Purple Shampoo
Purple Shampoo
Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
February 23rd, 2021
February 23rd, 2021
During COVID, Google searches for purple shampoo have increased. The salon industry, having limited opportunity to tend to the warm shades in lightened hair that show up in between maintenance, have people searching for solutions. Sharing some info here on purple shampoo and conditioner to help our blonde, silver and white haired friends out.
How does purple shampoo work?
Changing your hair from brown to blonde is an art that requires the skills of a professional colorist. That professional needs to do two things when lightening your hair: (1) remove pigment and (2) tone away any remaining yellow and/or orange. For #2, purple shampoo or conditioner is a gentle way to combat unwanted yellow/brassy color, and can be used in between your hair appointments at home. Unlike the color your hairdresser uses at the salon, purple shampoo or conditioner does not contain any chemicals. It coats the outside of your hair with a purple "sheen" that can be washed away eventually (think of it like putting on nylons). The reason behind why it works lies in where the color purple sits on the color wheel. Colors that are opposite to one another on the wheel cancel each other out. For purple shampoo and conditioner, the finished effect can be as minimal as a buttery blonde to as maximal as a sultry silver. It all depends on how porous your hair is before the application, plus how long you leave it on for and/or number of times you use it. |
Which works better for toning, the purple shampoo or the purple conditioner? Do I need to use both?
Some people believe the shampoo tones better, and others believe the conditioner does. Most prefer to use one or the other, so you likely do not need both. Experiment to find out what works best for you. When using the shampoo alone, apply a deep conditioner afterwards, as it can dry your hair out a bit. When using the conditioner alone, wash hair with a color-safe shampoo beforehand.
Some people believe the shampoo tones better, and others believe the conditioner does. Most prefer to use one or the other, so you likely do not need both. Experiment to find out what works best for you. When using the shampoo alone, apply a deep conditioner afterwards, as it can dry your hair out a bit. When using the conditioner alone, wash hair with a color-safe shampoo beforehand.
How do you apply purple shampoo or conditioner (to wet hair)?
It depends where the yellow/brassy tones in your hair are. Remember, hair that has been dyed blonde will be more porous, and may soak up the purple color faster. It's best to leave the product on for a shorter period of time and apply it a second time if needed as you get used to using it. If you feel like you overdid it (i.e. your color turns too purple), wash your hair with a clarifying or color-less shampoo a few times until you get the tone right. "Overdoing it" will take more than a couple of applications, so don't worry about it at first.
If you're a blonde who has an even color from roots to ends that you want to tone.
Use the product 1 - 3 times per week like you would a regular shampoo or conditioner.
Time to leave on: 3 minutes, repeat the process again if you still see yellow tones
If you're a blonde with yellow/brassy roots only.
Some blondes, particularly those that don't use foils (i.e. a one process color), may see yellow/brassiness at the root after lightening their hair. When that's the case, apply the product to the warmest part of the hair (your root area) while trying to keep it off the hair that has the tone you like (your mid-shaft and ends). This is easiest to do with an inexpensive bowl and brush set (like these).
Time to leave on: 5 minutes, afterwards rub the product throughout your hair and immediately rinse out, apply a second time if needed
If you have naturally white or grey hair with yellow/brassy spots from hard water, pool water, etc.
Apply the product to the spots that are yellow/brassy. This is easiest to do with an inexpensive bowl and brush set (like these). If you still notice yellow after several applications, you may need to strip the chemicals out with a clarifying shampoo or a pre art service at the salon. Ask your stylist/barber for advice on this.
Time to leave on: 3 - 5 minutes, afterwards rub the product throughout your hair and immediately rinse out, apply a second time if needed
It depends where the yellow/brassy tones in your hair are. Remember, hair that has been dyed blonde will be more porous, and may soak up the purple color faster. It's best to leave the product on for a shorter period of time and apply it a second time if needed as you get used to using it. If you feel like you overdid it (i.e. your color turns too purple), wash your hair with a clarifying or color-less shampoo a few times until you get the tone right. "Overdoing it" will take more than a couple of applications, so don't worry about it at first.
If you're a blonde who has an even color from roots to ends that you want to tone.
Use the product 1 - 3 times per week like you would a regular shampoo or conditioner.
Time to leave on: 3 minutes, repeat the process again if you still see yellow tones
If you're a blonde with yellow/brassy roots only.
Some blondes, particularly those that don't use foils (i.e. a one process color), may see yellow/brassiness at the root after lightening their hair. When that's the case, apply the product to the warmest part of the hair (your root area) while trying to keep it off the hair that has the tone you like (your mid-shaft and ends). This is easiest to do with an inexpensive bowl and brush set (like these).
Time to leave on: 5 minutes, afterwards rub the product throughout your hair and immediately rinse out, apply a second time if needed
If you have naturally white or grey hair with yellow/brassy spots from hard water, pool water, etc.
Apply the product to the spots that are yellow/brassy. This is easiest to do with an inexpensive bowl and brush set (like these). If you still notice yellow after several applications, you may need to strip the chemicals out with a clarifying shampoo or a pre art service at the salon. Ask your stylist/barber for advice on this.
Time to leave on: 3 - 5 minutes, afterwards rub the product throughout your hair and immediately rinse out, apply a second time if needed
Can you put purple shampoo or conditioner on dry hair?
Yes, you can. However, the product might not spread evenly throughout your hair, resulting in a splotchy appearance afterwards.
Can purple shampoo dry your hair out?
In my opinion, yes. If you're worried about this, stick with the purple conditioner alone.
Can you color your hair with purple shampoo or conditioner?
Only if your hair is pre-lightened to the right shade of yellow, or if you are naturally grey/white.
What happens if you use purple shampoo or conditioner on brown hair?
Not much. The hair has to be light enough for the purple pigment to show up.
Yes, you can. However, the product might not spread evenly throughout your hair, resulting in a splotchy appearance afterwards.
Can purple shampoo dry your hair out?
In my opinion, yes. If you're worried about this, stick with the purple conditioner alone.
Can you color your hair with purple shampoo or conditioner?
Only if your hair is pre-lightened to the right shade of yellow, or if you are naturally grey/white.
What happens if you use purple shampoo or conditioner on brown hair?
Not much. The hair has to be light enough for the purple pigment to show up.