Yes, brunettes can reap the brightening benefits of a purple shampoo – especially if you're wearing this season's bronde (brown-blonde), or you have highlights or balayage scattered through your brunette base. While purple shampoo is a staple in blonde maintenance routines, it's an upgrade that also keeps lightened brown hair brass-free. The key is knowing when it's right for you – or when a color-depositing mask might be a good choice instead.
So, let's break down everything you need to know about using purple shampoo on brown hair, from the results you can expect to the application technique that keeps highlighted brunettes looking clean, bright and brass-free...
How Purple Shampoo Works on Brunette Hair
First, let's talk about why purple shampoo is purple. It all comes down to the color wheel, in which the colors that sit opposite one another have a neutralizing effect. Green sits opposite red, blue sits opposite orange, and purple sits opposite yellow. That last one is important: it tells us that purple-pigmented treatments can help to reduce yellow tones in your hair.
Sometimes, brassy tones in brunette hair can appear more orange than yellow, making blue pigments a better choice for neutralizing orange tones, while a color-depositing mask can help refresh a faded brunette shade. But purple pigments can help, too – especially if you have highlights, balayage or naturally lighter pieces that have lifted in the sun. Purple shampoo will cool down the yellow without significantly changing your brunette color; perfect for refreshing a range of shades, from light ash browns to rich chocolate browns with blonde highlights.
Purple Shampoo vs. Blue Shampoo vs. Color-Depositing Masks: Which is Right for Your Brown Hair?
Some brown hair colors suit a purple shampoo, while others might call for blue pigments or color-depositing hair masks. Here's how to figure out the right product for your brunette goals...
| Topic | Purple Shampoo | Blue Shampoo | Color-Depositing Mask |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Neutralizing yellow or golden tones in brown hair with lightened pieces. | Cooling orange or copper tones in brown hair. | Refreshing brunette tones and enhancing your color. |
How it works | Violet pigments help to neutralize yellow tones. | Blue pigments help to cool down orange tones. | Deposits temporary color to refresh or enhance brunette tones. |
When brown hair needs it | If your light brown shade reflects yellow tinges, or if you have highlights, balayage or ombre hair. | When your brown hair shows noticeable orange or copper warmth. | When you want to refresh your overall color in between salon appointments. |
Best Brown Hair Types for Purple Shampoo
If you have true brunette hair from root to tip, purple shampoo can have a subtle cooling effect, but it may not be as transformative as it is on blonde hair. This is because purple pigments counteract yellow tones, and brassy brunettes tend to steer more orange. You may notice a gentle cooling of any unwanted warmth in your hair, but the most visible results will be seen if you have lighter pieces scattered through your brown hair.
Use it if you have:
- Light brown or bronde (brown-blonde) hair color that reflects yellow tinges when your color fades.
- Brown hair with blonde highlights that are prone to brassiness.
- Ombre or balayage through the mid-lengths and ends of brown hair.
What If Your Brunette Hair is More Orange Than Yellow?
If brassy tones in your brown hair lean more orange than yellow, blue pigments are generally better suited to neutralizing that warmth. If your brunette color simply looks faded or dull, a color-depositing treatment can help refresh and enhance the shade.
Try Color Fresh Mask in Chocolate Touch, which revives and refines brunettes in 10 minutes or less. Here's how to use it:
- If you have brown color-treated hair, start by washing with a color-safe shampoo, like ULTIMATE COLOR Sulfate-Free Shampoo. If your brown shade is natural, use a shampoo tailored to your hair type. We love ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo for silky, smooth brunettes.
- Rinse out your shampoo, squeeze out excess water, then smooth Color Fresh Mask in Chocolate Touch evenly through your hair. Distribute it with a wide-tooth comb.
- Let the mask develop for up to 10 minutes, depending on desired intensity, then rinse thoroughly. It's packed with nourishing ingredients, so you don't need to follow up with a conditioner. Style hair as usual.
Tips for Using Purple Shampoo on Brown Hair
Why: If your brown hair reflects yellow or golden brassy tones, or you have lighter pieces that are starting to look warm, purple shampoo can help to neutralize unwanted yellow tones. It’s particularly useful for brown hair with highlights, balayage or naturally lighter pieces.
What: Choose a purple shampoo and purple conditioner that tackle yellow tinges while keeping your hair soft and moisturized. We love ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo and ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Conditioner, which team neutralizing pigments with Glycine to replenish moisture from roots to ends.
When: “I would advise using ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE once or twice a week, as it will reduce brassiness and add moisture,” says Wella Professionals Creative Director ANZ Renya Xydis. You can also use it on an as-needed basis, reaching for it only when you see brassy tones peeking through.
Where: You can apply purple shampoo all over, but if brassiness is only visible through lightened sections, you may want to focus the lather in these areas.
How: Massage your chosen purple shampoo, such as ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo, into wet hair. Let the neutralizing pigments get to work for 3-5 minutes, depending on the level of toning your hair needs. Rinse thoroughly, then follow with ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Conditioner.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Purple Shampoo on Brown Hair
1. Using the Wrong Pigment for Your Color
Purple shampoo is primarily used for neutralizing yellow tinges in the hair, and this can be useful for brunettes whose color fades yellow or who have blonde highlights. But if your brown hair fades to a brighter orange, copper or red tone, you may find blue pigments (for orange tinges) or green treatments (for red undertones) to be more effective.
2. Washing with Purple Shampoo Too Often
The toning pigments in purple shampoo can build up if you over-use it, which may make your hair look overly cool and ashy. So, always follow the recommended frequency for your chosen product rather than assuming more is better. ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE can be used once or twice a week, according to Wella Professionals Creative Director ANZ Renya Xydis, while those who only need occasional toning can reach for it as needed.
3. Overlooking a Purple Conditioner
To get the cleanest color finish and softest hair, consider following purple shampoo with purple conditioner. ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Conditioner gives hair an extra dose of neutralizing pigments, while its blend of Glycine and B5 locks in moisture from roots to ends, giving you up to 90% less breakage*.
Purple Shampoo for Brown Hair: FAQs
Can You Use Purple Shampoo on Brown Hair?
Yes, you can use purple shampoo on brown hair, but the results will depend upon your shade. It's most effective if you have bronde (brown-blonde) or light brunette hair that shifts yellow when it lifts, or if you have blonde highlights or balayage woven through brown strands. The purple shampoo will help to cool down these lighter pieces, leaving them clean, bright and brass-free.
Will Purple Shampoo Turn Brown Hair Purple?
When used as directed, purple shampoo shouldn't turn your brown hair purple. However, overuse or leaving highly pigmented formulas on for too long can leave a temporary violet or ashy cast, particularly on porous or lightened hair.
Does Purple Shampoo Work on Brown Hair with Highlights or Balayage?
Yes, purple shampoo works beautifully on brown hair with highlights or balayage, as the violet pigment helps to neutralize the yellow tones that appear when blonde shades fade. A salon-grade shampoo, like ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo, will leave lighter pieces looking brass-free.
How Often Should Brunettes Use Purple Shampoo?
If you're neutralizing yellow tones in highlighted or lightened brunette hair, use a purple shampoo on an as-needed basis, reaching for it only when you need to counteract brassiness. The rest of the time, use a shampoo that's tailored to your specific hair type.
When Should You Not Use Purple Shampoo on Brown Hair?
Medium-to-dark brunettes with no lightened pieces may find purple shampoo doesn't have a significant effect on their hair. Instead, we recommend refreshing color with a tinted treatment, like Color Fresh Mask in Chocolate Touch. Its rich, chocolatey pigment refines and revives your brunette in 10 minutes or less, helping to veil over brassiness with an enhancing coat of semi-permanent color.
Keep Your Brown Hair Brass-Free with Wella Professionals
Whether you're dealing with yellow highlights, orange warmth or a brunette shade that's looking dull and faded, the right color care routine can help you maintain your dream color in between salon visits. If you're unsure which approach is right for your hair, head to your nearest Wella salon, where your stylist can offer professional, tailored advice on maintaining your brown shade.
* Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.