You’ve spent good money (and time in the chair) getting your blonde just right – then a few weeks later it looks brassy, dull and sad.
Before you blame your shampoo or your hairdresser, it’s worth looking at something most of us forget about… your shower water.
Australian tap water is treated with chlorine, and depending on where you live it can also carry minerals and tiny traces of metals from pipes. Great for making water safe to drink – not so great for delicate blonde hair.
Here are 5 signs your shower water is working against your blonde (and simple things you can do to fix it).
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1. Your blonde turns brassy way too quickly
If your bright blonde turns yellow, orange or muddy long before your next appointment, your water might be part of the problem.
What’s going on?
• Chlorine can roughen up the hair cuticle, which makes colour molecules slip out faster and lets unwanted tones show through.
• Minerals and metals (like iron and copper from pipes) can actually sit on the hair and create a warm, brassy cast – especially in lighter shades.
What you can do
• Use a gentle purple shampoo once or twice a week to knock out warmth (not every wash – too much can dry your hair).
• Rinse with cool or lukewarm water instead of super hot – it helps the cuticle lay flatter.
• Consider a shower filter to help reduce chlorine and metals before they hit your hair.
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2. Your hair never looks truly shiny – just a bit dull and flat
Healthy blonde should still have shine and movement, even if it’s not as glossy as dark hair. If your hair always looks matte or dusty, your shower water could be leaving a film on it.
What’s going on?
• Hard water minerals and metals can build up on the hair shaft, making it feel coated and look flat.
• A rough cuticle doesn’t reflect light well, so your blonde looks less “fresh salon” and more “meh”.
What you can do
• Use a clarifying shampoo every 1–2 weeks to gently remove build-up (follow with a hydrating mask).
• Avoid overloading your hair with heavy styling products on top of mineral build-up – it just adds more layers.
• Filtered water in the shower can help prevent that build-up from forming in the first place.
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3. Your ends feel crunchy, straw-like or constantly tangled
If brushing your hair after a shower feels like wrestling with a bird’s nest, your water could be stripping way more moisture than you realise.
What’s going on?
• Chlorine is designed to disinfect – it doesn’t know the difference between bacteria in water and the natural oils that protect your hair.
• Hot, chlorinated water + colour-treated hair = a recipe for dryness, snapping ends and tangles.
What you can do
• Turn the temperature down a notch – warm, not scorching.
• Always use a conditioner or mask and comb it through gently in the shower with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
• Use a microfibre towel or old t-shirt to squeeze out water instead of rough rubbing.
• Add a leave-in conditioner or light oil to mid-lengths and ends to seal in moisture.
• Again, a shower filter can help your hair start the day less stripped and stressed.
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4. Your scalp feels tight, itchy or flaky after washing
Blonde issues aren’t just about the lengths – your scalp can suffer too.
What’s going on?
• Chlorine and hot water can dry out your scalp, leaving it tight, itchy or flaky.
• If you’re already sensitive or prone to irritation, harsh water can make it feel worse.
What you can do
• Avoid aggressively scratching or using your nails – use your fingertips to massage shampoo in.
• Try a scalp serum or lightweight oil once or twice a week if recommended by your stylist or skin professional.
• Keep showers a little shorter and cooler.
• If irritation is persistent, talk to a GP or dermatologist – and look at reducing chlorine exposure in the shower.
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5. Your extensions fade fast or feel dry and brittle
Extensions are an investment – and they’re usually made from hair that’s already been processed. That makes them extra vulnerable to harsh water.
What’s going on?
• Extensions don’t get the natural oils from your scalp, so any extra dryness from chlorine or minerals hits them hard.
• Brassy tones can grab quickly, making expensive blonde extensions look old before their time.
What you can do
• Follow your stylist’s extension care instructions to the letter.
• Sleep with your hair in a loose braid or low pony to minimise friction.
• Use nourishing masks and leave-in products, but avoid saturating bonds or tapes.
• Protect all that investment by softening the water they’re washed in – your shower is the first place to start.
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So… is it really my water?
If you’re doing all the right things – good products, heat protection, regular trims – and your blonde still looks tired a few weeks after your appointment, your shower water is worth investigating.
Some clues it could be the culprit:
• You can smell chlorine in the shower
• You’ve recently moved and your hair suddenly changed
• Your taps or shower have orange/brown marks (often from iron)
• Everyone in the house complains their hair feels “gross” or hard to brush
You don’t need to panic or overhaul your entire home. Small tweaks can make a big difference.
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What to do if your shower water is ruining your blonde
Here’s a simple plan:
1. Turn the temperature down
Super hot showers feel amazing but they’re tough on your colour and your scalp.
2. Add in targeted products
• A gentle purple shampoo once or twice a week
• A clarifying shampoo every 1–2 weeks
• A hydrating mask once a week
3. Protect from pool chlorine
If you swim, wet your hair with tap water first, apply a leave-in/conditioner, and wear a cap where possible.
4. Tackle the water at the source
This is where shower filters come in. Instead of fighting damage after it happens, you make the water hitting your hair less harsh to begin with.
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Where Happy Filter fits in
Happy Filter shower filters are designed to be a simple, renter-friendly way to:
• Help reduce chlorine in your shower water
• Target certain heavy metals and sediments
• Make water feel softer and less drying on your skin and hair
No plumbing, no tools – just screw it on between your shower arm and shower head. Many of our blonde and balayage customers tell us their colour:
• Stays brighter for longer
• Feels softer and easier to brush after washing
• Needs fewer “emergency” purple shampoo sessions
Of course, your stylist’s advice comes first for colour care – but supporting your blonde with gentler water is one of the easiest upgrades you can make.
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The bottom line
If your blonde is going brassy, dull or dry way too quickly, it’s not always your products or your hairdresser’s fault. Your shower water plays a bigger role than most of us realise.
By:
• Softening your water with a shower filter
• Tweaking your routine with a few blonde-friendly habits
• Being kinder with heat and hot water
…you can help your colour stay closer to that fresh-out-of-the-salon feeling for much longer.
Ready to see what softer, filtered shower water feels like on your blonde?
