The main difference is the pigment used for toning: purple shampoo uses violet pigments to cancel out yellow/brassy tones (great for blonde/silver/grey), while "grey" (often blue) or blue-pigmented shampoos target orange tones, making them ideal for darker hair or ashier blondes, with both aiming to neutralize unwanted warmth and keep hair looking cool and bright, though grey hair needs more moisture.
First things first, we want to let you in on a secret — there is no difference between silver shampoo and purple shampoo. Just like purple shampoo, the term silver shampoo refers to a pigmented shampoo that's purple in color and helps neutralize brassy, yellow tones in blonde and silver hair.
Yes -- purple shampoo can make gray and white hair look noticeably better when used correctly. It neutralizes unwanted yellow or brassy tones that dull the natural coolness of gray/white hair, restoring clarity, brightness, and a cleaner silver appearance.
Purple shampoo can be drying, especially for grey hair , which tends to be more porous. Using it too often can lead to dullness or purple cast on grey hair and increased dryness or brittleness, especially if your hair is already fragile. So just use the Olaplex once a week.
Using sulphate-free, grey-friendly products helps maintain shine and avoid brassiness. Hydration is key, as grey hair is naturally coarser and can appear dull. Blending techniques like balayage can ease the transition to natural grey. A healthy scalp promotes healthier-looking grey hair.
It works by removing product buildup and environmental residues that can accentuate gray strands. By tightening the hair cuticles, it also gives hair a smoother texture and a natural shine, making grays less stark.
For a youthful look at 60, opt for warm, soft, blended colors like honey blonde, caramel, warm auburn, or chocolate brown with caramel highlights, which add brightness and soften features, avoiding harsh, solid dark colors or platinum blonde. Adding subtle highlights or lowlights creates dimension, and embracing natural gray with a silver or platinum shade can also be very modern and flattering, especially with a soft, layered cut.
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.
Use two teaspoons of baking soda to two teaspoons of shampoo for long hair. Mix and coat your hair gently from root to tips, leave on hair for around 3 minutes and then rinse thoroughly, you can shampoo again if you feel you want to get all the baking soda out, and then do the QSH mask.
In gray hair care, the only time you need to use purple shampoo is if your hair has permanent yellowing. It won't remove the permanent yellowing but will reduce its appearance. What Happens If You Use It Too Often? You don't want to use it more than once a week, as it can give your hair a lilac tinge.
Certification Details
If your hair has more orange or brassy tones, you will need the Purple version. If you have more yellow undertones, you'll need blue or silver. Purple also works for gray hair and was the reason Clairol invented purple shampoo way back when. If you can't figure it out, ask your colorist or just experiment.
Our Top Purple Shampoos
By: Kenra Professional
In order to get the glossy silver hair of your dreams, you will first have to lighten your hair to an almost white blonde before you can add in your soft, silver tones. If you are an at-home beauty enthusiast, you may want to leave this dye job to the professionals.
Also known as a purple shampoo, silver shampoos like L'Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Silver Shampoo, contain a deep purple pigment that act as an anti-yellowing agent to counteract hair brassiness.
HOW TO ENHANCE NATURAL GREY HAIR
Korean grey hair treatments focus on nourishing the scalp, using natural ingredients like ginseng to boost melanin (like WT Methode or Daeng Gi Meo Ri) for potential color restoration, or employing pigmented shampoos (like Moda Moda or Ryo) for temporary darkening, often avoiding harsh chemicals for gentle coverage, alongside general hair health via oils, serums, and toning. While no magic cure reverses all gray, these K-beauty approaches manage premature graying and maintain color naturally.
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.
What are the worst shampoos for hair loss?
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.
THE 9 BEST HAIRCUTS FOR WOMEN OVER 60
As you age, hair often gets lighter (due to graying) or may need to be lightened to look more youthful, as very dark colors can create harsh contrasts, accentuating wrinkles and shadows on mature skin; adding softness and warmth with lighter tones, highlights, or multi-dimensional browns/blondes is generally more flattering and rejuvenating. The key is to choose colors that harmonize with your current skin tone, not your skin tone from decades past.