Blue vs Purple shampoo: What’s the difference?
All hair colours need maintenance of some kind, for blondes it’s the
constant battle of keeping the brassiness at bay. Previously ashy cool
toned blondes can start to look yellow when the toners applied in salon
start to fade. To bring your blonde back to bright you need to deposit
some gentle pigments back into the hair, with a
toning shampoo,
to neutralise the warm tone.
There are lots of
purple shampoos and
blue shampoos on the market, let’s
look at the differences between them to help you find the best one for
you and our pick of the best ones on the market. If you’re wondering
“what’s the best purple shampoo” or “how often should I use blue
shampoo?” we’re here to help.
What does purple shampoo do?
A purple shampoo is exactly how it sounds: a shampoo containing purple
pigments. To get scientific, purple and blonde land on the opposite
sides of the colour spectrum, meaning the pigments will tone and
neutralise the yellows that appear over time from heat-styling and sun
exposure. As well as fighting brassiness, some purple shampoos are also
formulated to strengthen the hair fibers, leaving your blonde looking
and feeling like you’ve just stepped out of a salon.
How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is not for everyday use. Ideally, it should only be incorporated into your regular haircare routine once or twice a week. Using purple shampoo more frequently can dry out your hair and leave a build-up of pigment, causing an unwanted lilac tint that's hard to remove and leaves your hair looking more dull, rather than a bright clean-looking blonde.
Which products will maintain blonde hair?
Vegan Favourite: Maria Nila Sheer Silver Shampoo
Add a natural touch to your haircare routine with the Maria Nila Sheer
Silver Shampoo. 100% vegan and PETA approved, it contains a soothing
sulphate-free blend of blackberry extracts and violet pigments to
neutralise unwanted yellows. Bringing brilliance back to your blonde,
it adds an extra layer of protection against the harsh effects of UV
rays, colour treatment and heat styling using the Maria Nila exclusive
Colour Guard Complex.
Here’s a top tip from Olivia in our Camberley store team: “I always
recommend this to clients with tape extensions because it’s sulphate
free. It’s the sulphates that break down the glue in the tapes and
loosen the extensions.”
Affordable Favourite: Lômé Paris Blonde Shampoo
The Lômé Paris Blonde Shampoo will keep your blonde brilliant
throughout the day. The secret behind its gentle formula is a
strengthening blend of violet micropigments, keratin, hyaluron and
safflower oil specially designed to cleanse your hair while
neutralising those unwanted yellows. Perfect as an everyday purple
shampoo, Lômé Paris adds professional touch to your blonde routine at
an affordable price.
Conditioning Favourite: Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
Unlike high street purple shampoos that can be drying, the Olaplex
No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning shampoo uses the brand’s patented
bond-building technology to moisturise and repair the most damaged
blondes. As you lather its concentrated formula, the ultraviolet
pigments neutralise and tone those unwanted yellows, leaving your
blonde up to three times brighter than other purple shampoos on the
market. Fully customisable to suit your routine, Olaplex No.4P is the
one-stop solution to your blonde haircare concerns.
What does blue shampoo do?
Just like purple shampoos, blue shampoos are formulated to fight
brassiness. The difference is the blue pigments neutralise unwanted
oranges, red and copper tones that appear over time in lightened and
highlighted brunette hair. It leaves your hair with a cool and icy tone,
adding a radiant finish that lasts.
What does blue shampoo do?
Just like purple shampoos, blue shampoos are formulated to fight
brassiness. The difference is the blue pigments neutralise unwanted
oranges, red and copper tones that appear over time in lightened and
highlighted brunette hair. It leaves your hair with a cool and icy tone,
adding a radiant finish that lasts.
Who can use blue shampoo?
If you’re after an icy brunette shade, blue shampoos will be a perfect
addition to your haircare routine. What makes blue shampoos a great
choice is they can be used on brown hair that has been lightened with a
variety of techniques including:
• Ombre
• Balayage
• Highlights
• Microlights
Natural brunettes will also benefit from blue shampoos to keep hair
looking strong and shiny, but you should remember to only use them once
every few weeks.
Which products will maintain blonde hair?
Vegan Favourite: Osmo Super Cool Zero Orange Shampoo
The Osmo Super Cool Zero Orange Shampoo only uses vegan ingredients to
give your brunette a kind haircare experience. The deep blue pigments
in its concentrated formula remove reds and coppers, revitalising your
icy brunette with lasting radiance. Adding shine and strength, it’s a
perfect choice for treating natural and lightened brunettes including
ombre and balayage.
Affordable Favourite: Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
The Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo will banish those unwanted
oranges in your luscious brunette and reveal the cool tones hiding
beneath. It uses a soft blend of vitamin oil and colour depositing
blue pigments to effortlessly neutralise brassy tones, offering up to
ten times less breakage for a strong and bright finish.
Conditioning Favourite: L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Chroma
Crème Blue Shampoo
Treat your brunette to a professional quality at-home toning with the
L’Oreal Profesionnel Serie Expert Chroma Crème Blue Shampoo. As you
lather its creamy formula, the ultra-deep blue pigments and L’Oréal
exclusive care agents instantly neutralise unwanted oranges and
intensely nourish your brunette without weighing it down.
Strengthening the weakest strands, it leaves your brunette feeling so
soft and silky that you don’t need to condition afterwards.
How do I use purple and blue shampoo?
It’s so easy to use purple and blue shampoos and they fit seamlessly
into your haircare routine. To get the most even results, we recommend
applying them like a hair mask: Divide your damp hair into sections and
gently massage the shampoo from roots to ends until it creates a rich
foam. Leave your shampoo it in for the recommended time before rinsing
out thoroughly. As purple and blue shampoos are heavily pigmented, our
top tip is to wear gloves to avoid staining.
How long should I leave purple and blue shampoo in my hair?
The amount of time to leave your shampoo in depends on your hair’s
condition and desired intensity, but the average time is between two to
three minutes. However, you can leave it in for a maximum five minutes
if you want to deposit more pigment.
How do I get purple and blue shampoo out of my hair?
Purple and blue shampoos wash out just like your regular shampoo! To
avoid leaving any colour deposit in your hair, our tip is to check that
the water fades from purple/blue to clear as you wash it out.
How Often Should You Use Blue Shampoo?
Like its purple cousin, blue shampoo isn't designed for everyday use. Instead, you can use it once a week as part of your existing haircare routine. This will prevent build up and your hair being left looking too dark or muddy.
