How to Remove Red Tones From Brown Hair
Have you noticed unwanted red, copper or orange tones appearing in your brown hair? Whether your brunette colour is fading or your natural undertones are becoming more noticeable, unwanted warmth can make your hair look different from the rich, cool brown shade you originally wanted.
The good news is that there are ways to remove red tones from brown hair and maintain a cooler brunette colour. The right approach depends on your hair colour, the type of warmth you're seeing and whether your hair is naturally brown or colour-treated.
From green-pigment shampoos to colour-depositing conditioners, discover how to manage unwanted red tones at home and when to visit a professional colourist for more targeted results.
Choose the right toning shampoo
Protect your colour with heat protection
Can Brown Hair Turn Brassy?
Yes, brown hair can become brassy over time. Although brassiness is often associated with blonde hair, brunettes can experience unwanted warmth too.
Brown hair contains underlying warm pigments that can become more visible as hair colour fades. Depending on your starting shade, this warmth may appear red, coppery or orange.
Dark brunettes may notice red undertones, while lighter brown hair or brunette hair with highlights may develop more noticeable orange or golden tones.
Understanding which tones you're trying to correct is important when choosing the right products to remove red tones from brown hair.
What Causes Red Tones in Brown Hair?
There are several reasons why red tones can become more noticeable in brown hair.
- 🧬 Natural underlying pigments: Brown hair contains underlying warm pigments. These can become more visible when hair is lightened or when cooler colour pigments fade.
- 💧 Fading hair colour: If you colour your hair brunette, cooler pigments may gradually fade with washing and leave warmer undertones behind.
- 🔥 Heat styling: Frequent use of straighteners, curling irons and hot styling tools can contribute to colour fading, making unwanted warmth more noticeable.
- ☀️ Sun exposure: UV exposure can fade coloured hair and gradually change its appearance, revealing warmer tones.
- 💦 Mineral and product buildup: Deposits from hard water and styling products can leave hair looking dull, which may make existing warmth appear more pronounced.
The key is identifying whether your hair needs colour correction, a colour-refreshing treatment or simply a better colour-care routine.
What Colour Neutralises Red Tones in Brown Hair?
The colour wheel is a useful guide when choosing products to help neutralise unwanted warmth.
Green neutralises red: Green pigments are commonly used in products designed to reduce unwanted red reflections in darker brown hair.
Blue neutralises orange: Blue pigments are generally better suited to orange tones, which can appear in lighter brunettes or highlighted brown hair.
Purple neutralises yellow: Purple shampoo is primarily designed to counteract yellow tones, making it more suitable for blonde hair and lighter highlights.
Choosing the right pigment is essential. Purple shampoo won't necessarily remove red tones from brown hair, so look for products specifically designed for brunette hair if red is your main concern.
How to Remove Red Tones From Brown Hair at Home
If you're looking to remove red tones from brown hair without immediately booking a salon appointment, there are a few options worth considering.
One.
Try a Green-Pigment Shampoo
A green-pigment shampoo is one option for brunettes dealing with unwanted red reflections. These products deposit colour pigments onto the hair to help balance warmth and maintain a cooler-looking brunette shade.
Fanola No Red Shampoo 350ml is specifically formulated for dark natural and colour-treated hair. Its green pigments help neutralise unwanted red reflections, leaving brown hair with a cooler-looking finish.
To use it, apply the shampoo to wet hair, massage it through and leave it on for 1–5 minutes according to the product instructions. Emulsify and rinse thoroughly.
Start with the shorter development time and assess the result before using it for longer. Pigment-depositing shampoos can produce different results depending on your starting colour and hair condition.
Shop here: Fanola No Red Shampoo 350ml
Two.
Follow With a Colour-Correcting Mask
If you're using a pigmented shampoo to remove red tones from brown hair, a complementary mask can help maintain a cooler-looking result while conditioning your lengths.
Fanola No Red Mask 350ml contains green pigments designed to help neutralise unwanted red reflections in darker hair. It also helps moisturise the hair, leaving it feeling softer and looking shinier.
After shampooing, apply the mask to towel-dried lengths and ends while wearing disposable gloves. Leave it on for 3–5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly, following the product instructions.
Using the shampoo and mask together provides a targeted option for managing unwanted red tones while keeping your brunette hair looking glossy.
Shop here: Fanola No Red Mask 350ml
Three.
Refresh Your Brunette With a Colour-Depositing Treatment
Evo Fabuloso Cool Brown Colour Boosting Treatment 220ml refreshes and tones light to dark brown hair with cool undertones, depositing colour while conditioning the hair.
Apply to clean, towel-dried hair, distribute evenly and leave for three minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Wear gloves to help prevent staining.
It's ideal for refreshing faded brunette colour between salon visits, although stubborn red tones may require professional colour correction.
Shop here: Evo Fabuloso Cool Brown Colour Boosting Treatment 220ml
Four.
Use Keracolor Color + Clenditioner to Refresh Your Colour
Colour-depositing conditioners can help maintain your brunette shade between colour appointments by adding pigment while conditioning your hair.
Keracolor Color + Clenditioner is a cleansing conditioner available in a range of shades, including Onyx and Mocha. The best shade depends on your starting colour and the result you want to achieve.
For brunettes looking to deepen their colour, a darker shade may help refresh the overall appearance. However, Onyx and Mocha are colour-refreshing options rather than dedicated green-pigment treatments, so they shouldn't be relied on to neutralise stubborn red tones specifically.
Always check the shade's suitability for your hair colour and follow the product directions to help achieve an even result.
Explore the range here: Keracolor Color + Clenditioner
Five.
Try Malibu C to Remove Mineral Buildup
If your brown hair looks dull, discoloured or brassy, mineral buildup from hard water could be contributing to the problem. Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Hair Treatment is designed to remove hard-water deposits and impurities that can affect your hair's appearance, helping restore softness and shine.
Use it according to the product instructions, then shampoo and condition as directed. While removing mineral deposits may improve the appearance of discoloured hair, this treatment won't directly neutralise red pigments in your brunette colour.
If the issue is mainly styling-product residue, a clarifying shampoo designed for that type of buildup may be more suitable.
Shop here: Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Hair Treatment
Six.
Neutralise Unwanted Warmth With Matrix Brass Off
Matrix Brass Off is designed to neutralise unwanted brassy, orange tones in brunette hair, making it a better option for orange warmth than red tones. Its blue-violet pigments help keep hair looking cooler between salon visits.
If your brown hair has more orange than red undertones, Matrix Brass Off can help refresh your colour and maintain a cooler finish.
Shop here: Matrix Brass Off range
How to Prevent Red Tones From Returning
- 🧴 Use colour-safe shampoo and conditioner. Choose products formulated for colour-treated hair to help maintain your brunette shade and minimise unnecessary fading.
- 🔥 Reduce excessive heat styling. Use a heat protectant before styling and avoid unnecessarily high temperatures. Try a heat protectant spray, such as Evo Icon Welder, to help protect your hair during heat styling.
- ☀️ Protect your hair from the sun. Extended UV exposure can contribute to colour fading, so consider protective hair products and accessories when spending time outdoors.
- 💦 Avoid washing more often than necessary. Frequent washing can gradually fade salon colour. Choose a routine that suits your scalp and hair type.
- 🤎 Refresh your brunette shade when needed. A colour-depositing treatment can help maintain depth and shine between salon appointments, while a pigmented shampoo may be useful when the product matches the undertone you're trying to correct.
Key takeaways:
💚 Green pigments help neutralise red tones in brown hair, while blue pigments target orange tones and purple pigments target yellow tones.
🧴 Choose the right toning shampoo. Green-pigment shampoos, such as Fanola No Red, can help reduce unwanted red tones in brunette hair.
🤎 Refresh faded brunette colour. Colour-depositing treatments can restore depth and enhance cool tones between salon visits.
✨ Clarify mineral buildup. Hard water and product buildup can affect how your hair looks, so a suitable clarifying treatment may help.
☀️ Maintain your colour. Use colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, limit excessive heat styling, and protect your hair from UV exposure to help minimise fading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shampoo to remove red tones from brown hair?
A green-pigment shampoo is a good option to consider when your brown hair has unwanted red reflections. Fanola No Red Shampoo is specifically formulated for darker hair and uses green pigments to help neutralise red tones. Results vary depending on your starting colour and hair condition.
Can I remove red tones from brown hair without bleach?
Yes. Bleach is not automatically necessary to correct unwanted red warmth. Pigmented shampoos, colour-depositing treatments and professional toners may help, depending on the cause and intensity of the red tones.
Does green shampoo work on brown hair?
Green-pigment shampoos are designed to help neutralise red reflections in brown hair. They can be particularly useful for darker brunette shades, but results depend on the product, your starting colour and how much warmth is present.
Why does my brown hair look red in sunlight?
Brown hair contains underlying warm pigments that can become more noticeable in bright sunlight. Colour fading and changes to your hair's surface can also affect how warm your shade appears.
Will purple shampoo remove red tones from brown hair?
Purple shampoo primarily neutralises yellow tones rather than red. If your hair looks red, a green-pigment product may be more suitable. If it looks orange, a blue-pigment product may be worth considering.
How often should I use a colour-depositing shampoo or treatment?
Follow the product instructions and begin conservatively, especially if your hair is porous, lightened or unevenly coloured. Using pigmented products too frequently can lead to unwanted colour buildup or uneven results.
Keep Your Brunette Looking Its Best With Hair Plus
Unwanted warmth doesn't have to mean starting your colour routine from scratch. With the right products, you can help manage red tones, refresh faded brunette colour and maintain a glossy finish between salon visits.
Whether you need a green-pigment shampoo, a complementary toning mask or a colour-depositing conditioner, choosing products suited to your particular shade is the first step towards a cooler-looking brunette.
Shop the Hair Plus colour-care range to find the right products for your hair and keep your brunette looking rich, shiny and refreshed.
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