If you're a long-term bottle blonde, you're probably already very well acquainted with the benefits of a purple toning shampoo. Whether you're sporting a dramatic platinum shade or a warm golden hue a la Blake Lively, purple shampoo is a key ally in every not-so natural blonde's fight to eliminate yellow, brassy tones in between salon visits.
How does it work? Think of the colour wheel: yellow and purple are on opposite sides, so just as make-up artists use colour correction to correct complexion flaws (green to counteract redness, yellow for dark, purple shadows under the eyes), the shampoo's purple pigment will help eliminate yellowness. It's a godsend for those chasing the perfect ice blonde, and for those with warmer tones, too.
The best purple shampoos for blonde hair
Best Purple Shampoos for Blonde Hair
1 of 17Olaplex No4p Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo, £26
If you're a A) blonde, and b) a fan of Olaplex's No.4 Shampoo, you'll love this. The brand's first foray into purple shampoo is a good one indeed, combining purple toner with their signature repairing blend. What other shampoos can say that they tint and fortify simultaneously?
2 of 17Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo, £18
Once a stateside secret, Brits have fallen hard for Amika's range (Bust Your Brass is especially popular). The Bust Your Brass Shampoo is favoured by those with textured hair, for the way it's enriched with three rich plant butters and amino acids. They work in tandem to strengthen and hydrate whilst colouring.
3 of 17Blonde Purple Brightening Shampoo, 250ml
Neal & Wolf's purple shampoo is especially designed to protect and enhance blonde hair. Harnessing the power of Wheat Protein and Glycerin, this formula offers long-lasting colour protection while combatting brassy tones. The result? Healthier and brighter rejuvenated hair.
4 of 17L'Oreal Professionnel Blondifier Cool Shampoo, £13.40
This one leaves hair feeling squeaky clean (but, we emphasise, not stripped of moisture). The violet pigments in the formula not only diminish any yellow tones, but hair looks considerably brighter after use.
5 of 17Fudge Professional Clean Blonde Shampoo, £14
This purple shampoo is a serious workhorse; expect serious shine and considerable colour correction from this salon-favoured brand. It gives a shot of icy blonde and makes quick work of neutralising brassy tones after just one wash.
6 of 17Kérastase Blond absolu Bain ultra violet shampoo, £23
Kerastase's nourishing shampoo will not only banish those brassy tones, but also keep your hair glossy and shiny - whilst also defending against pollution.
7 of 17Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo, £41
Cult brand Oribe not only has great bathroom shelf appeal, but the purple shampoo also contains the optimal amount of violet pigment to banish yellow tones and boost any natural highlights.
8 of 17OGX Hydrate & color reviving + lavender luminescent platinum shampoo, £6.99
This secret weapon for Platinum blondes boasts a floral blend of fresh lavender oil, chamomile extract and added sun filters. Like many other of OGX's products, it is sulphate free.
9 of 17Living Proof color care discovery kit ban brassiness, £19
A powerhouse trio of products formulated to cleanse, nourish and soften hair in between salon visits - working together with UV protection to shield strands from harmful suns rays.
10 of 17R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo, £23
Coconut cleanser works to eliminate yellow tones whilst Panthenol Derivative works to restore body and shine. Double win!
11 of 17Philip Kingsley pure blond /silver brightening daily shampoo, £19.50
With 65 years in the industry, Philip Kingsley knows a thing or two about how to maintain beautiful hair. Apply to wet hair and lather for 60 seconds - correcting dull hair has never been so easy.
12 of 17Jo Hansford Platinum Shampoo, £17
Legendary colourist Jo Hansford's Platinum product line is a godsend for blondes everywhere, with a sulfate-free formula that'll protect against colour fade in between salon visits.
13 of 17Sachajuan Silver Shampoo, £20
The secret to maintaining the perfect Scandi blonde hue? A purple toning shampoo from Stockholm's favourite salon, Sachajuan. Added UV protection will keep your colour protected in between appointments, too.
14 of 17Bleach Silver Shampoo, £6.50
Don't let the inky hue of Bleach's toning shampoo phase you: it's a must-buy for those chasing the perfect ash blonde or a salon-fresh platinum finish. Wheat proteins and Vitamin B5 add a moisture injection to over-processed lengths, too.
15 of 17Tigi Catwalk Violet Fashionista Shampoo, £9.75
Tigi's toning shampoo works like a dream on every shade of blonde, helping to preserve that salon-fresh feeling in between appointments. Use the Violet Mask for an extra boost.
16 of 17Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo, £7.99
Formulated with Nexxus' exclusive PROTEINFUSION blend featuring Keratin Protein and Violet Pigment. This colour toning shampoo uses purple pigments to helps reduce yellow tones and brassiness, revealing a brighter, softer and shinier blonde after just one use.
17 of 17Kevin Murphy Blonde.Angel.Wash, £22
Revive your blonde hair colour with this lavender infused, brightening shampoo that will kick those unwanted yellow tones to the curb.
Who should use a purple shampoo, and what are the benefits?
'A purple shampoo is great to use for anyone with blonde hair, from a natural blonde through to a very light platinum blonde as it will subdue and neutralise yellow hues,' confirms Christel Lundqvist, founder and director of STIL Salon in Notting Hill, London. 'When the hair colour is lighter the product is more effective as it's easier to see cooler hues on a lighter base with a purple shampoo. You can also use a purple shampoo on darker shades however, it will have a natural cooling effect on darker shades from dark blonde to light brown hues.'
How often should you use purple shampoo: every wash or as a less frequent treatment?
'Depending on the hair quality you can use a purple shampoo every day, if desired,' explains Christel. 'If the hair is slightly sensitised from colour services it will be beneficial to use it 1-2 times a week, whilst using a strengthening shampoo in between. A purple shampoo is designed to wash the hair but its main purpose is to tone, so if the hair needs extra keratin or moisture it might be good to use an additional shampoo in between.' If your dyed hair feels dry or damaged, then, it is best just to use once a week, using moisturising, strengthening or reparative care the rest of the time.
What is the difference between purple and silver toning shampoos?
Confused by colour jargon? 'Some shampoos have more of a violet tone which can look slightly silver and some shampoos will have more of a blue tone,' says Christel. 'Both will do the same job, however purple based shampoos are slightly cleaner looking on blonde hair as it won’t necessarily leave a residue of grey or blue hues.'
Can you use purple shampoo on other hair colours?
If you've opted for balayage colour with blonde tones towards the ends, you might notice the lighter hue becoming warmer or brassier with time. Time for a toning shampoo? Christel notes that while you can use purple shampoos on different hues, 'bear in mind that it's designed to cool tones: if the hair has a mixture of warm and cool hues it will have a cooling effect on the overall hair colour.'
How can I prep my dry, damaged hair before using a toning shampoo?
'For the best results when using a purple shampoo and conditioner, you need to make sure your hair is in good condition and properly nourished. If it’s dry or damaged, the end result could be patchy and uneven,' explains Fie Karayannis, senior colourist at Jo Hansford. 'This is because dry hair is more porous due to over-processing, so the purple shampoo will stain bits of the hair differently. One of the easiest ways to remedy this is to incorporate nourishing hair treatments into your routine. Use a deep nourishing mask, such as Jo Hansford Expert Colour Care Intensive Masque, £28.50, once a week. Lather a generous amount onto dry hair and wrap hair in a warm towel for 10 minutes for a quick fix, or if you have more time, leave on as an overnight treatment to really quench dry, damaged and over processed coloured hair.'
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