toning is the final touch.
How Toners Work:
Toners are semi-permanent color treatments designed to neutralize unwanted hues. For orange tones, choose blue-based toners such as:
- Wella T14 (Pale Ash Blonde)
- Wella T10 (Ivory Blonde)
- Matrix Total Results Brass Off
Apply the toner to towel-dried hair, leave it for 10–15 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. The result? A cool, balanced, salon-worthy shade.
Maintaining Your New Color
Once you’ve fixed your orange tones, maintaining the color is crucial.
Tips for Long-Lasting Results:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to avoid stripping the color.
- Incorporate a blue shampoo once or twice a week to keep brassiness away.
- Avoid hot showers and UV exposure, both of which fade color faster.
- Regularly deep condition to keep your hair hydrated and glossy.
Brands like Fanola, Redken, and Joico offer excellent blue shampoos specifically designed for maintaining cool tones.
Natural Remedies for Orange Hair
If you prefer a more natural route, there are DIY options to tone down brassiness without chemicals.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. Use it as a final rinse after shampooing to restore shine and balance pH.
Blueberry or Indigo Hair Mask
Mash a handful of blueberries and mix with conditioner — the natural blue pigment can help neutralize orange hues.
Tea Rinse
Brew a strong black tea and rinse your hair with it to slightly darken orange tones.
While these remedies aren’t as strong as commercial dyes, they can help prolong your color between dye sessions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Hair Dye for Orange Hair
Many people make small mistakes that lead to uneven color or worsen brassiness.
Avoid these pitfalls:
- Skipping toner: Always follow up with toner after bleaching or dyeing.
- Using warm-toned dyes: Avoid golden, copper, or mahogany tones when correcting orange.
- Overprocessing: Too much bleach or dye can lead to breakage.
- Not testing color first: Always do a strand test to preview your results.
By avoiding these, you’ll ensure your chosen hair dye for orange hair delivers smooth, even, and lasting results.
Professional vs. At-Home Hair Dyeing
Should you go to a salon or do it yourself? It depends on your comfort level and hair condition.
DIY Hair Dye for Orange Hair
- Pros: Affordable, convenient, customizable.
- Cons: Risk of uneven results if not applied properly.
Professional Hair Color Correction
- Pros: Expert application, custom formulas, less damage.
- Cons: More expensive, requires appointments.
If your hair is severely damaged or unevenly bleached, it’s worth visiting a colorist for a professional fix. Otherwise, the right at-home dye can give you beautiful results.
Conclusion
Orange tones can be a nightmare, but they’re completely fixable with the right products and techniques. The key is choosing a blue-based hair dye for orange hair that neutralizes unwanted warmth while enhancing your desired tone.
Whether you opt for an ash blonde, cool brown, or even a bold fantasy color, following this guide will help you restore balance and shine to your locks. Remember to maintain your color with blue shampoos, toners, and proper hair care — and you’ll never have to worry about brassy shades again.
FAQs
1. What color cancels orange hair?
Blue-based dyes and toners neutralize orange tones. Shades like ash brown or blue-violet toners work best for color correction.
2. Can I use purple shampoo on orange hair?
Purple shampoo is more effective for yellow tones. For orange hair, use blue shampoo instead for better results.
3. What is the best hair dye for orange hair if I want to go blonde?
Choose an ashy or cool blonde dye with blue undertones, such as level 8 or 9 blonde shades from Wella or L’Oréal.
4. How soon can I dye my hair again after it turns orange?
Wait at least one week and use conditioning treatments before re-dyeing to minimize damage.
5. Can I fix orange hair without dyeing it again?
Yes, you can use toners, blue shampoo, or color-depositing conditioners to neutralize orange tones without re-dyeing.
Also read: Best Eyebrow Colors for Redheads: Match Your Shade Perfectly
