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

Author: Mr. Dino Hayes DDS  |  Last update: Thursday, July 10, 2025

From sun exposure to colour and toner wearing off, grey hair is (sadly) just as prone to brassiness as blonde locks are. There's no need to panic though! Using a purple shampoo on grey hair can help to remove brassy yellow shades, leaving you with a flattering silver undertone.

What does purple shampoo do to natural 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 happens if you use purple shampoo 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 shampoo to use on natural gray hair?

Opt for sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfates are harsh cleansing agents that can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it even drier than before. Look for shampoos labeled as "sulfate-free" or "gentle.”

What is the downside of purple shampoo?

Did you know that most purple shampoos can make your hair too dry? It's designed to remove brassiness from your hair, but if used incorrectly they can leave a buildup on your strands that makes them brittle and dull.

Gray Hair and Purple Shampoo: Expert Tips and Tricks

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.

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?

How can I make my natural grey hair look good?

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.

Do shampoo bars work on gray hair?

Final Verdict: Shampoo Bars for Gray Hair

Switching to shampoo bars is a fantastic choice for anyone embracing their gray hair. Not only do they offer a sustainable, zero-waste alternative to traditional bottles, but they also provide the specific care gray hair needs to shine.

How do you not look washed out with gray hair?

So use a luminizing, moisturizing foundation, and apply powder only where you absolutely need it, says New York City makeup artist Mally Roncal.
  1. Wear blush. It makes every complexion more vibrant, says Roncal. ...
  2. Line your lips. ...
  3. Pick a rich lipcolor. ...
  4. Brighten up your eyes. ...
  5. Forget basic black. ...
  6. Pay attention to your brows.

Is purple shampoo good for undyed hair?

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. Now, I try to use purple shampoo one or two times a month. I definitely don't need it as often as someone who color treats their hair so I like to use it sparingly.

Will clarifying shampoo remove yellow from gray hair?

Air Pollution - Air quality can influence the deposits of yellow pigment on your gray hair. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week can help remove all that unwanted pigment and freshen up your hair. 4. Smoking – Smoking is known to discolor your hair, skin, nails and clothing because of the toxins and chemicals.

Is purple or blue shampoo better for grey hair?

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.

How long can you leave purple shampoo on gray hair?

If you have platinum, gray, or silver hair, you can leave the purple shampoo on for up to 30 minutes, depending on how brassy or discolored your hair is.

What happens when you use purple shampoo on natural hair?

Purple shampoo works on natural blonde hair like it does on dyed or bleached blonde hair. Incorporating it into your blonde hair care routine will help protect your natural color and reverse any discoloration caused by chemicals, UV rays, and heat damage.

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.

How to reverse gray hair?

There are no treatments that are proven to treat (or reverse) gray hair. As researchers learn more about how the graying process happens, they may develop effective medications and treatments for gray hair.

Why not to use bar soap on hair?

Your scalp naturally has a pH level around 4.5-5.5, which is slightly acidic. Conventional bar soaps tend to be more alkaline with a pH level around 9-10. Using an alkaline soap on your hair can disrupt its natural pH balance, leading to dryness and irritation.

What type of shampoo is best for gray hair?

FAQs
  • To care for gray hair, use sulfate-free products to prevent dryness and breakage. ...
  • Because gray hair can become rough and dry in texture, choose a hydrating restorative shampoo to enhance shine and softness. ...
  • Davines offers a range of hair care products specifically formulated to nourish and enhance gray hair.

What does baking soda do to gray hair?

Regarding using baking soda for gray hair, experts endorse its potential benefits such as controlling pigmentation loss, lightening the strands, and providing texture. It can be used on coarse grey locks to make them smoother too by eliminating product buildup from oils or soaps.

Why is my gray hair turning black again?

That said, certain conditions may temporarily restore pigmentation. For example, if greying is caused by a vitamin deficiency, stress, or an underlying medical condition, addressing these issues may slow or even partially reverse greying. However, the complete reversal of naturally aged hair remains a challenge.

Can natural GREY hair be toned?

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 happens if you 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.

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.

Should I not use purple shampoo?

Keep in mind that purple shampoo does not replace your regular shampoo and should only be used once or twice a week. Doss warns that there is such a thing as too much purple. “When you eliminate too much yellow, it visually ends up darker and a lot of people don't want it to look darker,” she says.

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