These Are the Best Purple Shampoos, According to an Experienced Bottle Blonde
If the dark brows weren’t a dead giveaway, I’m happy to tell you that I’m not a natural blonde. Yes, that means I’m at the salon every four weeks getting a touch-up. But what can I say: A fresh platinum dye job always makes me feel on top of my game.
But maintaining my white-blond locks is a challenge, especially since color fade and brassiness seem to creep up faster than my monthly rent check. So to make my blond last till my next appointment, I follow a strict hair routine. I shampoo only once a week (dry shampoo, I see you!). And once it’s time to give my hair a thorough cleanse, I turn to the best purple shampoos.
Why purple shampoo, you ask? The color-preserving pigment is a lifesaver for blondes. The violet tint helps eliminate the orange-yellow tones that can appear after sun exposure, heat styling, and shampooing in hard water. “When you look on a color wheel, the opposite of yellow is purple. Therefore, it makes sense to use purple to cancel out the unwanted yellow or orange-yellow,” Mabel Covey, a cosmetic chemist for Cue Hair Products, tells SELF. “These shampoos work because they contain purple pigments, which deposit onto the hair shaft to neutralize unwanted brassiness.”
If you’re a fellow blonde who hasn’t turned to the purple side yet, I’ve rounded up seven of the best purple shampoos that will convince you to make the switch. Trust me: I’ve been a bottle blonde for over four years, and these picks really work.
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Courtesy of Kevin Murphy1Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash, $33; amazon.com for salons
This sweet-smelling shampoo is deeply pigmented, meaning it leaves your color without any orange tones. But beware: Use sparingly. “If these products are used too frequently, your hair might look a little lavender and pick up a subtle purple tone," explains Paul Labrecque, expert colorist and owner of Paul Labrecque Salon.
It's happened to me before. My hair felt super dry and had a grape tinge, so I immediately re-washed with a classic shampoo and used a deep conditioner. Problem solved! “Here’s a good rule to follow: When you see yellow, wash with a purple shampoo," adds Labrecque. "When your hair goes back to your desired white [blond] shade, use your regular shampoo."
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Courtesy of Sephora2Alterna Haircare Anti-Aging Brightening Blonde Shampoo, $36; sephora.com
This light-violet product is great for those who’re worried about turning their platinum strands purple. It works wonders against gnarly yellow roots without saturating the hair with too much color. You have to give the bottle a good squeeze before the product actually comes out, but once it does, there is a bubbly lather you wouldn’t normally expect from a sulfate-free shampoo.
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Courtesy of Peter Coppola3Peter Coppola Color Command Sulfate-Free Shampoo, $27; walmart.com
Sulfate-free shampoo is a must-have for all bottle beauties. Harsh sulfates can strip your color faster, causing dullness and dryness. That’s why I love this shampoo. It’s gentle on blond hair color, and it doesn’t leave my hair a tangled mess. Plus, frequent bleaching leaves hair brittle and weak, so the added keratin in this formula helps strengthen my locks until the next coloring session.
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Courtesy of Sephora4Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Shampoo, $27; sephora.com
This is probably the holy grail of all purple shampoos. It enhances the vitality of my blond color without leaving my hair dry like a Brillo pad. Yes, the dark-purple tint is a bit messy in the shower, but the benefits are totally worth it. I leave it on for two to three minutes, and the toning results are epic.
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Courtesy of Eufora5Eufora Color Revive Brilliant Blonde, $40; eufora.net
This formula is more of a conditioning product, but it definitely gets a gold star in my eyes. It really prevents my hair from becoming a brittle heap of straw. I just add a little bit to my weekly hair mask, and my blond always manages to look bright and sparkling after I blow-dry.
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Courtesy of Ulta6Bed Head by TIGI Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo, $18; ulta.com
Between heat styling and frequent bleach appointments, I definitely put my hair through a lot of abuse. Thankfully, this shampoo is super gentle. I tend to leave this formula on a little longer, especially since the purple tone isn’t as dark as some of the other ones I’ve used. A good five minutes usually brings back the cool-blond tone I love.
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Courtesy of Keune7Keune Haircosmetics Silver Reflex Shampoo, $9; amazon.com for salons
Don’t let the silver name fool you; this yellow-busting shampoo is great for blond hair. It erases any yellowness caused by the hard water in my shower. The formula does have a scary purple-black color to it, but it’s a powerful tool against brassiness. It’s also a summertime essential. After you take a dip in the pool, this purple pigment is strong enough to help counteract any green tones.
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