Does purple shampoo lighten hair?

Author: Cleve Dibbert  |  Last update: Thursday, June 12, 2025

Purple shampoo is for already bleached hair, so if you're hoping to lighten brown hair with purple shampoo, you'll be disappointed. This is all down to the fact that purple shampoo isn't lightening. Instead, it brightens blondes by canceling out yellow tones, which just happen to be opposite purple on the color wheel.

Will purple shampoo make my hair lighter?

``Contrary to popular belief, purple shampoo doesn't actually lighten your hair,'' says Mondo. ``Instead, it deposits purple pigments to neutralize warm tones, making it appear brighter,'' he adds.

When should you not use purple shampoo?

stylist here. you dont want to use purple shampoo until you start seeing noticeable fade in your toner - usually about 3 weeks in depending on your wash schedule.

What happens if I leave purple shampoo in my hair for 30 minutes?

Drying Out: Leaving purple shampoo on for an extended period can dry out your hair, especially if it's already processed or damaged. Color Build-Up: If used too frequently or left on too long, purple shampoo can lead to an unwanted violet tint in your hair.

What does purple shampoo do for your hair?

Using purple shampoo is a key step in helping dyed blonde hair look vibrant and fresh. Purple shampoo acts as a toner to get rid of brassy tones and return your hair to a cooler, salon-fresh blonde. After dying your hair blonde, your blonde hue may become brassy over time.

5 Solutions + Best Products to Get Rid of Brass in YOUR Hair!

What happens if you use purple shampoo on brown hair?

Purple shampoo works the same way to eliminate brassiness on brown hair as it does on blonde. It helps to prevent color fade, while emphasizing shine, keeping brown hair vibrant and rich. Using purple shampoo on brown hair regularly will take out any unwanted warm tones in your strands.

How quickly does purple shampoo work?

You'll leave the shampoo on for 5-15 minutes before rinsing with cool water if your colored hair has been recently dyed or is discolored. If it's your first time trying purple shampoo, experiment with leaving it on for only 5-10 minutes before washing it out.

Is it better to put purple shampoo on wet or dry hair?

Purple shampoo should be applied in the shower or during a hair wash. While your hair is wet, apply the shampoo and lather it onto your hair.

Does too much purple shampoo darken your hair?

Too much purple shampoo can actually make your blonde appear darker over time. The shampoo is made to remove the yellow from your hair.. with zero yellow, there is no brightness!

Can I use regular conditioner after purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo can be drying, so be sure to follow up with a purple conditioner and/or your favorite color-protecting hair mask to restore lost moisture.

Which is better for grey hair, blue or purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo deposits violet pigments onto the hair's surface to help offset yellow tones. It's most commonly recommended for those with cool-toned blonde, gray, or silver strands but can also help warmer blondes strike the ideal balance of warm but not brassy.

What is the best shampoo for thinning hair?

Top shampoos for thinning hair, at a glance
  • Best Overall: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $15.
  • Best for Thickening: Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo, $44.
  • Best for Damaged Hair: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo, $38.
  • Best for Volume: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo, $37.

What does brassy hair look like?

Brass usually shows up as yellow or orange tones in blonde hair and orange or red tones in brunette hair. Brassy hair is caused by an overabundance of warm pigments in your hair, usually caused by bleaching and the hair coloring process.

How to get your hair naturally lighter?

6 Easy Ways to Lighten Your Hair at Home Naturally
  1. Use lemon juice to lighten strands.
  2. Make a lightening hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste.
  3. Swipe on peroxide for highlights.
  4. Create a honey-infused concoction.
  5. Douse hair in apple cider vinegar.
  6. Use at-home hair lightening products.

Does purple shampoo permanently change hair color?

Because it does not contain an ingredient that will chemically change the color of your hair, purple shampoo cannot truly lighten hair. If anything, purple shampoo may make your hair temporarily slightly darker.

What is the best purple shampoo?

Our top pick for the best hydrating purple shampoo is Kérastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo. We also love Verb Purple Shampoo for its nourishing effect from roots to ends. For a formula with bonding technology, consider Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo or Olaplex No.

Does purple shampoo actually lighten hair?

This is all down to the fact that purple shampoo isn't lightening. Instead, it brightens blondes by canceling out yellow tones, which just happen to be opposite purple on the color wheel.

What happens if I leave purple shampoo in too long?

Leaving purple shampoo in longer than recommended isn't advisable. While it increases pigment deposition, it can also result in an unwanted purple tint, especially in lighter hair. Stick to the suggested time for best results and to avoid over-toning.

How many washes does purple shampoo last?

The good news is silver shine pigments are temporary it last one or two washes. If you don't want to wait that long, there are a few steps that you can take to remove the purple pigment from your hair.

Do you rub in purple shampoo?

Ready to use your purple shampoo? Dispense into your palms, then rub your hands together before applying onto the hair. Massage in from root to tip, lathering the shampoo as you go. Focus on the areas that are particularly brassy to knock out those unwanted yellow tones.

What does purple shampoo do to grey hair?

Purple shampoo has been used for decades by hairdressers, mostly to help tone and neutralize blonde and gray hair, getting rid of brassy or yellow tones for an overall more cool-toned look.

How long should you let purple shampoo sit?

Let the Shampoo Sit

Let the shampoo sit for two to five minutes depending on how brassy your hair is and how ashy you like your color, then rinse thoroughly. The difference between two minutes and four minutes with purple shampoo is a big one so keep an eye out. It may be helpful to set a timer so you don't go over.

Do you use normal shampoo after purple shampoo?

If purple shampoo is left on too long or the hair is porous and damaged, the purple may tint the hair… The best solution to this is to shampoo your hair a couple of times with a low-end brand of shampoo, this time something with sulphate and parabens to strip the pigment from the hair more effectively.

Can you use purple shampoo 2 days in a row?

Keep in mind that purple shampoo does not replace your regular shampoo and should only be used once or twice a week. Doss warns that there is such a thing as too much purple. “When you eliminate too much yellow, it visually ends up darker and a lot of people don't want it to look darker,” she says.

What is level 9 hair color?

Level 2–3 is extremely dark brown, as level 1 is black. Level 9–10 is very pale blonde. Color does not lift color; only bleach can make your hair lighter.

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