No matter the season, year, or decade, brassy hair is just not a look we can get behind. Even if you're religious about keeping up with your salon appointments, lightened hair can still take on orange, yellow, and red tones. Fret not if you're a salon blonde dealing with brass because there's a solution: purple shampoo. Whether you're flipping for platinum or in love with golden blonde, purple shampoo is a crucial product to incorporate into your weekly hair care routine.
Today we're doing a deep dive on the topic, explaining when and how to use purple shampoo and how this miracle product works. We're also showcasing the best purple shampoo formulas we offer. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know.
What does purple shampoo do to your hair?
Purple shampoo is responsible for keeping hair bright, cool, and brass-free. So, what does purple shampoo do, exactly? In a nutshell, the purple pigments in these shampoos counteract and neutralize the yellow and orange tones that pop up in blondes over time. Check out the color wheel, and you’ll see these two hues are opposites!
Before and After Using Redken Color Extend Blondage Mask
What are the benefits of using purple shampoo?
Incorporating a purple toning shampoo into your routine is beneficial for several reasons. The obvious advantage is less brass, which we outlined above. It also keeps your hair looking fresher and more like that “just walked out of the salon” color (you know that feeling!). This maximizes your last dye job and can help stretch appointments between in-salon toning, foiling, and balayaging. Of course, purple shampoos also clean your hair, and many boast other benefits such as strengthening, softening and boosting shine.
Good hair day by @bumbas.alexandra.
Who should use purple shampoo?
Blondes tend to have more visible brassiness in their hair compared to other hair colors simply because their hair is lighter. Still, you can also use blue or purple shampoo on brown hair to nix those unwanted orange and yellow undertones.
Additionally, you can benefit from using purple shampoo even if you have a warmer-leaning color, such as butter blonde or chestnut. We recommend using these products less frequently to strike the perfect balance of warm but not brassy.
Short answer: there’s a purple shampoo for blonde hair, brunettes, and the equivalent product for inky hair colors, too.
When should you not use purple shampoo?
As the saying goes, you can have everything in moderation, and the same applies when using purple shampoo. If your hair starts to look darker after using purple shampoo, that may be your cue to lay off the toning formula. That’s because overusing purple shampoo can also eliminate some of the yellow tones in strands that make them blonde, resulting in a color that appears visually darker.
Tips for Using Purple Shampoo
Read through these six pro tips to master the art of purple shampoo usage.
How often should I use purple shampoo?
If you want to keep your tresses as bright and shiny as possible, you may be tempted to use purple shampoo daily. Not so fast!
While purple shampoo for blonde hair is excellent at toning and keeping brass at bay, most brands recommend incorporating purple shampoo into your hair care routine once or twice a week. Those with warmer tones who want to nix brass without removing all their warmth should scale back to once or twice a month.
How long do you leave purple shampoo in?
Every product varies, so refer to the directions on the bottle and your desired brightness. However, as a rule of thumb, let it sit for three to 10 minutes.
Can I leave purple shampoo in overnight?
Purple shampoos contain toning pigments and chemicals that are intended to be left on your hair for a short time. According to the directions on the bottle, most purple shampoos should sit on your strands for only a few minutes before being rinsed out. Therefore, we don't recommend leaving any formula on your strands overnight.
Can purple shampoo damage your hair?
Purple shampoo shouldn’t damage your mane as long as you follow the instructions on the bottle.
Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo
An essential color-depositing blue shampoo to tone and neutralize brassy orange tones in highlighted, balayaged, or natural brown hair.
Color Extend Brownlights Conditioner
An essential color-depositing blue conditioner to help tone and get rid of brassiness in highlighted, balayaged, and natural brown hair.
Can you use purple shampoo on brown hair?
Yes, you can use purple shampoo on brown hair. The lighter your hair color, especially if you have highlights, the more difference you'll see before and after using a purple toning shampoo. However, those with all-over brown or highlighted hair will benefit more from using a blue shampoo, such as Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner, a powerful toning system that assists in preventing and neutralizing brass for brunettes.
Do you need purple conditioner with purple shampoo?
It’s not a mandatory requirement, but we argue that some things are just better in pairs! Invest in a complete shampoo and conditioner system to maximize that brass-busting goodness.
Our 9 Best Purple Shampoos To Try Now
If you’re searching for the best purple shampoo the industry has to offer, start with one of our favorites from the L’Oréal portfolio of brands.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair
A purple toning shampoo to prevent brass in blonde hair.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Conditioner for Blonde Hair
A purple, brass-busting conditioner for fragile blonde hair.
Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Shampoo for Blonde Hair
Calling anyone with bright white locks! Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Shampoo for Blonde Hair is key to keeping your blonde hair cool and bright and works in just five minutes. The salicylic acid in the formula helps strengthen and repair hair from the core, leaving hair soft to the touch. And the ultraviolet pigments help to preserve blonde hair color between appointments by keeping undertones at bay. We recommend pairing the shampoo with the Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Conditioner.
Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo
A shampoo for banishing brass and restoring brightness to blondes and grays.
Total Results So Silver Nourishing Conditioner
A nourishing conditioner that hydrates and smooths dry, brittle and damaged color-treated hair.
Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed So Silver Shampoo
We've got just the formula if you're looking for a clarifying shampoo that also fights against brass. Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo clarifies, cleanses, and neutralizes unwanted brassy warmth all in one go. It also illuminates highlights on blondes and adds shimmering brightness for color-treated and natural hair ranging from gray to white shades. Use as a complete system with the Total Results Color Obsessed So Silver Conditioner to achieve the best results. Watch this hack to see how to put the system to use!
Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
Shampoo for lightened, cool blonde, bleached, or gray hair.
Blond Absolu Cicaflash Conditioner for Blonde Hair
A lightweight conditioner that instantly restores and hydrates blonde hair.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Shampoo
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Shampoo is the purple shampoo for blonde hair you’ve been waiting for. This deep indigo, iridescent shampoo reduces brass with blue and purple dye for instant illumination and undertone neutralization. It’s perfect for shades ranging from orange-yellow to very light yellow and gray. Follow your shampoo with the matching Blond Absolu Cicaflash Conditioner.
Color Last Purple Shampoo
A vegan-formula purple shampoo for bleached blonde colored hair.
Ultra Hydra Source Conditioner
An intensely hydrating conditioner for very dry, coarse hair.
Biolage Professional Color Last Purple Shampoo
Formulated with fig and orchid, Biolage Professional Color Last Purple Shampoo keeps your blonde healthy, conditioned, and brass free until your next salon appointment.
For bleach-damaged hair that needs more TLC, follow it up with Biolage Professional Ultra Hydra Source Conditioner. The formula optimizes hydration levels in very dry, coarse hair while protecting against future breakage, frizz, and flyaways.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo
A sulfate-free strengthening and toning shampoo for damaged, lightened hair.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Conditioner
A strengthening and toning conditioner for damaged, lightened hair.
Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo
If you’ve been blonde for some time, then you’re no stranger to the damaging effects of bleach. For those with hair that often feels dry and brittle, consider picking up Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo. Created with violet toning properties, this sulfate-free purple shampoo helps tone blonde hair and neutralizes and brightens ashy, brassy tones.
Formulated with keravis, astaxanthin, purple orchid toning pigments, this purple shampoo also strengthens and rebuilds damaged, brittle hair while preventing dryness and further breakage for shiny, moisturized hair. Plus, the exclusive AntiFade Complex protects against heat damage and keeps highlights bright and vibrant while refreshing brassy, yellow tones. Use it alongside the Strength Cure Best Blonde Conditioner for even better results.
Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo for Gray Hair
A color-depositing shampoo to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Color Extend Graydiant Conditioner for Gray Hair
A color-depositng conditioner to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo
This shampoo will brighten your silver hues if your platinum hue is closer to gray than white. Redken’s Color Extend Graydient Shampoo is formulated with violet and silver pigments to help tone, strengthen, and nourish for a gorgeous silver finish! This dual-action system neutralizes yellow undertones and nourishes hair to rebalance texture and manageability. Use with the Color Extend Graydient Conditioner.
Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
A purple color-toning shampoo for bleached, highlighted blonde hair.
Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Balm
An anti-brass purple hair mask for bleached, highlighted blonde hair.
Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Give brass the boot via this richly pigmented formulation from Shu Uemura. The Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo is made with violet dye and Japanese white peony to create brilliant, cool-toned blondes. It also conditions the hair fiber for a silky smooth finish. Pair it with the Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Balm, a double-duty purple hair mask that nourishes bleached and highlighted hair.
Serie Expert Silver Purple Shampoo
A purple, color-toning shampoo that neutralizes brassiness in white, gray, or blonde hair.
Serie Expert Silver Conditioner
A nourishing purple conditioner that neutralizes brassiness in white, gray, or blonde hair.
L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Purple Shampoo
Whether you have gray, white, or blonde hair, L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Shampoo is a must-have. This color toning formula contains violet micro-pigments that eliminate brass to help restore cool tones to your salon color. Swap this with your regular shampoo once or twice a week for noticeably brighter, softer, and shinier strands, and complete the routine with the brand’s Serie Expert Silver Conditioner.
Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
A color-depositing shampoo that banishes brass in lightened hair.
Total Results Brass Off Custom Neutralization Hair Mask
A color-depositing hair mask that neutralizes brassiness in colored hair.
Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
You’ll want to keep Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo on hand if your hair is newly lightened. This shampoo deposits blue-violet pigments when you wash your hair, so brassy tones are neutralized, so you can enjoy your new color, and extend the time between salon visits even longer. Double down on your brass-banishing efforts with the line’s Total Results Brass Off Custom Neutralization Hair Mask.
Searching for more products to add to your routine? Shop the best salon-quality products at Hair.com.
Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo
An essential color-depositing blue shampoo to tone and neutralize brassy orange tones in highlighted, balayaged, or natural brown hair.
Color Extend Brownlights Conditioner
An essential color-depositing blue conditioner to help tone and get rid of brassiness in highlighted, balayaged, and natural brown hair.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair
A purple toning shampoo to prevent brass in blonde hair.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Conditioner for Blonde Hair
A purple, brass-busting conditioner for fragile blonde hair.
Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo
A shampoo for banishing brass and restoring brightness to blondes and grays.
Total Results So Silver Nourishing Conditioner
A nourishing conditioner that hydrates and smooths dry, brittle and damaged color-treated hair.
Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
Shampoo for lightened, cool blonde, bleached, or gray hair.
Blond Absolu Cicaflash Conditioner for Blonde Hair
A lightweight conditioner that instantly restores and hydrates blonde hair.
Color Last Purple Shampoo
A vegan-formula purple shampoo for bleached blonde colored hair.
Ultra Hydra Source Conditioner
An intensely hydrating conditioner for very dry, coarse hair.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo
A sulfate-free strengthening and toning shampoo for damaged, lightened hair.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Conditioner
A strengthening and toning conditioner for damaged, lightened hair.
Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo for Gray Hair
A color-depositing shampoo to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Color Extend Graydiant Conditioner for Gray Hair
A color-depositng conditioner to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
A purple color-toning shampoo for bleached, highlighted blonde hair.
Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Balm
An anti-brass purple hair mask for bleached, highlighted blonde hair.
Serie Expert Silver Purple Shampoo
A purple, color-toning shampoo that neutralizes brassiness in white, gray, or blonde hair.
Serie Expert Silver Conditioner
A nourishing purple conditioner that neutralizes brassiness in white, gray, or blonde hair.