How to Fix Orange Hair After Bleaching

Bleaching your hair can be a bold and transformative move, but when it results in unexpected orange tones, the excitement can quickly turn into frustration. Orange hair after bleaching is a common issue that occurs when the bleach doesn’t fully lift the underlying warm pigments in your natural hair color. Fortunately, it’s fixable—often right at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix orange hair after bleaching, what products to use, and how to prevent it in the future.

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Why Does Hair Turn Orange After Bleaching?

Hair contains natural pigments, primarily red and orange tones. When you bleach your hair, the bleach lifts the dark pigments first. If it doesn’t process long enough or isn’t strong enough, you’re left with brassy orange hair rather than the blonde you were aiming for.

Common causes include:

• Not leaving bleach in long enough
• Low developer volume
• Starting with dark brown or black hair
• Uneven application
• Using bleach on already dyed hair

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How to Fix Orange Hair After Bleaching: At-Home Solutions

There are several ways to correct orange or brassy tones in your hair after bleaching. Here are the most effective methods.

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1. Use a Toner for Orange Hair

Toners are semi-permanent products that help neutralize unwanted warm tones. To fix orange hues, you’ll need a blue-based toner, since blue cancels out orange on the color wheel.

Best toners for orange hair:

• Wella Color Charm T14 or T18
• Blue or ash-based toners
• Demi-permanent color with blue or violet undertones

How to use:

• Mix toner with a 10 or 20 volume developer
• Apply to damp hair
• Leave on for 20–30 minutes
• Rinse and condition thoroughly

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2. Try a Blue Shampoo or Conditioner

If you’re wondering whether purple shampoo fixes orange hair, the answer is no—purple shampoo is designed for yellow tones. For orange hues, use blue shampoo, which is formulated to tone down brassiness caused by bleaching.

How to use blue shampoo:

• Use 2–3 times a week
• Leave on for 3–5 minutes before rinsing
• Follow up with a deep conditioner

This method is ideal for mild to moderate brassiness and can help maintain cool tones after using a toner.

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3. Re-Bleach (With Caution)

If your hair is still very dark orange after bleaching, you may need a second bleach session. However, this should be done only if your hair is healthy enough to withstand more lightening.

Steps:

• Wait at least one week between bleaching sessions
• Use a protein treatment or deep conditioner in the meantime
• Apply bleach with 20–30 volume developer for minimal damage
• Rinse when hair reaches a pale yellow stage, then tone

Important: Over-bleaching can cause breakage, dryness, and permanent damage. Always strand test and use professional-quality bleach.

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4. Apply a Demi-Permanent Ash Color

An alternative to using toner is applying a demi-permanent dye with ash or cool tones. This method is especially useful if your hair is unevenly orange or has multiple tones.

Look for shades labeled:

• Ash blonde
• Cool beige
• Light brown with ash undertones

These dyes help tone down orange while adding shine and softness, and they’re less damaging than permanent color.

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5. DIY Natural Remedies (Temporary Fixes)

While not as effective as toners or shampoos, some at-home remedies can help reduce orange tones temporarily:

• Apple cider vinegar rinse – Can restore pH balance and slightly tone brassiness
• Crushed vitamin C tablets mixed with shampoo – Helps strip unwanted color buildup
• Lemon juice and conditioner – Can lightly lift pigment when exposed to sunlight

These methods may not work on severe orange tones but can help in early stages or between washes.

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How to Fix Orange Roots After Bleaching

Sometimes, only the roots turn orange due to heat from the scalp accelerating the bleach process unevenly. In this case:

• Apply toner only to the roots
• Use a higher volume developer on the roots during re-bleaching
• Start application at the ends next time and move to roots last

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How to Prevent Orange Hair in the Future

Prevention is key if you’re planning future bleaching sessions.

Tips:

• Use a higher lift bleach or stronger developer for dark hair
• Leave bleach on for the recommended time
• Always tone after bleaching
• Maintain results with blue shampoo or ash-based conditioner
• Avoid products with sulfates that strip toners and color

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FAQs

Why did my hair turn orange after bleaching?
Bleach often doesn’t fully lift the red and orange pigments in darker hair, especially with short processing times or low developer strength.

Can purple shampoo fix orange hair?
No. Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones, not orange. You need blue shampoo or blue-based toner.

What toner cancels out orange hair?
Look for toners labeled as “ash” or those with blue/violet undertones, such as Wella T14 or T18.

Can I fix orange hair without toner?
Yes, with blue shampoo, dye with ash undertones, or diy remedies, but toner gives the most precise results.

How long should I wait before bleaching again?
Wait at least 7–10 days, and treat your hair with deep conditioning in between to avoid damage.

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to fix orange hair after bleaching is all about understanding your hair’s undertones and using the right products to neutralize them. From blue shampoos to ash toners and dye corrections, there are plenty of ways to restore your hair to the blonde or cool-toned shade you were aiming for.

If your first bleach didn’t go as planned, don’t panic. With the right care and corrective steps, you can say goodbye to orange hair and hello to the color you truly want.