How to Fix Brassy Hair at Home with Purple Shampoo
Maintaining brilliant blonde is easier than you think!
They say, “Blondes have more fun”.
While the jury is still out on that notion, one thing is for certain: maintaining fairer hair can definitely require a little more effort.
Whether you’re a bottle blonde or were born blonde, you know this highly-coveted hair hue has a tendency to change over time (and not necessarily in a good way).
From the time you leave the salon, factors like sun, chlorine, hard water, and environmental aggressors contribute to what we call brassiness (or unwanted warm yellow tones) in your hair.
However, before you run back to your colorist for a costly touch-up or to buy a product that you can only get at the salon, it’s time you discovered purple shampoo and how it can help you tone brassy hair at home.
What Is Purple Shampoo?
Just like its name suggests, it’s simply a shampoo that contains purple or violet-colored pigments.
This dual-purpose product both cleanses hair and removes oil, buildup, and impurities like a traditional shampoo while the added purple pigments work to counteract brassy tones.
Available in a range of strengths, colors, and price points, purple shampoo is one of the most affordable at-home toning options.
Blondes aren’t the only ones who can benefit from purple shampoo; platinum, silver, and highlighted hair can reap the same brightening effects.
What Does Purple Shampoo Do for Blonde Hair?
It has to do with the simple principle of the “color wheel theory”.
Think about elementary school art classes, where you learn about all the colors. Colors opposite one another on the color wheel are known as complementary colors.
This is true of purple and yellow, meaning that they will cancel each other out. So, when you use purple shampoo on yellowed blonde hair, you are essentially color correcting or cancelling out the yellow tones.
You may be thinking, “Can purple shampoo make your hair lighter?”. No, purple shampoo does not contain bleach or any other elements that will lighten your hair.
Instead, it deposits purple pigments onto the hair shaft to help neutralize the brass, leaving your hair with a cooler, ashy tone.
How To Tone Brassy Hair at Home with Purple Shampoo
When you tone brassy hair at home with purple shampoo, it’s important to read all the directions on the packaging to understand timing, how often to use it, and whether or not you should be wearing gloves. (More often than not, gloves are recommended to avoid staining your hands.)
All formulas are different and contain differing levels of pigmentation. The more pigment your purple shampoo contains, the more you can expect stronger color correcting results.
Depending on your level of brassiness and how frequently you wash your hair, a good rule of thumb is to start out by using your purple shampoo once a week (or every 3rd wash).
Many formulas suggest washing and repeating or, for better results, washing and letting the product sit for a few minutes.
However, it’s not one-size-fits-all. Over time, you’ll develop an understanding of how often to use your purple shampoo and how long to leave it on to maintain your ideal shade of blonde.
In between washes with your purple shampoo, you’ll want to return to your favorite color-safe formula. And if you ever notice your hair taking on too much of a purple tone, a wash with a clarifying shampoo will offer instant help.
Due to their color correcting nature, purple shampoos can have a tendency to be a little more drying. For this reason, it’s important to always follow with your favorite conditioner or hair masque to replenish moisture and shine.
Best Purple Shampoo & Other Products for Toning Brass
Fixing brassy hair at home isn’t just reserved for purple shampoo. In fact, there are a variety of purple and violet pigmented products that help you keep your blonde hair in tip top shape between salon visits. These are our favorites.
What it is: A cool toning shampoo that cleanses as it helps eliminate brassy tones in blonde, silver, and highlighted hair.
What it does: The shimmery mica-tinged formula contains purple pigments to neutralize yellow tones while grape seed extract nourishes hair and helps keep your color vivid.
Why you’ll love it: It couldn’t be simpler! Use it as needed to maintain your optimal shade of blonde.
How often to use it: Use until desired level of brightness is achieved, then alternate with an everyday shampoo as needed.
What it is: A cool toning conditioner that supplies moisture and softness as it helps eliminate brassy tones in blonde, silver, and highlighted hair.
What it does: The shimmery mica-tinged formula contains purple pigments to neutralize yellow tones while grape seed extract nourishes hair and helps keep your color vivid.
Why you’ll love it: When paired with Glace Cool Toning Shampoo, you’ll enjoy soft, shiny cool-toned results.
How often to use it: Use until desired level of brightness is achieved, then alternate with an everyday conditioner as needed.
What it is: An intensely pigmented violet-purple toning shampoo that cleanses and offers deep color correction of blonde, silver, and platinum hair.
What it does: Panthenol and omega-rich borage seed oil nourishes hair as rich violet pigments combat brass.
Why you’ll love it: This use-as-needed formula restores bright, icy cool tones to help keep your color fresh and vibrant.
How often to use it: Use 1-2 times per month, as you notice brassiness.
What it is: A deep conditioning violet-purple pigmented masque that helps color correct blonde, silver, and platinum hair.
What it does: Strand-strengthening keratin and omega-rich borage seed oil nourish and fortify while rich violet pigments combat brass.
Why you’ll love it: This weekly deep treatment leaves hair hydrated, lustrous, and beautifully toned.
How often to use it: Use every 3-4 washes, or as needed to maintain your ideal hair color.
What it is: A color-depositing leave-in treatment with added styling benefits.
What it does: This violet-purple pigmented mousse helps color correct brassy tones in blonde, silver, and platinum hair.
Why you’ll love it: Apply to damp hair before styling for a boost of weightless hydration and shine as you help maintain your vibrant cool tone.
How often to use it: Use as needed to maintain your ideal hair color.
Citations:
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Mitchell, Amanda, “How To Use Purple Shampoo For Your Most Vibrant Hair”, May 18, 2021, https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-use-purple-shampoo-5183659.
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Valenti, Lauren, “The Best Purple Shampoos to Preserve Your Hair Color This Summer”, July 2, 2021, https://www.vogue.com/article/best-purple-shampoo.
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Han, Sarah & Hussein, Jennifer, “The 25 Best Purple Shampoos for Maintaining Blonde Hair” November 11, 2021, https://www.allure.com/gallery/best-purple-shampoo-conditioner-blonde-hair.
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Loggins, Brittany, “The 9 Best Purple Shampoos to Cut Down on Brassiness”, May 27, 2020, https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/best-purple-shampoo.
