11 best purple shampoo to banish brassy tones in blonde hair
If you love rocking a blonde hair colour, purple shampoo should be your best friend between top-up visits to the salon. It's an absolute essential to keep in your shower to get rid of those brassy tones that tend to creep into your blonde hair as the toner washes off. Not to mention, use of heated hair tools such as hair straighteners and curling wands – as well as external environmental factors such as UV damage and pollution – don't make it any easier to maintain the ashy, cool-toned blonde.
Blonde hair that is freshly dyed and toned doesn't tend to stay in the same condition for long if you aren't taking the right steps to maintain its potency and brightness. Warm or brassy tones can quickly take hold, resulting in dull colour that's far from your best blonde. This is where purple and silver and blue shampoos come into play: they work to re-tone the hair to revive the radiance, targeting brass in a single wash, even before styling with hair oils, serums and sprays.
That is, if they're used regularly. But how often is often enough? Well, I've found personally that over-use of these formulas can be just as detrimental as never using them. While occasional use (once weekly, at most) can boost blondes beautifully IMO, any more and you may experience a build-up that actually does the opposite and contributes to the dullness you wanted to erase in the first place.
Below, a comprehensive guide on all the best options of the market now – as well as an FAQ on everything you need to know about purple shampoos – which will answer all your questions about how often to use them, and more.
Skip to: Why do I need a purple shampoo? | How does purple shampoo work? | How long should I leave purple shampoo in my hair?
Best purple shampoo at a glance – our top picks:
- Best purple shampoo overall: Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
- Best purple shampoo and conditioner set: L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Blondifier Duo
- Best purple shampoo for natural blondes: John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo
- Best strengthening purple shampoo: Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo
Meet the experts:
- Charlie Ray Hamill, Colourist at Blue Tit salons
- Jason Hogan, celebrity and associate colorist at Josh Wood Colour
How we test the best purple shampoos:
Over the years and decades, the GLAMOUR beauty team has collectively tested dozens of purple shampoos, having reviewed each formula for a minimum period of a month. Whether it's judging the product based on its ability to remove brassy tones and brighten the over look or if it causes any scalp irritation, we've made sure to collate a list of formulas that are genuinely worth considering.
Why do I need a purple shampoo?
A purple shampoo is a form of hair toner, which works by depositing – you guessed it – purple pigments to help adjust, neutralise, correct or personalise your hair colour. “It can give the client the little boost they need until their next hair appointment,” notes Hamill. For the majority of cases, when it comes to blondes, this means addressing the issue of brassiness.
Brassiness is when unwanted warm tones (such as butter yellows, reds and oranges) start emerging from strands that were previously a perfect shade of platinum, ash brown or cool blonde. While it tends to affect some hair colours more noticeably (that's you, bleached blondes), it can happen whether you're naturally blonde, you've dyed your dark hair a lighter colour or you've treated yourself to some highlights or balayage. Just note that according to Hamill, “if you have warm, golden or honey blonde hair, you might want to avoid cool toned shampoos." Essentially, think about the result you are looking for before reaching for the stuff.
Brassiness often happens in hair that's been lifted several shades lighter, as the melanin from your hair's naturally deeper tone starts to creep back through. Because blonde hair is naturally quite porous, even those born with it can notice a change. Blonde hair tends to soak everything in a lot more, which includes build-up from chemicals like chlorine, minerals from hard water, pollution in the air and even UV rays from daylight – all of which can bring out brass tints.
How does purple shampoo work?
Purple toning shampoos rely on a little genius concept called ‘colour theory.’ Imagine if you joined the two ends of the rainbow together to form a colour wheel. The colours that sit opposite each other can effectively cancel each other out and neutralise them.
For example, orange offsets blue undertones (it's why you get salmon coloured concealers to cover the blue tint of your under-eye bags). Purple and lilac erase yellow and orange tones, which is why the best hair products for countering brassy tones in blonde hair, grey hair and white hair.
How long should I leave purple shampoo in my hair?
Generally, it's recommended to lather on your purple shampoo and leave it to work its magic for a matter of minutes, depending on how much toning you're after. Every formula is different, and you must check the instructions on each tube first. It also depends on your blonde, says Hamill: “For white and bright natural blonde, I’d suggest just washing the shampoo in and out of your hair like any other shampoo, but for silver and grey tones you could leave it in a little longer.” You don't need to follow up with your regular shampoo. Afterwards, rinse it out and follow with your favourite conditioner as usual.
As mentioned, it's important not to overuse your shampoo either. Once a week should be fine, or less if you start noticing dull hair. But be warned: “If you have a clean white blonde colour, the pigment could literally turn it blue,” says Hamill – particularly if you overuse, leave on for too long, or opt for a formula that's too strong.
As Hogan explains, it's wise to care for your highlighted hair in-between salon appointments with a mask, too, especially in the hotter months when they're exposed to the sun: “Alongside a purple shampoo, it’s also important to care for your summer colour with a nourishing mask containing a UV filter – Oribe Beautiful Colour Mask is my personal favourite."
After more haircare content? Head this way for the best shampoos for all hair types and over here for conditioners to pair with them. Elsewhere, we’ve got purple shampoo, the best shampoo for fine hair, the best shampoo for coloured hair and the best shampoo for frizzy hair. Head this way for soothing shampoo for sensitive scalps, the best shampoo for curly hair and the best shampoo for greasy hair.
For more makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from our Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.