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Lifting your hair to a lighter, blonder hue is a commitment—a worthy one, but a commitment nonetheless. The lightening process leaves the hair porous and more prone to damage, often leading to unwanted dullness and yellowish undertones. Thats where purple shampoo comes in—an at-home solution to keep your hair looking bright and balanced between salon appointments.
"Purple shampoo works by neutralizing any unwanted yellow or warm tones to your blonde or gray hair," explains Carolyn J. Gahan, a hairstylist with extensive blonde and hair-lightening experience. Finding a purple shampoo that compliments your hair type isnt exactly straightforward (a simple Google search will garner hundreds of results).
To help you narrow the results down, we consulted multiple stylists and color expertsand then conducted hours of researchon the best purple shampoos for blonde hair of various shades and tones.Each formula was evaluated for ingredients, whether it contains sulfates (which can be drying), and recommended use.
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo at Amazon
LOreal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo at Amazon
Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo at Lookfantastic.com
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength & Color Care Shampoo at Amazon
Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo at Amazon
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo at Amazon
Olaplex No.4P Toning Shampoo at Amazon
Pureology Best Blonde Miracle Filler
Kérastase Blond Absolu Purple Shampoo at Amazon
In This Article
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Best Overall
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
Amazon
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Smooths hair and creates shine
Smells great
Sulfate-free
Scent may be too strong for some
While Moroccanoil might be best known for its argan oil treatments, this toning shampoo is hands-down one of the best weve tried—and thats saying something. The formulacontains the brands signature ingredient (antioxidant-rich Moroccan argan oil) while incorporating rich violet pigmentsto brighten naturally and bleached blonde hair, as well as cooler-toned hair colors, like silver, gray, and white.
Purple shampoo can be drying. To help counteract this effect, this productkeeps sulfates out of its moisturizing formula. It also smells delicious, though some may find the scent too strong. After lathering up, let the purple suds sit for up to five minutes, then rinse. Trust us, youll notice adifference after one use.
Who Its For
Suitable for all hair types and textures, this shampoo can be used to brighten blonde, platinum, silver, gray, and white hair.
Hair Type:All |Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 2.4 fl oz or 6.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Budget
LOreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo
Amazon
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View On Target
Effective formula
Affordable
Vegan
Can leave a residue behind
This completely vegan drugstore buy isfree of sulfates, parabens, harsh surfactants, and drying salts.Its an excellent choice for those with colored, bleached, or fragile, over-processed hair. The intense purple pigmentworks to correct orange, yellow, and golden toneswhile hibiscus extract nourishes and softens. Alternate it with your regular shampoo to maintain a bright, clean blonde.
Who Its For
This creamy, hydrating shampoo is perfect forbleached and over-processed hair craving moisture.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 6.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore
Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo
Amazon
Affordable and easily accessible
Effective formula
Quick results
Not for every wash
This top-rated drugstore pick has amassed a large following thanks to itsconcentrated formula and reasonable price point.Youll likely notice a difference after the first use. But since its powerful, we suggest using it as a weekly or biweekly treatment toremove brassy undertones—as opposed to in place of your regular shampoo.
Who Its For
If youre looking for an affordable, effective treatment to use once or twice a week, this is the one.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size: 8.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color
Amazon
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View On Dermstore
Smells great
Effective formula with a frothy lather
Paraben- and sulfate-free
Some noted it can be drying
If you want aviolet-toning shampoo that also affords a luxurious hair-washing experience, its got to be Oribes Bright Blonde formula. Its supremely gentle and serves up afine, frothy latherthat coats every strand for a fresh, clean, and balanced result.Paraben- and sulfate-free, it also comes enriched with botanical extracts (like watermelon and chamomile), pluskeratin for strength. Hairstylist Shelly Aguirre often recommends this shampoo tocombat yellowish tones."[It] has a little more pigment and will definitelyadd shine and body," she says.
Who Its For
This hairstylist-approved product might be worth splurging on if youre looking for aluxurious showering experience.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free:Yes |Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Curly or Kinky Hair
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength & Color Care Shampoo
Amazon
Affordable
Contains certified organic ingredients
Nourishing
Could weigh down fine hair
If your natural texture is on the curlier side, youll love the nourishment this formula from SheaMoisture gives. It leans on organic shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba oil torestore moisture, while purple rice water subtly brightens. Though its not as pigmented as other options, the light tint means it can be used every washwithout the risk of over-toning.
Who Its For
Suitable for daily use, this naturally sourced shampoo nourishes curly and kinky textures whilesubtly brightening.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 13.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Damaged Hair
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Kohls.com
Strengthening
Creates shine
Very pigmented
Free of sulfates and parabens
Scent may be too strong for some
If you favor a very cool-toned blonde or gray aesthetic, youll be a big fan of Amikas Bust Your Brass Shampoo. Itsextremely pigmented, so it works quickly tomitigate warmth from your hair. The formula also utilizes bond-repair technology to improve strength and reduce breakage, while mango butter leaves hair immediately soft and shiny. Free of sulfates and parabens, its a stellar choice for dry, damaged, or bleached manes.
Who Its For
If your hair isbrittle or prone to breakage, this bond-repair formula will give it the strength it needs to stay blonde.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8 fl oz or 33.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free:Yes
Best for Static
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
Amazon
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View On Macys
Creates shine
Long-lasting results
Contains sulfates
If you wish to maintain a cool, clean blondefor longer, this formula is a dream come true. "Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo is my favorite because itspigment attaches to the hair fibers and stays puteven after multiple washes," says Gahan. "You will see a noticeable difference straight away, and your hair ismega shinyafterward." Its alsopacked with peptides to support hair integrity and softness while combating static, humidity, and flyaways.
Who Its For
This stylist-recommended hair wash not only neutralizes yellow tones but alsostrengthens and smooths your strands.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size:10.1 fl oz |Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Bleached Hair
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Strengthening
Effective at brightening
Hydrating
We wish the bottle was bigger
If you want the bond-repairing benefitsof Olaplex but dont want to compromise on your color, the brands No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is for you. It contains bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate—the signature, patented technology thatrebonds broken, damaged, or otherwise compromised strands—along with a violet tint to remove unwanted orange, yellow, and golden tones.
Who Its For
While its effective on bothnatural and bottle blondes, this product is especially great for bleached hairthats been damaged in the process.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Colored Hair
Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Miracle Filler
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Sephora
Strengthening
Provides UV protection
Sulfate-free
Reviewers noted that the bottles directions are hard to read
If your lightened hair is also prone to split ends and breakage, you can count on Pureologys Strength Cure formula tosimultaneously tone, hydrate, and fortify. The key is a winning combination of purple orchid, proteins, and antioxidants designed toseal and repair while removing golden undertones. Theres also an included UV filter to ward off color fading.
Who Its For
This sulfate-free shampoo wont dry outcolor-treated hair, and it goes above and beyond tohydrate and strengthen weakened strands.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent:Original |Size: 9 fl oz or 33.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best for Fine Hair
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Kerastase-usa.com
Softening
Hydrating
Adds volume
Contains sulfates
Kérastase is the pinnacle of luxury French haircare, and this Anti-Brass Shampoo is nothing short of a miracle. Thesoft, foamy formulauses concentrated violet pigments alongside hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower to tone the hair while creatingtouchable volume. After lathering up, leave it on for about two minutes, then rinse. And you can use it up to three times a week,depending on how bright you want to go.
Who Its For
Its not heavy or dense, so it works well for finer hair thats either naturally blonde, gray, or bleached.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free:No |Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl oz| Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best for Medium to Thick Hair
Shu Uemura Yūbi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com
Hydrating
Smooths hair
Delivers cool blonde hue
Contains sulfates
This shampoo from Shu Uemura containspurple and blue pigments exclusive to the brand for a toning effectyou really cant find anywhere else. It does an incredible jobcounteracting yellowish, brassy tonesto deliver thecool blonde hue you crave. Theres also white peony, coconut, and hyaluronic acid foradded hydration, shine, and a natural glow.
Who Its For
This smoothing, moisturizing shampoo isideal for medium to thick hair types that crave a little extra nourishment.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral | Size: 10 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Natural Blondes
Bumble and bumble Illuminated Blonde Purple Shampoo
Amazon
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View On Target
Nourishing
Creates shine
Sulfate-free
Some reviewers noted its not pigmented enough
Toning shampoos often skimp on nourishment, which is difficult if you have naturally dry or static hair. But Bumble and bumbles Illuminated formula is rich in hazelnut seed oil, coconut, and glycerin torestore lost moisture and foster shine.1 Then theres the toning element, which works equally well on natural or chemically lightened hair. Bonus: Theres even amethyst extract for a little sparkle.
Who Its For
If your hair is naturally light, you can use this shampoo to create a subtlybrighter, cooler-toned hue.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free:Yes |Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl oz or 33.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Highlights
John Frieda Violet Crush for Blondes Purple Shampoo
Amazon
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View On Walmart
Hydrating
Doesnt stain skin
Affordable
Fast-acting
Works better for warmer highlights
This shampoo depositscrushed violet pigments onto blonde hair to counteract brassiness. It lathers wellwithout being too sudsy or staining the skin—so you dont have to worry about post-shower purple fingers or ears. What makes this shampoo so great for highlights is itsperoxide-free formulathat doesnt need to be left on the hair long to deliver results. Reviewers note a difference after one shampoo.
Who Its For
You can use this shampoo as often as every day to make your highlights more noticeable.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free:Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.3 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Color-Extending
Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Conditioner
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Walmart
Eliminates yellowish, brassy tones
Creates a cooler-toned blond
Very noticeable results
Not recommended for daily use
Contains PEGs
If you want your salon-lightened hair to last longer between treatments, this ones for you. Redken Blondage Shampoo containsdeep purple color-depositing pigments that eliminate yellowish, brassy tones and leave a cooler blonde huein their wake. This product can be a bit drying if you use it every day, but dont worry—itll still work wonders when you lather up just two to three times a week.
Who Its For
This purple shampoo can help you go longer between salon treatments by keeping brassy tones at bay.
Hair Type: Color-treated | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent:Citrus | Size: 10.1 fl oz or 33.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Very Light Blondes
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
Ulta
View On Howl.me
Plant-based formula
Naturally sourced pigments
Leaves hair shiny and soft
May stain hands/shower
If your hair is platinum, white, silver, or otherwise bleached an ultra-light hue, go with Klorane. This plant-based shampoo gives unwanted yellow and copper tones the boot while leaving hairnourished, shiny, and soft. The purple pigments come from organic centaury herb, and while thenaturally sourced ingredient works remarkably well, we should note it might temporarily stain your hands or the shower.
Who Its For
This purple-pigmented hair wash is ideal forplatinum hair, as well as those with white or silver locks, who want to maintain a cool tone.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral | Size: 13.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free:Yes
Where We Stand
Our overall pick for the best shampoo for blonde hair isMoroccanoils Blonde Perfecting Shampoo, which is packed with argan oil to repair the hair from the inside out while keeping brassy and orange tones at bay. The sulfate-free formula is super gentle, making it great for all hair types. And if youre looking for a budget favorite, check out theLOreal EverPure Purple Shampoo.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best productson the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, and design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then consulted with several experts to ensure we were picking the best of the best.
What to Look for in a Purple Shampoo
Purple tone:Purple tones and violet pigments arent all the same, so they can have varying effects at neutralizing unwanted warmth. For example, violet is great at counteracting yellow tones in light blonde hues, as with Fudge Clean Blonde Violet-Toning Shampoo. "If your hair is more of a brassy orange or warm brunette, purple is too light," says Sabrina Yamani Yamga, an award-winning colorist and extension specialist at SPACE by Alex Brown in Chicago. "So youll want to opt for a blue shampoo." In some cases, Aguirre will show her clients the products against a white background so they better see the difference in tones.Blonde tone:Your particular shade of blonde matters, as well as if you dye or bleach your hair or have naturally light-colored locks. For instance, very light blondes will want something that minimizes yellow and brings out cool tones, like Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo. "When it comes to that beautiful, silver, gray hair that can make someone actually look younger and hip, tonality is key," says Aguire. Something like Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo will prevent it from looking dull or yellowish. Meanwhile, John Frieda Violet Crush Shampoo is perfect for counteracting the brassiness in highlights and making them more noticeable.Nourishing ingredients: As Yamga notes, purple shampoos can be drying. So look for products containing hydrating ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and keratin amino acids. These are meant to ensure hair is soft, smooth, and shiny after washing. Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo is a great choice if you want something that not only lightens but also improves the texture of your hair. If the price is too steep, go with something like LOreal EverPure Purple Shampoo.Sulfate-free formula: Dying and bleaching your hair can really do a number on it, and sulfates can make things worse by drying it out.2With this in mind, you might want to opt for a sulfate-free purple shampoo, particularly one without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Shampoo and Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo are a couple of our favorite sulfate-free formulas. Theyre gentle on your strands while still effectively getting rid of unwanted brassy, orange, and yellowish tones.Application:When buying shampoo, be sure to note the recommended use. Some are gentle enough for daily use, like SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Shampoo. Others may be too drying or intensely pigmented and are best used two or three times a week. Purple shampoo is generally applied like regular shampoo. Squeeze one or two tablespoons into your hand, then lather it onto wet hair in the shower, making sure to evenly coat the entire length from root to tip. But unlike regular shampoo, youre often supposed to leave it on slightly longer—usually two to five minutes—before rinsing. Be sure to check the brands specific instructions to avoid leaving the shampoo on too long.
Purple shampoo neutralizes any unwanted yellow or warm tones that can crop up with bleached blonde or otherwise chemically lightened hair. They can offer a brightening effect while bringing out a cooler hue, allowing you to potentially go longer between salon color treatments.
As Gahan explains, "Purple sits directly across from yellow on the color wheel, which means it will correct and cool down the hair with the slight purple pigment in the shampoo." She notes that if youre rocking a darker blonde color or are looking to correct an orangey tint, a blue-based shampoo (as opposed to violet) might be a better option.
This depends on the specific formula, as well as the current color and condition of your hair. Some purple shampoos can be drying, and if you use them too often, you can risk over-toning. "Overuse can cause the hair to look dull or purple in appearance," says Gahan.
For these reasons, lathering up with a violet-pigmented wash two or three times a week is often best. However, some formulas are gentle and subtle enough for daily use.
Yes. Purple shampoo acts like a mild version of a hair color toner, which your colorist applies after bleaching your hair. By using purple shampoo regularly, you can help maintain the cool or neutral tones you had right after it was freshly colored. Violet sits directly opposite from yellow on the color wheel. So, by applying a purple tint, you can cancel out the warmth and restore your hair to the desired cooler, brighter tone.3
It depends on the color of your hair and what tones you want to get rid of. For light blonde, platinum, or silver hair with unwanted yellowish tones, purple shampoo is best. As noted, purple counteracts yellow because its directly opposite on the color wheel. If you have darker blonde, ombré, or balayage hair and want to remove orangey, brassy, or reddish tones, go with blue shampoo.
Probably not. Theres no shortage of purple haircare products to fight brassiness and yellow tones, but you dont need to use them—let alone all at once. A purple shampoo should be enough to achieve the desired results, and you can follow it with a non-pigmented deep conditioner to replenish lost moisture and nourish your strands. (Dry, brittle hair is common among the bleached set.)
A purple shampoo is a toning shampoo, but it isnt a toner. A toner is a color product thats mixed with a developer. Its left on the hair for a set amount of time to allow it to process, then rinsed out. (Toners are most often applied in salons by professional colorists, but some at-home kits are available.) A toning shampoo, on the other hand, is milder than a toner and doesnt require a developer.
Not exactly. Purple shampoo doesnt lighten hair—that can only be done with a bleaching agent. This type of hair wash calls on violet pigments to cancel out yellow tones, which are opposite purple on the color wheel. As a result, your hair will become brighter and cooler-toned, which can make it appear lighter.
Why Trust buuk.top
buuk.top contributor Emily Algar has had bleached highlights for most of her life—and because her natural hue is quite warm, shes spent years (and dollars) testing some of the best blonde toning shampoos on the market. Shes also spent the last six years chatting to various hairstylists and colorists for work (its a tough life), gathering industry tips about the next products for every hair type and condition. Theresa Holland updated this list with additional buying tips and expert insights.
Team buuk.top worked with experts to ensure the best picks in this category:
Carolyn J. Gahan is a creative colorist with extensive blonde and hair-lightening experience.
Sabrina Yamani Yamga is an award-winning colorist and extension specialist at SPACE by Alex Brown in Chicago.
Shelly Aguirre of Chicagos Maxine Salon is a professional stylist with over a decade of experience teaching at salons and tradeshows.
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Cornwell P. (2017). A review of shampoo surfactant technology: Consumer benefits, raw materials and recent developments. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 40. 10.1111/ics.12439.
ContinuingCosmetology. Hair Color Theory. Continuing Education Course, Cosmetic Art. 2011. Web.
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