Purple Shampoo 101: What Is Purple Shampoo and How Often To Use It

If you’ve ever gone platinum or experimented with cool, blonde highlights, you’ve likely experienced brassy hair. A purple shampoo is one of the best ways to combat this discoloration, but using such a vivid formula isn’t always intuitive. Ahead, we’re breaking down what exactly this type of toning product does and how to incorporate it into your haircare routine. You’ll also discover how often to use purple shampoo for optimal results. Keep scrolling for the inside scoop, including must-have purple shampoo offerings from L’Oréal Paris.

What Is Purple Shampoo?

Purple shampoos are products that deposit violet pigments onto the hair to help neutralize brassy tones. The main objective is to keep lightened hair looking fresh and vibrant—they don’t lift your existing hair color, only enhance it. Those with cool-toned blonde, gray, or silver strands typically see the most noticeable results from purple shampoos, but they’re equally as effective for eliminating excess yellow in warmer blondes, too.

It’s worth noting that you might see the terms purple shampoo and silver shampoo used interchangeably, but each has a dedicated use: Purple shampoo minimizes yellow tones in lightened hair, while silver shampoo fights brassy tones that can crop up in white or gray locks specifically.

What Does Purple Shampoo

As mentioned, purple shampoo is a toning product that offsets brass in bleached or lightened hair. This magic occurs thanks to a concept you might recall from elementary school: color theory. On the color wheel, yellow sits across of purple. This means that the shades are complementary and will cancel each other out when overlaid. That’s why purple and violet are the ideal hues to help counteract yellow and orange tones in your hair.

Now, you may wonder why you need purple shampoo in the first place. For some quick background, lightening your hair with peroxide or bleach can reveal the inherently warm undertones in your natural hair color. That’s why you’ll usually have to apply a toner (like a hair gloss) to your strands right after you lift them. Toners don’t last forever though; water quality, exposure to sunlight, and even heat styling can fade your toner and bring out those underlying brassy tones. A purple shampoo can help neutralize those unwanted pigments and restore your hair to a cooler, more desirable tone.

How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo?

If you’ve wondered whether you can use purple shampoo every day, the answer is generally no. Purple shampoo is most effective if used as needed to reduce visible brass. Typically, you’ll want to incorporate purple shampoo into your haircare routine up to twice a week in place of your usual shampoo for color-treated hair. Pair a corresponding purple shampoo and conditioner together to maximize the brass-busting benefits.

Keep in mind, how to use purple shampoo may differ a bit from product to product. This makes it essential to read (and follow) the instructions on the label of your chosen shampoo. Make sure to pay attention to how long you’re supposed to leave the product on your hair. Formula concentrations can vary, and some may call for more or less time sitting on your hair in order to fully work. It’s also wise to take your hair texture and condition into consideration. Those with porous hair, in particular—meaning your hair more easily and readily absorbs product—should exercise caution about leaving purple shampoo on for too long since it can stain your strands. No matter your hair type, it’s a good idea to set a timer to ensure you don’t accidentally go overboard.

Can You Overuse Purple Shampoo?

You can definitely overuse purple shampoo, and the effects are hard to miss. Frequently sudsing up with purple shampoo can give your strands a slightly purple tint. In case you overdo it (we’ve all been there), your go-to clarifying shampoo can help fade the unwelcome tinge. Of course, that’s not to say we don’t love purple hair—we recommend checking out L’Oréal Paris’ portfolio of purple hair dyes to get a gorgeous (and intentional) violet hue instead.

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Brown Hair?

Purple shampoo typically works to brighten most lightened manes, and that includes brown hair with highlights level eight or higher (very light blondes). However, darker brunettes—both artificial and virgin—may fare better using a blue shampoo to visibly minimize orange tones. You can swap a blue shampoo into your routine just like you would a purple one, using it as needed. And similar to purple shampoo, it is possible to overuse these cobalt-tinted formulas. What happens is, it can cast a dull, muddy tone over your dark locks. Everything in moderation is the name of the game, so start by using it once a week and reassess your brassiness from there.

Our Best Purple Shampoos and Conditioners

While purple shampoo is the star of the show, it’s not the only way to help keep your hair’s lightened hue lustrous and fresh. To ensure you reap the best anti-brass results, pair your purple shampoo with conditioner and a hair treatment for some extra TLC. Below, find our favorite toning wash day products.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo

This sulfate-free formula, which contains hibiscus and purple dye, helps correct brassy yellow and orange tones that color-treated blonde hair is prone to. After just one wash, hair will look brighter and feel more moisturized. And good news if it’s already your tried-and-true fave: This purple pick now comes in a TSA-approved travel size for easy packing so that you never have to be without it.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Toning Purple Conditioner

Take your blonde haircare routine to the next level by pairing our EverPure Purple Shampoo with the matching toning conditioner. Used together, these products eliminate unwanted warmth in the hair for a cool-toned color that looks as bright as the day you got your hair done. The conditioner formula (which has an on-the-go option, too) also leaves hair feeling hydrated and moisturized.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Purple Ampoule Treatment

If you have stubborn orange hues that won’t go away no matter how much purple shampoo you use, try this intense anti-brass treatment. The rich, creamy formula contains even more toning pigments than the EverPure purple shampoo and is 100% free of sulfates, parabens, harsh salts, and surfactants to help correct color—in just five minutes—without stripping your hair.

Once a week, after shampooing and conditioning with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Toning Purple Conditioner, dispense the contents of an entire tube into your hands and apply it to damp, towel-dried hair. Let sit for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Shampoo for Color Treated Hair

No matter your shade of blonde, you can help keep your strands from getting yellow or unintentionally bronzed with this vibrant shampoo. It’s enriched with purple pigments to correct undesired tones that may appear between coloring or toning sessions. The formula’s deep purple shade doesn’t need to sit on strands long to have an effect: Simply massage it onto your hair for one to three minutes before rinsing it out.

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