Purple Shampoo: Your Everything Guide

Purple shampoo is a violet-tinted product designed to neutralise brassy yellow and golden tones in blonde, grey, light brown and highlighted hair. But how does it work? It all comes down to the colour wheel: violet sits opposite yellow, meaning the two tones cancel each other out. And because purple shampoo doesn’t lighten or bleach your hair, it’s safe and easy to use at home. ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo makes it even simpler, with a 3-in-1 formula that tones, protects and moisturises.

So, let's explore the many benefits of purple shampoo, how it works, and how you can use it to keep your colour looking bright and brass-free in between salon visits...

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Hair?

Purple shampoo helps to neutralise yellow and brassy tones in your hair, giving you an at-home solution for the unwanted warmth that can appear in between salon visits. All you have to do is massage a purple shampoo – like ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo – into damp hair, let the lather sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse it out to reveal a cooler, brighter finish.

Does Purple Shampoo Really Work?

Yes, purple shampoo really works due to the basics of colour theory. It all comes down to the rules of the colour wheel, in which colours that sit opposite one another can have a neutralising effect – green sits opposite red, blue sits opposite orange, and purple sits opposite yellow. That last one is important – it explains why purple shampoo is so effective for blondes or light brunettes dealing with yellow or golden undertones.

Who Is Purple Shampoo For?

Purple shampoo is ideal for:

• Blondes who want to maintain cool tones;
• Light brown hair prone to yellowing;
• Dark brunettes with lighter pieces, such as highlights or balayage;
• Grey hair with visible yellowing.

What Should I *Not* Do With Purple Shampoo?

As long as you follow the instructions on the bottle, using purple shampoo is simple and stress-free. But there are some (thankfully, temporary!) mistakes you can make, so make sure you avoid these:

Using purple shampoo too frequently: You don't need to use it every wash – for cool and neutral blondes, once per week is usually enough. And if you have intentional warmth in your hair, it should only be used as needed.

Leaving the lather on too long: Always follow the recommended time on the bottle. ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo should be left on for 3-5 minutes, and if you're only seeing subtle warmth, three minutes will often be enough time to restore coolness.

Using it for stubborn orange or red tones: As the colour wheel shows, purple is used for neutralising yellow or golden tones. If you're seeing orange or red brassiness, these tones can be stubborn, and you may benefit from a professional consultation.

Look for These Key Ingredients in a Purple Shampoo

To give your blonde hair the care it deserves, your purple shampoo should balance violet pigments with moisturising ingredients. Because busting brassiness is just half the battle – a flawless blonde should look and feel healthy, too. That's why we've formulated ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo with B5, Glycine and neutralising pigments. Here's what each ingredient brings to your blonde maintenance regimen…

Toning Ingredients

Neutralising pigments: Onyx Shampoo's deep violet pigment has a cooling, neutralising effect on yellow tones.

Activated charcoal: The deep marine colour of Onyx Shampoo comes down to the addition of activated charcoal. "Charcoal has a cool ash tone and helps create a more balanced neutralisation, helping counteract warm undertones for a more refined blonde," says Katharina Liebner, Senior Manager of Product Development at Wella Professionals.

Expert insight: “[Onyx Shampoo] is really intense. I love it because it's ideal for eliminating all warm tones,” says Vincenzo Lucchese, Wella Professionals Artist.

Caring Ingredients

Glycine: This active antioxidant fights already existing free radicals to help protect hair from the damaging effects of the environment.

Metal Purifier: Wella's exclusive technology helps to prevent hair damage due to its ability to encapsulate metal ions, inhibiting the formation of free radicals during oxidation.

B5: This powerful vitamin helps to replenish and retain moisture from root to tip.

How Often Should I Use Purple Shampoo?

How often you use purple shampoo depends on how light your hair is, how quickly unwanted warmth appears, and the kind of tone you want to maintain. With ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo, very light blonde hair may need more frequent toning, while you may want to dial down your use of purple shampoo on darker blonde or highlighted brunette hair.

Think about the tone you're aiming for, too. If you have cool or ash blonde hair, purple shampoo may be needed more frequently to keep on top of yellow tones. But if you have warm blonde hair – and by that we mean intentional warmth, as seen in honey or caramel blondes – it's best to use purple shampoo only on an as-needed basis.

For a starting point, follow these maintenance guidelines:

For very light blonde hair (levels 9–10): use purple shampoo 1–3 times per week when maintaining a cool or ashy finish.

For medium blonde hair (level 8): use purple shampoo about once per week to help maintain a neutral or beige finish.

For level 7 blonde: use purple shampoo as needed, particularly when unwanted yellow tones become visible.

For dark blondes, light brunettes or dark brunettes with highlights: use purple shampoo as needed when highlighted areas begin to look overly yellow or warm. If you prefer a warmer result, use it less frequently so you don't unnecessarily neutralise the warmth you want to keep.

But Don't Use Purple Shampoo When...

Your tone is already perfect. If your blonde is already at your ideal level of cool and bright or effortlessly neutral, hold off on purple toning products until you see yellow tones appear.

You want to keep intentional warmth. If you prefer a golden, honey or warmer blonde, using purple shampoo too frequently can work against the tone you're trying to maintain.

Your hair looks orange rather than yellow. Violet pigments are designed to neutralise yellow tones. If the unwanted warmth is predominantly orange or red, a blue shampoo or professional toning may be best.

What's the Best Way to Use Purple Shampoo?

We know what you might be thinking: "I know how to use a shampoo." But purple shampoo comes with its own set of rules if you want to get the best results. Keep these tips in mind:

1. Massage it into Damp – Not Wet – Hair

Wet hair can form a barrier that dilutes violet pigments, so work with damp hair instead. That way, your purple shampoo will be better absorbed and able to tackle brassy tones. You can gently squeeze out the excess water or, for an extra-delicate approach, lightly blot hair and 'press' out moisture with a microfibre towel. Then, gently massage ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo into lengths and ends, making sure you use enough to cover every strand.

2. Leave the Shampoo in Your Hair for 3-5 Minutes

The purple lather of ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo should be left on your hair for 3-5 minutes. Three minutes may be enough if the unwanted warmth is subtle or you don't want to lean too cool, while five minutes may be needed to neutralise more intense brassiness. Our tip? Start with a shorter wait the first time, and adapt for the next wash if needed.

3. Rinse Thoroughly and Condition

Make sure your purple shampoo is thoroughly rinsed out. Always use lukewarm water for this step – hot water can be drying, while cold water may not remove the residue effectively. Then, apply ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Conditioner; a lilac treatment that treats your blonde to extra cooling and extra moisture. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes then, again, rinse thoroughly.

I Have More Questions...

No problem. We've rounded up all of the most frequently asked questions about purple shampoo below. Here's what the pros want you to know about caring for your blonde at home...

Is Purple Shampoo *Only* for Blonde Hair?

No, purple shampoo isn't only for blonde hair (although the two do make the best match). It's the link between yellow and violet tones that make a purple shampoo so effective. So, if you have brown hair, and any brassiness that shows up has a yellowish tinge instead of orange or red, washing with a violet-tinted formula will help. This is most likely to happen with lighter shades of brown rather than dark brunettes – especially if you have highlights or a balayage.

Purple shampoo can also be great for enhancing grey hair, boosting its brightness and keeping it cool and clean. Silver strands may reflect hints of yellow over time, so a quick wash of violet is the ideal fix for refining the tone. Just don't leave the formula on too long. Three minutes may be all that's needed to banish brassy yellow strands without leaving grey hair with a purple sheen.

What Happens if I Use Purple Shampoo on Dry Hair?

The internet is flooded with hair hacks – some great and some, well... not so great. One circulating TikTok is the idea you can use purple shampoo on dry hair to up its intensity. However, we don't recommend this trick. Because hair is more porous when it's dry, the purple shampoo can deposit unevenly, resulting in a patchy finish. Stick to massaging it into wet hair for the most flawless finish, and make sure you rinse it out thoroughly before applying conditioner.

Will Purple Shampoo Make My Hair Purple?

Just because it's a purple colour doesn't mean your shampoo will turn your hair violet. Used on highlighted hair and colour-treated hair, it's designed to neutralise warmth without altering the colour. It could potentially turn hair purple if you leave it on for too long or use it too frequently, so make sure you rinse it out after a maximum of five minutes – less if you're just starting out.

Can You Use Purple Shampoo on Bleached Hair?

Yes, you can use purple shampoo on bleached hair. In fact, we recommend it for all bleached blondes, as it keeps brassiness at bay while you're waiting for your next colour touch-up.

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Pastel Hair?

Purple shampoo is great for so many different hair types, but we don't usually recommend it on pastel tones. Unless, of course, your choice of pastel is lilac frost hair or a scattering of lavender highlights. The good news is, while purple shampoo isn't suitable for refreshing pastel blue or pink hair, these whimsical tones don't tend to turn brassy. They simply fade subtler and softer over time.

Can Purple Shampoo Dry My Hair Out?

Some purple shampoos can be drying, which is why you should choose your formula carefully. We love ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo, which teams neutralising pigments with B5 to lock in moisture from roots to ends. It's also a protective cleanser, packed with Metal Purifier and Glycine to shield your hair from the effects of external aggressors.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent Brassy Tones?

As well as using a purple shampoo, you can keep your blonde hair bright by adding a series of quick upgrades to your care routine. Follow these steps:

1. Follow a Colour-Safe Hair Care Routine

Metal impurities can distort your colour, and may contribute to that dull, brassy look. So, when you're not using purple shampoo, follow a consistent, colour-safe hair care routine that neutralises metal. The ULTIMATE COLOR range has it covered, with a Sulfate-Free Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-In Mask and Shine Spray that give you up to 10 weeks of colour vibrancy*. Each step features the same B5, Glycine and Metal Purifier blend found in the Onyx Shampoo, so your hair is moisturised and protected from the fading effects of metals and pollutants.

2. Don't Swim Without Protection

Chlorine can strip lipids from coloured hair, leaving your strands dry and more vulnerable to brassiness. So, if you swim frequently, make sure you're protecting your hair from the effects of chlorine. One trick to try is to saturate hair in clean water before diving into the pool, as it prevents strands from soaking up as much of the chlorinated water. But the most reliable protection for swimmers? A swim cap – every time. Anyone who hits the pool regularly and colours their hair needs a cap in their gym bag.

3. Shield Your Shade From Heat and UV Rays

Heat and UV exposure can cause hair colour to fade, making unwanted warmth more noticeable in blonde hair. So, before using hot tools or heading out for the day, use a multi-tasking hair protector that shields against both heat and sun exposure. ULTIMATE REPAIR 5-in-1 Protective Leave-In is a delicate cream that also offers protection against frizz, heat and mechanical damage, while treating lightened hair to a reparative blend of AHA and Omega-9.

Now you know what it takes to neutralise unwanted pigments with a purple shampoo, it's time to level up your hair washing ritual. Reach for ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo, and lather up every time brassiness appears.

* With regular use of Ultimate Color regimen from salon to home.