Does purple shampoo work? We offer a resounding yes. If you have blonde, silver or white hair that tends to get yellow, purple shampoo can be your new best friend. The shampoos traditionally have a blue or violet color, which neutralizes the yellow tones making the hair look clean and bright. Let’s take a look at what exactly purple shampoo is, who should be using it, how often it should be used and the four main causes of yellowing hair so you can do what you can to make the changes to fix it in the long term.
What is Purple Shampoo?
In other words, what does purple shampoo do? Purple shampoo is purple-colored shampoo that distributes purple pigment to neutralize brassy, yellow tones. Purple is used because, if you take a look at the color wheel, it’s the direct opposite color of yellow. Does purple cancel out yellow? The answer is yes. So when using purple pigment on brassy, yellow tones it color corrects your hair's hue, restoring it to its former brighter, cooler color.
Who should use purple shampoo?
Purple shampoo is for those with light hair, achieved in a salon or natural, such as blonde, platinum, silver/gray, white or pastel. Because it’s designed for light colored hair, if you're brunette, you won’t see any results. Brunettes should use a blue-based shampoo if the goal is cool-toned hair color. But, if you're brunette with blonde highlights it will maintain your highlights color. And if you have bleached hair, purple shampoo is a must-have.
How often should you use purple shampoo?
If you can’t seem to keep your hair bright, purple shampoo offers a good solution to keep unwanted warmth under wraps. Alternate using it with color safe shampoos—or mix them together for less violet deposit. Start by using it once a week and build up if needed. If you start to notice a purple tone in your hair, put down the purple shampoo! Instead, opt for a clarifying shampoo to remove the tone and keep your purple shampoo routine to once a week or less. Say goodbye to the blonde's hair blues (or in this case yellows) and say hello to bright bombshell hair.
What is the best purple shampoo to use?
Matrix pros love So Silver Purple Shampoo to reverse blonde woes. It works to neutralize yellow tones, in addition to keeping hair conditioned and vibrant. It also protects against fading and moisturizes hair strands.
4 Reasons Your Hair Could Be Turning Yellow
Natural Underlying Pigment
If you have blonde hair: Are you familiar with the term gloss or glaze (aka the step two or your coloring service)? When hair is lightened, an underlying pigment of pale yellow exposed in the hair is often “controlled” with a gloss or in-salon treatment. If you’re stretching your time in between visits you may find that your hair starts to turn a yellow tone. This is likely because you’re overdue for a color treatment. What you can do in the meantime, aside from incorporating purple shampoo into your cleansing routine, be sure to use a shampoo for color treated hair to help maintain your gloss between services.
If you have white hair: Sometimes when hair loses melanin (i.e., pigment) and turns white or gray, and there’s still a residual tone of yellow left in the hair. This can leave hair looking dull and drab. Purple shampoo can help over time, but for a lasting impact, request silver highlights or gloss in the salon.
The Environment Can Cause Damage to Hair Color
Pollution, smoke and chlorine from swimming can contribute to yellow tones in the hair. What to do about it? Wear hats to prevent sun damage and protect your hair from environmental pollution. If you’re a swimmer, opt for a swim cap. Be mindful that even your shower water can create mineral deposits of high iron. To combat this, install a water-filtering shower head to keep these chemicals out of your water.
Hair Color Damage Caused by Styling Products and Tools
Shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, waxes and aerosols can leave a yellowish deposit on the hair. This doesn’t happen only on light hair — but it’s harder to detect in dark hair. Even applying too much heat from a heat tool can create a yellowish tone. To deal with this, always use a heat protectant spray when styling and invest in good heat tools that won’t damage your hair during use. To balance this type of yellow pigment, first use a clarifying shampoo to remove yellow tones and then graduate to purple shampoo.
Health & Diet
Oils from the scalp, medication, diet and health conditions can contribute to yellow tinge in white or blonde hair. If you have any concern about your health or diet and how it can affect your hair, reach out to a doctor.
With that, you now know how to use purple shampoo and are well versed in its benefits and who should and shouldn’t be using it. We wish you luck with your cool-toned hair journey!
