Is blue or purple shampoo better for grey hair?

Author: Mrs. Precious Kovacek Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

While you should stick with purple or blue shampoo most of the time, you do have the option to use both if you have multiple undertones. But a good rule of thumb is that a blue shampoo is best for dark hair and brunettes; and purple shampoo is better for blondes, silver or gray hair.

Should I use blue or purple shampoo on grey hair?

Purple Shampoo Neutralizes Brassy Tones Purple shampoo is the best toner to use when it comes to gray hair because it neutralizes brassiness caused by heat styling, medications, product buildup, sun, salt, chlorine and environmental pollutants.

How do you know if you need purple or blue shampoo?

The blue pigment cancels out orange, and the purple pigment cancels out yellow. All this talk about color comes down to two important points. Blue shampoo removes orange tones from brunette or darker hair, while the purple shampoo is a great option when yellow tones appear in blonde or light-colored hair.

What does a blue rinse do to grey hair?

The blue rinse that people are talking about wasn't designed to actually turn hair blue, though. When used properly, it removes the yellow, brassy tones, and brightens gray hair. Younger women use it too, or a form of the blue rinse, when they dye their hair platinum blonde.

What happens if you use purple shampoo on gray hair?

Purple shampoo can help enhance grey tones in your hair, especially if you have blonde or light-colored hair. It works by neutralizing yellow and brassy tones, which can make grey hair appear brighter and more vibrant.

Gray Hair and Purple Shampoo: Expert Tips and Tricks

When not to use purple shampoo?

"You want to stop using it two weeks before any lightening service. 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 type of shampoo is best for gray hair?

Grey hair may be more prone to not only dryness but also breakage, so choose shampoos that contain ingredients like biotin or keratin. These ingredients can strengthen your hair, reduce breakage and help keep it shiny and healthy.

What is the best color solution for gray hair?

Neutral shades like soft blonde, mushroom brown, light copper, and caramel blonde balayage are the easiest to blend gray into (and maintain over time without wanting to shave your hair off).

What happens when you add blue to grey?

Mix gray with a little blue, and you get blue gray.

Does blue wash out of hair easily?

Blue or green staining won't disappear in a few washes, though. It takes time, so enjoy all the different colour changes it goes through. You can also take progress pictures to track how the colour's fading and be reassured that it is.

Should you use blue shampoo on wet or dry hair?

Always use blue or purple shampoo on wet hair. Don't apply it on dry because the hair is more porous and it will grab too much of the blue or purple pigment. Lather it up in your hands and work it into your scalp, using gentle circular motions work the shampoo between strands, and down the shaft.

What's better than purple shampoo?

There are many reasons why platinum shampoo is a far better alternative to purple shampoo. First of all, platinum shampoo can make your hair look incredibly shiny. It's also less likely than purple shampoo to cause your hair to become dry and brittle.

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 do I know if I need purple or blue shampoo?

"If you have blonde hair, you more likely want purple shampoo, and any darker or brunette shades will most likely require blue," Leake explains. If your hair is highlighted or somewhere between blonde and brunette, Leake recommends inspecting the tone you want to remove and determining if it's more yellow or orange.

How to make grey hair shiny silver?

How to make gray hair soft, shiny, and silver
  1. Use a hydrating shampoo regularly. ...
  2. Swap in a clarifying shampoo. ...
  3. Use a purple shampoo and conditioner. ...
  4. Use a serum for shine. ...
  5. Use hairspray the right way. ...
  6. See a hair stylist for a keratin treatment. ...
  7. Do weekly deep conditioning masks. ...
  8. Get a gloss treatment.

What is the best brand of blue shampoo?

Vogue's Top Blue Shampoo Picks:

Best for Fast Results: Eva NYC Brass to Sass Brunette Shampoo, $14. Best for Hair Repair: Virtue ColorKick De-Brassing Shampoo, $44. Best for Gray Hair: Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo, $75. Best for Curls: DevaCurl No-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Toning Cleanser, $34.

Does blue look good on grey?

Graceful and uplifting, combining blue and grey feels like a natural move as both exist together in the sky and across our coastlines. As blue is a colour that can sometimes feel overpowering, balancing it with light grey and white will create a comfortable scheme that feels light and airy.

How do you know when to add blue?

In most cases, a car dashboard warning light will appear to alert you that the level of AdBlue is running low.

What does blue shampoo do to grey hair?

Neutralizes brassy tones in all shades and adds silvery brightness to gray hair.

Why won't my gray hair take color?

Gray hair tends to be resistant and typically takes longer to grab hold of the hair. Since there is no pigment, there is no need to lift. You just need to open the cuticle enough to deposit the color.

Is it better to go darker or lighter with grey hair?

Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover grey hair? As for your permanent colour kit choice, for the best grey coverage, Josh recommends choosing a shade close to your natural root colour (that's the colour between the greys.) "Make sure to never stray more than two shades away from this,” says Josh.

Should I use silver or purple shampoo for grey hair?

So, even though purple shampoo is something that's marketed towards blondes, it's something worth investing in if your hair is gray or silver. That way you can ensure your hair stays looking bright and fresh without any of the dulling brassiness or yellowing that can occur.

What hair color looks best on grey hair?

Sunkissed, golden, honey, caramel and champagne colours are often excellent, and browns stay warm and golden feeling, never too dark. Strawberry blonde and red can also work well. Greys stay warm, more like a pale gold than anything remotely blue.

What is the best budget friendly purple shampoo?

Kristin Ess The One Shampoo

You can find the purple shampoo at a variety of retailers for under $15, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice. And, despite the more affordable price point, the packaging still feels high-quality and looks great in your shower.

Previous article
Does vitamin E help with stretch marks?
Next article
How to shrink a pimple in minutes?