Using purple shampoo every day can lead to dullness, dryness, and an unwanted purple or ashy tint, especially on light or damaged hair, as it's a toning treatment, not a daily cleanser, meant for occasional use (1-2 times weekly) to neutralize brassiness. Overuse can cause pigment buildup, making hair look darker and murkier, while its often alkaline formula can strip moisture and swell the cuticle.
So, does purple shampoo damage hair? The answer is no. The pigmented formula coats hair strands in a temporary tint that balances out yellow undertones without affecting the internal bonds. But, as with all shampoos, there are good and not-so-good formulas, each offering different results for your hair type.
``Contrary to popular belief, purple shampoo doesn't actually lighten your hair,'' says Mondo. ``Instead, it deposits purple pigments to neutralize warm tones, making it appear brighter,'' he adds.
How long does it take to see results from purple shampoo. 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.
Purple shampoo just basically helps to reinforce tone and minimize brass over time as you wash your hair, it's not designed to immediately tone your hair. Some people will mix it with a developer and use it as a toner, which can sometimes work, but it's not designed that way.
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.
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.
How to use purple shampoo
At its core, purple shampoo is a specially pigmented cleanser meticulously designed for blondes to actively neutralize and powerfully eliminate unwanted brassy, yellow undertones.
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.
If your hair is on the yellowish-orange end of the spectrum, purple shampoo can help. Like blue shampoo, purple shampoo is another at-home option with color pigments formulated to counteract brassy yellow tones in color-treated hair.
Rinse with cool water
After rinsing, you'll finish by applying a conditioner to moisturize your hair. You may notice that purple conditioners are available. However, you should only use a purple conditioner with your purple shampoo if you want a pale hair color or ashy tone.
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. Always pair with a purple conditioner. Purple shampoo tones, but it can leave hair feeling slightly dry if used alone.
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.
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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.
When using purple shampoo, you don't technically have to use a regular shampoo alongside it. However, if you take the double cleanse approach, Devin Graciano, hair stylist and head of product development at Goldie Locks says the best approach is to first use a regular shampoo and then follow up with the purple shampoo.
Our Top Purple Shampoos
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!
Purple shampoo is for those with light hair, achieved in a salon or natural, such as blonde, platinum, silver/gray, white or pastel. Because it's designed for light colored hair, if you're brunette, you won't see any results. Brunettes should use a blue-based shampoo if the goal is cool-toned hair color.
How to get rid of yellow and orange tones in your hair
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.
Blondes in Yellow 💛