Why You Need a Special Shampoo For Grey Hair

Grey hair can benefit from a specialized purple shampoo that neutralizes brassy tones. Why? Because yellow tinges are common through silver strands, caused by metal build-up, heat styling, UV exposure and environmental pollutants.

A purple shampoo can mean the difference between a dull grey and a healthy-looking silver that appears fresh, bright and glossy. But not just any product will do. Let's explore what you need from the best type of shampoo for grey hair...

Why You Need a Specialized Shampoo for Grey Hair?

Grey hair has unique needs that regular shampoos can't always address:

• Prone to brassiness: Pollution, chlorine, and genetics can lead to yellow or brassy tones in silver strands.
• Naturally drier: Sebum glands slow down over time, producing less of the essential oils that keep hair soft and moisturized.
• Appears wiry: Reduced moisture can lead to frizz and a coarser texture.
• Needs tone maintenance: Pigment-depositing products help refresh color without changing it.

When dullness strikes, only the very best care can help those silver strands sparkle once again, which is why pigment-depositing products are key for renewing the tone without changing the color.

Why Does Grey Hair Need Extra Care?

You know that purple shampoo is perfect for reversing brassy tones in blonde hair – but what about grey? Turns out, violet pigments can dial down overly warm hues in silver locks, too. It all comes down to color theory. Shades that sit opposite one another on the color wheel have the ability to cancel each other out, in effect neutralizing unwanted tones. And, because purple sits opposite yellow, it can rid you of that unwanted yellowy cast.

Recommended Usage: Use purple shampoo once per week, or whenever yellow tones start to appear.

What to Look for in a Purple Shampoo for Grey Hair

• Neutralizing pigments: Cool down yellow and brassy tones with purple pigments. The addition of Activated Charcoal gives greys a cooler, cleaner, brighter finish.
• Hydrating agents: Restore moisture to grey strands, which can be prone to dryness as natural oil production from the hair follicles declines.
• Anti-metal technology: Metals in the water you wash with can accumulate on hair, making grey tones appear flat and dull. Look for anti-metal technology to neutralize their effects.

For a purple shampoo that answers all of these needs, try ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo. The 3-in-1 formula enhances grey hair with a deep violet hue for toning, a dose of Glycine to lock in moisture, and a blend of B5 and Metal Purifier to protect from root to tip. Its rich lather targets yellow tones in five minutes or less, so you're left with a brighter, cleaner, fresher-looking grey, and hair that feels soft and moisturized.

How to Use Purple Shampoo on Grey Hair

1. Wet hair thoroughly.
2. Apply purple shampoo and lather up from roots to ends.
3. Leave on for 3-5 minutes, depending on the level of toning needed.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Follow with a moisturizing leave-in or, if extra toning is needed, a purple conditioner.

How Else Can You Enhance Grey Hair?

Grey hair care doesn't begin and end with a purple shampoo. For a more lustrous look, you need a shine-boosting shampoo, a frizz-controlling conditioner, an intensive mask, and – for next-level shine – a heat-protecting hair oil.

Essential Products for a Grey Hair Care Routine

• Nourishing shampoo: ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo for smoothness, frizz control and lustrous shine.
• Smoothing conditioner: ULTIMATE SMOOTH Conditioner for grey hair that glistens and sumptuously soft hair.
• Intensive mask: ULTIMATE SMOOTH Mask for those days when grey hair feels rough, dry, frizzy and in need of deeper care.
• Purple shampoo: ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo to neutralize yellow tones and lock in moisture.
• Heat protectant: ULTIMATE REPAIR 5-in-1 Protective Leave-In to protect grey hair against heat up to 450°F/230°C, UV rays, frizz, breakage and mechanical damage.
• Hair oil: ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum for mirror-like shine and 96-hour frizz control*.

1. Wash with a Nourishing Shampoo

When your hair turns grey and loses its pigment, the melanin levels drop, which can make individual strands feel coarse, brittle and more prone to frizz. A nourishing shampoo that works from the inside out can improve manageability, which is one of the reasons we recommend ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo for grey hair. The second reason? Its beautiful, glass-like shine, which helps silver strands glow.

2. Always Use a Conditioner

If grey hair is feeling wiry, a conditioner is non-negotiable. It's the key to keeping strands soft and flexible, so your hair becomes easier to style. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Conditioner has a rich, creamy formula that renews dull, rough, frizzy hair, with a blend of Squalane and Omega-9.

3. Apply a Weekly Hair Mask

Once per week, massage a hair mask into the mid-lengths and ends of your hair – preferably one that adds smoothness and shine, so grey tones appear glossy. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Mask is a luxurious treatment that envelops dry, rough strands in rich, radiance-boosting care, working to deeply nourish hair on the inside and recreate a protective barrier on the outside.

4. Neutralize Yellow Tones with Purple-Toning Shampoo

A purple shampoo helps to neutralize yellow tinges in grey hair, so silver or salt 'n' pepper strands appear cleaner and brighter. Choose one with ultra-cool neutralizing pigments, like ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Onyx Shampoo, which teams violet tones with Activated Charcoal. Massage it into wet hair, leave the lather on for 3-5 minutes (depending on the desired level of toning), then rinse thoroughly. Follow with ULTIMATE COLOR BLONDE Conditioner for moisture and extra brass-busting care.

5. Never Skip UV and Heat Protectant

UV exposure and excess heat styling are two of the most common culprits behind yellow tones in grey hair, so protect against both with a multi-tasking serum. ULTIMATE REPAIR 5-in-1 Protective Leave-In offers protection against heat up to 450°F/230°C, UV rays, frizz, breakage and mechanical stress, while its blend of AHA and Omega-9 offers nourishing repair for hair that feels damaged and delicate.

6. Apply a Nourishing Hair Oil

Grey hair looks its healthiest with a dose of shine, so add a hair oil to your regimen. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum is a luxurious choice, with Omega-9 and Squalane giving strands a dose of nourishment and 96-hour frizz control* – perfect for unruly, wiry strands. You can use it before drying to achieve a super-silky blowout, or apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of already-dry, styled hair to tame flyaways in seconds.

"MIRACLE OIL SERUM CREATES THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GLASS HAIR FINISH YOU'VE EVER SEEN!"

– James Earnshaw (@jhair_stylist), Wella Professionals Global Ambassador

Shampoo for Grey Hair: FAQs

Can You Use Regular Shampoo on Grey Hair?

Yes, you can use a regular shampoo on grey hair, but consider occasionally swapping in a purple shampoo to neutralize any yellow tones. It's also important that your 'regular' shampoo provides the extra nourishment grey hair typically needs due to reduced natural oil production. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo is a good choice, as it's designed for dull, rough, frizzy strands.

What's the Difference Between Purple Shampoo and Regular Shampoo for Grey Hair?

Purple shampoo contains violet pigments that neutralize yellow tones, while a regular shampoo – whether it's designed for moisture, smoothness, volume or repair – is formulated without color-correcting benefits.

How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo on Grey Hair?

Use purple shampoo once per week or whenever you notice yellow tones appearing in your silver strands.

* When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum.