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As a former blonde, I can attest: there’s nothing better than fresh, just-out-of-the-salon blonde hair. Your hair never looks better than right after a colorist applies highlights and tones to the exact shade you asked for. Once you leave the salon, the real challenge begins, particularly if your blonde is more cool-toned—how can you keep your blonde hair looking as fresh as possible?
For blonde hair in-between salon visits, it might be a good idea to mix in a purple shampoo in lieu of your regular shampoo for colored hair. “Purple shampoo is a purple-colored shampoo that contains purple pigment to neutralize brassy and yellow tones on lighter hair,” says Richy Kandasamy, the vice president of color development at R+CO and R+COLOR collective member. “The main reason it’s a purple color is because on the color wheel, it is directly opposite from the color yellow, which means purple and yellow will cancel or neutralize one another out. So, when using purple pigment on color-treated brassy or yellow tones, it color-corrects your hair’s hue, restoring it to its former natural or neutral bright, cooler color tones.”
Our top picks for purple shampoo in 2024
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There are tons of purple shampoos on the market, but after a disastrous highlight experience in my early 20s, I know better than anyone that choosing the right purple shampoo matters. Keep reading for the best purple shampoos on the market, selected by celebrity colorists, ELLE editors, and rave reviews.
Redken Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Strengthens hair
Cons
- Some wish it brightened more
Since some purple shampoos can be drying, Redken’s is formulated with a protein complex to help strengthen hair and increase elasticity. If you want your hair icy blonde, you can leave it on for up to five minutes and use it more frequently.
Key ingredient: Triple acid protein complex
Size: 10 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
Our expert says: “I’m loving Redken’s Blondage Violet shampoo and conditioner right now. Just enough pigment to neutralize, the added protein and acids really make the hair look shiny and refreshed.” —Jennifer Gimenez, colorist and educator at Cutler Salon
IGK Blonde POP Purple Toning Shampoo
Pros
- Adds shine to hair
Cons
- Some find it drying
With squalane to infuse hair with moisture and purple rice to add tons of shine, this shampoo conditions hair as much as it brightens. A vivid violet pigment leaves hair up to seven times brighter.
Key ingredients: Squalane, purple rice
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
Our expert says: “[This shampoo] features a vibrant violet pigment that instantly neutralizes brassiness, enhancing blonde tones. It also has a moisture-rich formula fortified with botanical extracts and squalane, a super emollient that rehydrates hair and replenishes moisture balance, ensuring your hair remains soft and healthy.” —Chase Kusero, colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care
Joico Blonde Life Violet Shampoo
Pros
- Moisturizing and repairing
Cons
- Some find it isn't volumizing
If bleaching your hair has also made you incur major damage, Joico’s Blonde Life shampoo works in two ways. The violet pigment helps brighten up your blonde, while tamanu oil and manoi oil work to help repair your hair from damage.
Key ingredients: Monoi oil, tamanu oil
Size: 10 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
An ELLE editor says: “The last time I had highlights, my hair felt like straw. This shampoo from Joico helped keep my highlights looking fresh while also helping to add softness back into my hair.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor
R+Co Bleu Blonded Brightening Shampoo
Pros
- Not too pigmented for more subtle brightening
Cons
- Pricey
Some purple shampoos are so pigmented that your hair might begin to take on a purple hue if you leave them on for too long. The best part about R+Co BLEU’s purple shampoo is that it’s a lighter purple shade, which means you never have to worry about taking on any unwanted pigments to your hair. It’s also purple in more ways than one—lilac and violet flowers add shine and antioxidants.
Key ingredients: Lilac, violet, keratin
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.Amazon rating: 4.2/5
Our expert says: “[This] is suitable for anyone with blonde or silver hair who wants to nourish and counteract yellow tones. It’s versatile and can be used with any hair texture. Thanks to its lighter purple pigment, you can use it confidently knowing it will gently cleanse, moisturize, help repair color-treated hair, and protect against future yellowing.” —Richy Kandasamy
shu uemura Yūbi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Unique brass-neutralizing technology
Cons
- Pricey
The violet dye pigment in this purple shampoo was made by Japanese ink manufacturers and uses a complex called cool pigment technology to boost the neutralizing benefits. It also has Japanese white peony to hydrate and smooth hair.
Key ingredients: White peony, cool pigment technology
Size: 10 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5
An ELLE editor says: “Of all the purple shampoos I’ve tried, this one is by far the most luxe. It does a great job at evenly neutralizing brassy tones while making your hair feel super silky.” —Katie Berohn
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Gentle on hair
Cons
- Not intensely pigmented
Shimmer Lights has become the ultimate “if you know you know” shampoo for blondes. It’s the ideal upkeep product, because it has just enough violet pigment to balance out uneven tones, but it won’t change your hair color dramatically. It’s also super gentle and won’t leave hair feeling brittle.
Key ingredients: Protein, salicylic acid
Size: 16 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An ELLE editor says: “I lived with a house full of blondes in college, and every single one of them had a bottle of Shimmer Lights in their showers. When I went more blonde, I tried it out too, and I can see why this purple shampoo is such a hit—it’s as affordable as it is effective.” —Katie Berohn
Pros
- Intensely pigmented for color correction
Cons
- Can be drying and staining
Fanola No Yellow shampoo is an S.O.S. signal for brassy hair. It’s one of the heaviest hitters in the purple shampoo realm and extremely pigmented. This is the shampoo you reach for if you need a major color correction in a pinch.
Key ingredients: Extra violet pigment, citric acid
Size: 11.3 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An ELLE editor says: “I have turned to Fanola No Yellow only when I have truly needed it, and it delivers. If you have orange-toned highlights and need a fix between salon appointments, this will take your blonde hair cool-toned, but if you leave it on too long it will turn your hair purple. It’s also pretty drying, so I recommend following up with a hair mask and a leave-in conditioner after you use it.” —Katie Berohn
Philip B Icelandic Blonde Shampoo
Pros
- Prevents split ends
Cons
- Pricey
This purple shampoo uses plum extract to brighten hair and neutralize brassiness. Grapeseed oil also helps prevent future split ends while conditioning hair.
Key ingredients: Plum extract, grapeseed oil
Size: 7.4 fl. oz.
Dermstore rating: 5/5
A Dermstore reviewer says: “Bought this to tone down the brassiness in my bleached hair, and it works! My hairstylist was so pleased to see my hair stayed much more ashy between visits. It smells nice, too. Just be careful if your hands are dry; it can stain dry skin, cuticles, and nails when applying.”
KERASTASE Blond Absolu Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
Like a drink of water for your hair, this purple shampoo is made with hyaluronic acid to add tons of hydration, making it great for all hair textures. It’s highly pigmented and great for maintaining a fresh-out-of-the-salon blonde.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, edelweiss flower
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I’ve tried several different brands of purple shampoo to keep the brass out of my blonde, this is easily the best at preserving my color, lathers well, and smells the best.”
Olaplex Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo 250ml
Pros
- Bond-building
Cons
- Some find it drying
If you swear by Olaplex for its bond-building capabilities, you’ll love the brand’s purple shampoo. Formulated with bond-building and strengthening technology, this purple shampoo helps fortify your strands while it cools down your blonde.
Key ingredients: Bond-building technology, citric acid
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 4.2/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “Best toning shampoo. I’ve tried so many to keep my balayage bright because my hair gets brassy so fast. This keeps it super bright and platinum through several washes. It’s very pigmented so don’t leave it on very long.”
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color
Pros
- Gentle on hair
Cons
- Pricey
Oribe’s purple shampoo is gentle enough to be used daily for regular maintenance. While the violet pigments help neutralize brassy tones, it’s also formulated with lavender extract to nourish hair and UV protection to shield your strands from the sun.
Key ingredients: Lavender extract, UV protection, Swiss garden cress sprouts
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “A hairdresser recommended this shampoo, so I tried it. It’s the best shampoo I have ever used. Very expensive but worth every penny!”
Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Specifically made for aging hair
Cons
- Some don't like the bottle dispenser
Unlike many purple shampoos on the market, this one is formulated specifically for silver hair. Aging hair has unique needs, and this shampoo addresses those needs by strengthening hair with bamboo, adding volume with hops, and regulating oil production with sage, all while neutralizing brassiness.
Key ingredients: Bamboo, hops, sage
Size: 8.4 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “This makes going gray naturally totally doable! Makes my hair silky soft and gives gray hair shine.”
Pros
- Strengthens hair
Cons
- Strong scent
If you want to strengthen your hair while you bust brass, this purple shampoo is formulated with quinoa protein and cactus flower extract to prevent breakage and seal the cuticle, leading to stronger hair. The rich violet pigments also help your blonde look as fresh as possible.
Key ingredients: Quinoa protein, cactus flower
Size: 10 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 4.7/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is the best purple shampoo I have ever tried. It’s not drying, and the bottle lasts for ages! I am currently on my second bottle and plan to keep repurchasing.”
What should you look for in a purple shampoo?
Keep the shade of purple in mind. “Heavy pigment shampoos could potentially tint your blonde hair purple,” says Kandasamy. If you choose a highly pigmented purple shampoo, just make sure you don’t leave it on for too long, or you risk accidentally giving your hair a violet tint.
Make sure the shampoo you choose is color-safe. This may feel like a no-brainer, but Gimenez says checking your bottles is important. Color-safe formulas help ensure your hair stays vibrant if you use purple shampoo as a toning agent between salon appointments and not as a way to brighten your natural blonde or silver hair.
Opt for a nourishing formula. “Ditch anything with harsh chemicals that can dry out hair,” says Jimenez. Instead, go for a formula that’s packed with ingredients that help strengthen the hair, like proteins, citric acid, and oils. This is especially important with purple shampoos since bleached hair can be drier and more brittle.
Do you have to be blonde to use purple shampoo?
This is actually a common misconception when it comes to purple shampoo. In fact, many different hair colors can benefit from using a purple shampoo. “Purple shampoo is indeed primarily used to tone and maintain blonde hair, combating yellow or brassy tones,” says Kandasamy. “It’s also suitable for individuals with gray or silver hair to neutralize warmth. However, for darker blondes with brassiness, a blue shampoo might be more effective in neutralizing the color. And if you’re a brunette with blonde highlights, purple shampoo can help maintain the vibrancy of your highlights,” he says.
What’s the best way to use purple shampoo?
“Not all purple shampoos are made equal,” says Gimenez. “Some are highly pigmented while others have a more subtle hue. Always follow the recommended usage for best results.” Gimenez says you can use purple shampoos once or twice a week to brighten hair and avoid a dreaded violet tint from overuse.
“Porosity is also a major factor,” Gimenez says. “if your strands are a little dry and porous, the pigment can really grab on.” Gimenez recommends pre-washing hair if you have product buildup or haven’t washed your hair in a few days. Always follow up with a conditioner or moisturizing mask to make sure purple shampoo doesn’t dry out the hair.
Meet the experts
Richy Kandasamy is a celebrity colorist, the vice president of color development at R+CO and R+COLOR collective member.
Chase Kusero, is the co-founder of IGK Hair Care.
Jennifer Gimenez is a colorist and educator at Cutler Salon.
Why trust ELLE beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn interviewed colorists to find the best purple shampoos to neutralize brassy tones.
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