The Ultimate Guide to Using Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair

Purple shampoo is your secret weapon for battling brassiness and maintaining cool, vibrant, blonde tones. Whether your hair is natural, highlighted, bleached, or silver, purple shampoo can help you keep your strands looking fresh and bright. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what purple shampoo is, how to use it, and some of the best purple shampoos to try.

Purple shampoo acts like a toner, designed to neutralize yellow or brassy tones in blonde, platinum, silver, or other shades of hair that have been lightened with bleach. The formula is infused with purple pigments that cancel out warm, yellow hues in the hair. Purple is a complementary color to yellow on the color wheel. So, it directly counteracts the unwanted tones that can show up in blonde or lightened hair over time or in some cases, immediately after coloring. When you try to bleach dark hair, you’re more susceptible to getting these unwanted brassy tones as there are more levels of hair color to lift through to get to the desired blonde shade.

Using purple shampoo correctly is key to getting the best toning results. Start by thoroughly wetting your hair, then apply the purple shampoo evenly. Focus on areas that tend to get the most brassy, like around the face, crown, and ends. Gently massage it in and let it sit for 1 to 5 minutes, depending on how much toning your hair needs. The lighter or more porous your hair, the quicker it will absorb the pigment, so start with a shorter time if you're unsure. It’s best to always read the recommended time on your product as well. After the shampoo has done its job, rinse thoroughly and follow up with a nourishing conditioner to lock in moisture and keep your hair feeling soft and healthy.

How often you should use purple shampoo depends on your hair color, tone, and how much brassiness you’re dealing with. For most blondes, using it once or twice a week is enough to maintain a cool, bright tone without overdoing it. If your hair is extremely brassy or yellow, you might use it up to three times a week until your desired tone is achieved.

No matter how many times you opt to use your purple shampoo, be sure to monitor your results, as overuse can cause your hair to take on a violet tint. Those with platinum or silver hair may use it more frequently to keep their color crisp, while natural blondes or those with subtle highlights can use it less often to avoid creating a dull look.