Why does hair turn yellow and what can you do about it? When do you need a purple shampoo and what does it actually do? In this article, we answer all questions about purple shampoo and how you can remove yellow tones without damaging your hair.
Table of Contents
- Why does your hair turn yellow?
- What can you do to prevent yellow hair?
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How do you get rid of yellow tones in hair?
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Silver shampoo and conditioner
* Which Organic Purple Shampoo Is Best?
* How Does an Organic Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Work?
* What Should I Consider When Using an Organic Purple Shampoo? - Go to a skilled hairdresser
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Care for Your Hair with the Right Products
* Intensively Treat the Hair
* Moisturize the Hair
* Hair Oils
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Silver shampoo and conditioner
Why does your hair turn yellow?
To avoid unwanted yellow tones, we first need to clarify why the hair turns yellow. Remember that yellow tones can also affect those with untreated natural blonde hair.
Lightened Hair
The most common cause of yellow hair is when the hair is bleached. When you bleach hair, the melanin (dark brown to black pigment) oxidizes, which lightens the hair. Since all hair has more or less underlying warm tones, these become more prominent after bleaching. In blonde hair, yellow tones are emphasized (in brown or black hair, orange and red tones are emphasized) when the bleaching has not succeeded in removing all the hair's pigments.
Bleached Hair
At the hairdresser, a cool blonde shade can be applied after bleaching to counteract or remove any yellow tones. The hair then gets a natural blonde appearance. After a few weeks, the salon blonde shade can slowly fade and yellow tones take over. This is completely natural. Let us explain.
Blue is what gives hair cool tones. The blue pigments are very small and are the first to disappear with hair washing and wear. What remains are the warm tones, which in bleached and lightened hair are yellow.
Sun and Bathing
Unfortunately, sun and swimming can quickly bring out yellow tones in blonde hair. Strong UV rays, salty seawater, and chlorinated pool water damage and dry out your hair more than you think. When the hair is dry, your hair color has a harder time taking hold and staying. Also, the sun bleaches the hair color. The end result is damaged and yellow hair.
Warm and mineral-rich water
Do you shower with soft or hard water? Is it water from your own well or shared municipal water? Hard water and well water usually contain the most minerals. Minerals can make blonde hair turn yellow. Showering with warm water also damages the hair more and highlights yellow tones in bleached hair.
What can you do to prevent yellow hair?
Don’t worry, there are a few tricks that can help you avoid yellow tones.
Cool blonde color or toner
Don’t even think about bleaching your hair further to remove yellow tones. Your hair will definitely be damaged and could, in the worst case, fall out in chunks. Go to a skilled hairdresser who can choose a cool blonde hair color to neutralize the yellow tones. If your hair is already damaged, you can instead choose a toner that is less damaging to the hair.
Protect your hair from sun, heat, and bath water
Tie up, braid your hair, or protect it with a hat when the sun is strongest. Also, let your hot hairdryer and other styling tools rest on the shelf. A good trick is to wet your hair thoroughly with clean water before swimming in the sea or pool. The hair becomes saturated with clean water and is then less likely to absorb the bath water. Then wash your hair immediately after swimming with mild shampoo and nourishing conditioner.
Shower smart
If you use hard water or well water at home, you can tie your hair up and shower first before washing it. This way, you reduce the exposure time of your hair to the water. Also, the first (warm) water from the pipes usually contains the most minerals. Preferably wash your hair with cold water. Maybe you can wash your hair at the gym or work instead if the shower water is better there. Installing a shower filter can be an option if the water causes many problems.
Care for your hair before it becomes dry and damaged
Be proactive and care for your hair regularly. It’s wise to use products like hair masks, moisture sprays, nourishing styling products, and gentle shampoos. Always be quick to trim split ends.
How do you get rid of yellow tones in hair?
What can you do if you still get yellow hair? Here we share tips on various products that can counteract or remove yellow tones.
Silver shampoo and conditioner
Using silver shampoo is the perfect choice if you want to tackle yellow hair on your own at home. We at Glimja of course recommend a natural and organic silver shampoo.
Which organic silver shampoo is best?
Let's get straight to the point. We recommend Bruns no. 24 Blonde Beauty, which gently and effectively reduces yellow tones in the hair and gives it a neutral or cool shade.
How does an organic silver shampoo and conditioner work?
Bruns Shampoo no. 24, also called organic silver shampoo, is designed to neutralize warm and yellow tones in:
- blonded or naturally blonde hair
- bleached hair
- silvery or gray hair
- white and light hair
The result is instead a cooler shade. Some organic silver shampoos use clays to counteract yellow tones. Bruns Products instead use the plant dye Campeche Logwood (also called bloodwood) in their products, which visibly gives beautiful and cool hues.
Even brunettes can get a cooler shade with this shampoo. On black hair, there is no color difference, but you get stronger, more manageable, and fuller hair.
Always finish with their Conditioner no. 24, which adds shine, balances oily scalp, and provides moisture without irritating the scalp or weighing down the hair. Note that the plant dye Campeche Logwood is found in both the shampoo and conditioner. However, it is the shampoo that has the greatest effect in gradually reducing yellow tones.
What do I need to consider when using an organic silver shampoo?
Unlike conventional silver shampoos, Bruns Shampoo (and Conditioner) no. 24:
- can be used every day if you wish, without damaging hair quality. Remember that water itself dries out the hair. Avoid washing it unnecessarily often.
- processing time can be extended for better effect, without risking over-treatment or overdosing where the hair gets purple, blue, or green hues (which must be bleached out).
- can be used even if you already have damaged and dry hair. The products do not discolor the hair or make it dull. On the contrary, the hair gains more shine, strength, and a "more hair feel."
Go to a skilled hairdresser
If you need help, you can instead go to a skilled hairdresser who can remove the yellow tones for you. Try to find an eco-hairdresser who uses gentle methods and hair products. If your hair is already in poor condition, it is especially important to ask the hairdresser for the gentlest treatments and products possible. If they want to color your worn hair, ask instead for a hair toner. If the hair is already toned from before, it’s just a matter of maintaining the color and it’s time to tone the hair again.
Care for Your Hair with the Right Products
As we mentioned earlier, your (blonde) hair color (especially the blue pigments) adheres worse to fragile and dry hair. Therefore, it is extra important to keep hair hydrated, soft, and healthy to counteract yellow tones.
Intensively Treat Your Hair
Have you avoided nourishing hair masks out of fear of greasy and flat hair? Then we have good news! Try Bruns’ fantastic hair mask. This hair mask is a nutrition and moisture bomb for hair and perfect for damaged hair. The product makes hair airy with a beautiful fall. Use the hair mask regularly to give your hair protection and softness.
Moisture Boost Your Hair
Between hair masks and washes, hair can feel dry, brittle, or frizzy. Then it can be a good idea to give your hair extra moisture. Spray directly on dry or damp hair for an extra moisture boost. Note that these sprays are leave-in products and should not be rinsed out.
Bruns Conditioner Spray is perfect for hair that easily tangles or needs shine and softness. Designed for daily use.
Conditioner Spray 18 Sparkling Tangerine, 200 ml
Are you one of those who love moisture sprays and want to use them constantly without breaking the bank? Then check out Zoya Goes Pretty’s organic rose water, which comes in a full 200 ml! A spray bottle that also works for the face (especially on hot days or when spending a lot of time in front of screens).
Organic Rose Water, 200 ml
Hair Oils
Protect your hair with organic hair oils to withstand daily stressors and wear on your hair. This is especially important if you have medium to long hair. Applying a few drops of hair oil after a moisture spray also helps the moisture stay longer in the hair.
Camellia Kissi oil is so amazing on the skin that many forget it works wonders on hair too. It is completely fragrance-free (no seed oil scent), light, and non-greasy.
Khadi Ayurvedic Hair Oil Color Care is specially designed for colored hair. The oil protects hair from sun and wear and helps your hair color stay beautiful longer.
You might also be interested in these articles:
- The Ultimate Guide: Dry Hair
- Repair Extremely Worn and Broken Hair After Bleaching: 10 Simple Steps!
- The Conditioner Method: Counteract Dry and Damaged Hair

