Is purple shampoo a toner?

Author: Ashley Wiza  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Is purple shampoo a toner? Any product that dispenses pigment to adjust hair tone can be considered a toner, and that includes purple shampoo. Its pigments work to neutralize brass.

Is toner the same as purple shampoo?

Toner. Toner is permanent and will tone the shade. Purple shampoo is more for maintenance and won't change the tone but may add a slight purple tint. You'll definitely want to tone the brass :)

Can I tone my hair with just purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo is designed primarily to neutralize yellow or brassy tones in blonde or gray hair, not to dye hair purple. While it can temporarily impart a slight purple tint to light-colored hair, it won't provide the vibrant or lasting color that a dedicated hair dye would.

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.

Professional Guide to Purple Shampoo

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.

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.

Does purple shampoo lighten your 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.

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.

How long should I wait to use purple shampoo after getting highlights?

When To Use Purple Shampoo After Bleaching? Avoid washing your mane for the first 48 to 72 hours after bleaching it. This is to give your hair enough time to seal in its new color. If you waited 72 hours before washing your hair after it was bleached, you could use the purple shampoo the next time you shower.

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.

What is the best drugstore purple shampoo?

Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Ever-Pure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo and Conditioner. If you're shopping for a fantastic purple shampoo and conditioner with a drugstore price point, look no further than this highly rated duo from L'Oréal.

Can I buy a toner for my hair?

Palladino adds that toners aren't one specific product, and you can't go out and just buy a “toner.” Demi-permanent colors, glosses, tinted shampoos, and conditioners can all be considered toners because they all contain pigments that adjust the tone of your hair.

Can I replace toner with purple shampoo?

While your stylist uses a toner to eliminate these unwanted tones at the salon, you may notice yellow, orange, and red tones appearing in your hair as time passes. That's where purple shampoo comes in! Think of it as your at-home toner.

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 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 isn't purple shampoo working?

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.

What color makes gray hair pop?

Red: a bold and daring choice that can create a stunning contrast with grey hair. This shade is perfect for those with warm skin tones. Purple: a unique, eye-catching shade that can add a pop of colour to grey hair. This hue is perfect for those with cool skin tones.

What drugstore shampoo is best for gray hair?

Clairol Shimmer Lights is our favorite drugstore option because it promises to enhance your color and tone down brassiness—a tall order for a budget-friendly product. We love that it works on both naturally gray and dyed hair—plus it revitalizes blonde and silver highlights for a shiny, healthy-looking mane.

Can I leave purple shampoo on for 30 minutes?

Unless you have white hair or gray hair, you shouldn't leave the purple shampoo on for longer than 15 minutes at a time. If you're already leaving the shampoo on for less than 15 minutes and you're noticing a purple tone, then try leaving the product on for even less time.

Why did my hair get darker with purple shampoo?

While the violet tones in purple shampoos can help bring blonde back to life, it does this by adding more toner; in effect, covering up the mineral coating on the hair cuticle. The more you shampoo with tone-correcting products, the more buildup you create — and the darker your blonde looks.

Do you use purple shampoo before or after regular shampoo?

Start by using your regular colour safe shampoo as a first wash to remove environmental pollutants, impurities, product build up and excess oil from your scalp and strands. Applying your purple shampoo to already clean hair will allow the pigment to deposit more effectively to neutralise brassy tones.

What should you not do with purple shampoo?

Don't use on very dry hair

It is important to get the hair into a healthy condition before using purple shampoo because hair is more porous when it is dry and those dry areas can absorb more product which could create unevenness in tone and darken those areas more. This in turn will create a patchy purple effect.

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.

How to apply purple shampoo evenly?

Apply a dollop of Color Balance Purple Shampoo into your hands, and emulsify it (rub between your palms). You'll notice the deep purple begin to turn foamy, creamy, and a paler shade of lavender. Now, apply this emulsified lather to your hair; massage in, and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

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