10 Best Blue Shampoos So Brunettes Can Skip the Salon for Good
Orange streaks and grays have nothing on these blue shampoos!
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Move over, purple shampoo. Blue shampoo is having a moment. Designed to extend and protect color-treated brunette strands, these innovative hair cleansers help prevent orange, brassy tones while keeping your tresses vibrant, shiny, and healthy in-between coloring appointments.
What Is Blue Shampoo
“Think of it as similar to color-correcting makeup, but for your hair,” explains Maria Elizabeth, professional hairstylist and owner of Salon deZEN. “Every time you lather up with this beautiful blue hue, tiny blue pigments deposit into your hair that help neutralize brassy orange tones in brown hair, leaving it brighter, cooler, and more vibrant.”
These color-extending formulas also contain hair-strengthening ingredients, such as silk proteins and botanical extracts, so you can enjoy your dark strands without breakage and damage.
When To Use Blue Shampoo
When incorporating a blue shampoo into your routine, Elizabeth suggests alternating between your regular shampoo and blue shampoo to achieve the best results. “I would recommend using this type of shampoo just one time a week to help cancel out any brassiness that is making a guest appearance in your color-processed, highlighted, or balayage hair,” she adds. “If you feel like your hair needs extra toning, then leave the shampoo on your hair for 3 to 10 minutes before rinsing it out.”
For celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein, whose clients include Gemma Chan, Jennifer Garner, and Mindy Kaling, less is more when it comes to blue shampoo. “About once a month, I do a big blue wash allowing the shampoo to sit on and tone my hair for a few minutes,” she explains. “If you overuse your blue shampoo, your hair can go a bit ashy or even pick up some of the blue tones. The less we wash our hair, the healthier it will be and the longer our color will last.”
Best Blues Shampoos
- Best Overall: Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
- Best for Grey Hair: Fanola No Orange Shampoo
- Best Budget: Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo
- Best for Hydration: HASK Blue Chamomile & Argan Oil Blonde Care Shampoo
- Best for Prolonged Touchups: dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo
- Best for Growth: Oligo Blacklight Blue Shampoo For Blonde Hair
- Best Blue Colorwash: Celeb Luxury Viral Extreme Blue Colorwash
- Best with Plant-Based Ingredients: Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
- Best Sulfate-Free: Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Best Multitasker: IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Brunette Toning Drops
Ready to jump into the world of blue shampoo? Read on for our picks of the best blue shampoos for brunettes to whip your mane into shape and give it the perfect tone it deserves.
Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
Emily is a contributor for BestProducts.com, where she’s searching the web for the greatest finds in fashion, beauty, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, E! News, and more.
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