Ultimate Guide: Using Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Effectively

Purple shampoo is a toning shampoo specially designed for blonde hair. It features crushed violet pigments that neutralize style-ruining brassy and yellow tones. On the color wheel, purple is the opposite of yellow, which is why purple pigments cancel out brassy, yellow tones. When you get your hair professionally colored at the salon, hairstylists often tone hair to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on bleached hair. Purple shampoo is a great at-home solution for toning hair and preventing brassiness. While purple shampoo is essential for a bleached blonde look, you can also use it on darker shades of blonde as well as natural blondes.
Purple conditioner, on the other hand, has the same color-toning properties as purple shampoo with the bonus of added moisture, softening, and smoothing. Together, they’re quite the color-beautifying bundle. If you’re familiar with color theory, you know that purple and yellow fall directly across from each other on the color wheel. As complementary colors, they effectively cancel each other out when mixed together. That’s the idea behind purple shampoo and conditioner: by depositing purple pigments onto the hair, they neutralize unwanted yellow undertones that make hair look brassy¡ªso that your color stays the shade you want it to.

Who Should Use Purple Shampoo and Conditioner?

Purple shampoo is an essential tool for anyone with dyed blonde hair looking to keep their locks vibrant and fresh. It contains a violet pigment that works as a toner to counteract brassy tones and yellowing, which can occur over time. Naturally blonde hair can also develop brassy tones due to oxidation from solar exposure (referred to as photo yellowing) and repeated thermal stress. Purple shampoo is ideal for maintaining a cool, ashy, or platinum hue.

Suitable Hair Types

• Blonde Hair: A bright purple or violet shampoo is your best bet to counteract brassiness and keep your locks looking fresh.
• Grey, Silver, or Platinum Hair: Opt for a dark purple shampoo to effectively neutralize yellow tones and maintain a vibrant hue.
• Highlighted or Balayage Hair: If you have lightened sections of dark hair, such as highlights or balayage, purple shampoo can help reduce brassiness in the lighter sections.
• Brown Hair with Warm Tones: Purple shampoo can be effective on brown hair to eliminate any unwanted warm tones or brassiness, especially for those who have chemically treated their hair. The violet pigments in purple shampoo work to neutralize the yellow and orange tones that can occur in brown hair, resulting in a more vibrant and rich color.
• Naturally Red Hair: Purple shampoo may not make much of a difference but it can help those with chemically dyed red hair. Purple shampoo will not fade or remove red color but can impact its visual effect.

How Does Purple Shampoo Work?

The concept of purple shampoo stems from color theory, a set of principles to mixing colors and the visual effects of different color combinations. When hair is bleached or lightened then toned to icy blonde, white, or silver it can, over time, become too warm-toned or brassy. Naturally blonde hair can also develop brassy tones due to oxidation from solar exposure and repeated thermal stress. Purple shampoo is similar to color-correcting makeup in that the violet pigment is complementary to yellow on the color wheel, effectively neutralizing any unwanted warm tones.
Purple shampoo is designed to coat the outer layer of the hair and neutralize overly-warm tones, but as long as you follow the usage guidelines, you won’t need to worry about “build-up” dehydrating or damaging already vulnerable strands. The violet pigment is deposited onto the strands to cancel out warm tones, taking blonde hair from brassy to on-trend ash. Purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, therefore canceling it out (brunette hair will require a blue-toned product to cool unwanted warmth in more orange-toned discoloration).

How to Use Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Effectively

To achieve optimal results with purple shampoo, follow these tailored steps, ensuring you cater to your hair’s specific needs while prioritizing the use of clean, natural shampoo products.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Wet hair thoroughly before applying the shampoo to ensure even distribution.
• Lather the shampoo onto your hair, focusing on areas with noticeable brassiness. For an even application, massage from root to tip.
• Leave the shampoo on for 2-3 minutes for a subtle effect, or up to 5 minutes for more intense toning.
• Rinse thoroughly to prevent any residue buildup that could dull the hair.
• Always follow up with a purple conditioner to nourish hair, prevent breakage, and further tone down any brassiness. Leave the conditioner on for 2-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of toning, then rinse thoroughly.
• For an intensive toning treatment, use a purple hair mask once a week. After washing your hair with purple shampoo, apply the mask evenly from roots to tips. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes to allow the deep-conditioning and toning properties to penetrate your hair.

Tips for Best Results

• Wear Gloves: Wear gloves during application to avoid staining your hands.
• Monitor Leave-In Time: The leave-in time varies based on your desired results. For subtle toning, leave it in for 1-3 minutes. For platinum, gray, or silver hair, you can leave the purple shampoo on for up to 30 minutes, depending on how brassy or discolored your hair is.
• Avoid Overuse: Using purple shampoo too frequently can make your hair look too ashy and dull. Generally, use purple shampoo once or twice a week, depending on your hair’s needs and how quickly it tends to turn brassy.
• Alternate with Regular Shampoo: To avoid buildup or over-toning, alternate purple shampoo with your regular sulfate-free shampoo.
• Use a Shower Head Filter: Utilize a shower head filter to protect your hair from hard water, which can contribute to brassiness.
• Protect from UV Rays: Wear hats or use sun-protective hair care products to shield your hair from harmful UV rays, preventing color fading and maintaining hair health.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving It On Too Long: This can result in an unwanted purple hue. If you leave it on for too long and don’t like the result, simply wash your hair again with a clarifying shampoo and it should dull down the silver-tone.
• Using It Daily: Overuse can dry out your hair. Purple shampoo should be used in moderation and not as a replacement for your regular shampoo.
• Skipping Conditioner: Purple shampoo may leave hair feeling slightly dry without proper conditioning. Always use a hydrating conditioner or a purple conditioner for added toning.
• Applying to Dry Hair: Because hair is more porous when it’s dry, the violet shampoo can absorb unevenly, resulting in a patchy, purple effect. Stick to massaging it into wet hair for the most flawless finish.
• Using Hot Water: Avoid washing your hair with hot water as it can cause the color to fade by opening up the hair’s cuticles.

Choosing the Right Purple Shampoo and Conditioner

When embarking on the journey to select the right purple shampoo, understanding the nuances of your hair type and the specific product features is paramount.

Key Considerations

• Colour and Consistency: Seek out shampoos with a rich purple hue and a thicker consistency. These characteristics ensure the product is potent enough to tackle brassiness without being translucent.
• Natural Ingredients: Look for shampoos that champion clean, natural ingredients. This not only aids in maintaining the desired hair color but also contributes to overall hair health.
• Sulfate-Free Formulas: Some purple shampoos contain sulfates or other harsh ingredients that can strip the hair of its natural moisture, leading to dryness or damage. To mitigate this, choose a sulfate-free formula.
• Hair Type Specificity: For lighter blondes or silver hair, a stronger purple pigment may be necessary, while darker blondes can use a milder formula.

Best Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Products

Here are some top-rated purple shampoo and conditioner products available on Amazon, known for their effectiveness and quality ingredients.

Additional Hair Care Tips for Blonde, Silver, or Gray Hair

Maintaining vibrant and healthy blonde hair requires a holistic approach, focusing on protection, hydration, and regular maintenance.

• Use Color-Safe Products: Use clean, natural shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for blonde hair to avoid harsh chemicals that can strip hair of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness.
• Incorporate a Hair Mask: Regularly incorporating an ultra-pigmented purple hair mask will help to deep condition color-treated hair while neutralizing brassy tones. Try the Redken Color Extend Blondage Express Anti-Brass Mask for an instant 5-minute transformation.
• Protect from Heat: Considering that excessive heat exposure can create yellow tones in blonde or grey hair, following up on your purple shampoo routine with a heat protectant spray is a non-negotiable addition.
• Get Regular Trims: Get regular trims to get rid of split ends and keep your hair looking shiny and fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can purple shampoo damage my hair?

Purple shampoo itself is not inherently damaging, but overuse or using a formula with harsh ingredients like sulfates can lead to dryness. To prevent this, choose a sulfate-free purple shampoo and always follow with a hydrating conditioner or mask to restore moisture.

How often should I use purple shampoo?

Most people should use purple shampoo once or twice a week to maintain vibrant, cool-toned hair. Overuse can result in a lilac or grayish tint, especially for very light or porous hair. Adjust frequency based on your hair’s brassiness and desired tone.

Can I use purple shampoo on dry hair?

While some apply purple shampoo to dry hair for stronger toning, this method increases the risk of uneven results or over-toning due to hair’s higher porosity when dry. For consistent results, it’s best to apply purple shampoo to wet hair.

Will purple shampoo work on non-blonde hair?

Purple shampoo is most effective on blonde, silver, gray, or lightened hair, such as highlights or balayage. It can also reduce brassiness in chemically treated brown hair with warm tones, but it may not be effective on dark brown or red hair without lightened sections.

What happens if I leave purple shampoo on too long?

Leaving purple shampoo on for too long can deposit a slight purple or lavender tint, especially on very light or damaged hair. This tint is usually temporary and can be removed by washing with a clarifying shampoo over a few washes.

Conclusion

Purple shampoo and conditioner are powerful tools for maintaining vibrant, cool-toned hair, whether you’re blonde, silver, gray, or have lightened highlights. By understanding how to use these products effectively, choosing the right formula for your hair type, and incorporating additional hair care practices, you can achieve salon-quality results at home. For more hair care tips, check out Redken’s official website or explore professional hair care advice at Hair.com by L’Or¨¦al.