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The Dreaded “Kalawang” Hair - How Blue Toners Can Fix Brassy Brunette Color Fading

by Madel Delfin July 27, 2022
Just like blondes, brunettes aren’t spared from the brassiness that comes with eventual hair color fading. The resulting color left over is often described as an unpleasant rusty orange tinge a.k.a “kalawang hair.” Luckily, just as purple shampoos can help tone blonde hair to neutralize brassiness, blue toning products can do the same for a range of brunette hair colors. Here’s why you need them in your routine and which ones we’re obsessed with right now.
Why does hair turn kalawang orange?
If your hair level falls within that “orange zone”, you likely have light blonde to light brown hair. Our hair’s natural undercoat begins to appear as hair color fades, revealing unwanted dark yellow and orange undertones. Here is where blue toners come in. Blue tones counteract orange shades, canceling them out and neutralizing these unwanted shades.
Toners are pigmented products designed to neutralize the undercoat adding cooler colors to balance out the unpleasant tones in your hair. Cool pigments in any hair color tend to fade faster than the warmer shades, but unlike semi-permanent hair color, the purpose of blue toning shampoos and conditioners is to remove brassiness and extend the life of your hair color at home with a healthy-looking tone.
Source: Wella Pro
Does your hair look brassy? Read on to find our top blue toning product recommendations.

1. Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask in Blue (P1,350)

Although the Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask in Blue is designed to freshen blue hair color, it interestingly works to tone down certain shades of orange for lightened hair and highlights. Combined with its mild conditioning effect it leaves hair not only less brassy but also more moisturized.


2. Davines Alchemic Creative Conditioner in Marine Blue (P1,600)

This plant-based blue pigmented conditioner works to temporarily tone down the brassy orange color. The Davines Alchemic Creative Conditioner in Marine Blue reintroduce cool tones lost due to color fading. Plus it’s formulated with Jojoba oil to offer shine, softness, and a high conditioning effect. Best of all, it has no silicones and contains 98% biodegradable ingredients.

3. L'Oréal Serie Expert Silver Conditioner 200ml (P1,190)

Although its accompanying L'Oréal Serie Expert Silver Shampoo is a purple toning product, the Conditioner has a more blue toning shade which makes it an ideal product to neutralize light orange undertones effectively counteracting brassiness across the strand. Expect hair to darken slightly as it coats strands with its enhancing anti-brassy formula.

Now that you’ve got a plan in place to remove those brassy orange strands, time to revive brassy your hair color at home with these blue toning products. Say no kalawang brassy hair, and yes to brilliantly toned brunettes.

Not sure if a blue shampoo is still for you? Check out our special feature on “Purple Shampoo vs Blue Shampoo: Which One is For You?” or message us for a FREE hair consultation.

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