How Does Purple Shampoo Work?

The way purple shampoo works goes back to the color wheel. If you look at the color wheel, purple is opposite of yellow. This means that these two colors cancel each other out.

Purple shampoo applies purple pigments to the cuticle of your hair and neutralizes unwanted yellow remaining in your hair after you have lightened it.

It is important to know that all hair has warm undertones--aka, you will always find orange or yellow tones under your hair when you lighten it. If you are trying to get your blonde hair as light as possible, you will need to tone those pigments out of your hair. Purple shampoo is a way to do that, which is safe to use on color treated hair.

How to Use Purple Shampoo

Just like normal shampoo, apply purple shampoo to wet hair. Lather thoroughly and rinse. For stronger results, lather twice and let purple shampoo sit on the hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it out. Be careful not to leave purple shampoo on for too long, otherwise you risk overtoning your hair, which results in a dull color.

There is no need to use regular shampoo after purple shampoo, as purple shampoo serves the same purpose on top of toning your hair.

How Often Should I Use Purple Shampoo?

As with almost everything concerning your hair, blonde shampoo should be used only in moderation. Using purple shampoo too frequently can actually overtone your hair and make it look dull. If your hair is light enough, it could even start to turn your hair purple.

Only use purple shampoo once a week at most in order to tone your hair. Purple shampoo on its own is not damaging when used as directed.

Between using purple shampoo to tone, we recommend a sulfate free shampoo to help your color last as long as possible.

Can Purple Shampoo Be Used in Natural Blonde Hair?

Even if you haven't lightened your hair, you can still use purple shampoo on your naturally blonde hair. If your hair is naturally warm, you can use purple shampoo to cool the tone down.

As mentioned before, hair has a naturally warm undertone. If you're looking for a more platinum or ashy look, toning with purple shampoo can help you achieve it without having to go to the salon.

Above is an image of purple shampoo before and after. As you can see, purple shampoo helps eliminate warm yellow tones.

Is Purple Shampoo Damaging?

On its own, purple shampoo doesn't generally damage your hair. However, using too much can have adverse effects, especially if your hair is already damaged. Consider using other hair care products such as a hair mask to improve the state of your hair before lightening, dyeing or using purple shampoo.

If you already have color in your hair, purple shampoo can mix differently and create unexpected color results, so make sure you are only using purple shampoo on hair that is not already vibrant.

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Brown Hair?

The biggest use for purple shampoo is on pre-lightened or blonde/silver hair, but purple toning can be used for brown hair as well, especially if you have highlights. While dark brown hair won't see much of a difference--if any--with purple shampoo, it can have an effect on light brown hair.

This is because purple color cancels out warmth coming specifically from yellow that may be in your hair, cooling the tone of your light brown hair and making your highlights pop.

Keep in mind that the same recommendations exist for highlights as do for blonde or bleached hair. Leaving purple shampoo in too long or using it too frequently can overtone your hair or even turn the lightest blondes purple.

What Happens If I Use Too Much Purple Shampoo?

Keep in mind that the same recommendations exist for highlights as do for blonde or bleached hair. Leaving purple shampoo in too long or using it too frequently can overtone your hair or even turn the lightest blondes purple.

Do I Need Purple Shampoo for Vivid Hair?

Purple shampoo is most often used for blonde hair or silver hair, but it can be used in other situations, as well.

Say you are trying to dye your hair pastel pink. To make sure that you have a clean, even pallet to apply color for the best results. Purple shampoo can help even out the yellow tones in your hair so that vivid color looks more professional and smooth.

Every blonde hair care routine should include purple shampoo so you can work to neutralize yellow and brassy tones.