How do I stop my balayage from going brassy?

Use a purple shampoo once or twice a week, wash with cooler water and sulfate-free color-safe products, rinse right after swimming, use an occasional clarifying or chelating treatment for hard water, protect your hair from the sun, and book a gloss or toner refresh every 6 to 8 weeks.

How often should I use purple shampoo on balayage?

About one to two times per week is enough for most people. Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones to keep blonde cool, but using it too often can leave a dull or slightly violet cast, so alternate it with your regular color-safe shampoo.

Does balayage get brassy faster in Florida?

It can. Year-round UV, frequent pool and ocean swimming, and mineral-heavy hard water are all things that pull warm tones out of lightened hair, and South Florida has plenty of all three. Rinsing after swimming, using UV protection, and regular toning help counter it.

How to Keep Balayage From Going Brassy

Q: Why does balayage turn brassy?

When hair is lightened, a toner neutralizes the warm pigments underneath. Over time that toner fades and the underlying warmth shows through as brass. Sun exposure, chlorine and salt water, hard water, and hot water all speed up the process.

Brassiness — those warm, orange or yellow tones that creep into lightened hair — is the most common complaint I hear after a balayage. The good news: it's very manageable once you understand why it happens, especially living here in South Florida.

I'm Heather Williams, a Tier 6 stylist at Drew James Aveda Salon in Plantation, FL. Here's how to keep your balayage cool, bright, and salon-fresh for as long as possible.

Why Balayage Turns Brassy

When hair is lightened, the toner your stylist applies neutralizes the warm pigments underneath. Over time that toner fades and the underlying warmth shows through — that's brass. A few things speed it up:

Sun Exposure

UV oxidizes lightened hair and pulls out warm tones fast — a real factor in year-round Florida sunshine.

Pools & Salt Water

Chlorine and minerals deposit on the hair and can turn blonde brassy — or even slightly green.

Hard Water

Mineral-heavy tap water leaves buildup that dulls tone and adds warmth over time.

Hot Water & Heat

Hot showers and high-heat styling open the cuticle and let toner rinse away faster.

How to Stop It

Use a purple shampoo 1–2x a week. The violet pigment counteracts yellow and keeps blonde cool. Don't overdo it — too much can leave a dull cast.
Wash with cooler water and sulfate-free, color-safe products (Aveda's Color Conserve and Blue Malva are favorites of mine).
Rinse after the pool or beach as soon as you can, and wet your hair with clean water before swimming so it absorbs less chlorine.
Add a clarifying or chelating treatment occasionally if you're on hard water or swim often, to remove mineral buildup.
Shield it from the sun — a UV-protectant spray or a hat on beach days really does help.
Book a gloss or toner refresh every 6–8 weeks to reset your shade between full appointments.

Already brassy?

Purple shampoo helps maintain cool tone, but it can't fix significant brass on its own. A quick in-salon gloss or toner is the fastest, healthiest way to bring your color back to cool — no re-lightening required.

Ready to cool it back down?

Book a gloss or toner refresh with me at Drew James in Plantation and I'll get your balayage bright and cool again.

Book a Refresh Balayage Details

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About the Author

Heather Williams is a Tier 6 stylist at Drew James Aveda Salon in Plantation, FL, specializing in balayage and highlights since 2018.

Meet Heather

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Book Online (954) 473-1122

Location

Drew James Aveda Salon
234 S. University Drive
Plantation, FL 33324

How to Keep Your Balayage From Going Brassy