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They say blondes have more fun, and whether or not that’s true, there’s one big exception: haircare. Candidly speaking, dyed blonde hair is high-maintenance. It requires frequent salon visits to keep highlights, balayage, and dye jobs fresh and demands proper care between treatments so that it lasts. Enter a blonde’s best weapon of defense: purple shampoo. These purple-pigmented formulas neutralize brassiness and cancel out unwanted tones that might happen over time, says Paul Labrecque of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa. When you use the wrong shampoo or wash too often, your strands can quickly turn brassy (read: yellow). Not to mention, if you love to swim laps in your downtime, those bright blonde streaks may even begin to look green. Purple shampoos help keep blonde, gray, silver, and even white hair vibrant for as long as possible, which leads us to the next question…
Our Top Picks
- 1
Best on Amazon
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
$19 at Amazon$19 at AmazonRead more
- 2
Best
Color Balance Purple Shampoo
$23 at Ulta Beauty$23 at Ulta BeautyRead more
- 3
Best for Icy Blonde
Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Hair Shampoo
$22 at Amazon$22 at AmazonRead more
- 4
Best Drugstore
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo
$16 at Ulta Beauty$16 at Ulta BeautyRead more
- 5
Best for Silver and Gray Hair
amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
$28 at Sephora$28 at SephoraRead more
Show more
How often should you use a purple shampoo?
It’s best to use a purple shampoo once a week if you wash your hair multiple times a week, says celebrity stylist Michelle Cleveland. These formulas aren’t permanent solutions for maintaining haircolor. "Overusing purple shampoo, especially on cool-toned blonde hair, will have the opposite effect and can turn it dull or blue," Cleveland says. For the best results, follow the instructions on the label of your formula. If you need help picking a purple shampoo, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, shop the best purple shampoos for the job, including professional-recommended picks and affordable drugstore buys.
1Best on Amazon
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
1Best on Amazon
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
$19 at Amazon$22 at WalmartCredit: FanolaPros
Affordable
Cons
Not available at Ulta or Sephora
This is a strong toning shampoo that maintains the color of lightened hair, says Bryant Anthony, a hairstylist at Salon Eva Michelle. It’s also highly rated on Amazon, with nearly 42,000 five-star reviews. For the best results, Anthony says to use it as a maintenance shampoo once per week.
2Best
Color Balance Purple Shampoo
2Best
Color Balance Purple Shampoo
$23 at Ulta Beauty$23 at Walmart$19 at JCPenneyCredit: JoicoPros
Protects against environmental aggressors
Cons
Stains hands
Green tea extract and UV absorbers protect against environmental aggressors that may cause brassiness. It also has rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin, which are slowly released to protect and nourish strands.
3Best for Icy Blonde
Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Hair Shampoo
3Best for Icy Blonde
Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Hair Shampoo
$22 at Amazon$16 at Walmart$22 at Ulta BeautyCredit: PravanaPros
Cons
Stains Hands
A powerful purple shampoo with enough pigment to correct brassy and yellow tones on icy blonde color, says celebrity stylist Rikki Gash. It’s also a sulfate-free shampoo, making it a great choice for damaged or curly hair types that may find other formulas stripping.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4Best Drugstore
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo
4Best Drugstore
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo
$16 at Ulta Beauty$16 at Walmart$14 at Nordstrom RackCredit: Clairol ProfessionalPros
Affordable
Cons
Contains fragrance
Here’s a drugstore pick that works just as well as pricier options, says Sara Clemente, a hairstylist at Warren Tricomi. "It will get the yellow out of your hair in just a few washes," she says.
5Best for Silver and Gray Hair
amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
5Best for Silver and Gray Hair
amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
$28 at SephoraCredit: AmikaPros
Strengthening
Cons
Might be heavy for thin-hair types
An ultra-violet formula that counteracts harsh brassy tones on blonde, silver, and gray hair. It also helps to strengthen and repair damaged hair.
6Best for All Blonde Hair
Wella Invigo Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo
6Best for All Blonde Hair
Wella Invigo Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo
$19 at Ulta BeautyCredit: WellaPros
Works on natural and color-treated blonde
Cons
It can be drying
Cleveland likes this pick because it’s suitable for natural and color-treated blonde hair, whether you have highlights or a full head of color. It fights brassiness while leaving your hair soft and smooth.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Best for Shine
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo
7Best for Shine
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo
$49 at Sephora$34 at Walmart$17 at NordstromCredit: OribePros
Enhances shine
Cons
It’s pricey compared to other options on this list
If your blonde strands are looking brassy and dull, this purple formula will revitalize your hair, says Kattia Solano, founder of Butterfly Studio Salon in NYC. It contains a brightening complex of lemon, ginger root, and chamomile extracts to encourage shiny and smoother-looking hair.
8Best for Highlights
Oligo Professionnel Blacklight Blue Shampoo
8Best for Highlights
Oligo Professionnel Blacklight Blue Shampoo
$25 at Amazon$28 at WalmartCredit: Oligo ProfessionnelPros
Blue base helps neutralize blonde and brunette hair
Cons
May not be great for platinum blonde hair
Even if you only have subtle blonde highlights, you’ll still need a purple shampoo to help with maintenance. Meghan Foreman, hairstylist at Salon Eva Michelle, likes this formula because it’s made from a blue base, so if you have blonde highlights on a brown base, it’ll help tone both hues.
9Best Lightweight
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo
9Best Lightweight
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo
$31 at Dermstore$31 at Walmart$31 at Saks Fifth AvenueCredit: SachajuanPros
Enhances shine
Cons
May not be suitable for very dry or damaged hair
To reduce brassiness without dulling the brightness, try this violet-colored formula. "It’s designed to repair highlighted and color-processed hair and replace moisture, but it’s super lightweight and won’t weigh the hair down," says Trey Gillen, a stylist at Ceron Hair Studio.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10Best for Natural Blondes
UNITE Hair Blonda Shampoo
10Best for Natural Blondes
UNITE Hair Blonda Shampoo
$35 at Amazon$22 at Walmart$35 at DermstoreCredit: UNITEPros
Doesn’t over-tone hair
Cons
May not be neutralizing enough for color-treated hair
This formula contains the perfect amount of pigment for natural blondes, says celebrity stylist Graham Nation of Ken Paves Salon. It won’t over-tone and make blonde hair gray.
11Best for Oily Hair
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
11Best for Oily Hair
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
$40 at Sephora$34 at WalmartCredit: KérastasePros
Protects against environmental aggressors
Cons
It’s pricey compared to other options on this list
Most purple shampoos just deposit color to be used as a toner, but this formula keeps brassiness at bay while nurturing the hair with hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, says Solano.
12Best for White Hair
PHYTO No Yellow Shampoo
12Best for White Hair
PHYTO No Yellow Shampoo
$26 at Amazon$19 at Walmart$22 at DermstoreCredit: PHYTOPros
Can be used twice a week
Cons
It can be drying
To cancel out yellow tones, Labrecque recommends using this shampoo, which is specially formulated for gray, white, or bleached hair, up to two times per week.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below13Best Vegan
Rahua Color Full Shampoo
13Best Vegan
Rahua Color Full Shampoo
$38 at Dermstore$59 at Walmart$38 at ShopBopCredit: RahuaPros
Hydrating
Cons
It’s pricey compared to other options on this list
A plant-based vegan and gluten-free pick that gently preserves color and offers deep hydration to help repair color damage, says Solano.
14Best for Dry Hair
Davines Alchemic Silver Shampoo
14Best for Dry Hair
Davines Alchemic Silver Shampoo
$34 at Amazon$27 at WalmartCredit: DavinesPros
Moisturizing
Cons
Contains fragrance
If hair skews coarse and dry, try this purple shampoo, says Christine Dunbar, hairstylist at Salon Eva Michelle. "It helps to tone and brighten blondes without drying the hair."
