Keep Your Hair Color Bright This Summer: Kindred’s Anti-Brass Guide for Northern Virginia

Brassy hair? We don’t know her. ✨ If you want your blonde, brunette, or balayage to stay fresh and luminous all summer in Northern Virginia, here’s your glow-up game plan, straight from the pros at Kindred Color Studio. No more hiding behind sun hats or dodging pool days—we’ll show you how to keep your color looking expertly done, even when the temperature climbs.

Why Summer Wrecks Hair Color

You just left the salon with a shade that’s straight-up stunning. Then, like clockwork, summer happens. Suddenly, your dreamy blonde looks yellow, your rich brunette gets weirdly reddish, and that hand-painted balayage feels a little…meh. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and no, it isn’t your colorist’s fault.

Here’s what’s out to sabotage your color, no matter where you are soaking up the sun—it’s like a sneaky villain lurking in the shadows of your perfect summer day.

Sun, Pool Water, and Mineral Buildup

Virginia summers mean plenty of sunshine, and while your spirits soar, so do the risks to your hair. UV rays break down pigment molecules, leaving hair faded and off-toned. Add in dips at Lake Ridge Marina or your backyard pool and you’re also fighting off chlorine and minerals from hard water. These elements cling to your strands and love to bring out those warm, unwanted yellow and orange hues.

Extra Washing from Sweat and Humidity

Between steamy afternoons, intense workouts, and the usual hustle, your scalp gets sweatier. Washing your hair more often feels like the only relief, but here’s the catch. Every wash strips away a little more of that gorgeous salon color, leaving your hair dry and dull (and your stylist weeping in spirit).

Fading Due to UV Exposure

Think of your hair like a favorite pair of jeans left out in the sun. The more they bake, the faster the color loses its pop. Without the right protection, even expertly custom-blended color will start to fade, brass up, or just look tired by mid-July.

Bottom line: Summer is tough on color. But you don’t have to surrender to brass.

Protecting Your Glow

Spoiler alert: The secret to long-lasting, luminous color isn’t locking yourself indoors all summer. It’s about the right pro (and at-home) moves that keep your color looking as fresh as a morning coffee.

Gloss Refreshes to Maintain Tone and Shine

When you see your stylist slip on those gloves for a gloss, it isn’t just for fun. Glossing (also called a toner) is your hair’s answer to highlighter for skin. It revives shine, locks in moisture, and fine-tunes color so it stays balanced—not brassy.

Glosses can give you that “just-showered” shine or a tint to tone down unwanted warmth. At Kindred, we don’t do one-size-fits-all—our glosses are custom-made just for your color goals. The result? Instantly brighter, more manageable hair that feels super healthy (and looks amazing), even after a pool party.

Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner Matter

Repeat after me: Sulfates and harsh detergents are not your hair’s BFF. Invest in a high-quality, color-safe shampoo and conditioner (think Oribe, R+Co, or Olaplex) to gently cleanse while shielding your color. These formulas are made to strengthen hair, reduce fading, and leave your scalp feeling balanced (which is crucial with all the summer sweat).

Pro-Tip: For hard-water warriors or anyone on well water, a shower filter can do wonders to minimize mineral deposits that speed up brassiness.

The Power of UV-Protectant Products and Leave-In Mists

Yes, just like your skin, your hair needs SPF (sort of). Spritz on a UV-protectant leave-in mist before heading to a July BBQ. These formulas create an invisible barrier against UV, pollution, and pool chemicals, keeping your color bright and your ends feeling soft instead of crunchy. Bonus points for mists that also reduce frizz and add a touch of shine—because who doesn’t want their hair to look as fresh as it feels?

How to Refresh Without a Full Color Appointment

Feel like your color needs a pick-me-up, but you’re not ready (or don’t have time) for a full salon appointment? Good news: You don’t need to block out half a Saturday to fix brass.

Mini-Glossing Services at Kindred

Kindred’s mini-glossing services are your ticket to “fresh from the salon” vibes between big color appointments. These quick visits (think blowout + gloss) brighten, balance, and rescue color from the depths of dullness. It’s the ideal way to stretch out the time between major color changes and keep your look effortlessly polished. If you’re busy bouncing between errands at Stonebridge or brunch at Belmont Bay Social, these fast appointments fit your schedule (and your budget).

Toner/Gloss “Mini Appointments” Between Colors

You don’t need to wait for visible brass before booking a refresh. Scheduling a toner or gloss every 4–6 weeks keeps unwanted warmth at bay, whether you’re rocking blonde, brunette, or those custom balayage blends Northern Virginia is famous for.

Still worried about upkeep? Ask about Kindred’s “Summer Survival Kit.” It includes everything you need to maintain your color between glosses, from pro-grade shampoo to touch-up masks.

Pro Tips for Low-Maintenance Shine at Home

Less heat, happier hair: Air dry when you can or use your blow dryer’s cool setting. High heat not only fades color but also fries delicate ends.

Better water, better color: Try a shower filter or weekly clarifying treatments (like K18 Detox Shampoo!) to reduce minerals that cause brassiness, especially in older homes or neighborhoods along the river.

Gentle towel use: Skip the rough towel rubdown. Wrap hair in a soft microfiber towel and pat dry to prevent frizz, breakage, and unnecessary damage to your fresh gloss.

Need more tailored tips? Book a color consultation—our expert stylists are happy to create a plan just for you.

Keep Your Glow Game Strong All Summer

Nobody should spend summer camouflaging dull, brassy hair under a floppy hat. With the right routine, you can enjoy sun, fun, and stunning color from June through Labor Day (and beyond!).

Here’s how to beat brass for good in Northern Virginia: 

• Schedule a custom gloss at Kindred Color Studio for a fresh, luminous finish. 

• Upgrade your home care routine with color-safe, UV-protectant products. 

• Treat your hair to a mini-gloss or toner between major color appointments. 

• Follow pro-approved, low-maintenance habits for long-lasting shine.

Ready to beat the brass? ✨ Schedule your Summer Color Refresh Consultation now.