How many minutes should I leave purple shampoo in my hair?

Author: Prof. Buck Lang  |  Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2025

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.

Can you leave purple shampoo in too long?

The Dangers of Purple Shampoo: If you leave it on too long, it WILL make your blonde darker. We never suggest more than three minutes max, unless you dilute it with your daily shampoo. If you use it as you're only shampoo, your hair WILL dry out and become brittle.

How long does it take for purple shampoo to make a difference?

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.

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

When using purple shampoo, it's generally best to apply it to wet hair. Here's why: Effectiveness: Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy tones in blonde, gray, or highlighted hair. Applying it to wet hair allows the shampoo to lather and distribute evenly, maximizing its effectiveness.

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.

Purple Shampoo & Grey Hair | How It Effects My Silver (White) Hair

Does purple shampoo lighten hair?

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.

How do you get the best results out of purple shampoo?

To solve the problem of having lilac-tinged hair, the best way to use purple shampoo is by applying one day per week or when you start to notice brassy tones. Unless you have white hair or gray hair, you shouldn't leave the purple shampoo on for longer than 15 minutes at a time.

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.

How many times a week should I wash my hair with 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. “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.

Can I let purple shampoo sit in my hair?

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.

What's the best purple shampoo?

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 long to leave toner in hair?

If you have never toned your hair before, it's best to do a strand test first as the results of the treatment will vary depending on your hair's porosity. Leave the toner in for between 5-20 minutes: you can rinse a small section to see when the color has fixed to your liking.

Why does my hair look darker after using purple shampoo?

The purple shampoo can cause build up making the hair look dull and darker if overused." This makes the lightening process more difficult to create a seamless blend.

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 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.

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.

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.

Should I use shampoo immediately after coloring?

When to Shampoo. The general rule of thumb is to wait at least 48 hours before shampooing after a permanent hair color. This gives the color time to set and prevents it from bleeding out when you wash it. If your salon uses a toner, they may tell you to wait even longer—up to 72 hours—before shampooing.

What cancels purple shampoo?

How To Remove the Purple Shampoo
  • Warm Water Rinse. Begin by thoroughly rinsing your hair with warm water. ...
  • Clarifying Shampoo. After the initial rinse, use a clarifying shampoo. ...
  • Lemon Juice Rinse. ...
  • Baking Soda Method. ...
  • Vitamin C Treatment. ...
  • Apple Cider Vinegar.

Do you use normal shampoo after purple shampoo?

The shampoo is super drying, so if you do use purple shampoo I often mix it 50/50 with my regular shampoo. I use it 1-2 times a month (I only wash with shampoo 4 times a month at most).

Can you sleep with purple shampoo in your hair?

No it will keep depositing, and either become more purple or blue. Never sleep with a toner on. Clarify shampoo your hair to get excess purple out, or it may come out with normal shampoo.

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.

How do I naturally make my hair lighter?

The easiest way to lighten hair is to use a clarifying shampoo or a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. These methods are gentle and can gradually lighten the hair over a few washes. For more immediate results, a professional toner or hair lightener can be used.

How long does it take for purple shampoo to work?

How long to leave purple shampoo in for? This is dependent on what results you would like. For silver hair, leave it in for up to ten minutes, whereas if you are looking to neutralise the brassy or yellow tones, 2 to 3 minutes should be sufficient.

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