From cool, clean, ashy highlights to this season’s buttercream balayage, there’s no shade of blonde that doesn’t benefit from a purple shampoo. If you’ve lightened your hair, and you’re seeing hints of yellow or more warmth than you’d usually like, it’s set to be a staple in your hair care routine; a quick at-home fix that brightens up blondes in minutes.
So, let’s explore the many benefits of purple shampoo, and how you can use it to protect your blonde color…
What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Hair?
A purple shampoo helps to cancel out yellow tones and unwanted warmth in your hair. How, exactly? It all comes down to the rules of the color wheel. The theory behind the wheel is that the colors sitting opposite each other will balance one another out – meaning the violet that sits opposite yellow will have a neutralizing effect.
But purple shampoo is just one way of neutralizing warmth and brassy tones. If you want a more nourishing solution, a lilac conditioner or mask will also breathe new life into blondes. Case in point: Color Fresh Mask in Lilac Frost has a delicate purple sheen that counteracts yellow tinges in 10 minutes. Apply it after your favorite color-safe shampoo to cool down excess warmth and care for your hair in one.
Color-Safe Shampoo vs. Purple Shampoo: Which One Do You Need?
The short answer? You need both. A color-safe shampoo is your everyday staple, keeping your blonde hair clean and cared for without stripping out your shade. Choose one with proven results, like ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo. The mild, sulphate-free cleanser instantly revitalizes your hair, while helping to keep your color vibrancy for up to 10 weeks*.
Then, have a purple shampoo to hand as your ‘treatment wash’. It’s not for daily or sometimes even weekly use; it’s a prescriptive formula to be applied only when you feel you need it. You’ll know it’s time when you see hints of yellow or orange brassy tones appear through your blonde hair. This is when you swap out your color-safe shampoo, and lather up with purple shampoo instead.
So, How Do I Use a 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. Consider Double Cleansing Your Hair
If you're going into hair wash day with oily roots or product build-up, you might want to wash with a color-safe shampoo before you go in with your purple shampoo. If that's the case, use ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo as your 'prep wash'. Focus it on the roots of your hair, and let the rich lather run through the lengths for a gentle cleanse.
2. Massage it into Damp – Not Wet – Hair
Sopping wet hair can form a barrier that prevents violet pigments from doing their job, 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 microfiber towel. Then, gently massage purple shampoo into lengths and ends, making sure you use enough to cover every strand.
3. Leave the Shampoo in Hair for Up to 5 Minutes
This isn't a 'rinse and go' wash day. When you're using purple shampoo, you need extra time to spare, as the formula should stay in your hair for between two and five minutes. Two minutes may be enough if the excess warmth is subtle or you don't want to lean cool, while five minutes is needed to knock out more intense brassiness. Our tip? Start with a shorter wait the first time, and adapt for the next wash if needed.
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 correcting 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 take on 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. Two to three minutes may be all that's needed to banish brassy yellow strands without leaving a purple sheen.
How Often Should You Wash Hair with a Purple Shampoo?
How often you use an anti-brass shampoo will depend on how you feel about golden tones. If you want a little warmth and richness, you may use purple shampoo less often to keep hues under control. In this case, a biweekly treatment should be enough to banish yellow pigments, while leaving your golden or caramel blonde looking fresh and luminous. However, if your current shade is a cool blonde and warm tones are a big no-go, try a weekly purple shampoo routine to blitz unwanted tones. For best results, alternate this with a shampoo for color-treated hair, like ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo.
What Happens if I Use Violet 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 violet shampoo can absorb unevenly, resulting in a patchy, purple effect. Stick to massaging it into wet hair for the most flawless finish, and make sure you rinse it out thoroughly before applying conditioner.
Will Violet Shampoo Make My Hair Purple?
Just because it's a purple color doesn't mean your shampoo will turn your hair violet. Used on highlighted hair and color-treated hair, it's designed to neutralize warmth without altering the color. The only way it could turn your hair purple is if you leave it on for too long, 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 color touch-up. There's little worse than spotting unwanted tones in your blonde hair, and knowing you're weeks away from a salon visit. With a purple toning shampoo, you don't have to worry; cooling down your color can be done at home.
What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Pastel Hair?
Purple shampoo is great for so many different hair types, but we don't 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?
Purple shampoos aren't inherently drying, but their goal isn't to moisturize your hair either. So, if your hair tends to dry out easily, make sure you're using a nourishing shampoo in between color correcting sessions. ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo is our color-safe pick, as it's packed with moisturizing Glycine and Vitamin B5; two good-for-you ingredients that smooth and hydrate while extending the life of your beautiful blonde.
As well as using a purple shampoo, clients prone to unwanted undertones or with cool blonde hair can keep hair bright by adding a series of quick upgrades to their care routine. Here's how:
1. Follow a Color Care Regimen
We've already talked about ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo, but the sulfate-free wash is just the start. If you really want to care for your blonde hair, the complete ritual will give you up to 10 weeks of color vibrancy*. One of the most common shade faders is, quite simply, washing your hair, as it gradually rinses out your color. So, we developed the ULTIMATE COLOR Miracle Leave-In Mask to reduce your rinsing steps.
The creamy treatment is designed to be used on damp hair after your shower, helping to hydrate and seal the hair cuticle, while giving you up to 4x less breakage**. It also features our breakthrough Metal Purifier technology, which neutralizes the shade-distorting metals often found in the water you wash with.
2. Don't Swim Without Protection
Chlorine is another colored hair aggressor. It strips away essential oils from strands, leaving them dry, brittle, and likely to turn brassy faster. 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 colors their hair needs a cap in their gym bag.
3. Shield Your Shade From Heat and UV Rays
You already know heat styling can damage your hair. What you may not know is that it also fades color, in turn contributing to brassiness. So, when you're styling, don't skip a targeted heat protection spray or cream. For weightless coverage, try EIMI Thermal Image, misted from root to tip for a shot of shine and shielding in one.