In the ever-evolving world of hair care, purple shampoo has become one of the most popular and trusted products, especially for those with blonde, gray, or highlighted hair. Its unique color and targeted formulation make it an essential part of many people’s hair care routine, helping to maintain a bright, vibrant tone while preventing unwanted brassiness.
If you’re new to purple shampoo or wondering why it’s so beloved by beauty enthusiasts and hairstylists alike, this article will guide you through everything you need to know about this hair care hero. From how it works to tips for incorporating it into your routine, let’s dive into the world of purple shampoo.
What Is Purple Shampoo?
As the name suggests, purple shampoo is a shampoo that contains purple pigments. It is specifically designed to neutralize brassy or yellow tones in hair. This type of shampoo is primarily used by individuals with light-colored hair, such as blondes, platinum, gray, and even those with highlighted hair.
Purple pigments are used because of their placement on the color wheel, where purple is opposite yellow. This means that purple acts as a direct counter to yellow hues, canceling them out and restoring a cooler, more natural-looking tone to the hair.
Why Does Hair Turn Brassy?
Before understanding why purple shampoo is so important, it’s essential to grasp what causes brassiness in hair. Brassiness refers to the unwanted warm, yellowish, or orange tones that can appear in colored hair, particularly in lighter shades. There are several reasons why hair turns brassy:
- Hair Dyeing: When hair is lightened, the bleach removes the natural pigments in the hair, leaving behind underlying pigments. Often, these underlying pigments are yellow or orange, which can lead to brassiness over time.
- Environmental Factors: Sun exposure, hard water, chlorine, pollution, and other external factors can strip hair of its cool tones, allowing the warm tones to shine through.
- Oxidation: Hair color can oxidize, meaning the pigments in your hair react with oxygen in the environment. This process leads to a gradual change in color, which often results in brassiness.
How Does it Work?
It works by depositing small amounts of purple pigment onto the hair each time it’s used. Because purple and yellow are complementary colors, the purple pigments in the shampoo neutralize the yellow or brassy tones in the hair. This process helps maintain a cool, vibrant color, extending the life of your dye job or enhancing your natural blonde or gray hair.
One of the key advantages of it is that it doesn’t change the color of your hair but instead counteracts unwanted tones. It provides a non-invasive way to keep your hair looking fresh between salon visits.
Benefits of it.
It offers numerous benefits, especially for those with lightened hair. Here are some of the most notable advantages:
1. Neutralizes Brassy Tones
The primary function of it is to neutralize brassiness, ensuring that your hair remains the cool shade you desire. Whether your hair is dyed or naturally light, it keeps unwanted yellow and orange tones at bay.
2. Maintains Vibrant Hair Color
For anyone with blonde or gray hair, maintaining that perfect shade can be a challenge, especially over time. It helps to preserve your hair color by reducing fading and maintaining a fresh, salon-like appearance between appointments.
3. Enhances Natural Hair Color
Even if you don’t dye your hair, you can still benefit from using purple shampoo. People with naturally blonde, silver, or gray hair can use this product to enhance their natural tones, preventing them from turning dull or discolored.
4. Prolongs Time Between Salon Visits
Frequent hair dyeing or highlighting can be damaging to hair and expensive. By using purple shampoo, you can extend the time between salon visits by keeping your hair color looking fresh and vibrant.
5. Affordable and Easy to Use
It is readily available at most beauty supply stores, drugstores, and online retailers. It’s also easy to incorporate into your regular hair care routine. Simply swap out your regular shampoo for purple shampoo as needed.
Who Should Use it?
Purple shampoo is ideal for anyone with light-colored hair who is experiencing brassiness or dullness. This includes:
- Blonde Hair: Whether your hair is naturally blonde or dyed, it can keep it bright and prevent brassiness from creeping in.
- Gray or Silver Hair: Gray and silver hair are particularly prone to yellowing, especially as we age. Purple shampoo helps to keep these shades looking vibrant and fresh.
- Highlighted Hair: If you have light highlights in your hair, it can prevent them from turning brassy over time.
- Platinum Hair: Platinum blondes can benefit from purple shampoo to maintain their ultra-cool, icy hue.
It’s important to note that purple shampoo may not be suitable for darker hair tones unless they have lighter highlights or are intentionally trying to neutralize warm undertones.
How to Use it
Using purple shampoo is simple, but there are some tips to follow to get the best results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using purple shampoo:
1. Start with Wet Hair
As with any shampoo, you’ll want to start by wetting your hair. This helps to evenly distribute the product and allows it to penetrate the hair strands.
2. Apply Purple Shampoo
Squeeze a small amount of it into your hand and apply it to your hair, focusing on areas that tend to become brassy. If you have highlights, ensure that you cover those sections well.
3. Leave It On
How long you leave the shampoo on your hair will depend on how brassy your hair is and how cool you want your tone to be. Typically, purple shampoo should be left on for 3-5 minutes, but you can adjust the time based on your specific needs. If you’re new to purple shampoo, start with a shorter time and gradually increase if necessary.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Ensure that all of the purple shampoo is rinsed out to avoid any buildup or purple tint.
5. Condition Your Hair
It can be drying, so follow up with a good conditioner or hair mask. Some brands offer matching purple conditioners that enhance the effects of the shampoo.
6. Use As Needed
You don’t need to use purple shampoo every time you wash your hair. In fact, using it too frequently can lead to a purple or grayish tint. Most people find that using it once or twice a week is sufficient to maintain their desired tone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Purple Shampoo
While purple shampoo is easy to use, there are some common mistakes that can prevent you from getting the best results:
1. Overusing it
Using it too often can lead to a buildup of purple pigments in your hair, which may result in a violet or ashy hue. To avoid this, only use it when needed, usually once or twice a week.
2. Leaving It On Too Long
While it may be tempting to leave it on your hair for an extended period, doing so can cause your hair to take on a purple or grayish tint. Always follow the recommended time on the product’s packaging, and adjust based on your hair’s needs.
3. Skipping Conditioner
It can be drying due to the pigments in the formula. To keep your hair healthy and hydrated, always follow up with a good conditioner or deep conditioning treatment.
4. Not Distributing Evenly
To avoid uneven toning, make sure that the shampoo is evenly distributed throughout your hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to spread the product if necessary.
Choosing the Right Shampoo
Not all purple shampoos are created equal. When shopping for a it, consider the following factors:
- Strength of Pigment: Some purple shampoos contain more intense pigments than others. If you need a stronger toning effect, look for a product with deep purple pigments. For more subtle toning, a lighter purple may be sufficient.
- Hair Type: Choose a purple shampoo that is suitable for your hair type. For example, if you have dry or damaged hair, look for a moisturizing formula that won’t strip your hair of essential oils.
- Sulfate-Free: Sulfates can be harsh on color-treated hair, so opting for a sulfate-free it can help preserve your color and keep your hair healthy.
- Brand Reputation: Consider well-known, trusted brands that specialize in color-treated hair care. Reading reviews and asking your hairstylist for recommendations can also be helpful.
FAQs
1. Can purple shampoo turn my hair purple?
It deposits a very small amount of pigment on the hair, so it’s unlikely to turn your hair purple unless left on for an extended period. If your hair does take on a purple tint, it will usually fade after a few washes with regular shampoo.
2. How often should I use it?
Most people only need to use it once or twice a week, depending on how brassy their hair is. Overusing it can lead to a buildup of purple pigments.
3. Can purple shampoo be used on brown hair?
It is most effective on light-colored hair. If you have brown hair with highlights or balayage, pit can help to tone those lighter sections, but it won’t have much effect on the darker areas.
4. Is purple shampoo safe for daily use?
It’s generally not recommended to use purple shampoo every day, as it can be drying. Use it only when needed to maintain your desired tone.
5. What should I do if purple shampoo dries out my hair?
If you find that it is drying out your hair, make sure to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner or hair mask. You can also reduce how often you use purple shampoo to prevent dryness.
Conclusion
Purple shampoo is a game-changer for anyone with light-colored hair, offering an easy and effective solution to brassiness and unwanted warm tones. Whether you’re a blonde, gray, or highlighted beauty, incorporating purple shampoo into your hair care routine can help you maintain a fresh, cool tone and prolong the life of your hair color.
With the right technique and product, purple shampoo can become a vital part of your hair care regimen, ensuring that your hair stays vibrant, healthy, and free from brassiness.
