The 14 Best Purple Shampoos for Blonde, Silver & Highlighted Hair (2024 Review)
Discover the top purple shampoos to banish brassiness, brighten your hair, and keep blonde, silver, and highlighted locks vibrant.
The 14 Best Purple Shampoos for Blonde, Silver & Highlighted Hair
If you have blonde, silver, gray, or highlighted hair, you’ve likely faced the struggle of unwanted brassiness — those pesky yellow or orange tones that can appear between salon visits. Luckily, the right purple shampoo can neutralize brassiness and keep your color looking vibrant, fresh, and professionally toned. In this guide, discover the top-rated purple shampoos of 2024, learn how they work, expert tips for best results, and see answers to your most common questions about purple shampoo.
What is Purple Shampoo and How Does it Work?
Purple shampoo is a specially formulated cleanser that contains violet or purple pigments. These pigments latch onto the hair shaft to minimize yellow and brassy tones, thanks to basic color theory: purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, so it cancels out the appearance of unwanted warm shades.1
- Purple shampoo works on platinum blonde, ash blonde, natural and highlighted blonde, balayaged hair, and even gray, silver, or white hair.
- Helps maintain a cool, fresh, and neutral tone between salon appointments.
“When the yellow tones in blonde hair are covered by violet pigment,” explains celebrity colorist Brad Mondo, “it gives you a more neutral or even ash tone as a result.”1
How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo?
Frequency depends on both your hair’s health and your desired level of toning:
- For intense brassiness: Use as a regular shampoo or leave on longer for a stronger toning effect.
- For maintenance: Once a week or every other week is generally sufficient.
- Method: Lather in your hands, apply to wet hair, work through thoroughly, and leave on for 1 to 5 minutes. Rinse well and follow with conditioner.1
Warning: Use too much, too often, or leave the shampoo on too long, and your hair can actually take on a purplish tint, especially if it’s dry or damaged. Always start slowly and adjust based on your hair’s response.
The 14 Best Purple Shampoos for Brassy Hair in 2024
Below are the top-rated purple shampoos, with details on their key features, ingredients, pros, and cons. Whether you want a gentle everyday formula or the strongest toner, you’ll find a recommendation that fits your needs.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
- Pros: Contains hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed wheat protein for hydration and strengthening; extremely potent violet pigment for powerful toning.
- Cons: Contains sulfates; can overtone if left on too long.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed wheat protein.
- Sulfate free? No.
- Recommended use: No more than biweekly, leave on max 2 minutes.
- Scent: Fresh.
What others are reading
Customer review: “Works amazingly well. It looked like my daughter’s highlights were just re-done. The smell is amazing, and her hair was soft and shiny. 100 percent.”1
Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo
- Pros: Sulfate-free; deeply moisturizing with coconut, avocado, and castor oils; visible toning after just one use.
- Cons: Some testers report staining if left on too long.
- Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, avocado oil, mango seed butter.
- Sulfate free? Yes.
- Recommended use: Bi-weekly.
- Scent: Fresh, warm.
Customer review: “This product is so good and took out all of the orange/yellow in my hair. Left it so soft and so shiny. I would recommend this product to everyone—blonde and even light brown hair.”1
Noteworthy Purple Shampoos for Every Hair Concern
| Product | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redken Color Extend Blondage | Salon-level toning | Maximum neutralization, strengthening proteins |
| Fanola No Yellow Shampoo | Platinum blondes, instant toning | Extra-strong formula for quick results |
| Clairol Shimmer Lights | Budget-friendly, classic toning | Traditional formula, reliable brassy tone removal |
| Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer | Strengthening/repair for damaged hair | Bond-building with noticeable toning |
| Amika Bust Your Brass | Moisture and anti-breakage | Plant butters, nourishing and hydrating |
| L’Oréal EverPure Brass Toning Purple Shampoo | Gentle daily use | Sulfate-free, botanical ingredients |
| Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo | Color-treated hair protection | UV protectants, fade-preventing ingredients |
| MATRIX Total Results So Silver | Gray and silver hair | High pigment load for very light shades |
Each of these options comes with a spectrum of pigment strength, hydration, and special care ingredients for targeted needs like dryness, damage, or fading.
Key Ingredients to Look For in Purple Shampoo
Besides powerful violet pigments, watch for:
- Hyaluronic acid: Attracts moisture and plumps hair for softness.
- Hydrolyzed proteins (keratin, wheat): Fortify and rebuild fragile, color-treated strands.
- Nourishing oils and butters: Such as coconut, castor, avocado, and mango seed, to prevent dryness from frequent toning.
- Bond-building ingredients: Like in Olaplex, to repair chemical or heat damage.
- Botanical extracts and antioxidants: Offer gentle cleansing and color protection.
Expert Tips for Using Purple Shampoo
- Start slowly: If you’re new to purple shampoo or using a new formula, begin with a short contact time (1-2 minutes) and gradually increase if needed.
- Saturate evenly: Apply to wet hair and use enough product to fully saturate all strands, especially the most brassy areas.
- Always follow with conditioner: Purple shampoos, even hydrating ones, can temporarily roughen hair’s cuticle. Follow with a moisturizing conditioner or a purple conditioner for extra toning.
- Adjust for your color: Platinum or icy blondes may need only a short application, while golden blondes or highlighted brunettes may benefit from longer use.
- Avoid overuse: If your hair picks up a violet hue, switch back to regular shampoo for a few washes.
- For best results: Pair with a matching purple conditioner or hair mask once a week for ongoing vibrancy.
Purple Shampoo for Different Hair Colors
- Blonde hair: Keeps icy/frosty blondes cool-toned; brightens honey and golden hues.
- Highlighted & Balayaged hair: Tones down brassiness in contrast areas and maintains neutral balance.
- Gray, Silver, & White hair: Restores vibrancy, removes dull yellowing caused by age or environmental pollutants.
- Light brown: Neutralizes brassiness, especially in highlighted sections.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Purple Shampoo
How does purple shampoo work on blonde hair?
Purple shampoo deposits violet pigments on the hair shaft, effectively neutralizing yellow and orange undertones to help maintain a bright, cool shade between color treatments.
Can brunettes use purple shampoo?
Yes. Purple shampoo is particularly useful for brunettes with blonde, caramel, or light highlights, as it helps tone down brassiness in those lighter sections, though it won’t visibly affect darker brown strands.
How long should I leave purple shampoo on?
Start with 1-2 minutes. For stronger toning, leave up to 5 minutes, but don’t exceed the recommended time to avoid an unwanted purple cast. Extremely pigmented formulas may only need 2 minutes.
Can purple shampoo damage my hair?
Frequent or prolonged use can dry out your hair, especially if your hair is already chemically lightened. Always follow with conditioner and limit use to once or twice per week for most hair types.
What do I do if my hair turns purple?
Switch to a clarifying shampoo for your next wash or gently cleanse with your usual shampoo a couple of times. The purple hue should fade within two to three washes.
Purple Shampoo Myths and Social Media Trends
Some viral trends, like applying an entire bottle of purple shampoo to dry hair and leaving it on for 24 hours, have surfaced on TikTok4. Experts strongly advise against these methods: overuse can seriously overtone and dry your hair, sometimes causing uneven or dull results. Stick to product instructions for best (and safest) results.
How to Choose the Right Purple Shampoo For You
- Hydration: For dry or damaged hair, opt for moisturizing formulas with butters and oils.
- Potency: If you want quick results, look for high-pigment shampoos, but use cautiously.
- Sulfate-Free: Sensitive scalps or color-treated hair benefit from sulfate-free options.
- Fragrance: If you are sensitive to scents, seek gentle or fragrance-free formulas.
- Color Goal: Platinum or icy blondes need different formulas than warm or highlighted blondes.
Quick Tips For First-Time Users
- Patch test on a strand before full use.
- Don’t use more than recommended.
- If unsure, consult your colorist for brand recommendations, especially if you’ve just visited the salon.
Conclusion: Keep Your Hair Fresh and Vibrant
The best purple shampoo for you depends on your hair color, desired result, and personal preference. By selecting a formula tailored to your needs and following the tips above, you can keep brassiness at bay and hair salon-fresh every day.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g10225071/best-purple-shampoo/
- https://odelebeauty.com/products/purple-shampoo
- https://beachwaverblog.com/storiesc/cosmopolitan-27-best-purple-shampoos-for-blonde-hair
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/hair/a32462035/purple-shampoo-lighten-hair-tiktok-video/
- https://www.haircosmopolitan.com/products/blonde-perfecting-purple-shampoo
- https://www.cosmoprofbeauty.com/USA-M-588038.html
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