Best Purple Shampoo for Brassiness Your Guide to Cooler, Brighter HairBrassy tones can be a major frustration, especially for those with blonde, silver, or gray hair. Whether you’re fighting orange or yellow undertones, purple shampoo is a great solution. Purple shampoos are designed to neutralize warm tones, giving your hair a cooler, more natural look. This topic will guide you through the best purple shampoos for brassiness, how to use them, and what to look for when choosing the right one for your hair type.
What Causes Brassiness?
Brassiness occurs when your hair picks up unwanted warm tones, often appearing yellow, orange, or red. This is particularly common for blonde or lightened hair. The reason for brassiness is typically the result of
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Overexposure to heat (such as styling with hot tools)
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Sun exposure that lightens hair unevenly
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Chlorine from swimming pools
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Minerals in hard water that alter the color
Purple shampoos can help balance these unwanted tones by adding cool pigments to neutralize the brass.
How Does Purple Shampoo Work?
Purple shampoo contains purple pigments that counteract warm, yellow or orange tones in the hair. Purple is opposite yellow and orange on the color wheel, so it neutralizes these brassiness effects. The darker the purple shampoo, the more potent it is at neutralizing brassiness.
Purple shampoo is perfect for those with
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Blonde hair (natural or dyed)
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Silver or gray hair
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Highlighted or bleached hair
These hair colors are most prone to brassiness and benefit from the color-balancing effects of purple shampoo.
How to Use Purple Shampoo
Using purple shampoo is simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind
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Wet your hair thoroughly before applying the shampoo.
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Lather it well throughout your hair, focusing on the areas most affected by brassiness.
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Leave it in for a few minutes (the longer you leave it, the more intense the color correction). Start with 1-3 minutes and adjust based on how brassy your hair is.
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Rinse thoroughly with cool water to lock in shine.
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Follow with a conditioner to keep your hair moisturized, as purple shampoos can be drying due to their color-correcting properties.
You can use purple shampoo once a week or up to two or three times a week, depending on how much brassiness you need to remove.
Key Features to Look for in Purple Shampoo
When choosing the best purple shampoo for brassiness, consider these important factors
1. Pigment Intensity
Some purple shampoos have stronger purple pigments, which work best for very brassy hair. If your hair is only mildly brassy, a shampoo with a lighter purple hue may be sufficient. Choose a product based on the level of brassiness you’re dealing with.
2. Hydration and Moisture
Purple shampoos can sometimes be drying, so it’s important to find a product with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or glycerin. This will help keep your hair soft and nourished after use.
3. Sulfate-Free Formula
Sulfates can strip hair of its natural oils, making it dry and brittle. Look for a sulfate-free purple shampoo to keep your hair healthy and shiny.
4. pH-Balanced
A pH-balanced shampoo helps maintain the hair’s natural acidity, which is important for preserving its health. This is especially vital for color-treated hair.
Best Purple Shampoos for Brassiness
Here are some of the top-rated purple shampoos that can help you fight brassiness and keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant.
1. Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo
Clairol Shimmer Lights is a classic in the world of purple shampoos. Known for its strong color-correcting properties, it helps neutralize brassiness and yellow tones in blonde, silver, and gray hair. The formula is sulfate-free, ensuring it won’t strip your hair of moisture, and it’s easy to find at most drugstores.
2. Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Shampoo
Olaplex is a well-known brand for color-treated hair, and the No. 4P Blonde Enhancer is no exception. It contains purple pigments that tone blonde and lightened hair while nourishing and strengthening each strand with Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology. This shampoo is gentle and hydrating, making it a great option for dry or damaged hair.
3. Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo
Redken’s Color Extend Blondage Shampoo is a salon-quality purple shampoo designed for neutralizing brassiness while maintaining hair health. It’s packed with a blend of purple pigments and amino acids that protect your hair and keep it strong. This shampoo works well for blonde, gray, and highlighted hair.
4. Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo is a highly effective and potent purple shampoo that’s specifically formulated for blonde, bleached, and gray hair. It’s known for its intense purple pigment, making it great for tackling stubborn brassiness. However, be cautious and start with a short application time as the pigment can be quite powerful.
5. Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo is another top contender for purple shampoos. It works quickly to neutralize yellow tones, giving your hair a cool, silver or platinum finish. It’s also designed to add shine and smoothness to your hair, making it a great all-around product for blonde or gray hair.
6. Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo
Pureology’s Strength Cure Best Blonde Shampoo is gentle, sulfate-free, and packed with natural ingredients to hydrate and restore color-treated hair. It helps tone brassy hair while strengthening the strands and preventing future damage. This shampoo is ideal for people looking for both color correction and hair repair.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Purple Shampoo
To get the best results from your purple shampoo, avoid these common mistakes
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Leaving it on for too long While you may be tempted to leave purple shampoo in for extended periods, it can lead to a dull or purple tint if overused. Stick to the recommended time on the bottle.
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Using it every day Purple shampoo isn’t intended for daily use. It’s best used 1-3 times a week, depending on how much brassiness you need to neutralize.
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Not conditioning afterward Purple shampoo can be drying, so always follow up with a nourishing conditioner to maintain moisture and softness.
Purple shampoo is a fantastic solution for combating brassiness and keeping blonde, silver, or gray hair looking vibrant and cool. By choosing the right purple shampoo for your hair type and level of brassiness, you can achieve beautiful, neutral-toned hair without the hassle of salon visits. Remember to use it properly, and you’ll be on your way to stunning, brass-free hair in no time.