Will purple shampoo lighten brown hair?

Author: Prof. Vicente Jacobs PhD  |  Last update: Monday, November 17, 2025

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.

What happens if you put 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 can I make my brown hair lighter?

Lemon juice, diluted half and half with distilled water, will lighten dark blond or light brown hair and won't leave reddish tones unless your hair already has them. Vinegar, peroxide, honey and olive oil will also help to lighten your hair as per your desire naturally. Hope it will help out!

Does purple shampoo make your hair lighter?

``Contrary to popular belief, purple shampoo doesn't actually lighten your hair,'' says Mondo. ``Instead, it deposits purple pigments to neutralize warm tones, making it appear brighter,'' he adds.

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.

Will purple shampoo lighten brown hair with highlights?

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.

Is it better to put purple shampoo on wet or dry hair?

If you want to use a purple shampoo, Maine recommends “soaking your hair with water and even adding a little conditioner on your ends” beforehand, to prevent the porous tips from absorbing too much pigment.

Why is my hair darker after 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.

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.

Are toner and purple shampoo the same thing?

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.

How to fix dark brown hair that got too dark?

Use Hair Lightener or Toner

Hair lighteners or toners are great for lifting darker shades and achieving a lighter shade. Apply the toner or hair lightener to your hair according to the product's instructions. Rinse it out once you've reached your desired color.

Will Dawn dish soap lighten dyed hair?

Dish Soap

Fortunately, if you go through the effort of using this drying soap on your dyed hair, it can help remove unwanted color. You'll need to do many washes to fade it out, but it is a step in the right direction if you want to remove a color.

What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

How to make brown 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 is the best purple shampoo for brown hair with highlights?

If you have brown hair with blonde highlights, we also recommend trying Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated for both blondes and brunettes and is a little less potent compared to some of its counterparts, so it effectively enhances brown hair while also neutralizing brassy blonde highlights.

What happens when you put purple on brown hair?

Dyeing dark brown hair purple

We'll get the bad out of the way first; unlike our blonde and redhead sisters, chestnut shades are typically more stubborn to shift in colour. This means you'll have to lighten your hair a lot if a pastel lilac shade is your desired look.

What color cancels out brassy brown hair?

WHAT DOES BLUE SHAMPOO DO TO BROWN HAIR AND HOW DOES IT HELP PREVENT BRASSINESS? It all goes back to the basic principles of the color wheel; blue and green fall directly opposite from red and orange, which means that the cooler blue and green tones will neutralize and counteract the warmer ones, says Dupuis.

What shampoo gets brassiness out of brown hair?

Blue shampoo is typically used for brown hair, as it combats the kind of orange, red, and copper undertones that make brunette hair look brassy. Its color isn't coincidental – blue is on the opposite end of the color wheel from the aforementioned undertones, which lets it neutralize these tones effectively.

What is the best toner for brassy brown hair?

Best Hair Toners For Brunettes
  • Color Wow Color Control Blue Toning + Styling Foam for Dark Hair. $18 at Walmart$19 at fragrancenet.com. ...
  • Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo. ...
  • Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss. ...
  • John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Color Deepening Treatment.

How long does it take purple shampoo to remove brassiness?

You can go up to 15 minutes next time if you notice little to no difference after drying your 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 if I leave purple shampoo in too long?

If you leave purple shampoo on for too long, you may find yourself with a little lilac hue. This color is not permanent and is more likely to happen if you have very light blonde hair or if your hair is dry and damaged. To remove the purple hue, switch to regular shampoo for your next few washes.

What color will purple shampoo turn my hair?

Purple shampoo cannot lighten or darken your hair color. However, if you leave your purple shampoo on for too long, you may notice that your hair has a slight violet tone. This is more common with those that have silver and white hair colors rather than warm blondes and slightly darker hues.

Do you rub in purple shampoo?

Ready to use your purple shampoo? Dispense into your palms, then rub your hands together before applying onto the hair. Massage in from root to tip, lathering the shampoo as you go. Focus on the areas that are particularly brassy to knock out those unwanted yellow tones.

Can you put purple shampoo on brown hair?

If you've ever wondered, "Can brunettes use purple shampoo?", the answer is yes. Purple shampoo helps to neutralize unwanted warmth on brown hair the same way that it does on blonde hair. But before we get into further detail, it's important you understand why purple shampoo is used in the first place.

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.

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