How to Tone Down Blonde Hair At Home That Is Too Bright?

So, you’ve gone blonde and your new hair color is just a bit too bright? Maybe it’s brassy, yellow, or just not quite the shade you were going for.

Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! The good news is, that there are plenty of easy ways to tone down blonde hair at home and get the perfect hue you’re after.

How to Tone Down Blonde Hair At Home That Is Too Bright?

In this article, we’ll walk you through 8 simple methods to take your blonde from “yikes!” to “wow!”

We’ll cover everything from quick fixes with common household items to more professional solutions like toners and dyes.

By the end, you’ll be armed with all the knowledge you need to achieve your dream blonde.

Let’s get started!

How to Tone Down Blonde Hair That’s Too Bright?

1. Use Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo is a must-have for any blonde. The purple pigments neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones, keeping your color cool and fresh.

Here’s how to use it:

• Wet your hair and apply the purple shampoo from the roots to the ends.
• Massage it in and let it sit for 3-5 minutes (or as directed).
• Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
• Follow with conditioner.
• Use 1-2 times per week or as needed to maintain your tone.

2. Try an Ash-Toned Hair Dye

If your blonde is way too warm or bright, an ash-toned dye can help neutralize it fast. Look for dyes with words like “ash”, “cool”, or “neutral” in the name.

Here’s what to do:

1. Choose an ash dye that’s close to your current level (lightness/darkness)
2. Apply the dye all over following the instructions on the box
3. Let it process for the indicated time and rinse well
4. Condition your hair to keep it healthy

Ash dyes have blue/green undertones that counteract yellow and orange, giving you a cooler, more natural-looking blonde.

3. Clarify with a Detox Shampoo

Product build-up, minerals, and old dye can all make blonde look dull or brassy.

Clarifying with a detox shampoo helps strip all that away, bringing back your hair’s natural tone and allowing new toners/dyes to penetrate better.

To clarify your blonde:

1. Wet your hair and apply the clarifying shampoo.
2. Lather it up and let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
3. Rinse very well and follow with a hydrating conditioner or mask.
4. Use once a week or as needed (not too often or it can be drying).

4. Tone with Dish Soap (Yes, Really!)

This one might sound weird, but many hairstylists swear by it for toning down too-bright blonde. The key is using clear, dye-free dish soap.

Here’s the process:

1. Squirt a tablespoon or so of dish soap into your palm.
2. Add a bit of water to lather it up.
3. Massage into wet hair from roots to ends.
4. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
5. Condition well to avoid dryness.

The dish soap will help fade and tone your color slightly without causing damage.

Just don’t make it a regular habit!

5. Make a Lemon Juice Mask

The citric acid in lemon juice has a subtle lightening and toning effect that’s perfect for taking down bright blonde. It works best on hair that’s light to begin with.

Here’s how to do it:

• Juice 2-3 lemons and pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
• Spritz all over damp hair until it’s saturated.
• Sit in the sun for 1-2 hours to activate the lemon juice.
• Rinse out and condition your hair.
• Repeat once a week as needed.

The lemon also naturally removes product build-up for an overall brighter, more refreshed blonde.

6. Try Toning with Coffee or Tea

Coffee and black tea can help darken and tone blonde hair thanks to their staining properties.

Make some ultra-strong brews and use them like this:

1. Shampoo your hair and towel dry.
2. Pour cooled coffee or tea over your hair, saturating it.
3. Put on a shower cap and let it sit for 20-60 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
5. Condition your hair well.
6. Repeat as needed to tone your blonde.

You can use this method 2-4 times a month to keep brassiness at bay naturally.

7. Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Apple cider vinegar is another kitchen staple that works magic on brassy blonde hair. The acidity helps seal the cuticle, counteracting yellow tones and adding shine. Here’s how to use it:

Materials

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Mix the vinegar and water in a large cup or bowl.
2. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual.
3. Pour the mixture over your hair, massaging it in.
4. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
5. Condition your ends only to prevent dryness.
6. Repeat 1-2 times a week.

The vinegar scent will dissipate as your hair dries and you’ll be left with cool, glossy blonde!

8. Get a Professional Toner

For major toning jobs, your best bet is heading to the salon for a professional toner.

Toners are semi-permanent dyes that neutralize unwanted tones in lightened hair.

Your stylist will choose the right shade based on your current color and desired result.

Here’s generally how toning works:

• Your hair is shampooed and towel-dried.
• The toner is mixed with a developer and applied all over.
• It processes for anywhere from 5-20 minutes.
• The toner is rinsed out and your hair is conditioned.

Toners last about 4-8 weeks before gradually fading out. You can maintain the look with purple shampoo between salon visits.

Why Does Blonde Hair Turn Brassy?

There are a few reasons your blonde might be looking a bit too warm or bright:

1. Your Natural Undertones – If you have naturally warm/golden undertones, your blonde may skew brassy over time as it fades and your natural color peeks through.
2. Sun and Heat Exposure – UV rays and heat styling can both cause blonde to oxidize and turn yellow or orange. Always use a heat protectant spray and try to limit your time in the sun.
3. Hard Water and Chlorine – Mineral deposits and chlorine can give blonde an undesirable greenish or brassy cast. Installing a shower filter can help, as can using a chelating or clarifying shampoo regularly.
4. Dye Fading – As your blonde dye fades, the underlying pigments (which are naturally warm) start to show through more prominently. Touching up your color or toning every 6-8 weeks helps keep it fresh.

Before & After: Blonde Hair Toner Results

Just to give you an idea of the transformative power of toner, check out these before and after shots:

[Insert side-by-side before/after images showing hair pre- and post-toning]

FAQ on Toning Down Blonde Hair

• Can I Darken My Blonde Hair Naturally?

Absolutely! A few natural ways to tone down blonde include:

• Dyeing with coffee or tea
• Using lemon juice to lift the color slightly
• Trying a cider vinegar rinse to neutralize brassiness
• Experimenting with purple shampoo to cool your tone

These methods are gentle and deposit-only, so they’re good options if you want to subtly adjust your hue.

• How Can I Tone My Blonde Hair to Darken It?

Toning essentially means depositing pigment to tweak the undertone of your hair. To darken blonde, you’d want to tone with a color that has a neutral or slightly ash base, depending on your starting point. You can do this with:

• A professional demi-permanent toner
• An at-home glossing treatment
• A darker, cool-toned blonde dye (demi or semi-permanent)
• Purple or blue shampoo over time

Start slowly and don’t go too dark right away – you can always tone again to deepen the color.

• What If My Blonde Hair Is Way Too Light?

If your blonde has ended up lighter than you wanted, you have a few options:

1. Darken It with Dye – Choose a darker blonde shade (1-2 levels deeper than your current) in a neutral or ash tone to take it down a notch. Semi or demi-permanent dye is your best bet.
2. Add Lowlights – Lowlights are strategically placed strands of darker color that create dimension and depth. They can help break up overly light blonde and make it look more natural.
3. Try a Shadow Root – A shadow root is when your root area is darkened a bit to create a seamless grow-out. It can help tone down light blonde and give it a more lived-in feel.
4. Tone It – Using a darker toner all over can help adjust the level and tone of your blonde in one step. Look for toners with ash or neutral undertones to avoid going too warm.

• Will Toner Damage My Blonde Hair?

When used properly, toner shouldn’t cause damage. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Avoid toning too often – once every 4-8 weeks is plenty
• Don’t leave the toner on longer than directed as it can over-deposit
• Always follow toning with a rich conditioner or mask
• If your hair feels dry or brittle, take a break from toning

Demi-permanent toners are generally the gentlest, while permanent toners are the harshest. If you’re worried about damage, opt for a demi formula or try glossing instead.

• How Can I Remove Toner from My Blonde Hair?

If your toner comes out too dark or you just want to get rid of it quickly, you can try:

• Washing with a clarifying shampoo 2-3 times in a row
• Mixing baking soda with your shampoo for extra cleansing power
• Using a color remover designed for direct dyes (like Malibu DDL)

These methods will likely dry out your hair, so be sure to follow with a deep conditioning mask and go easy on the heat styling afterward.

In most cases, it’s best to just wait for toner to fade naturally.

Conclusion:

Achieving the perfect blonde is possible – it just takes a little know-how and experimentation!

Whether you’re dealing with brass, fading, or a color that’s just plain wrong, these toning techniques can help you get back on track.

Remember to start slowly, use gentle products, and always keep your hair’s health in mind.

With a little patience and practice, you’ll be rocking your ideal blonde shade in no time.

Happy toning!