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As a dark-haired lady who became a faux-blonde, I know a thing or two about upkeep. My pillowcases are all silk, I’ve added hair masks to my routine, and, most importantly, I invested in a purple shampoo. Blonde hair can be so much fun, but it can sometimes feel like we’re waging a never-ending war against brassy tones and orange streaks. Using a toning product and an at-home gloss can be great steps in your routine, but if you want instant results, there’s nothing better–or more convenient–than a purple shampoo. Here, find 12 purple shampoos that can give you the platinum hair you desire, with no brassiness at all.
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Quick results
Cons
- Can be messy
For extreme brassiness, sometimes a classic works best. This purple shampoo can lift even the most stubborn orange tones for bright, no-yellow hair.
Pros
- Quick results
Cons
- Can leave purple tint if left on for too long
For zero warmth whatsoever, this shampoo from Matrix is built to eradicate all hints of brass. It also brightens dull hair, and adds back necessary hydration to bleached strands.
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Repairs damage
Cons
- Can feel drying
Bleaching is a damaging process, so including a strengthening shampoo is necessary. Olaplex created this product to reduce brassiness while also repairing damage.
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can stain hands
If you’re experiencing warm highlights or a strangely orange balayage, this shampoo can get you the cool-toned look you actually want. It also contains argan oil to nourish your dyed strands, while re-toning your hair.
John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can leave purple tint if left on for too long
For instant brightening, this purple shampoo can reduce brassiness in a single wash. Just saturate your hair, leave it in for three minutes, and discover your new ’do.
Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Quick results
Cons
- Pricey
No one likes heading to the salon every few weeks, so this violet shampoo can make the time between visits last longer. The results are subtly brighter, cooler-toned hair that looks like you just came from a visit to your hairstylist.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
Bleached hair desperately needs hydration, and for some reason a lot of purple shampoos can feel very drying. This version changes the narrative, by adding hyaluronic acid and natural extracts to hydrate and repair damaged strands.
Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Strengthens hair
Cons
- Takes a few washes to see intense results
When you’re working with dyed, and potentially damaged hair, the last thing you want is a product that strips away all moisture. This sulfate-free shampoo was created to not only get rid of brassy tones, but also revive damaged strands.
amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- May not be suited for oily hair
Over-processed hair can look dull and stringy, so this purple shampoo adds life and body back into your locks, all while removing warm tones. With a combination of proteins and bond-building ingredients, the effect is stronger, more beautiful hair.
Keratin Complex Blondeshell Debrass & Brighten Shampoo
Pros
- Repairs damage
Cons
- Pricey
Some of the most common woes when it comes to faux-blondes are brassy tones and breakage. This shampoo tackles both with a combination of intense purple pigments and restoring keratin, that strengthens weak strands.
IGK Mixed Feelings Purple Leave-In Blonde Toning Drops
Pros
- Customizeable
Cons
- Pricey
If you already have a favorite shampoo, this bottle is the perfect accessory to revamp your must-haves. Add a few drops of this purple pigment into your regular shampoo, and it will instantly transform into your favorite brass-battling product.
L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can leave purple tint if left on for too long
Becoming a blonde can be pricey enough, so don’t add to the bill with a $50 shampoo. This drugstore product effectively removes brassy tones, without breaking the bank.
Meet The Experts
Rachel Bodt, celebrity stylist and Matrix Brand Ambassador
Jill Lynch, Senior Manager of Research & Development at KAO
FAQs
What do purple shampoos do?
“Purple shampoos cancel out unwanted yellow tones in the hair,” says Bodt. If you’re a faux-blonde looking for upkeep, purple shampoos are an essential investment. “For blondes who are looking for more neutral, cooler, or ashier tones, purple shampoos can help offset the warmer tones that appear in blonde hair over time,” adds Lynch.
Why does blonde hair become brassy?
“Blonde hair goes brassy because bleaching or lifting does not remove all of the underlying golden/copper/red pigments in the hair when hair is lightened,” says Lynch. “These underlying pigments that remain after lightening are yellow, orange, and red in tone. As the cool pigments fade, the warm underlying pigments left behind after coloring become a larger part of the overall hair color. This warmer toned color is often described as having a brassy appearance.”
Can only faux blondes benefit from purple shampoos?
“Color shampoos can even work on brunettes but if you want to cancel orange tones which typically happen on brunettes you might want to try a blue shampoo,” says Bodt.
How often should you use a purple shampoo?
“Depending on the hair porosity and desired tone, I’d say once a month,” says Bodt. "If you use too often the hair can get overtoned and muddy in appearance.” If you’re not seeing the results you'd like with this frequency, consulting a hairstylist or investing in a toner or gloss can help.
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