Will purple shampoo tone down Brassiness?

If there’s one product every blonde needs, it’s a purple shampoo! Blonde hair goes through a lot (especially if you’ve recently bleached your hair!) and it can sometimes look yellow, dull or even brassy. Purple shampoo, or sometimes even silver shampoo, cools down the tone of your hair and neutralises the brassiness, keeping your blonde stronger for longer. 

What does purple shampoo do?

To explain exactly how purple shampoo works, we’re going to get a little technical! In colour theory, purple is opposite on the wheel to yellow, so the purple colour in the shampoo balances out the blonde colour, acting as a toner that helps to reduce those yellow/orange hues and transform your hair into cool, hydrated blonde. Your hair stylist applies a professional toner when you get your hair coloured, but it can often fade quite quickly which is why you need an at-home purple hair toning solution. 

(If you’re thinking about changing your shade of blonde, then take a look at our 13 shades of blonde article for all the inspiration you need!)

How often should I use purple shampoo?

How often you use purple shampoo completely depends on your hair type and current shade, so we recommend taking a good long look at your locks before use.

Our

is suitable for everyday use to keep your blonde from turning brassy. This is the best purple shampoo for neutralising brassy tones without over-toning. So if you’ve never used purple shampoo before, this is a great place to start.

Our

is a new addition to the range. This ultra-violet pigmented intensive purple shampoo instantly transforms even the most stubborn brassy tones into cooler, brighter blonde. We recommend using weekly or as needed to reach your desired level of cool tones.

This shampoo utilises patent-pending technology which allows the product to contain both violet AND blue pigments, without staining the hair. This in turn will tackle both yellow and copper tones, for a more powerful neutralising effect. Pair this with the

and you’re on to a winning combination.

Just remember that if you use too much purple shampoo and remove too much of the yellow tones in your blonde, you could end up with a shade darker than what you want. You should be washing your hair regularly with a blonde shampoo to keep the colour vivid but not brassy. 

Can I use purple shampoo on brown hair?

Whilst it’s essential for any bleached blonde, if your caramel ombre is looking too warm or your chestnut looking a little too red, the colour theory remains the same and the purple colour of your toning shampoo will act in the same way on brown hair with highlights, and reduce any yellow brassiness. Check out how to remove brassy tones from brown hair to find out more about colour toning for brunettes! 

The type of purple shampoo you use completely depends on your hair type and current shade, so we recommend taking a good long look at your locks before use and following the instructions on the packaging. How often you use purple shampoo also varies on an individual preference – but John Frieda has you covered.

Our Violet Crush Purple Shampoo for Blondes is suitable for everyday use to keep your blonde from turning brassy. This is the best purple shampoo for neutralising brassy tones without  over-toning. If you’ve never used blonde shampoo before, this is a great place to start. Just lather and rinse daily like you would with any other shampoo. 

Our Intensive Purple Shampoo is a new addition to the John Frieda Blonde Range range. This ultra-violet pigmented intensive shampoo instantly transforms even the most stubborn brassy tones into cooler, brighter blonde in just one wash. In term of how often you use this purple shampoo, we recommend using weekly or as needed to reach your desired level of cool tones. 

John Frieda purple shampoos utilise patent-pending technology which allows the product to contain both violet AND blue pigments, without staining your hair. This in turn will tackle both yellow and orange tones, for a more powerful neutralising effect. Pair either of these purple shampoos with our Violet Crush Purple Conditioner for Blondes you’re on to a winning combination.

How long should I leave purple shampoo on my hair?

Again, this totally depends on your hair as well as what product you are using. We would recommend sticking to the instructions. Different formulas vary and can range from rinsing immediately to leaving on for 5 minutes or longer. A purple shampoo will not dye your hair but if you leave it on for too long you could find yourself with a little lilac staining. It’s easy enough to get rid of – just wash your hair with a clarifying shampooto reduce the tint! 

Some claim that using purple shampoo on dry hair is better because it will absorb better; don’t listen to them! Blonde shampoo should always be used on wet hair to ensure that it is absorbed evenly, and so that you can avoid patchy spots of brassiness and get the most out of the toning shampoo qualities.

Silver shampoo vs purple shampoo: which one is right for me?
Purple shampoo isn’t the only option for your blonde locks. If your hair is an icy, whiter blonde, then the Shimmering Silver Shampoo may be a better choice. This silver shampoo fights against the brassy yellow tones and bluer tones that appear in your blonde locks to leave you with radiant shiny hair. Pair this with the Shimmering Silver Conditioner and you’re on your way to brighter, more nourished blonde hair. Plus, if you’ve got a few dull grey hairs, these two products work hand in hand to transform your locks to a bright silver. If you are struggling to manage your grey locks, then definitely check out our tips on growing out grey hair. 

Ready to say goodbye to brassiness and make your blonde the best it can be? Then take a look at our Violet Crush range for your blonde shampoo fix. For more tips on how to give your blonde locks some TLC, be sure to visit our guide on the best products for blonde hair. 

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