Fun fact: I’m a natural blonde. That being said, my blonde hair has been just about every shade of blonde you can imagine. When I was little, my hair was as white as Porter’s was. Over the years, it’s gotten a bit darker, and I’ve definitely worked a bit with professional hair color to keep it on the lighter side. However, in 2017, it was the lightest it’s ever been, thanks to a coloring faux pas back at Fort Drum. If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably saw just how light it became. Because I spent a boatload on what was supposed to be balayage and ended up being an all-over bleach, basically, I decided to run with it as best as possible.
The only problem? It was yellow. Like, yellow yellow. I started doing research and spoke to a few of my hairdresser friends, and they recommended that I gradually tone it down at home. Enter purple shampoos. They became my best friend as I tried to transform yellow back to a cooler platinum (first picture), so that I could eventually use balayage to correct it back to my original color.
What are purple shampoos, and why do I need them?
Blonde hair, especially color-treated blonde hair, has a tendency to take on a yellow, brassy hue over time. However, you don’t need to freak out the moment you start seeing the dreaded yellow hue. Instead, a good purple shampoo has strong violet pigments that help cancel out those brassy hues and correct it to spare you another trip to the salon. In fact, I haven’t done a thing to my color since getting a little balayage in October 2018. Seriously. This is as natural as my blonde has been in a longgg time.
I’ve tried a lot of purple shampoos though, and I’m sharing nine purple shampoos that can fit any budget and will save you a lot of time and hair heartache.
9 purple shampoos you need to try
R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo – Gentle enough for daily use, this ultra-hydrating wash brightens your blonde and adds a silver sheen to gray. The coconut cleansing agent works to strip impurities without damaging your hair’s natural oils. $29.00 on Amazon
Lush Daddy-o Purple Shampoo – With a vibrant violet scent, this vegan-friendly blonde-ifier works to fortify your hair’s natural softness and shine using fresh citrus juices and seaweed. Even better? It corrects grays and blondes with ease. $11.95 on Lush
Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash – Whether you’re a natural blonde or a color-treated blonde, you’ll love this one. Gentle and hydrating, wash with your normal shampoo, then lather this in and leave for one minute before rinsing. Voila! Yellows be gone! $35.21 on Amazon
B UNIQ Purple Shampoo – Vegan and cruelty-free, this shampoo contains intense violet pigments to counteract those unwanted brassy and yellow hues. You’ll only want to use this 2-3 times per week. For best results, lather and leave on for 2-3 minutes max, then rinse thoroughly and follow with conditioner. $29.95 on Amazon
Get Back Gorgeous Blonde Shampoo – Boasting that it’s “celebrity stylist approved,” this rich rinse features keratin and organic compounds to leave hair silky and shiny, as well as less brassy. Many reviewers even say that it lightens hair without a trip to the salon. $24.95 on Amazon
Pravana The Perfect Blonde Shampoo – Hailed as one of the Cadillacs of blond shampoos, this one offers a dual ultra-violet dye system and optical brighteners. Fortified with keratin, wheat, and silk amino acids, it’s also proven to improve the health of your hair. $43.99 on Ulta
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo – While touting “silver,” this purple shampoo counteracts yellow and gold tones to make them lighter and brighter. Even better, users love the added UV-protection and Ocean Silk Technology that increase strength and shine. $28.00 on Amazon
Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo – If you’re looking for a drugstore purple shampoo, this is it. In fact, this is the first one I ever used – and it does the trick in terms of toning down brassiness. Leave it in for 2-4 minutes better results, and wash as usual. Bonus? It’s far cheaper than most. $9.99 for on Amazon
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo – Fortified with Sea Buckthorn Berry, you’re giving your hair a hearty dose of vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and even omega fatty acids. This one is highly pigmented, so read the directions carefully. If ash blonde is your goal, don’t let it sit too long, or dilute it with your normal shampoo. $25 on Amazon
I am not not, nor will I ever be a beauty blogger, but I will say that purple shampoos have changed at-home haircare for me. Personally, I love the R+Co one, and I keep it stocked at all times, using it one to two times per week. Even my hairdresser commented on how well my balayage has held up since my last treatment, which makes it a very worthy investment.
