Banish the brass? Expert colorist reveals how to keep your colored hair brass-free this summer

AOL.com Editors
Updated ·2 min read

If there's one thing that makes any woman who frequently colors her hair cringe ... it's brassy hair. Colored or highlighted hair requires enough maintenance as it is, but it turns out there are some extra steps you should be taking in the summer months to maintain your color.

We spoke with Jana Nigrovic, the senior colorist at Kieran McKenna Salon in New York City, and she shared with us a few helpful tips and tricks to banish the brass this summer.

The No. 1 hair tip you should be following in the warmer months? Stay out of the sun as much as possible! And while we find this nearly impossible (hello, the rooftops are calling our name!), Nigrovic did dish out some alternative options to protect your dyed tresses.

"Wear a hat or scarf to protect your blonde locks from the harmful effects of the sun. If that is not an option, use a leave-in hair protectant or conditioner. You can also take a small amount of sunblock and use it as a light moisturizing cream in your hair, keeping it hydrated and sun protected," she told AOL Lifestyle.

And before you even consider jumping into any pool, the colorist with years of experience under her belt suggests thoroughly rinsing your hair first: "Bleached hair is extremely prone to discoloration from chlorine. If your hair is already wet before taking a dip, it won’t soak up as much chlorinated water."

But how about color maintenance in between salon visits? When it comes to maintaining your color, the right products are key! Her top three products? Oribe's 'Bright Blonde' shampoo and conditioner, Oribe's Gold Lust Nourishing Oil and Olaplex's No. 3 Hair Perfector.

The Oribe's purple shampoo and conditioner "keeps the hair bright and lustrous without drying it out," while the nourishing oil "reduces frizz, encourages manageability and improves the condition of the hair whilst shielding the hair against UV rays and environmental pollutants."

For more on summer hair, watch the video above.