What happens if you use purple shampoo on natural brown hair?

Author: Sydnie Braun  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 6, 2026

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.

Does purple shampoo do anything to natural brown hair?

No. A purple shampoo is used to eliminate orange/yellow/brassy undertones that show up in dyed blonde hair after sometime. It will have no effect on brown hair.

What happens if I use purple shampoo on undyed hair?

“Purple shampoo does not lighten your hair but brightens it. Even if you do not have dyed hair, it will still keep your natural hair color fresh and prevent your hair from becoming too yellow,” Taylor explains.

Can purple shampoo work on natural hair?

Sure! Purple shampoo won't harm non-color treated hair, it's just like any other shampoo. The purpose of the slight purple pigment is to add a cool tone shine to contrast brassy tones that come out of color treated blondes and keep them looking healthy, but it will add cool tone shine to any color hair.

What happens if a brunette uses blonde shampoo?

Surprisingly, blonde shampoo also can enhance the look of light to medium brown hair, eliminating any brassy tones. While brunettes don't typically experience as much brassiness as blondes, purple shampoos can still help maintain a cooler tone and enhance the richness and depth of brown hair.

Professional Guide to Purple Shampoo

Will purple shampoo darken my hair?

Yes, purple shampoo could be making your blonde look darker — but don't worry, it's fixable.

What happens if you put blonde on brown hair?

Dark brown hair has warm tones underneath, which can show up more as you lighten your hair. Sometimes, this can make your hair look orange or brassy, especially if you don't bleach it properly. To avoid this, it's important to use suitable blonde hair dye and follow the instructions.

When should you not 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.

Does lightening shampoo work on natural hair?

Use Hair Lightening Products

There are a lot of lightening hair products that can help you achieve that lighter shade. Try opting for blonde lightening shampoo, conditioner, and spray. This trio is safe to use on natural and color-treated hair, that can take your blonde up to 2 shades lighter.

Can natural hair be brassy?

HOW TO GET RID OF BRASSY HAIR. Unwanted brassy tones can appear in any hair color, affecting those with both color-treated and natural hair. To fix brassy hair, you need to understand what it is your hair needs. The simplest way is to picture the color wheel.

What happens if you put silver toner on brown hair?

Silver toner for brown hair? Why not. You could use a silver toner on brown hair to remove any yellow tones, or to refresh the cool tones (for example on ash brown or cool cocoa shades). Dark silver hair toner should be used on dark shades, not light blondes.

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.

What happens if you use purple shampoo on undyed hair?

Whether blonde or brunette, many tones can benefit from a purple shampoo. The unexpected hue may just be the secret to keeping your color fresh and vibrant. Using a purple toning shampoo is a key step in keeping your hair color looking fresh, vibrant, and like you just left the salon.

How to remove brassy tones from brown hair?

Just as a purple shampoo neutralises brassy tones on blondes, using a blue shampoo on brown hair neutralises orange and red tones for brunettes.

How to make brown hair lighter?

How to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark with a DIY Approach
  1. Use a paste of Baking Soda and Lemon Juice.
  2. Wash your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar.
  3. Take some Vitamin C Tablets.
  4. Wash Hair With Clarifying Shampoo.
  5. Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Brassy Tones.
  6. Do a Bleach Bath.
  7. Bleed the Color Out.
  8. Use Hair Lightener or Toner.

What does purple shampoo do to 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.

What is level 9 hair color?

Level 2–3 is extremely dark brown, as level 1 is black. Level 9–10 is very pale blonde. Color does not lift color; only bleach can make your hair lighter.

Should I apply purple shampoo to 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.

Does purple shampoo work on natural hair?

Yes! Even natural blondes have underlying brassy hues. Excessive heat styling, too much sun exposure, and even the hard minerals in your water can bring these undertones out, leaving your blonde looking dull and discolored. Purple shampoo works on natural blonde hair like it does on dyed or bleached blonde hair.

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.

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.

Why is my hair purple after dying brown?

If you've used a natural hair dye containing a high concentration of Indigo, such as Soft Black or Dark Brown, and your hair turned purple 2-3 days after application, it's likely due to the Indigo failing to develop properly.

Should I go back to my natural hair color?

"Going back to your natural hair color can allow the hair to have a softer outgrowth and can even help to strengthen the hair," says Gutterman. On a more personal note, Naselli adds that going back to your roots is a great opportunity to "embrace and celebrate your authentic self.

Is box dye bad for your hair?

Yes, box dye can be damaging due to the harsh chemicals and improper application methods.

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