The Best Purple Shampoo to Maintain a Silver Hair Color

If you have silver hair, we’re sure you know by now that your tresses require a curated hair care routine to keep them looking their best. You’ve also probably heard of purple shampoo — but you may not think it’s for you. But purple shampoo isn’t just reserved for blondes — it can actually be a holy grail shampoo for silver hair, too. 

If you’re searching for the best silver shampoo, look no further than our purple, aka silver, shampoo. Don’t worry if you're having trouble keeping up, we’ll fill you in on whether silver and purple shampoo are the same, who can benefit from a purple shampoo, and how to use one. We’re sharing all of that, as well as tips on how to maintain your icy silver hair color, below.

What Does Silver Shampoo Do? 

First things first, we want to let you in on a secret — there is no difference between silver shampoo and purple shampoo. Just like purple shampoo, the term silver shampoo refers to a pigmented shampoo that’s purple in color and helps neutralize brassy, yellow tones in blonde and silver hair. Because purple shampoos leave hair with an ultra-cool finish and can be used on silver hair, the names silver shampoo and purple shampoo are frequently interchanged. 

What Shampoo is Best for Silver Hair? 

On the daily, you can cleanse your silver hair with a regular shampoo for color-treated hair. However, when you notice your silver strands looking a little brassy, that’s when you’ll want to seek out something that was formulated with silver hair in mind. 

The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo is our pick for the best shampoo for silver hair. Paired with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner, this purple hair care system deeply moisturizes and neutralizes brassy yellow and orange tones in silver hair. The formula is also sulfate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free.

How Often Can You Use Purple Shampoo? 

Since purple shampoo is a toning shampoo, it shouldn’t be used every time you wash your mane. If your hair still looks perfectly silver, you won’t need one just yet. You’ll benefit more from using one once your hair has started to become brassy. As for how often you can use a purple or silver shampoo, that will depend on the specific product you reach for. The L’Oréal Paris purple shampoo can be used two to three times a week after you notice your strands getting brassy.

How to Use Purple Shampoo for Silver Hair

Ready to add purple shampoo for silver hair into your hair care routine? Here’s what to do.

1. Grab Your Purple Shampoo

First thing’s first — pick up the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo. Apply the shampoo to wet hair, massage into a lather, then rinse thoroughly.

Editor’s tip: If you’re using a different purple shampoo for silver hair, make sure to follow the directions, as many suggest you leave the formula on for a few minutes. After the directed time is up, rinse the shampoo out of your mane.

2. Use a Toning Conditioner

Of course, every shampoo needs a coordinating conditioner. To really tone your mane, follow with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner. Apply generously, leave on for two to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

3 Other Ways to Maintain a Silver Hair Color

Of course, there are other ways to keep brass at bay besides using purple shampoo. Take note of the following three ways to maintain your beautiful silver color.

1. Minimize Heat Styling

Using hot tools excessively can actually strip color from your hair — not to mention it can cause unwanted damage to your strands. When you can, opt for a heat-free hairstyle instead of reaching for your curling iron. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to give up your hot tools altogether, but when you do use them, just be sure to coat your hair with a heat protectant, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant beforehand.

2. Use a Hair Mask

After coloring your hair silver, there’s a solid chance your mane will be in need of a little extra care. That’s where a hair mask for color-treated hair comes in. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Anti Brass Purple Mask Treatment, which helps to deeply nourish each strand and neutralize brass for shinier, silkier hair. After applying purple shampoo, smooth the mask over damp, towel-dried hair. Massage gently into your mane and rinse it out thoroughly after leaving it in for five minutes.

3. Take Sun Protection Measures

Just as the sun can take a toll on your skin, it can also do a number on your hair — and its color. Ultraviolet rays can potentially fade your color, so avoid spending long periods of time in the sun without protecting your strands. During the spring and summer especially, it’s important to take sun protection measures for your mane so that your color will continue to look its best — such as wearing a hat or headscarf while sitting at the beach or by the pool.

Next: How To Add A Hair Gloss Into Your Hair Care Routine

Edited by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo Design by: Crystal Simone