For yellow tones, leave purple shampoo on for 2-5 minutes for subtle toning, but up to 10 minutes or more for stronger, cooler results, depending on hair porosity and desired intensity; always set a timer and condition well afterward, as leaving it too long can tint hair purple.
Unless you have white hair or gray hair, you shouldn't leave the purple shampoo on for longer than 15 minutes at a time. If you're already leaving the shampoo on for less than 15 minutes and you're noticing a purple tone, then try leaving the product on for even less time.
The Dangers of Purple Shampoo: If you leave it on too long, it WILL make your blonde darker. We never suggest more than three minutes max, unless you dilute it with your daily shampoo. If you use it as you're only shampoo, your hair WILL dry out and become brittle.
If your hair has mild yellowing, just one wash can make a visible difference. For deeper brassiness, it may take a few uses over a week to fully neutralize warm tones. The key is to let the shampoo sit for the right amount of time, like 3 to 5 minutes for maintenance or up to 10 minutes for stronger toning.
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 Maintain Blonde 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.
If your bleached hair looks more yellow than orange, you'll need a purple toning shampoo to neutralise the yellow. If your hair's turned orange, you'll need a blue toning shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.
Purple shampoo should be applied in the shower or during a hair wash. While your hair is wet, apply the shampoo and lather it onto your hair.
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.
Leaving it on for too long can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and potential damage. The key is to strike a balance that allows the shampoo to do its job effectively without overexposure. While some might think a longer duration equals better cleanliness, this is a misconception.
Using Purple Shampoo Like a Pro
Lather in purple shampoo like your usual one—but focus on the brassiest areas. Leave it in for 2–5 mins if you're new. Up to 15 mins if your hair is really brassy or coarse. Rinse and follow with a rich conditioner or hydrating mask.
As we discussed, yellow is opposite purple, and orange/red is opposite blue. This means to neutralize unwanted yellow tones, you need purple. This is why purple shampoo is your best friend in the fight against brassiness.
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.
However, if you want to rid your hair of any yellow tones, it is best to wait at least 72 hours before you wash your hair with purple shampoo to give your hair time to set with the treatment.
A bleach bath typically lifts hair 1 to 3 levels, offering a gentler lift than traditional bleaching by diluting bleach with shampoo and applying it to wet hair, making it great for removing toner, correcting color, or subtle lightening, though results vary based on your starting hair color, porosity, and developer strength.
But even after a bleach that has first created a cooler result, the hair will gradually get a warmer, yellow tone. This can be due both to the fact that no hair color lasts forever, but also due to the oxidation that occurs when hair is exposed to sunlight in combination with oxygen.
The truth is: purple shampoo itself doesn't cause hair loss, but the wrong formula or overuse might contribute to other issues that lead to breakage or increased shedding. Here's what to watch out for: Dryness from harsh ingredients or over-toning. Buildup on the scalp if the product isn't rinsed properly.
At its core, purple shampoo is a specially pigmented cleanser meticulously designed for blondes to actively neutralize and powerfully eliminate unwanted brassy, yellow undertones. Think of it as your secret weapon, your personalized at-home toner.
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.
The hardest colors to get out of hair are often black, due to its density and the way it's applied to cover underlying tones, and blue, especially direct dyes, because its molecules are stubborn and can fade to a difficult-to-remove green or mint. Red is also notoriously tough because its large molecules are difficult to lift, even though it fades quickly, leaving behind unwanted warm undertones.
Don't re-bleach your hair, it can cause damage. Instead, try using a purple shampoo and conditioner to tone down the orange/yellow. If you want to achieve a silver blonde grey color, consider using an ash blonde toner.
Toner. The first option is to use a toner. This is a second color process that adds the neutralizing pigment (purple) to the hair to cancel out the unwanted yellow.