How do you know if purple shampoo is working?

Author: Antwan Schuppe  |  Last update: Sunday, December 7, 2025

However, purple shampoo doesn't provide the instant results that products like hair dye are famous for. In fact, it's common for it to take several treatments to see a real change in your hair color. In contrast, other people may notice a slight lilac tint after using purple shampoo.

How to tell if purple shampoo is working?

Over time, after several washes, the hair starts to slide back towards the yellow underneath. Purple, being the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, neutralizes the yellow and slows the process down a bit. Purple shampoo only works on the lightest of blonde colors. It doesn't affect brown hair at all.

How long does it take for purple shampoo to work?

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.

Why is my hair not toning with purple shampoo?

If you are not blonde enough, your purple shampoo will not tone correctly. 2. Purple shampoos are different in their color make up. Some are more blue, some are more violet, some are lighter, and some are darker.

Does purple shampoo work better the longer you leave it on?

A lot of people ask about leaving purple shampoo in their hair for an hour or more to get a more intense result. This definitely isn't necessary! In fact, when it comes to how long to leave purple shampoo in, a few minutes will do. This is all you need with our Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo.

Professional Guide to Purple Shampoo

How many days in a row can you use purple shampoo?

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE PURPLE SHAMPOO? 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.

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.

What is the downside of purple shampoo?

One downside of purple shampoo is that overuse can lead to a purple or violet tint, especially if left on for too long. It's important to follow usage instructions to avoid this issue and to ensure the best results for your hair.

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

If you leave purple shampoo in your hair for 30 minutes, the risk of over-toning increases significantly. While purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy or yellow tones, leaving it on for an extended period can lead to overly cool or even purple-tinted hair, especially for those with light or porous hair.

What not to do with purple shampoo?

Don't Overuse Purple Shampoo

You only need to use purple shampoo once a week to see a difference. Overuse can make the blonde seem darker and make the lightening process more difficult for future hair appointments. Overuse can also make the hair look dull and over toned.

How to get the best results from purple shampoo?

Let it sit in your hair

You need to let it sit and do its job first. The amount of time that you'll wait before rinsing depends on your hair color and whether it's been color-treated. If you have naturally blonde hair, you'll generally let the purple shampoo sit for about 2-3 minutes before rinsing it with cool water.

Do you use normal shampoo after purple shampoo?

Your purple shampoo should be implemented into your blonde hair care routine to keep your hair looking bright and healthy. Purple shampoo does not replace your regular shampoo as they have different functions.

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.

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

This might be the case for some people, but there's also the risk of more porous, damaged sections of the hair (the ends) absorbing more pigment than the newer hair towards the root. So, to avoid a patchy purple effect, use the Blonde Assure Color Toning Purple Shampoo as advised: on wet hair.

How long does it take to see a difference with purple shampoo?

No two purple shampoos are made the same. Some are almost too potent, risking a purplish tinge after just a minute of sitting on locks, taking hair extra-ashy. Others may be too weak, meaning they need 10 minutes or more to make a noticeable difference to brassy tones if they manage to do anything at all.

What happens if you don't wash out purple shampoo?

Another common issue is leaving silver shine on your hair for a long time. The longer the shampoo/ conditioner stays on your hair, the more pigment is deposited.

Why isn't my purple shampoo working?

“If your highlights are NOT yellow, then a purple shampoo won't work. The blue formula in GOODBYE ORANGE works perfectly to get rid of unwanted warmth before toning,” she explains.

Do I need both purple shampoo and conditioner?

The deep purple pigment of the shampoo works to tone and neutralize brassiness. The conditioner also contains a light purple pigment which helps solidify the icy tones, while also delivering a ton of moisture. But it's important to use both together to maximize results.

Can you overdo purple shampoo?

And there's no need to panic if you overdo it. Think of it as a temporary stain – a good clarifying shampoo should re-balance over-toned hair. We've already mentioned how overusing purple shampoo can result in a dull finish, which is why you'll need alternative in-shower products for your non-purple wash days.

What is the dark side of purple shampoo?

On the flip side, if you leave the shampoo on for too long or don't rinse it out thoroughly, those violet pigments can overstay their welcome, leaving your hair with a grungy, grayish-purple tint. Not exactly the icy blonde look you were going for, right?

What is the best shampoo for hair loss?

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.

Why does my hair look darker after purple shampoo?

Overuse of purple shampoo. Purple shampoo builds up on the hair and starts to make blonde look darker over time. The best advice I can give if this has happened to you is to use a clarifying shampoo.

How to fix brassy hair permanently?

  1. ADD A PURPLE SHAMPOO TO YOUR REGIMEN. Need an at-home brassy hair fix? ...
  2. TRY AN ANTI-BRASS PURPLE HAIR MASK. ...
  3. HEAD TO THE SALON FOR A PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION. ...
  4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT HAIRCOLOR FOR YOU. ...
  5. PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM THE SUN & POOL. ...
  6. INVEST IN A SHOWER FILTER. ...
  7. USE BLONDE HAIRCARE PRODUCTS.

Which purple shampoo is best?

Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo is our favorite purple shampoo that we tested. Every time we used it, our hair looked noticeably brighter, and the shampoo effectively cleaned our scalp while leaving our hair nourished and moisturized.

How to fix hot roots?

A bit more depth at your roots add some dimension and can look very natural. Change to a cool based colour. Cool tones will counter-balance and correct unwanted warmth. Try using a toner, which will deposit cool tones only to balance unwanted warmth.

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