Having lush, shiny hair that looks healthy and vibrant is a goal for many people. Some look to hair care products and treatments to improve the look and feel of their locks. One ingredient that often pops up in hair care is ash, typically in the form of ash brown hair dye. But does ash really make hair look darker and shinier? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Ash?
Ash is a term used in hair color to describe tones that cancel out warm, brassy tones. Ash tones are cool, almost blue-based shades that counteract yellow, orange, and red undertones in hair. When used in hair dye, ash works to neutralize warmth and deepen color. The result is hair that looks darker, cooler, and less brassy.
There are a few ways ash is used in hair dye:
- Ash brown hair dye – a cool brown shade mixed with ash tones
- Ash blonde hair dye – a beige blonde with ash added to neutralize yellow
- Ash toner – used after bleaching to reduce brassiness and yellow tones
The ash tones in these products help remove unwanted warm pigments, allowing the hair’s underlying coolness to show through. This gives a darker, neutralized effect compared to un-toned hair.
How Ash Makes Hair Look Darker
When ash is mixed into hair dye or used as a toner, it bonds to the hair shaft and deposits blue-based pigments. Here’s how this makes hair appear darker:
- Neutralizes unwanted tones – Ash cancels out brassy, orange and red tones in hair. This removes light reflectivity from those warm undertones, making the hair look darker and less vibrant.
- Enhances natural coolness – Most hair has some underlying coolness in its base. Ash brings this out by counteracting warmth, making the hair’s natural deeper shade emerge.
- Adds cool pigment – The blue and green tones in ash darken hair the same way darker colors make fabric look richer. The ash pigments make hair look cooler and darker.
By neutralizing undertones and infusing color, ash creates a darker, ashier finish to hair. It reduces the look of unwanted lightness, brassiness, and warmth in the strands.
Does Ash Always Make Hair Darker?
In most cases, yes. By combating brassy tones and enhancing coolness, ash usually makes hair look significantly darker, especially if there is unwanted warmth present to begin with. However, the results can vary depending on your hair’s current color and tone:
- On light blonde hair with yellow tones, ash may only reduce brassiness slightly and add a subtle beige effect.
- On medium to dark brown hair with redness, ash can create a noticeable neutralizing effect and visibly darker color.
- On color-treated or bleached hair with orange undertones, ash can drastically darken and neutralize the hair.
The darker your starting shade and the more warm undertones present, the more dramatic the darkening effect of ash. Very light hair with minimal brassiness, however, may only experience subtle toning and a hint of deepening.
How to Use Ash for Darker Hair
If your goal is to darken and neutralize your hair, here are some effective ways to use ash:
Ash Brown Hair Dye
Opting for an ash brown hair color is a simple way to darken your hair. Ash brown dyes come in a range of shades from light ash brown to medium and dark ash brown. Choose a shade 1-2 levels darker than your current color. The ash tones will remove unwanted warmth while the darker color adds depth for a noticeable effect.
Ash Toner
Applying an ash toner is ideal for colored or bleached hair that needs its brassiness kicked down a notch. Blue or green-based ash toner applied after lightening/bleaching helps remove the yellow, orange and red tones for dramatically darker, cooler results. Using an ash toner is a fast way to see a change in hair color and tone.
Ash Gloss Treatment
For a subtler approach, go for an ash gloss treatment. These are semi-permanent toners that can be applied on-top of your current color to boost ashiness and neutralize some warmth. The effects are more gradual but still make hair look darker and less brassy with each use.
How Long Does Ash Last in Hair?
How long the effects of ash last depends on the application method:
| Method | Lasts For |
|---|---|
| Ash dye | 4-6 weeks |
| Ash toner | 2-4 weeks |
| Ash gloss | 4-6 washes |
Permanent and demi-permanent ash dyes have the longest-lasting effects, as the ash tones are oxidized into the hair. Ash toners and glosses rinse out over time but can be reapplied as needed to maintain the ashier, darker appearance.
Risks of Using Ash
While ash can transform unwanted brassy tones, there are some risks to be aware of:
- Overcooling – Too much ash can make hair look lifeless and dull if you have naturally warmer hair.
- Color buildup – Constant ash toning can lead to a flat, dark appearance over time.
- Damage – Ash doesn’t lighten hair, so don’t apply it to hair darker than your target level.
- Banding – Applying ash dye just to the mid-lengths and ends can lead to an uneven color.
To avoid these issues, get an expert consultation and select ash shades carefully based on your current color. Focus ash on areas that need it most, like the mid-lengths and ends. Avoid over-toning and alternate with nourishing treatments.
Maintenance Tips for Ash Hair
Ash hair requires some special care to stay looking salon-fresh. Here are some maintenance tips:
- Use blue or purple shampoo 2-3 times a week to prevent brassiness
- Opt for cool-toned styling products
- Listen to your colorist on when to touch up ash toner
- Avoid chlorine, salt water, and heat styling to make ash last longer
- Deep condition to ensure hair doesn’t get dried out from ash toner
Conclusion
Ash tones are an effective way to neutralize brassiness and make hair look significantly darker and cooler. By counteracting unwanted warmth and enhancing natural coolness, ash removes light reflectivity and infuses hair with subtle blue-green pigments for a deep, ashy finish. For best results, select an ash shade or toner that targets your specific hair goals and needs.
When used properly, ash can eliminate brassiness and give hair a trendy, salon-quality look and feel. Just be cautious not to overdo it, as too much ash can look flat and lifeless. With some care and maintenance, ash hair can look gorgeously cool, deep, and vibrant while still appearing soft, healthy, and natural.
