It's any blonde's secret weapon in the war on brassiness. The benefits of a purple-tinted shampoo are magic when you use the right formula. Editor Trudi Brewer shares the best and new formulas for blondes and brunettes that won’t break the bank.
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Purple shampoo can breathe new life into dull colour and corrects brassy tones in lightened hair. Think of this as a toner in a bottle to stretch that window between your salon visits. Here’s how to find the right formula to complement your colour.
What is it?
While it's coloured, purple shampoo is ammonia free and contains crushed violet pigments that neutralize brassy, yellow and orange tones in lightened hair. Brassy blonde hair is commonly caused by washing your hair in hard water, chlorine pools, and exposure to UV rays. Designed to add to your haircare regime, not replace regular colour-protecting shampoo, the right formula will bring your blonde locks back to life.
HASK BLUE CHAMOMILE WITH ARGAN BLONDE SHAMPOO, $16.
Suppose your blonde or brunette locks are looking brassy. In that case, this sulfate-free, deep blue-violet formula neutralises yellow hues with blue chamomile while nourishing with coconut oil and vitamins B5 and C. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
How often should you use it?
Most purple shampoos should not replace your regular haircare regime. Purple shampoo is designed to supplement it. Weekly is ideal; however, depending on how often you wash your hair and the level of lightening, you may need to use it twice a week. Overdosing on purple can make your hair appear dull or with a lilac tinge. It's best to keep some warmth in your hair to reflect more light, giving the appearance of healthy, natural-looking locks.
NEW Umberto Giannini Pure Blonde Shampoo, $25.
If you’re a creamy, buttery blonde, the purple tint will lift your colour and remove that brassy undertone. It’s also safe for colour, chemically treated hair and anyone with hair extensions. Boosted with lavender, chamomile flower and mandarin oils, the 93 per cent natural formula also gives hair an epic shine.
Purple shampoo is not just for blondes
Brunettes with highlights or lightened ends, such as ombre or balayage, can also benefit from toning hair with purple shampoo. Purple shampoo is for anyone looking to reduce brassy, yellow, or orange tones in their hair, including white or grey.
Provoke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo, $16.
If you like an ash overtone, this shampoo will deliver in one wash, which makes it ideal for light blonde, platinum, white and grey hair. That’s due to the intense and unique violet pigment, which blends tiny purple and blue dye molecules that can penetrate the cuticle on the hair shaft. Of course, you would expect the technology from blonde specialists who have been toning hair for over 35 years.
How to apply it correctly
While purple shampoo is cleansing, if your hair is loaded with styling products or dry shampoo, use a regular shampoo first to cleanse your hair and scalp, and then follow with the purple shampoo to tone your hair. Apply it on damp, towel-dried hair, not soaking wet hair. And then, comb it through evenly with a Tangle Teezer Wet Detangler, and leave it on for five to ten minutes, to allow the purple pigments to correct your colour. Don't rush the process; massage it into the roots, the mid-lengths and finally, the ends before rinsing it off. You want an even toning result; rinsing it off too quickly makes it less effective.
Here are the tips and products to try now.