What does purple toner do to gray hair?

Author: Ryley Effertz  |  Last update: Thursday, December 25, 2025

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 happens if you put purple toner on grey hair?

What does purple shampoo do to gray hair? Purple shampoo neutralizes the yellow tones in white hair (specifically), which makes it appear whiter. Purple and violet are opposite yellow on the color wheel; opposite colors neutralize each other. It takes a specific violet to accomplish this toning.

Will toner do anything to grey hair?

Effectiveness: If you have a small amount of grey hair or if your hair is already dyed, a toner may help blend the grey by adding a subtle hue that matches your natural or dyed color. However, it may not completely cover grey hair, especially if the grey is more prominent.

How often should I wash gray hair with purple shampoo?

How often can you use purple shampoo on gray hair? It is widely recommended only using purple shampoo on gray once a week. If you only wash your hair once a week, I'd move to only using it once a month.

Is blue or purple toner better for 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.

Gray Hair and Purple Shampoo: Expert Tips and Tricks

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.

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 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.

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.

What does purple toner do?

It features crushed violet pigments that neutralize style-ruining brassy and yellow tones. Hair stylists often tone bleached or blonde hair to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on bleached hair with a purple color. Purple shampoo is a great at-home solution for toning hair and preventing brassiness.

How long does a toner last on gray hair?

Depending on you hair type and hair condition, toner can last between 2-to-6 weeks.

How to make gray hair more silver?

Use Color-Depositing Products

In the same way you would use a purple shampoo to neutralize brassiness in blonde hair, it can also make silver hair retain its crisp hue by neutralizing yellow tones. Colombini recommended the L'Oreal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo and Conditioner to keep gray hairs popping.

How to choose the correct hair toner?

Here's how to find the perfect toner shade:
  1. Determine your current hair colour, including highlights, lowlights, and undertones. ...
  2. Determine the underlying tones of your hair. ...
  3. Determine what you want to achieve with the toner. ...
  4. Choose a toner shade that is appropriate for your hair colour and desired outcome.

What does toning do to gray hair?

Silver hair toner is a popular option when it comes to showcasing your grey. Instead, a blue pigment is used to neutralise yellow undertones. Gradually, your hair stylist can reduce the colour pigment at each application, smoothly easing you into an all-grey look thanks to a silver toner for hair.

What colors should you avoid with gray hair?

The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair

Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.

Does purple toner darken hair?

It's important to note that the pigment in purple shampoo isn't a lightener or hair dye but a gentle toner that works overtime. So it can't darken your hair or make it any lighter. For this reason, if your hair tone is too dark, it won't make it any brighter.

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.

How long should I leave purple shampoo in as a toner?

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 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.

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.

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 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 aussie purple shampoo work?

I have tried many purple shampoos and this one is by far my new favourite which I have bought again since. It makes my hair feel so soft but most importantly it really reduces those yellow tones without making your hair look purple!

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.

What is the best shampoo for thinning hair?

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.

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