I've Spent Months Battling Brassiness in My Brunette Hair—These 7 Products Really Work

Brunettes often contend with unwanted brassy or orange tones in their hair, but these are the best products that counteract them.

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A collage with a photo of beauty editor Eleanor Vousden and products including Olaplex no3 and Wella Color Fresh mask in cool espresso
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
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Whilst blondes often have to deal with unwanted yellow tones in between salon visits, for brunettes, it's usually orange, brassy tones. My naturally brunette hair colour has often been prone to lifting in the sun anyway, but after having some permanent colour to cover greys a while ago, I'm now contending with the colour lifting into a brassier hue than I'd like, and my balayage has a warmth to it that I'd like to cool down.

A photo of Who What Wear Beauty Editor Eleanor Vousden, with brunette hair and balayage

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

There are lots of products catering to blondes, such as purple shampoos; however, there are now more options than ever catering to brunette hair too. Of course, many of the products that help to counter yellow in blonde also help to cancel out orange in brunette hair.

I've spent the past year trying to grow out the unwanted warmth in my hair, and so I've been trying a lot of hair products—from shampoos and conditioners to hair masks and treatments—to find out what really works. Whilst they might not be miracle workers, they definitely help. If you too want to remove brassy tones from your dark hair, then scroll on for my tried-and-tested products that really work. Whether you have brown hair with blonde highlights or want to add coolness to your current brunette tone, scroll on.

Best Products for Brassy Brunette Hair

1. K18 Hair Triplebright Oxidation Defense Purple Shampoo

2. Kérastase Blond Absolu Nourishing Conditioner

Eleanor holding a bottle of Kerastase blond absolu conditioner

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

I've always loved Kérastase's shampoos and conditioners, but I particularly love its Blond Absolu conditioner to neutralise the unwanted warmth from my lengths. After blowdrying my hair, my balayage is noticeably brighter and more radiant after using it, and it never fails to leave my hair feeling silky and smooth to the touch. I also love the shampoo, hair serum and hair masque in this range as a whole routine to keep my hair colour looking salon-fresh.

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3. Wella Professionals Color Fresh Semi-Permanent Colour Mask

Wella Color Fresh Mask in cool espresso on a marble table

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

If you're in need of a quick fix, then a good colour-depositing hair mask, such as this one, is at the top of my list. Applied all over, this hair mask deposits pigment into the hair that lasts for a couple of weeks and gradually washes out. There are a few shades to choose from, but the Cool Espresso shade is my favourite when I want to achieve a totally cool-toned shade all over. A word of warning: if you're a very light brunette, or have highlights or blonde balayage, then avoid this shade, as it may turn them green and cling more in these areas. But if you have an all-over colour that you want to tone from warm to cool, then this is a great choice, and it even disguises greys, too. Make sure to wear gloves and wash away any residue from your bathroom, as the pigment is strong.

4. Olaplex No.3 Plus Ultimate Repair Treatment

Eleanor holding a bottle of Olaplex no3 by the sink

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

I'm always amazed at how effective a good hair bond-repairing treatment can be to revive my hair colour, even if it's been months since my last salon visit. When our hair is damaged, the hair shaft is often overexposed, which can mean our hair colour can look brassy or fade more quickly. Olaplex's iconic formula repairs hair on a molecular level, restoring strength and shine to your hair, and simultaneously makes your hair colour look much fresher and more vibrant.

5. John Frieda Back to Brunette Grey Defying Foam

Eleanor holding a bottle of John Frieda Back to Brunette Foam

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

If you're in the vicious cycle of constantly getting permanent colour to cover grey, only for it to lift and go warm after a few months, then this is a good alternative to cover grey if you want to break out of the cycle and help to disguise grey regrowth. This tinted foam deposits colour into the hair, helping to disguise grey on both natural and colour-treated hair. You need to wear gloves to apply it (otherwise it'll stain your hands), and you leave it on for 10-20 minutes prior to shampooing, depending on the depth of colour you prefer. Think of it as a tinted moisturiser for your hair rather than a full-coverage foundation. It won't make all the grey disappear, but it'll blend it in more seamlessly. I find it also helps to tone down the unwanted warmth in my hair.

6. Glaze Supergloss Color Conditioning Gloss

Glaze Supergloss on a marble table

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

Don't be put off by the dark blue shade of this hair gloss. In colour theory, blue is the opposite of orange on the colour wheel, and so a blue hair treatment can help to cancel out unwanted orange tones in your hair. Although it's designed for blondes, as a brunette, I approve of this toning hair gloss. Especially if you have lighter highlights or balayage that requires toning in between salon visits. The results are subtle, so don't expect a dramatic transformation, but it's ideal for maintenance to keep your colour looking its best. If you don't have highlights and want to revive your brunette, then the Sleek Espresso or Blazing Brown shades are good choices.

7. Hello Klean Shower Head+

How We Tested

With over a decade of experience working in beauty, I've tried countless products to help neutralise the brassy tones in my hair. I've had my hair coloured with permanent hair colour that has left me with brassiness, so I've been testing the best products to counteract these unwanted orange tones in my hair. I tried numerous products across the category over several months, from shampoos and conditioners to shower filters and colour-depositing masks, to find the ones that really work.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Eleanor Vousden
Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.

With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.

Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.