Maintaining the perfect shade of blonde can be challenging, especially when battling brassiness and yellow tones. Purple shampoos are designed to counteract these unwanted warm tones, ensuring your hair stays vibrant, fresh, and salon-ready. But with so many options in the market, which purple shampoo truly stands out? Here is a complete guide to the best purple shampoos to help you make the right choice.

Best Purple Shampoos

The science behind it is straightforward: purple is positioned opposite yellow on the color wheel, allowing purple pigments to neutralize yellow and brassy tones in the hair. Using purple shampoo regularly can help you keep those cool, ashy, or platinum tones that a lot of blondes and silver-haired people want.

Key Ingredients in Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoos are made with special ingredients that help neutralize brassy tones and keep your hair color looking just the way you want it. These are the typical ingredients you’ll find in purple shampoos:

1. Violet Pigments: A crucial component that helps counteract unwanted yellow and brassy tones in blonde, silver, and highlighted hair.
2. Hydrolyzed Keratin: Known for its ability to strengthen hair and aid in repairing damage.
3. Vitamin B5 (Panthenol): Helps to enhance the moisture and shine of your hair, promoting its overall health.
4. Jojoba Oil: Hydrates and nourishes hair, leaving it soft and easy to manage.
5. Aloe Vera: Provides a calming effect on the scalp and helps to hydrate the hair.
6. UV Filters: Shields your hair from the harmful effects of the sun, ensuring that your hair color stays vibrant and doesn’t fade.

Benefits of Purple Shampoo

Regular use of purple shampoo can provide numerous advantages, particularly for individuals with light-colored hair:

1. Neutralizes Brassiness: The violet pigments in this product help maintain a cool and vibrant hair color by neutralizing yellow and orange tones.
2. Preserve Hair Colour: Extends the lifespan of blonde, silver, and highlighted hair by preventing any undesired color alterations.
3. Adds Shine: Boosts the natural lustre of hair, making it look healthier.
4. Hydrates and Fortifies: Numerous purple shampoos are formulated with nourishing ingredients to moisturize and strengthen hair.
5. Provides UV Protection: Certain formulations contain UV filters that shield hair from harmful sun rays, preventing color fading and damage.

Top 6 Purple Shampoos

1. Fanola No Yellow Shampoo

• Key Benefits: Highly regarded by blondes for its powerful formula that delivers exceptional results. It effectively counteracts yellow tones, resulting in a cool, ashy hue for the hair. This shampoo is quite potent, so it’s recommended to use it once a week or as necessary to prevent excessive toning.
• Best For: Those with extremely light, platinum, or silver hair who need a powerful solution to brassiness.

2. The Joico Colour Balance Purple Shampoo

• Key Benefits: Joico’s formula uses its Multi-Spectrum Defence Complex and Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex to strengthen and protect hair while neutralizing brassy tones. This shampoo is designed to protect your hair color and keep it looking vibrant, even when you can’t make it to the salon.
• Best For: Color-treated hair that needs both toning and strengthening.

3. Redken Colour Extend Blondage Shampoo

• Key Benefits: The Triple Acid Protein Complex and UV pigments in Redken’s Colour Extend Blondage Shampoo aid in brightening, toning, and strengthening blonde hair. These are the product’s main advantages. The formula also gives your hair a soft and manageable feel.
• Best For: Blondes looking for a toning shampoo that also conditions and fortifies the hair.

4. Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo

• Key Benefits: Matrix Number of Results The Silver Shampoo effectively counteracts brassy warmth and eliminates any dull, yellow tones. It’s perfect for all hair types, whether it’s natural or color-treated. It gives your hair a beautiful, shiny silver glow.
• Best For: Natural and color-treated blondes and those with gray or silver hair seeking an even tone.

5. Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo

• Key Benefits: A fan favorite, Shimmer Lights Shampoo is known for its powerful brass-banishing abilities and affordable price point. It’s a go-to for both blondes and those with silver or gray hair.
• Best For: Blondes with dry, damaged hair

6. Kevin Murphy Blonde.Angel Wash

• Key Benefits: This luxury shampoo is enriched with natural ingredients, including lavender and sunflower seed extracts, as well as purple pigments, which are designed to intensify and enhance blonde tones. This product is suitable for everyday use and will leave your hair nourished and shiny.
• Best For: Those looking for a gentle, daily-use purple shampoo with the added benefits of natural ingredients.

Tips for Using Purple Shampoo

For optimal results with your purple shampoo, follow these professional tips:

1. Start Slowly: If you’re not familiar with purple shampoo, begin by using it once a week to see how your hair responds. Excessive use may result in an unintentional purple hue.
2. Leave It On: For best results, leave the shampoo on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. Modify the duration according to your preferred level of toning.
3. Pair with a Conditioner: Enhance your hair’s tone and maintain its moisture and health by using a purple conditioner.
4. Alternate Products: You may want to switch between a purple shampoo and a regular sulfate-free shampoo to keep things balanced and prevent excessive toning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Purple Shampoos

1. What is purple shampoo, and how does it work?

Purple shampoo is a specially formulated product that contains violet pigments to neutralize yellow and brassy tones in light-colored hair. Because purple and yellow are opposite on the color wheel, the purple pigments cancel out the yellow, leaving blonde, silver, or highlighted hair looking cooler and brighter.

2. Who should use purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo is ideal for anyone with blonde, silver, platinum, or highlighted hair that tends to develop yellow or brassy tones over time. It can also be beneficial for maintaining the vibrancy of cool brown tones.

3. How often should I use purple shampoo?

The frequency of use depends on your hair color and the level of brassiness you experience. Typically, using purple shampoo once a week is sufficient for most people. However, if your hair is very light or prone to brassiness, you might use it two to three times a week. Always follow the specific product’s instructions.

4. Can I use purple shampoo on natural blonde hair?

Yes, purple shampoo is great for keeping natural blonde hair looking cool and bright while preventing any unwanted yellow tones.

5. Can I use purple shampoo on brown hair?

Brown hair can benefit from using purple shampoo, especially if you have highlights or balayage that tend to develop brassiness. It helps maintain the cool tones in the highlighted sections.

6. How long should I leave purple shampoo on my hair?

The recommended time varies by product, but generally, you should leave the shampoo on for 2-5 minutes. For more intense toning, some products suggest leaving it on for up to 10 minutes. Always start with a shorter duration and adjust based on your hair’s response to avoid over-toning.

7. Can purple shampoo dry out my hair?

Yes, purple shampoo can be drying due to its toning properties. It’s important to follow up with a good conditioner or a deep conditioning treatment to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

8. What should I do if my hair turns purple from using purple shampoo?

If your hair develops a purple tint from using purple shampoo, don’t panic. It usually washes out after a few shampoos with regular shampoo. To avoid this, use purple shampoo less frequently and leave it on for a shorter period.

9. Can I use purple shampoo with other hair care products?

Yes, purple shampoo can be used alongside other hair care products. It’s often beneficial to use a hydrating conditioner or a matching purple conditioner to enhance the toning effects and keep your hair moisturized.

10. Are there any precautions I should take when using purple shampoo?

• Patch Test: If you’re using a purple shampoo for the first time, do a patch test to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
• Use Sparingly: Start with a small amount and increase as needed to avoid over-toning.
• Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all product residue.
• Alternate Shampoos: To prevent over-toning, alternate your purple shampoo with a regular color-safe shampoo.

Conclusion

Purple shampoo is a must-have for those with blonde, silver, or highlighted hair. It helps maintain the desired hair color and keeps hair looking vibrant and healthy by neutralizing brassy tones. When selecting a purple shampoo, it’s important to take into account your hair type and the specific benefits you require. When used consistently and applied correctly, purple shampoo can have a noticeable impact on the look and condition of your hair.