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Maintaining bleached blonde hair should be a breeze, but it never is. We are faced with yellow and brassy tones left, right, and center, especially if you have the slightest bit of natural warmth in your hair. It’s always an ongoing battle.

After all, all we want is to look as fresh as the first day we walk out of the salon.

Well, the reason why your blonde never looks as blonde as it does when you first have it done is not that your salon has done a bad job but because the toner is only semi-permanent and requires touching up every now and again.

Plus, since bleach blonde hair is more prone to breakage and damage as it makes the hair very porous, This then allows UV rays, pollution, and other elements to enter the hair and moisture exit, causing the blonde tones to become dull and brassy.

But don’t worry, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg visiting the salon every few weeks; investing in a purple/silver shampoo will be your saving grace for toning brassy tones within your luscious blonde locks.

But why purple?

Many blondies fear the idea of purple shampoo, thinking that it will tint their hair purple, but this really isn’t the case, and it goes back to the color wheel. Purple tones neutralize brassy tones, they cancel each other out, so the hair is less brassy.

Pretty cool, right? Well, I have listed some of the best purple shampoos on the market for balancing and correcting the yellow tones within your hair. I have even listed a blue shampoo to help neutralize blondies with orange tones in their hair too.

Your toned blonde hair awaits.

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The Best Purple Shampoos For Toning Blonde hair

1.

Redken Color Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo

best professional purple shampoo

Up first is an incredible purple shampoo by the one, the only Redken. It is one of the best purple shampoos for toning, strengthening, and brightening the hair. The ultra-violet pigments help to preserve the hair color in between appointments.

It works with ultraviolet pigments and a triple acid protein complex to repair and keep undertones at bay.

Toning shampoos either deposit blue or violet pigments which work to neutralize brassy yellow or orange tones that appear in the hair color in between salon appointments. You can control these unwanted brassy tones on each wash day.

Redken offers a wide range of toning shampoos, but we are talking about the purple shampoo from their range.

Their Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo is perfect for blonde and highlighted hair; it vanquishes brassy yellow undertones and unwanted warmth and leaves hair noticeably brighter. It is Redken’s most popular pigmented shampoo for blondes.

The one thing I find with using more purple shampoos than I can shake a stick at over the years is that they can be extremely drying. But thanks to the Triple Acid Protein Complex, you never need to worry again. It strengthens the hair as well as tones it!

It even deeply cleanses, most purple shampoos only tone and tone only. It contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which deeply cleanses the hair and removes buildup from the hair, so you can replace your shampoo with this toning one instead.

But since it is not sulfate-free, it is not suitable for all hair types, but it is repairing, cleansing, and toning, so it’s pretty great.

Pros
  • Ultraviolet pigments to tone
  • Triple Acid Protein Complex to strengthen
  • Tones unwanted brassy tones
  • Cleanses and tones
Cons
  • Contains sulfate so not suitable for every hair type

Latest deal: Redken Color Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo

2.

Osmo Super Silver No Yellow Shampoo

best purple shampoo for silver hair

Osmo has recently bought out a new purple shampoo to their range, and I’ve used it a few times, and it is perfect for those that need a bit more silverizing. It is now a staple in my hair care routine when my hair needs toning; it is a super-strong formula.

They don’t call it super silver for nothing!

The Osmo Super Silver No Yellow Shampoo has been updated from their previous silver shampoo model to be used on lightening, grey, or bleached hair. It kicks out unwanted yellow tones and changes hair color silver/ashy tones.

It is formulated with extreme super-violet pigments that take this toning shampoo to a whole new level. It is perfect for both natural and synthetic hair types to reduce unwanted yellow and brassy tones and restore color vibrancy.

But in my personal opinion, I’d say it’s better than Redken and here’s why!

For starters, it is suitable for all hair types, even synthetic, as it is sulfate-free. It is also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. I do love the Redken brand, but this sulfate-free option is much better for damaged blonde tones and even curly hair.

All you need to do is apply yo wet hair and leave it on for 3-5 minutes before massaging; this will offer the best toning capabilities of this blonde enhancer toning shampoo. Your once brassy tones will be refreshed and silvery once again.

Anyone will think you’ve spent the day in the salon having your hair done!

Pros
  • Super silverizing
  • Ideal for all hair types
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Sulfate-free
Cons
  • None

Latest deal: Osmo Super Silver No Yellow Shampoo

3.

Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo

best purple shampoo for balayage

Now you’ve probably heard of the brand Morrocanoil, but did you know they offer a brilliant purple shampoo? Morrocanoil is the gift that keeps on giving. Bring out the best in your hair color with this tone-correcting shampoo while gently cleansing.

Once you’ve used this shampoo once it will become your new go-to.

This is yet another color-safe and sulfate-free formula that features violet pigments to counteract unwanted yellow tones within the hair. It even contains Argan ID Technology which helps to seal the cuticle and offer brilliant shine.

While you should apply your purple shampoo generously, try not to foam up the formula too much and leave it on for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to work to the best of its ability and enhance the depth and dimension of your color.

It works by depositing violet pigments to counteract yellow and orange hues. This enhances depth and dimension to your hair color to provide a natural-looking sheen and revives highlights so that the next salon appointment doesn’t feel like a stretch.

Pretty cool, right?

Well, just like the rest of the Morrocanoil line, this formula is infused with rich antioxidant, vitamin, and fatty acid-rich argan oil. It deeply nourishes the hair strands and penetrates deep thanks to its low molecular level– perfect for low porosity hair!

It has been used for centuries to nourish the hair and skin, and there’s no wonder as to why!

Pros
  • Highly pigmented
  • Nourishing argan oil
  • Tones hair easily
  • Sulfate free formula
Cons
  • Pricey but worth it

Latest deal: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo

4.

MATRIX Brass Off Blue Shampoo

best purple shampoo for brassy hair

Now this one is perfect for those blondies that used to have quite warm brown tones in their hair. While yes, this is a purple shampoo guide, this blue shampoo is worth mentioning because Brass Off by Matrix is legendary.

Brass Off is a professional salon clarifying shampoo that neutralizes brassy tones while refreshing your hair with cool tones. It is perfect for brunettes that lighten their hair to a blonde tone. It deposits both blue and violet pigments!

So you can say this is the hybrid of silverizing shampoos.

The color balancing blue and violet pigments work together to reduce brassy tones. It can be left on like other purple shampoos for additional toning, but it also deeply cleanses and clarifies hair, so it works to remove buildup so bright tones can shine through.

Brass Off does what it says on the bottle; it banishes brass and illuminates blondes. It is perfect for those with balayage with brown roots as it helps keep orange hues at bay. It is perfect for dark blondes and brunettes needing a bit of brightening.

If you have stubborn hair and cannot seem to keep brass away, then this shampoo will keep your hair tone cool; you’ll love it.

Pros
  • Neutralizes brassy tones
  • Contains both violet and blue hues
  • Clarifying shampoo to allow ultimate toning
  • Professional brand
Cons
  • Can be quite drying

Latest deal: MATRIX Brass Off Blue Shampoo

5.

John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo

best drugstore purple shampoo

You may be scrolling through this list looking for a brand that is slightly more budget-friendly; let me tell you, drugstore purple shampoos get quite a bad wrap, and I would recommend professional over the drugstore, but John Frieda is my only exception.

Say goodbye to brassiness as John Frieda revives your hair with the violet crush shampoo. It gives your hair that salon-fresh blonde that you crave. Discover the best blonde with this super affordable brand that works!

I am always skeptical when buying drugstore brands; many stylists will probably be down your neck about using professional shampoos because they’re much better for your hair, which is true, but there are some great drugstore brands too.

Plus, spending $20-$30 on shampoo is a lot for some people.

This purple shampoo by John Frieda deposits crushed violet pigments into blonde hair to tackle yellow tones and make color-treated or highlighted bleach blonde hair appear cooler and brighter after one single use.

Using in conjunction with the violet crush purple conditioner will allow you to achieve optimal results on your hair. After one use, it will leave your hair salon fresh and revitalized, so you feel ready for the day.

However, be careful when using the conditioner as it contains silicones, so not suitable for certain hair types like curly hair. But all in all, for a drugstore purple shampoo, the results are pretty amazing, and it is loved by many.

Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Great drugstore brand
  • Salon fresh blonde
  • Offers optimal results
Cons
  • Conditioner contains silicones

Latest deal: John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo

6.

Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo

best purple shampoo for silver hair

 

We all want a purple shampoo that tones brassy hues, offers 86% more repair, and strengthens and hydrates in the process of doing so. Well, cue Amika; they are my favorite brand for protecting and toning brassy tones.

Bust Your Brass is a great purple shampoo that offers brilliant results.

This ultra-violet shampoo tones unwanted brassy hues while resulting in 86% more repair, 55% less breakage, and stronger, healthier-looking hair. All blondes, silvers, and grays are welcome with this amazing toning shampoo.

Wash your way to a brighter, healthier-looking blonde with Amika’s bond cure technology, quinoa protein, plant butter, and ultraviolet pigments, which keep your blonde tones looking cool and feeling healthy and strong.

But the proof is in the pudding.

After one use, this cool blonde repair shampoo is clinically proven to tone, hydrate, strengthen and repair hair, resulting in 86% more repair and 55% less breakage. It brightens and tones brassy hues to leave hair with the brightest shade of blonde, silver, and gray.

It even strengthens the hair from within, pretty incredible for a purple shampoo if you ask me.

Pros
  • 86% more repair and 55% less breakage
  • Tones blonde hair to a cool hue
  • Professional brand
  • Nourishes and cleanses
Cons
  • None

Latest deal: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo

7.

Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo

When blonde hair loses its cool, there is no need to fear. Just reach for this instant corrective shampoo for color-treated hair by Joico that banishes unwanted yellow tones. It is designed to preserve highlighted, icy blondes, silvery grays, ombre, and balayage look.

The liposome delivery system packs a punch by continuously releasing a trifecta of healthy hair ingredients like rosehip oil, Arginine, and keratin. Rosehip oil is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids to encourage hair growth and strengthen hair.

Enter Arginine is one of the most important amino acids in keratin that works to strengthen the hair, decrease hair breakage, minimize hair loss, moisturize and protect the hair from the damaging effects of bleach.

All pretty incredible ingredients after bleaching your hair!

Well, this shampoo even contains tea-tree oil, which is rich in antioxidants to protect color against solution and the elements. It can even help prevent the buildup of chemicals and dead skin, keeping your hair healthy and moisturized.

As for the violet pigments, they directly attach to the hair to instantly neutralize unwanted yellow tones and freshen up the hair. Joico even helps with color fading; it helps fight fading and tonal change to keep hair color looking fresh.

Yet another blonde purple shampoo that keeps hair fresh, strong, and most importantly, toned.

Pros
  • Contains rosehip oil and tea tree oil
  • Neutralizes unwanted yellow
  • Helps strengthen hair
  • Safe for color treated hair
Cons
  • None

Latest deal: Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo

8.

DpHue Cool Blonde Shampoo

After spending hundreds down the salon, the last thing we want is for our icy blonde highlights to turn yellowy after a few weeks. Luckily this richly foaming, color-safe shampoo by DpHue is sulfate-free and uses specially formulated violet pigments to neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones.

You’ll look like you’ve just walked straight out of the salon; this shampoo is ready to kick brass!

This cool blonde shampoo gently cleanses while being specially formulated with purple pigments to neutralize yellow and brassy tones and leave blonde hair looking fresher for longer, so those 8-week gaps between salon treatments don’t feel so steep.

But the ingredients within this shampoo are what make it special. It contains silk proteins and hibiscus flower extract, which work to not only tone the hair but also improve the condition, strengthening, improving luster, and increasing brightness.

The great thing about hibiscus is that it conditions hair and stimulates hair growth. It helps revive damaged strands and repair from within. Silk protein also builds up the structure within the hair to strengthen and revive damaged strands.

It tones as well as it would after the first day you had it done; you’ll be loving the results from this one.

Pros
  • Professional brand
  • Forumalted with ultra purple pigments 
  • Contains silk protein and hibiscus
  • Nourishing and hydrating
Cons
  • None

Latest deal: DpHue Cool Blonde Shampoo

Best Purple Shampoo For Blonde Hair-- A Buyers Guide:

Having highlighted hair is an expensive lifestyle, especially when you’re not buying the right toning shampoo for neutralizing the undertones. But there’s no reason why you should have good hair on the first week after going to the salon and bad after.

With the right toning purple shampoo, you can look like you walked straight out of the salon every day. You just need to find the right one for you. Think of the color wheel, some colors neutralize and balance each other out, and purple does this for yellow.

But another toning shampoo you’ve probably seen is blue, and this toning shampoo is perfect for those with orange tones within their hair or those with brown hair looking for an ashier look. Blue cancels out orange and purple cancels out yellow.

Pretty simple, yeah? Well, don’t worry if you’re still a little confused. I am going to run through everything you need to know about anti brass purple shampoo, how to use it and what the purpose of using purple shampoo is.

Let’s delve in.

What Does Purple Shampoo Do?

So what is purple shampoo, and what does it do for your hair? Well, purple shampoo is like a regular shampoo, but as it cleanses strands, it dispenses purple pigment that helps to neutralize your hair to a cooler tone.

Brassiness is described as the unwanted warm, yellow tones within lightened strands, especially blonde hair. It can be caused by many things, from UV rays from the sun, chlorine, mineral impurities in the water, to just natural warmth in your hair.

The purple shampoo comes in to neutralize this brassiness and leave hair toned. But why use purple?

Many people often fear the idea of using purple shampoo or using anything purple on bleach blonde hair, fearing that it will stain the hair purple, but this is really not the case. Purple naturally cancels out yellow tones, making it the perfect color to use.

Purple falls directly opposite yellow, meaning it will work to counteract and neutralize yellow tones, leaving blonde hair cool and icy. It is vivid and will keep brass under control while refreshing your hair color.

This simple change can make a huge difference over time.

Purple shampoo is an easy way to eliminate brass, and making it part of your regular hair care routine is a great way that your color can stay fresh, cool, and toned.

How To Use Purple Shampoo:

For those wondering how to use purple shampoo to tone hair, it is actually pretty easy, there are two ways you can do it for slightly different results. For more intense toning some girls put it on dry hair and it turns their hair platinum blonde.

Regular Wash:

The most common use of purple shampoo is in replacement of your regular shampoo. But for me I like to do one regular shampoo to remove buildup then one purple shampoo to tone my blonde ends as I find purple shampoo acts more like a toner than a shampoo.

It also means that it works better if the hair is clean, no need to work overtime to penetrate into the hair.

So start by rinsing your hair, giving your scalp a good massage under the running water for a few minutes. This should help break down some buildup and stimulate the scalp before going in with your regular shampoo.

Do your first wash and really focus on the scalp, massage the shampoo into your scalp using the tips of your fingers and give it a really good wash for a few minutes. You’ll want your scalp to feel squeaky clean before you go in with your purple shampoo.

Give your hair a really good rinse until there is no residue leftover on the scalp then give your hair a quick squeeze out to remove dripping water– this will make it easier for the purple hues to penetrate through the strands.

Apply a generous amount of purple shampoo to the roots and ends, focusing on the blonde tones and adding a generous amount to the brassy areas. Try not to lather up the shampoo as this will take away some of the toning capabilities.

You can leave on the purple shampoo as long as you deem necessary., but I tend to leave it on for around 5-10 minutes. Once the time is up make sure you massage the ends and roots before rinsing, this will ensure everything is toned.

`If you want optimal results you can then follow it up with a purple conditioner, but this is not necessary.

Applying To Dry Hair:

Another alternative for those that are looking for a good level of toning is to apply the purple shampoo to dry strand– this may leave a slight purple hue if left on for too long so be careful when doing this method.

What you’ll want to do is thoroughly work the product into your dry strands, it’s probably best to work in sections to make the job easier. If you don’t want it too extreme you can also work in sections and slightly dampen down each section with the water spray.

Working in sections will make it easier to apply and make it easier to apply evenly, so start underneath and pin the rest of your hair up– this will make life easier when it comes to applying and keeping your bathroom clean.

Leave the purple shampoo on for 5-30 minutes, use it for a shorter period of time if you have particularly damaged hair as some purple shampoos can be drying. Make sure you also follow up with a deep conditioning treatment after too.

If your hair is particularly brassy then you can leave it on for longer on dry hair and then when your wash off your hair should be looking as fresh as a daisy– you’d think that you’d just walked out the salon!

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How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo

Remember, your purple shampoo does not replace your regular shampoo as it works as a toner rather than a deep cleanser; yes, it does clean your hair but not to the extent as your regular shampoo would, so you should only use it once or twice a week.

Otherwise, your hair might become slightly too dark; after eliminating the yellowness, it can actually make your hair appear darker, which is the last thing many of us want, so try to only use purple shampoo every other wash.

You can use it regularly if your hair goes brassy quickly, but in many cases, you only need to use your purple shampoo once a week.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does purple shampoo do to brown hair?

You don’t need to just be blonde to enjoy the benefits that a purple/silver shampoo has to offer. Purple shampoo is brilliant at neutralizing the brassy or orange tones in brown hair and gives brown hair an overall cool look, so the highlights pop.

Whether you have plain brown hair or brown hair with a few highlights, then a purple shampoo will be brilliant to keep those lighter tones fresh and the rest of the hair ashy. Many girls with warm undertones love using purple shampoo.

How long should you leave the purple shampoo in for orange hair?

Depending on how brassy your hair is, you should leave your purple shampoo in your hair for around 3-5 minutes. You should also use purple shampoo with a purple conditioner for the best results on your hair and to prevent breakage.

But for really orangy brass, you should try using a blue shampoo instead as blue cancels out orange. Using blue shampoo every day until your hair reaches your desired color is a great alternative to toning if you’re on a budget.

Brass off is brilliant for orange and yellow tones as it uses both violet and blue pigments within the formula to neutralize both undertones.

How long should you leave the purple shampoo on dry hair?

If your hair is very brassy, then you can actually apply purple shampoo to your dry ends before you shower and leave it on for around 20-30 minutes. This should penetrate deeper into the strands and help to lift and remove any unwanted yellow hues.

But be careful and don’t leave it on too long as sometimes if left on too long on blonde hair, it can begin to leave a slight purple hue, which is great if you want a slight purple tinge to your blonde but just is aware for those that don’t want this.

What does purple shampoo do to red hair?

Again blondies aren’t the only ones benefiting from using a purple shampoo formula since it tones yellow and orange hues. Those with red hair also get a kick out of using a purple shampoo. As we go back to the color wheel, yellow and orange make red.

So when red hair fades, it tends to change to an orange/yellow mix. Using purple shampoo can keep the red hue looking its best and even help to make your color last longer between salon visits or between home coloring sessions.

It all comes back to the color wheel that we learned in school!

Can you make your own DIY purple shampoo?

You can absolutely make your own DIY purple shampoo using food coloring and shampoo. Despite them not being as effective as some of the brands listed above, they are a great alternative for damaged hair. 

You can also use other methods to tone your hair, such as using apple cider vinegar, honey, and lemon. These ingredients work wonders for toning blonde hair and kicking out the brassiness. 

Check out my full guide on the top DIY purple shampoo recipes for more details! 

Summary

So there you have it, some of the best purple shampoos on the market for toning blonde hair. Whether you’re wanting to get rid of yellow tones or wanting to go for an ashy blonde, gray look to freshen up your hair, then purple shampoo is up for the job.

I would highly recommend going for a purple shampoo and conditioner to restore moisture and offer optimal results on your hair. The violet pigments can work to the best of their ability to tone your hair, leaving your hair as fresh as salon day.

Give a few of these brands a go, and let me know what you think!

jess rowley

Jess Rowley

Cheif Editor & Nail Technician Expert

ABOUT

Jess Rowley, a veteran nail tech, has been studying beauty over the last 11 years and has completed the nail technology program in California. Watching the latest trends in beauty, Jess searches for the highest quality products that make your nails feel loved.