If your hair is white blonde, gorgeous grey, or you’ve dyed it a shimmering, on-trend silver, the last thing you want to see in the mirror is yellow!
Don’t panic. The best silver shampoos have been invented to eradicate unwanted yellow and banish brassiness for good.
But what do they do? How often do you need to use them, and how? We’re here with everything you need to know to stay sassy not brassy.
Blonde, silver and grey hair is beautiful, but if you have hair colour that’s turning yellow, it can be a real problem.
No one wants to look like they’ve been spending too much time in the sun. Yellow-tinted tresses are not only unattractive but also make your skin look sallow and old.
Silver shampoo will restore your tresses’ former glory by getting rid of unwanted yellow tones without stripping your locks or making them feel dry and brittle.
Our favourites are gentle on hair and scalp yet tough on brassiness and discolouration – so you’ll get back to looking radiantly yourself again!
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Table of Contents
- What are silver shampoos?
- Which is the best silver shampoo?
- Best silver shampoos at a glance.
- TOP PICK!
- Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo.
- #1 Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo.
- #2 L’Oreal Serie Expert Silver Shampoo.
- #3 Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed So Silver Shampoo.
- #4 Fanola Official No Yellow Shampoo.
- #5 Bleach London Silver Shampoo
- #6 Provoke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo.
- TOP PICK!
- Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo.
- Silver shampoo FAQs
- How do I use silver shampoos?
- How often should you use silver shampoo?
- Is silver and purple shampoo the same?
- Which is better purple shampoo or silver shampoo?
- How do silver shampoos work?
- Does silver shampoo dry your hair out?
- How do I make my hair more silver?
- Parting words.
- Our Research & Review Process
What are silver shampoos?
Silver shampoos are a type of shampoo that contains pigment-neutralizing violet tones.
These violet tones work to counteract the yellow and brassy tones that can build up in your hair over time, resulting in brighter, more lustrous locks.
They can be used on all hair types, but they are particularly beneficial for people with blonde or gray hair.
The colour-safe formulas get rid of yellow tones in white, white-blonde, silver or grey hair. In addition to neutralizing unwanted tones, they can also help to add shine and definition to your hair.
Really, it’s a type of hair toner. Hair toners are used to correct colour that’s becoming a different colour to the one you started with!
They cleanse your hair like regular shampoo while getting rid of dullness and colour build up.
With just one wash you can instantly transform even the most stubborn brassy tones into a cooler, softer silver shades. Thank goodness!
So whether you’re looking to brighten up your blonde highlights or give your gray hair a little boost, silver shampoo just might be the answer.
Which is the best silver shampoo?
Check out the best products around today to keep that gorgeous blonde tone and yellow hair at bay!
Best silver shampoos at a glance.
| Shampoo | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo. | Cool and shiny silver tones. | ||
| L'Oreal Serie Expert Silver Shampoo. | Brighter blondes. | ||
| Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed So Silver Shampoo. | Cool tones and soft locks. | ||
| Fanola Official No Yellow Shampoo. | Fast-acting toning. | ||
| Bleach London Silver Shampoo. | Silver-grey shine. | ||
| Provoke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo. | Budget. |
TOP PICK!
Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo.
Best for: Cool and shiny silver tones.
This is powerful stuff which you can see from when you first squeeze it out! The liquid itself is bright purple and it smells REALLY good. It lathered up well too.
It has grey pigment which really tones down any residual purple from the shampoo. Our hair was super shiny afterwards and so soft to touch. For best results, use it with the Redken Silver Conditioner.
Pros
- Reduces yellow tone in gray hair, making it brighter.
- Hair looks significantly better after just one use.
- Pleasant, appealing scent.
- Produces a good lather.
- Contains gray pigment to tone down any residual purple.
- Leaves hair shiny and soft to the touch.
- Complements well with the Redken Silver Conditioner for best results.
Cons
- Violet shampoos, including this one, might leave a beige tint on yellowed gray/white hair.
- The bottle doesn’t specify frequency of use, leading to potential overuse.
- The shampoo is quite potent, which may not be suitable for everyone.
#1 Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- The violet Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo neutralizes unwanted yellow and orange undertones.
- Contains Violet and Silver pigments.
- Tones, nourishes, and strengthens grey and silver hair.
- This dual-action system, with Anti-Yellow Shampoo and Silver Conditioner.
Reviewers say:
“I have tried a lot of shampoo for gray hair but this one, used with the matching conditioner, is the best yet. Violet shampoos can sometimes leave an almost beige quality to yellowed gray/white hair.”
“Bought this a few days ago and gave it a try today. Can already tell that the yellow tone in my gray hair is fading and it looks so much brighter.”
“I wish the bottle had stated to use it one or two times a week, not daily. I didn’t know realise and started using this as a daily shampoo and conditioner and it made my gray!”
Our experience:
This is powerful stuff which you can see from when you first squeeze it out! The liquid itself is bright purple and it smells REALLY good. It lathered up well too.
It has grey pigment which really tones down any residual purple from the shampoo. Our hair was super shiny afterwards and so soft to touch. For best results, use it with the Redken Silver Conditioner.
Best for: Cool and shiny silver tones.
#2 L’Oreal Serie Expert Silver Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- A Shampoo for Blonde, White and Grey hair colour.
- Fight brassy tones with this purple coloured shampoo.
- Enriched with anti-yellowing agents, it helps keep your colour looking good.
Reviewers say:
“My hairdresser used this and I use it regularly. It gives plenty of shine and leaves hair in good condition. It makes grey hair look striking and interesting, rather than dull and ‘old’. Essential.”
“A must-have to tone down that yellow. Works well for my balayage hair. Gives it nice shine and keeps yellow tones away, but it dried my hair out so a good conditioner is a must.”
“I have naturally grey hair and have used various purple shampoos. This is great in my hair, it’s super soft and it doesn’t give you a purple rinse finish.”
Our experience:
This product by L’Oreal is part of the fabulous Serie Expert haircare range that we love for looking after our colour.
It doesn’t leave as much colour pigment as some silver shampoos. So it’s great for not darkening your hair. It especially makes blonde hair seem brighter but only use it once a week- some found it drying which is no good for your colour.
Best for: Brighter blondes.
#3 Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed So Silver Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- Intense clean to leave your hair and scalp looking purified and refreshed.
- Replenishing components work to moisturise and rejuvenate.
- Doesn’t leave hair feeling stripped of natural and essential oils.
- Creates the appearance of sleek, ashy hues that look clean and fresh, alleviating the look of dullness and tiredness.
Reviewers say:
“Amazing product, notice a lightness to my hair after using this product.”
“Finally, the shampoo that really does what it claims to! Just 3-5 minutes to get rid of annoying yellow tones and get back to being cool blonde again.”
“Nice smell, easy to use, instant effect. Also, I always use a treatment/hair mask after this to prevent hair from drying.”
Our experience:
Matrix colour reviving shampoos are always on our wish lists. These are great for toning blonde and silver hair shades by removing yellow tones.
Isn’t too strong so it’s best to leave it on for 30 minutes. But because of this, it also doesn’t leave a purple tint behind. Doesn’t dry your hair out either like others tend to. It left our platinum highlights looking cool and feeling super soft.
Best for: Cool tones and soft locks.
#4 Fanola Official No Yellow Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- Formulated for grey, super-lightened or decoloured hair.
- Featuring strong-violet pigments, this intense shampoo tones down unwanted yellow, light blonde or streaked hair.
- Neutralises yellow reflections after bleaching, lightening and the oxidising action of the elements.
Reviewers say:
“Amazing , after having highlighted hair and it looking streaky and yellow after a week or two of being highlighted this product was a life saver!”
“Only left on 5mins and my hair looked amazing was in good condition and smelt lovely.”
“Really good, taken my white blonde hair to lovely bright and silverly tones. The only issue is staining my hands but nothing a scrubbing brush wouldn’t shift!”
Our experience:
Fanola’s No-orange shampoo made our Best blue shampoo for brunettes list so we had high hope for No-Yellow.
It didn’t disappoint. This is strong stuff! You’ll need to wear some good disposable gloves if you don’t want purple hands!
Because of this, it’s fast-acting and although we left it on for just a few minutes, we probably didn’t need to as the effects were instant. No hints of yellow and pleasant smelling hair.
Best for: Fast-acting toning.
#5 Bleach London Silver Shampoo
Features & ingredients:
- Designed to be used in every other wash, this violet-toned, high pigment shampoo works to neutralise brassiness.
- Eliminates unwanted yellow and orange tones.
- Features strengthening wheat proteins and moisturising vitamin B5 to nourish strands as it brightens.
- Ideal followed with BLEACH’s Silver Conditioner.
Reviewers say:
“This is the most instantaneous shampoo I have used (and it’s so cheap!) I love how this banishes brassy tones without drying my hair.”
“I just recently got my hair done and this definitely keeps my ash grey intact and extracts all the brassiness after a couple of wash you can see such a difference. I use this 3 times a week.”
“I’ve wasted so much money in hair salons trying to maintain that silver hue in my hair and nobody does it as well as I do it at home with this. Just try it :)”
Our experience:
Bleach London are the experts when it comes to vibrant and bright hair colours. So it’s only natural they know how to keep your colour that way too.
This shampoo has a gorgeous silver-grey undertone that refreshes your hair while eradicating any yellow warmth. Paired with the conditioner, our hair feel smooth and soft after use and had a glossy, shimmering shine to it after drying.
Best for: Silver-grey shine.
#6 Provoke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo.
Features & ingredients:
- Keeps hair colour bright and protects from dulling.
- Gentle cleansing shampoo for healthy hair everyday of the week.
- Contains anti-oxidants and Optical Brighteners to instantly boost shine.
- Results in healthy hair that feels fresh and rejuvenated.
Reviewers say:
“A great shampoo leaves your hair feeling rich, the silver touch makes my hair bright and shiny.”
“I bought this on a whim and have been so pleased I have never looked back. I get compliments on the colour of my hair and am asked what shade it is! V happy.”
“I use this most times I wash my hair. I have white hair and the shampoo really makes it shine. Better than Dumb Blonde that I was using before.”
Our experience:
This one worked wonders on our natural grey hair straight away, turning it a cool, ashy colour.
It left our hair feeling a little dry but nothing an amazing conditioning hair mask can’t fix. We had to use it a few times to get our hair feeling really clean, but for cool hair on a budget, this is fab.
Best for: Budget.
TOP PICK!
Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo.
Best for: Cool and shiny silver tones.
This is powerful stuff which you can see from when you first squeeze it out! The liquid itself is bright purple and it smells REALLY good. It lathered up well too.
It has grey pigment which really tones down any residual purple from the shampoo. Our hair was super shiny afterwards and so soft to touch. For best results, use it with the Redken Silver Conditioner.
Silver shampoo FAQs
How do I use silver shampoos?
Do
- Wait at least two weeks after dyeing your hair before using a silver toning shampoo. Your hair will be extra porous after colouring and it could go patchy.
- Use alongside a good silver conditioner to keep your hair healthy and in great condition.
- Rinse it out thoroughly.
- You can also use it as an intensive treatment in between washes.
Don’t
- Don’t leave it on too long – it deposits a purple/silver pigment which could stain your hair. If this happens, don’t panic! Wash it with a really good clarifying shampoo for coloured hair to fix it.
- Don’t use them too often. You can start by mixing it with your normal, sulphate free shampoo if you find it’s too strong or it makes your hair too dark.
How often should you use silver shampoo?
While there is no hard-and-fast rule for this, most experts agree that it’s best to use a silver shampoo once or twice per month to keep your colour fresh and toned.
Like most things in life, moderation is key. The more often you use a product on your hair (especially if it has sulfates or natural oils), the faster your hair will get damaged and lose its lustre.
However, there are some people who swear by using them every day and it’s perfectly safe too – although we wouldn’t recommend it!
Is silver and purple shampoo the same?
Blue shampoos are made for brunettes to keep red and orange tones in check and your hair cool. If your ombre or balayage hair colour is looking brassy, they’ll work for you too.
Purple Shampoos are for blondes and neutralize unwanted brassy yellow and warm tones.
Silver shampoos are for white, bleach hair, silver hair and grey hair that’s showing signs of yellow brassiness. They’re also good for keeping almost-white platinum blondes super cool.
Which is better purple shampoo or silver shampoo?
There is no clear cut answer to this question as it depends on what type of hair you have and what look you’re going for.
If you have blonde or light brown hair, purple shampoo can help to neutralize any brassy yellow tones.
Silver shampoo, on the other hand, is better suited for gray or white hair as it can help to give it a brighter, more lustrous appearance.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment with both and see which one gives you the results you’re after.
Whichever you choose, just make sure to use it sparingly – otherwise you run the risk of ending up with purple or silver hair!
How do silver shampoos work?
They contain silver toning pigments that help to keep yellow undertones under control. This works because science.
Silver counteracts yellow tones as they are opposite colours on the hair colour wheel that the rules of all hair colours abide by. That’s why we use silver/blue/violet pigment on unwanted warm, yellow tones to correct it and restore the cooler colour.
Does silver shampoo dry your hair out?
The question of whether these toning miracles dry your hair out is a hotly debated topic, and we’re here to help you figure it out. I
The truth is, they don’t actually have any effect on your hair’s moisture levels.
They contain ingredients that are meant to counteract brassiness from blonde hair or greying hairs by depositing a layer of colour-neutral pigments that cancels out yellow tones.
Like any shampoo, some may be more drying than others, depending on your hair type.
The best thing to do is make them part of your overall hair care routine. Along with a good deep conditioner to keep your moisture levels topped up in those luscious locks.
How do I make my hair more silver?
You could say that going gray is one of the many benefits of getting older.
You no longer have to waste time and money at the salon covering up those pesky grays.
But if you’re not quite ready to embrace your inner silver fox, there are a few things you can do to make your hair more silver.
First, ask your stylist for a cool-toned color. This will help to bring out the silver tones in your hair.
You can also try using a violet shampoo and conditioner to enhance the cooler tones in your hair.
If you’re really committed to making your hair more silver, you can try using a silver hair dye. Just be sure to use a gentle formula, as these dyes can be harsh on the hair.
With a little effort, you can achieve the perfect shade of silver.
Parting words.
If you have a white blonde, gorgeous grey or silver hair colour and are looking to keep it bright, shiny and vibrant for as long as possible without the yellow tinge that can show up with age.
These will help remove unwanted yellowness from your locks while also banishing brassiness for good!
Is it time you tried one out?
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
