Read on to see what it is and why it’s crucial for color upkeep:
What is Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair?
This kindergarten-sounding hair product is the mainstream term for what has always been known as a toning shampoo. Purple (or violet) is the opposite of yellow on the basic color wheel, and purple shampoo then uses this principle to neutralize and remove brassiness. This can appear as a dull, orangey-yellow tint on dyed (and natural) blonde hair. Before you ask, we’re saying it now: Purple shampoo for blonde hair actually deposits color onto the shaft. It’s this pigment that neutralizes the brassiness on blonde strands. It also has the added benefit of brightening silver or blue tones, depending on the kind of toning shampoo you use. Think of it as jewelry polish for your mane! It buffs away the ugly rusty tints and restores your blonde to its original gleaming, buttery-bright state. Hair is most vulnerable when wet. The shaft swells up exposing the cuticle and allowing color to leech out (and in this case, in). Using a purple shampoo for blonde hair together with a conditioner actually helps deposit cooler color pigments onto an open shaft. This results in an overall brighter, neutralized tone and effectively “lifting” your blonde, brightening it and extending the integrity of your original salon shade. Older people with natural grays, and yes, those hopping on the recent gray hair trend can also benefit from using a purple shampoo to brighten their silvery streaks. It’s not a be-all-and-end-all method of course. It won’t extremely lighten your strands to a shade that isn’t a result of water buildup or chlorine—meaning, you can’t D.I.Y. your own cool ash blonde highlights on deliberately orange or warm yellow base with purple shampoo alone.
Dos and Dont’s for Proper Application
• Do wet your hair with slightly warm water. Not only does it feel divine on your scalp (the “aah” in the spa), but it also helps expand the hair shaft and allows your purple shampoo to better absorb and tone. • Do apply purple shampoo for blonde hair from root to tip, massaging it in gently. Leave it on for around three to five minutes before rinsing. • Do use cool or even cold water to rinse out your shampoo. This helps seal the cuticles back down. Follow up with a purple conditioner if you feel your blonde needs an extra shot of toning. Apply as you would a regular conditioner, letting it sit for an extra two to three minutes as well before rinsing. If you feel like purple shampoo is enough for the day, just follow up with a regular moisturizing conditioner like Suave Professionals Deep Moisture Conditioner. • Don’t overdo it. Going a bit heavy-handed on the purple products can give your hair a slightly bluish tinge. If this happens, simply wash hair again—these pigments aren’t permanent and will fade out. • Do use colorless or white/clear products on your hair moving forward. Heavily tinted products can stain bleached strands. • Do a deep-conditioning treatment after, if you can. Purple shampoo can be a bit drying on hair—which is why we recommend using it in tandem with a conditioner. Be sure to apply a moisturizing mask afterward. Also, limit using toning shampoo too, at the most, once or twice a week, as it can dry hair out if used too often. • Do a double-cleanse, if your strands can take it. Just make sure your strands are healthy enough for this and as always, get conditioner-happy afterward. We like alternating Bed Head by TIGI Dumb Blonde Shampoo, which is pH-balanced and infused with keratin and milk proteins to reconstruct processed strands, with Bed Head by TIGI Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo, which then counteracts any brassiness.
How to Use Purple Shampoo for Brunette Hair
Purple Shampoo for Brunettes
The main purpose of purple shampoo is to banish brassiness and neutralize yellow hues in blonde hair. So, if you’re a brunette with light-colored highlights, blonde ombré, or a balayage that’s on the brassy, ashy, or yellowish end of the spectrum, incorporate a purple shampoo into your hair color maintenance routine. To color correct brassy tones, apply purple shampoo to your hair and leave it on for up to 10 minutes, then rinse. Use as part of your usual color-care routine to maintain your beautiful brunette hue!
How to Use Purple Shampoo to Tone Blonde Hair
1. Dose yourself.
Start strong. Try using your purple shampoo every other day to get rid of all that initial brassiness. Ease off once you feel like you’re getting too ashy or if your hair takes on a bluish or violet tinge. After that, dose down by switching to perhaps twice or even twice a week.
2. Prioritize your roots.
The ends of your hair tend to be the most damaged and porous bits, so they’ll definitely absorb more toner quicker than the roots. To ensure an even toning experience, concentrate your purple shampoo on the roots and leave it on longer in this area. Run it through the lengths and ends only a minute or two before you need to rinse off.
3. Be patient.
For hair that needs more toning and neutralizing, you’ll need your purple shampoo to tone for longer than usual. Try five to 10 minutes, instead of your regular 2 to 3. Rinse well, and if you find your color needs a bit more of a push, follow up with a purple conditioner. In most cases, a non-purple conditioner can also help moisturize safely.
4. Focus on your highlights.
Those with brown hair with highlights or even an ombré can also benefit from using a purple shampoo to tone at home. Concentrate the product on the lengths of highlighted hair versus your darker base for best results. Now you know how to use a purple shampoo to take care of your desired color, there’s no excuse for a brassy tone anymore. Remember, your first line of defense is a good hair care routine!
