If you’ve gone through the intense process of bleaching or coloring your hair, the last thing you want to see in the mirror is unwanted brassy tones!
Despite the name, the best purple shampoos have been invented to help your hair (and you) keep it’s cool!
Blonde hair, highlights, balayage and ombre are totally all over our trend-spotting radar, so you need to invest in the best products to make sure your hair is always on point.
Blonde hair is a tough color to maintain, and if you’re like us, then it only takes a couple of weeks before your highlights start to turn into unwanted warm tones.
If you’ve tried everything under the sun to keep your color bright, but it’s still turning out dull or yellowish, we have good news for you!
There is now an easy way to get rid of unwanted brassiness in your hair.
The best part about it? It doesn’t stain skin or clothing thanks to its gentle formula which is sulfate-free and contains no harsh chemicals.
How do they really work? And which one will work best for you? We’re here with all the answers to keep you sassy not brassy!
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Table of Contents
- TOP PICK!
- Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet.
- Purple Shampoo Fast Facts
- Which are the best purple shampoos?
- Best purple shampoos at a glance.
- #1 Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair.
- #2 Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo
- #3 Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo.
- #4 Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet.
- #5 John Frieda Sheer Blonde Violet Crush Tone Correcting Shampoo.
- #6 Fudge Professional Purple Toning Shampoo.
- #7 TIGI Bed Head, Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo.
- TOP PICK!
- Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet.
- How do purple shampoos work?
- How do I use purple shampoo?
- Purple shampoo FAQS
- Are purple shampoos right for me?
- How long should you leave purple shampoo in for?
- What is the difference between silver and purple shampoo?
- Does purple shampoo work on natural blonde hair?
- Is purple shampoo bad for your hair?
- Parting words.
TOP PICK!
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet.
Best for: Happier and healthier cool blonde hair.
This is an award-winning product from the gods and goddesses of Kerastase and we can see why. It’s not just concerned with freshening up your color, it restores your hair’s health too.
We washed twice with this as directed, once to take off grease and grime and another to really cleanse and deposit the toning color. Our platinum hair was soft, silky and shining as if we’d just had it done after only one use. This is the winning purple shampoo for us.
Pros
- Makes hair super soft, shiny, and easy to manage.
- Smells amazing!
- Hair feels silky smooth.
- Keeps hair color looking great.
- Recommended by hairdressers and award-winning.
- Restores hair health and refreshes color.
Cons
- Pricey!
Purple Shampoo Fast Facts
Purple shampoos contain purple color pigments that neutralize yellow, brassy tones in blonde hair.
They are a type of hair toner that can help to keep blonde hair color looking cool, fresh and vibrant between salon visits!
We recommend using purple shampoos at least once per week for the best results.
Be careful not to use them too much as they can stain your hair.
Which are the best purple shampoos?
Check out the best shampoos on the market today for keeping brassiness at bay!
Best purple shampoos at a glance.
| Shampoo | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair. |
| Keeping platinum blondes cool. | |
| Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo |
| Darker Blondes. | |
| Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo. |
| Bringing blonde hair back to life. | |
| Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet. |
| Happier and healthier cool blonde hair. | |
| John Frieda Sheer Blonde Violet Crush Tone Correcting Purple Shampoo. |
| Cool blonde on a budget. | |
| Fudge Professional Purple Toning Shampoo. |
| Ash Blonde cleanliness | |
| TIGI Bed Head, Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo. |
| Less brassiness, more softness. |
#1 Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair.
Features & ingredients:
- Combat undesirable yellow, brassy tones with our powerful shampoo.
- It contains intense violet pigments to counteract unwanted yellow hues. Suitable for use on grey, blonde, bleached hair and highlighted hair for radiant, brighter color.
Reviewers say:
“This really is the best product I’ve used to reduce brassy tones in my hair. My hairdresser was even in shock! ha!”
“I have blonde highlights and so far I’ve used this twice. The first time I left it on my hair for 1 minute, I then waited for 2 days and left it on again for 2-3 minutes. My highlights are now almost white! My hair also feels thicker now. Thanks Bold Uniq!”
“I dyed my hair platinum but still had remaining yellow tones throughout my hair. I left this on for 2 minutes and there was a big change! I highly recommend it.”
Our experience:
The reviews for this shampoo were excellent, so we gave it a go on our newly-made platinum hair.
We applied it to wet hair and left it for 2-3 minutes, they recommend 1-5 minutes but our brassiness was not too bad so we played it safe. Glad we did! It totally neutralised any yellow to the point that hair was pretty white!
That only downside is that it was tricky to rinse out and left a slight residue so we’d recommend shampooing after wards before using a great conditioner.
Best for: Keeping platinum blondes cool.
#2 Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo
Features & ingredients:
- This has ultra violet pigment and Triple Acid Protein complex to tone, strengthen and brighten all in one.
- For a brighter, stronger blonde.
- Ultra violet pigments help to preserve hair color by keeping undertones at bay.
Reviewers say:
“So I am a hairdresser and I’ve tried every purple shampoo and conditioner there is and NONE OF THEM WORK LIKE THIS ONE!! IT IS AMAZING!”
“I bought this after going from balayage to full highlights. My highlights had some yellow tones in them but they were gone after just ONE use (leaving on for 3-5 min)! . Now I have shimmer light hair!””
“Purple shampoos usually leave my hair feeling dry and brittle but this one helped to bring it back to life! It made my hair so soft.”
Our experience:
We tried Redken Blondage on caramel ombre hair that had started to show yellow hues. It smells amazing! Not the ‘chemical’ smell of some shampoos.
We left it on for 2 minutes but felt we had to shampoo it afterwards to rinse it all out. Our hair was a lovely, ashy color afterwards but might be too dark for some lighter haired lovelies.
It’s pricey, but you don’t really need the matching conditioner (although it does have great reviews) as it’s the shampoo that does all the work. Overall, this is the shampoo for darker blondes.
Best for: Darker blondes.
#3 Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- This is for all shades of color-treated blonde, highlighted and lightened hair.
- Created with violet toning properties for the strongest and brightest hair.
- Keeps highlights bright and vibrant while refreshing brassy, yellow tones.
Reviewers say:
“I wanted a shampoo that would help to restore my hair. I saw this one that was for blondes and thought PERFECT. It’s made a huge difference in my hair! It’s so soft and even feels thicker.”
“This exceeded my expectations! It actually made my hair look and feel healthier. Very happy with the results and I’ve not been using it long at all.”
“I have been trying a variety of purple or blue shampoos to tone down my bayalage highlights on my brunette hair. Strength Cure Best Blonde is the first that has not left my hair feeling like straw! It is moisturising and luxurious. I love it.”
Our experience:
We love the Pureology brand because, just like us, they’re the experts in colored hair care. This shampoo doesn’t disappoint.
We used it on highlighted hair that was starting to turn brassy and left it on for as long as a wash to avoid any purple staining. It muted the yellow tones perfectly without any patchiness.
More than that, it really conditioned and added texture to our hair too. Our hair felt revitalised, soft and moisturised as good as any conditioner.
Best for: Bringing blonde hair back to life.
#4 Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet.
Features & ingredients:
- Enriched with a potent combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Edelweiss flower.
- The formula has high concentrations of antioxidants to prevent damage and protect your hair.
- Hyaluronic Acid deeply hydrates and smoothes your hair.
- Nourishing ingredients.
- Hair is really clean, with a radiant shine and nourished from root to tip.
Reviewers say:
“My hairdresser uses this product and it always leaves my hair very soft shiny and manageable. Brilliant product.”
“Gorgeous smell and makes my hair feel silky smooth. Definitely buying it again!”
“My color is great after using this, my hairdresser also commented on how well my color has kept! Very pleased!”
Our experience:
This is an award-winning shampoo from the goddesses of Kerastase and we can see why. It’s not just concerned with freshening up your color, it restores your hair’s health too.
We washed twice with this as directed, once to take off grease and grime and another to really cleanse and deposit the toning color.
Our platinum hair was soft, silky and shining as if we’d just had it done after only one use. This is the winning shampoo for us.
Best for: Happier and healthier cool blonde hair.
#5 John Frieda Sheer Blonde Violet Crush Tone Correcting Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- Transform your blonde from brassy to cool!
- A daily shampoo with crushed violet pigment.
- Gradually neutralises unwanted yellow tones without over-toning.
- Restores your hair to bright blonde between salon visits.
Reviewers say:
“I dyed my hair from mid-brown to blonde about three weeks ago and my hair turned to a really brassy light brown color which I didn’t like at all. I’ve used this shampoo twice and I can see a huge difference already! My hair is looking light again and the highlights are fab.”
“I’ve been using this now for a week and the results are really good . My naturally blonde hair with a few foils is a lovely creamy blonde.”
“I left it on for 4 minutes – my hair is thick and strong – and it’s amazing. It’s toned my brassy hair down to a lovely natural color, and I couldn’t be happier. I use the conditioner too. Life saver!”
Our experience:
This is a great budget buy and for the money, you can’t go wrong.
It takes a couple of washes before you see it start to take effect and it cooled down our highlighted hair after leaving it on for a minute, twice.
Combine it with the John Frieda Violet Crush Conditioner for the best results.
Best for: Cool blonde on a budget.
#6 Fudge Professional Purple Toning Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- Contains salon-strength, violet micro-pigments which instantly remove unwanted, dull, yellow and brassy tones from your hair.
- Formulated with hydrating Guarana.
- Revives the radiance of natural blondes or lightened blondes, producing a cleaner, whiter result while lifting away dirt and impurities.
Reviewers say:
“I used to use violet shampoo alongside other products because they aren’t usually good at cleaning your hair but now I’ve completely switched over to Fudge Shampoo & Conditioner as my ‘everyday’ go to.”
“My hair is in the best condition it’s ever been in and the color/tone is gorgeous!”
“I’ve used loads of different shampoos and this one is amazing. My hair was quite yellow and this has made it go a nice ashy blonde & silver. Would definitely recommend if you want a cool ashy shade.”
Our experience:
We tried this on light brown hair which had previously been highlighted and started to show yellow tones. The shampoo smelled fantastic and made our hair feel really clean.
We left it on a little longer than advised to ensure the purple pigments penetrated our darker hair. It did.
We had a lovely silvery grey tone all over with no patches or streaks. Pair it with the matching conditioner for truly softer, smoother hair.
Best for: Ash blonde cleanliness.
#7 TIGI Bed Head, Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- Specifically created for blonde hair.
- Designed to replace undesirable yellow and brassy tones with cool hues, through the use of clever purple pigments.
- Delivers mega moisture, explodes with lather and adds super shine to your hair.
Reviewers say:
“Really removed the orange tones from my hair! Perfect for using between salon visits.”
“Great shampoo, it really does what it promises. I can see a difference on the first wash. My hair is shining and smooth and my highlights are less brassy and orange. Definitely recommend!”
“This is awesome for blonde hair, it leaves my color treated hair looking brighter but still soft and smooth.”
Our experience:
We tried this on dark blonde hair with balayage lights to see if to reduce the brassy tones. Lathers up super well so a little goes a long way.
It feels the most luxurious out of all the others on the list.
It took more than one wash for us to start seeing the orange tones reduce, but our hair was so soft and silky. This is the best for dry hair.
Best for: Less brassiness, more softness.
TOP PICK!
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet.
Best purple shampoo for: Happier and healthier cool blonde hair.
This is an award-winning shampoo from the goddesses of Kerastase and we can see why. It’s not just concerned with freshening up your color, it restores your hair’s health too.
We washed twice with this as directed, once to take off grease and grime and another to really cleanse and deposit the toning color.
Our platinum hair was soft, silky and shining as if we’d just had it done after only one use. This is the winning shampoo for us.
How do purple shampoos work?
They’re cleansing just like regular shampoos but they contain purple toning pigments that help to keep yellow undertones at bay.
This is the science: Purple is used to counteract yellow tones because, if you take a look at the hair color wheel that the rules of all hair colors abide by, purple is the it is the direct opposite color of yellow.
This means that purple and yellow colors cancel one another out. That’s why we use purple pigment for blonde toning to correct it and restore the cooler color.
How do I use purple shampoo?
Do:
- Wait at least two weeks after having your hair bleached or colored before using a purple shampoo. Your hair will be extra porous after coloring and could go patchy.
- Use alongside a good restorative conditioner for blonde hair to keep your hair healthy and in great condition.
- Rinse the shampoo out really well and pair with a good purple conditioner.
- Use as a shampoo or as an intensive treatment in between washes and use a good deep conditioning hair mask once a week as some shampoos can be drying.
Don’t
- Don’t leave it on too long – it deposits a purple pigment which could stain your hair. If this happens, don’t panic! Wash it with a really good clarifying shampoo for colored hair to fix.
- Don’t use it too often. You can start by mixing it with your normal shampoo if you find it’s too strong or it makes your hair too dark.
- Don’t use it to cancel out red tones, it will only work for yellow and orange tones and will make red tones brighter!
Purple shampoo FAQS
Are purple shampoos right for me?
If your hair is dyed or bleached, you can use these shampoos to keep your tones in check and your hair bright.
They’re made for light hair and bottle blondes but if your ombre or balayage is looking brassy, they’ll work for you too.
If you’re a brunette looking to neutralise red or orange tones, you need a Blue Shampoo which has the same effect as purple shampoo but for brunette hair.
How long should you leave purple shampoo in for?
This is a great way to keep your light locks looking their best. But it can be hard to know how long to leave it in before rinsing it out.
The answer is different depending on what kind of hair you have as that effects how deep the pigment can penetrate your hair:
If you have fine or thin hair, leave it in for up to 5 minutes before washing and rinsing your hair as normal.
For thick or course hair, you can leave it in for up to 10 minutes.
Remember that the longer you leave it on, the more toned your hair will get. So also take how much brassiness you have to tone into consideration.
What is the difference between silver and purple shampoo?
What is silver shampoo and how does it differ from purple?
Both of these shampoos have the same goal, which is to neutralize yellow or brassy tones.
Silver shampoo helps to remove unwanted yellow or brass tones from blonde, silver or grey hair.
When you open up a bottle of either one, there will be an intensely bright purple hue due to the pigment used in each formula.
This helps to brighten your locks while also correcting any brassy undertones present – all without being harsh on natural oils!
Does purple shampoo work on natural blonde hair?
Yes! While it’s true that purple shampoo is commonly used to reduce brassiness in dyed blonde hair, it can still work wonders for those with natural blonde locks.
Purple shampoo is actually great for all shades of blonde hair, whether it’s natural or dyed.
It helps to eliminate any unwanted brassy or yellow tones that can often pop up, leaving your mane looking fresh and vibrant.
Is purple shampoo bad for your hair?
This is a popular go-to product for people with blonde, silver or grey hair.
But can it actually damage your locks? The thing about this miracle formula is that it doesn’t necessarily do anything different to the heath of your hair than other types of shampoos.
It’s not going to make your hair any healthier. But it will help maintain a lighter color.
So while you might see some benefits from using the product on occasion, frequent use could cause buildup and lead to dryness or breakage over time ̵ just like regular shampoos.
The best thing is to make it part of your hair care routine that also includes frequent deep conditioning treatments and coconut or argan oil to restore moisture and elasticity to your ravished locks.
Parting words.
We all know the struggle of trying to maintain a fresh new hair color – especially when it’s not quite as cool or bright as we want it.
These products actually work wonders at making your locks look baby-soft and shiny!
So next time you’re in need of some purple power, try out one of these shampoos to keep your blondes looking fresh and fabulous.
You’ll be glad you did (trust us!).
