Maintaining a bright, salon-fresh blonde is a labor of love. Whether you have platinum highlights, silver strands, or a natural blonde mane, you’ve likely encountered the dreaded “brassiness”—those stubborn yellow and orange undertones that appear as your toner fades. This is where a high-quality purple shampoo becomes an essential tool in your hair care arsenal.
Purple shampoo works through the simple science of color theory. Because purple sits directly opposite yellow on the color wheel, the violet pigments in the shampoo neutralize warm tones, effectively “cooling” your hair color back to its intended shade. However, not all purple shampoos are created equal. Some are intensely pigmented for a quick fix, while others focus on hydration and repair to keep processed hair healthy.
After analyzing formulation data and consulting with professional colorists, we’ve rounded up the top 10 expert-tested purple shampoos for 2024 to help you maintain your perfect hue at home.
The Skincare Science of Toning: Why Your Hair Care Turns Brassy
Brassiness occurs when the natural underlying pigments of your hair are revealed. When you lighten hair, the bleach lifts your natural color, but it often leaves behind warm residual tones. Over time, factors like UV exposure, hard water minerals, and heat styling strip away your salon toner, allowing those yellow and gold shades to peek through.
A professional-grade purple shampoo doesn’t dye your hair; instead, it deposits a sheer layer of violet pigment that sits on the hair cuticle to cancel out warmth. Using the right formula ensures your blonde stays crisp without looking dull or “over-toned” (turning a muddy grey or lilac).
10 Best Purple Shampoos for Brassy Hair Care in 2024
1. Best Overall: Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
Olaplex revolutionized the industry with bond-building technology, and their No. 4P is no exception. This formula is highly concentrated, offering significant brightening results in as little as one minute. Unlike many toning shampoos that can leave hair feeling brittle, this one repairs broken disulfide bonds while it tones.
2. Best for Intense Neutralization: Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
If you are dealing with heavy yellowing, Fanola is the “heavy hitter” of the industry. It is incredibly pigmented and best suited for platinum or very light blonde hair. Use this sparingly, as its powerful violet pigment can easily tint the hair if left on too long.
3. Best Luxury Pick: Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color
For those who want a spa-like experience, Oribe delivers. This sulfate-free formula uses pure violet pigments to eliminate brassiness while incorporating the Oribe Signature Complex (Watermelon, Lychee, and Edelweiss Flower) to protect against oxidative stress and photoaging.
4. Best Drugstore Buy: L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Shampoo
Proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune for great results, the EverPure line offers a professional-quality, sulfate-free formula. It is gentle on color-treated hair and utilizes hibiscus and purple dye to keep blondes bright and hydrated.
5. Best for Strength: Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo
Redken’s formula features a Triple Acid Protein complex. It’s designed for blondes who experience breakage. It strengthens the hair fiber while the ultra-violet pigments neutralize unwanted warmth, making it a dual-purpose powerhouse.
6. Best for Repair: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo
This shampoo is clinically proven to repair and strengthen hair. It contains bond-cure technology, sea buckthorn, and plant butters. It’s an excellent choice for those whose blonde journey has left their hair porous and in need of extra TLC.
7. Best Hydrating Formula: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
Many purple shampoos can be drying, but Moroccanoil combats this with ArganID technology. This infuses argan oil into the hair’s cortex while repairing and sealing the cuticle, ensuring your blonde is both bright and soft.
8. Best for Fine Hair Care: Matrix Total Results So Silver
Matrix So Silver is a classic for a reason. It provides a clean, cool-toned finish without weighing hair down with heavy oils. It is particularly effective for silver and grey hair, helping to maintain a crisp, luminous shine.
9. Best “Clean” Beauty Option: Kevin Murphy Blonde.Angel.Wash
Kevin Murphy focuses on “skincare for your hair.” This wash uses lavender flower extracts and optical brighteners to refresh dull blonde tones. It is sulfate-free, paraben-free, and uses high-quality essential oils to maintain hair health.
10. Best for Color Longevity: Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
Joico uses a Multi-Spectrum Defense Complex to protect color from fading. Their purple pigment is specifically designed to attach to the hair fibers and stay there through multiple washes, extending the time between salon visits.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in a Toning Shampoo
Before purchasing, consider these three critical factors to ensure you choose the formula that matches your hair needs:
| Feature | What it Means | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| Pigment Density | How “purple” the liquid is. | Platinum/Silver blondes needing heavy toning. |
| Sulfate-Free | Lacks harsh detergents. | Anyone with damaged or dry color-treated hair. |
| Bond Builders | Ingredient Education like proteins or patented linkers. | Hair Care that has been heavily lightened/bleached. |
How to Use Purple Shampoo Effectively
Using purple shampoo incorrectly can lead to patchy results or “over-toning.” Follow these expert steps for a perfect finish:
- Rinse with Warm Water: This opens the hair cuticle, allowing the pigment to penetrate more effectively.
- Apply Evenly: Start from the roots (where brassiness is often most stubborn) and work your way to the ends.
- Watch the Clock: For maintenance, 1–3 minutes is usually enough. For intense toning, leave it for 5 minutes, but never exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Follow with Conditioner: Toning shampoos can be slightly alkaline. Use a moisturizing conditioner or a purple mask to seal the cuticle and add shine.
- Frequency Matters: Do not use purple shampoo every day. Once or twice a week is typically sufficient to maintain color without dulling the hair.
Pros and Cons of Using Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Cost-Effective: Extends the time between expensive salon toning appointments.
- Instant Results: You can see a visible difference in hair tone after just one wash.
- Customizable: You can control the level of toning by adjusting the “dwell time” (how long you leave it on).
Cons
- Potential for Dryness: Some highly pigmented formulas lack conditioning agents.
- Staining: Very strong formulas can temporarily stain hands, shower grout, or light-colored towels.
- Over-toning: Using it too often can make hair look darker or take on a purple/grey tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can purple shampoo turn my hair purple?
Yes, if left on too long or used on very porous, lightened hair, it can leave a lilac tint. If this happens, don’t panic—it will usually wash out with one or two lathers of a regular clarifying shampoo.
Is purple shampoo the same as blue shampoo?
No. Purple shampoo is for blondes to neutralize yellow tones. Blue shampoo is designed for brunettes with highlights to neutralize orange or copper tones. Because blue is opposite orange on the color wheel, it is the better choice for darker hair levels.
Can I use purple shampoo on dry hair?
While some people use it on dry hair for a “power-toning” effect, it is not generally recommended for beginners. Dry hair is more porous and absorbs pigment unevenly, which can lead to splotchy results. It is best to stick to wet hair application unless instructed otherwise by a professional.
Will purple shampoo lighten my dark hair?
No. Purple shampoo does not contain bleach or lighteners. It only deposits pigment. It will not make dark brown hair blonde; it only alters the “temperature” of existing lightened strands.
How often should I use it?
Most experts recommend using it once a week or every third wash. Over-use can lead to pigment buildup, which makes blonde hair look “inked” or dull rather than bright and reflective.
—
Topic: Best purple shampoo for brassy hair
Tags: #Purple #Shampoo #Brassy #Hair Care #ExpertTested #Picks