Final answer:
To balance out unwanted orange tones, you should use a blue color corrector, based on color theory which dictates that complementary colors cancel each other out. The orange tones are neutralized by the blue since they are opposite each other on the color wheel.
Step-by-step explanation:
To balance out unwanted orange tones, you would use a blue color corrector. This concept is based on the color wheel theory where blue is the complementary color of orange. Hair stylists and colorists often apply this theory by using toners with a blue base to neutralize the brassy or orange tones that can appear in bleached or colored blonde hair. This is due to the fact that when you place complementary colors next to each other, they cancel each other out. Therefore, using a blue-toned product on hair with orange hues will effectively reduce the appearance of those unwanted warm tones. It's the same principle with makeup artists using color correctors to balance out uneven skin tones.
Secondary colors like orange, green, and violet are created by mixing primary colors, and varying hues can be obtained by altering the mix ratios. To neutralize different hair discolorations, colorists will choose the appropriate opposite shade on the color wheel. For green unwanted tones, a red color corrector would be used, and for purple unwanted tones, a yellow color corrector would be the right choice. Neutral colors such as browns and grays can also be created by blending the three primary colors together in varying amounts. Therefore, understanding the color theory is essential in finding the right color correction solution.