What does purple shampoo counteract?

Author: Laurine Bechtelar  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Purple shampoo is a great at-home solution for toning hair and preventing brassiness. This cult product is designed to counteract any pesky brassy or yellow tones, leaving you with a dazzling, fuss-free blonde.

What does purple shampoo cancel out?

Purple shampoo is a toning shampoo specially designed for blonde hair. It features crushed violet pigments that neutralize style-ruining brassy and yellow tones. On the color wheel, purple is the opposite of yellow, which is why purple pigments cancel out brassy, yellow tones.

What is the disadvantage of purple shampoo?

This is were the over using it can cause problems. "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 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.

What are the benefits of purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo is a fantastic product for those with silver or gray hair. As we've discussed earlier, it helps neutralize yellow tones that can make gray hair appear dull or discolored. Using it will maintain a cool, silvery hue and keep your gray hair looking fresh and vibrant.

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

How do I know if I 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.

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 long 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.

Is it bad to sleep with purple shampoo in your hair?

Could I just put it in my hair and sleep on it to make it more effective? Zoe's answer: Leaving purple shampoo in your hair for longer than the recommended time is not always a good idea. The longer you leave it, the more pigments will be deposited on your hair and they could even stain it permanently.

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.

Can I use purple shampoo instead of toner?

Purple shampoo is a toning shampoo used for all shades of blonde hair to help preserve its color and keep locks looking healthy and vibrant. The shampoo essentially acts as a color-correcting toner for your hair without you ever having to step foot in a salon.

Can I use purple shampoo 2 days in a row?

If you've wondered whether you can use purple shampoo every day, the answer is generally no.

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.

How to lighten hair without bleaching?

  1. Lemon Juice: Mix fresh lemon juice with water and spray it onto your hair. Sit in the sun for a natural lightening effect. ...
  2. Chamomile Tea: Brew strong chamomile tea and let it cool. Apply the cooled tea to your hair and let it sit. ...
  3. Honey and Cinnamon: Mix honey and cinnamon to form a paste.

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.

Can I mix purple shampoo with regular shampoo?

“So if you wash your hair twice a week, use the purple shampoo only once a week to keep the hair bright but not yellow.” Harwood also adds that purple shampoo can be mixed with regular shampoo to add some of the violet pigment into a regular hair cleansing routine without any risk of going overboard.

Can you reverse purple shampoo?

To eliminate purple shampoo from your hair and bring back its natural color, you can try a vitamin C treatment. Get powdered vitamin C from a health store or pharmacy. Mix 1-2 tablespoons with water to make a paste. Apply evenly on damp hair, focusing on the purple areas, and massage it in thoroughly.

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

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. However, some brands may recommend leaving the purple shampoo on for 5 minutes if your hair is naturally blonde, so pay attention to the directions on the bottle.

What happens if I use too much purple shampoo?

Over-toning: Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize yellow or brassy tones in blonde or gray hair. Using it excessively can result in over-toning, leaving your hair with a dull, ashy, or even slightly purple tint.

Why has my blonde gone dull?

Without regular deep conditioning treatments, your blonde hair may lack the hydration it needs, leaving it looking dull, tired and lifeless. To prevent this, we highly recommend incorporating an at-home deep conditioning treatment as a staple in your blonde hair care routine.

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.

What happens if you mix blue and purple shampoo together?

You can, but it depends on your hair color and the tones you're dealing with. This can be a good option for hair with multiple tones. For instance, brunettes with blonde highlights might mix a small amount of blue shampoo with regular purple shampoo to address both brassy and yellow tones.

What does clarifying shampoo do?

It is formulated with unique ingredients designed to remove impurities, oil, dirt, product buildup, and other residues from the scalp and hair shaft. Clarifying shampoos are usually more concentrated than regular ones and feature higher pH levels, making them more effective at cleansing.

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