Leave purple shampoo in for 1 to 5 minutes for subtle toning, or up to 10 minutes for stronger toning, depending on your hair's brassiness and porosity; longer isn't always better and risks purple staining, so always rinse thoroughly and follow with conditioner. Start with a shorter time (2-3 mins) for your first use and adjust for future washes.
Set a timer to ensure you don't leave the shampoo on your hair for longer than necessary. Exceeding the recommended time, particularly if left on for more than an hour, can result in the pigment staining your hair, which can be difficult to remove.
4. Let it sit in your hair
Nope. Purple shampoo is meant for toning blondes in between appointments, it has no lightening power whatsoever. The only way to lighten your dark brown colored hair is with a bleach, or growing it out if your natural color is lighter.
Short answer: Yes -- purple shampoo typically works better on dry (or less-wet) hair because reduced dilution allows the violet pigments to deposit more effectively and for longer contact with the hair shaft. However, optimal results depend on product formulation, hair porosity, and desired toning intensity.
But, as with many hair products, it's a good idea to use purple shampoo in moderation. Over-use or leaving it on too long can result in your hair looking dull with a purple tinge. Use it just enough to counteract the brassy undertones in your hair.
Your hairdresser likely advised against purple shampoo to prevent dryness, dulling, uneven color (ashy/muddy), or over-toning (purple/blue tint), as it's a temporary fix not for everyday cleaning, and can interfere with future coloring by creating buildup, especially if your hair is very porous or already a bright, cool blonde. They might prefer professional toners, moisturizing treatments, or detox shampoos for better, healthier results.
How to use purple shampoo
While the violet tones in purple shampoos can help bring blonde back to life, it does this by adding more toner; in effect, covering up the mineral coating on the hair cuticle. The more you shampoo with tone-correcting products, the more buildup you create — and the darker your blonde looks.
Purple shampoo only works on levels 8+ . If you are not blonde enough, your purple shampoo will not tone correctly. 2. Purple shampoos are different in their color make up.
Use an apple cider vinegar toning rinse
This homespun method is a long-term way of gently fixing orange hair. Add a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into one litre of lukewarm water, then add a couple of drops of liquid food colouring - use blue for orange hair, and purple for more yellow.
Overlapping the toner application or leaving it on for too long can lead to overprocessing, which may result in dryness, breakage, or a change in texture. To avoid overprocessing, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and monitor the toner's development time.
Stick to once or twice a week.
Wondering how often to use purple shampoo? Using it more than recommended can dry out your strands or make your color look dull. One to two times per week is typically enough to keep brass away and your hair looking fresh.
Purple shampoo has been used for decades by hairdressers, mostly to help tone and neutralize blonde and gray hair, getting rid of brassy or yellow tones for an overall more cool-toned look.
Lastly but crucially, do not use purple shampoo if you have just had a toner applied to your hair at the salon. This is because it can strip the toner out of the hair!
The main downside of purple shampoo is that overuse can lead to hair becoming dull, dry, brassy, or even tinted purple/ashy because it deposits pigment and can strip moisture, so it should be used as a treatment (once or twice a week) rather than a daily shampoo, with plenty of conditioning afterward to counteract dryness. It's a toner, not a cleanser, and excessive use can build up, making hair darker or harder for stylists to work with.
The effects of purple shampoo don't last forever, but they can make a noticeable difference in your hair's tone for a few washes, 2-5 shampoos. If your hair is more porous like bleached, damaged, or naturally dry hair, the violet pigments can cling longer, sometimes lingering for up to a week.
My stylist advised that you should do purple shampoo after it's been 3-4 weeks from getting hair highlighted or toned. Then I just use once every other wash, which is once a week. I will do a double cleanse . So I use my regular shampoo 1st , then do the purple for 3-5 minutes , followed by the purple conditioner .
Brassy tones in dyed or bleached hair can fade over time, but they often persist as the underlying warm natural pigments re-emerge with the fading of the dye or toning treatments.
What are the worst shampoos for hair loss?
Using purple shampoo every day can cause your hair to look darker and dull, which is not what you want. Instead, use purple shampoo once or twice a week, depending on your hair's condition and how often you wash it.
If you want the most intense purple toning effects, leave purple shampoo on for an hour, then leave purple conditioner or a purple mask on for another hour. After doing this, you'll hands down get the best yellow neutralizing possible from shampoos and conditioners, WITHOUT drying your hair out.
Purple toner is your bestie for neutralizing yellow hair! This works because purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so it cancels out those brassy tones when applied.
The good news is silver shine pigments are temporary it last one or two washes. If you don't want to wait that long, there are a few steps that you can take to remove the purple pigment from your hair. Shampoo with another non-pigmented shampoo right when you notice too much purple tone in your hair.