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You’ve probably heard about the magic of purple shampoo and its ability to keep blonde, silver, and highlighted hair looking fresh and vibrant. But using it the wrong way can lead to dull, overly ashy, or even patchy purple strands. While purple shampoo is a powerful tool for neutralizing brassiness, many people make common mistakes, like leaving it on too long, using it too often, or applying it incorrectly. We’ll guide you exactly how to use purple shampoo the right way so you can maintain salon-fresh hair without unwanted surprises.
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How to use purple shampoo: Step-by-step guide
Follow these simple steps to ensure your hair stays bright, brass-free, and beautiful.
Step 1. Wet your hair
Before reaching for your purple shampoo, wet your hair first. Warm water helps open up the hair cuticle and enables the purple pigments to absorb better as well as work their magic on those brassy tones.
Step 2. Lather, but don’t overdo it
Use a small amount of purple shampoo to your hands and work it into a lather. Focus on areas prone to brassiness like the top layers and around the face. Do not use too much product, as this can lead to uneven toning.
Step 3. Time it right
Let the shampoo sit on your hair for 2-5 minutes. If your hair is very brassy, you can leave it on a bit longer, but be careful as too much time can lead to unwanted purple or grayish hues.
Step 4. Rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water
Once the time is up, rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water. This helps seal the hair cuticle and lock in the toning effects. Leaving any shampoo residue can cause uneven color and dryness.
Step 5. Follow with a hydrating conditioner
Purple shampoo can be drying, so always follow up with a deep conditioner or a moisturizing hair mask. This will keep your hair soft, shiny, and healthy while maintaining the bright, cool tones.
Step 6. Use it wisely
Overusing purple shampoo can lead to a dull, overly ashy look. For most people, using it once or twice a week is enough. If you notice your hair getting too cool-toned, switch back to your regular shampoo to balance things out.
How often to use purple shampoo
For most silver-haired beauties, and those with highlights, using purple shampoo once or twice a week is enough to maintain a cool-toned look. If your hair starts looking dull or overly ashy, you may be using it too often because purple shampoo is a toner, not a daily cleanser, and overuse can lead to dryness or an unwanted purple tint.
If your hair tends to get brassy quickly, you can adjust your routine by incorporating purple shampoo more frequently, but it’s best to alternate with a regular shampoo to keep your strands healthy. For those with very light or platinum hair, leaving the shampoo on for too long or using it too often can lead to a silvery or violet cast so always start slow and build up as needed.
Mistakes to avoid when using purple shampoo
By avoiding these mistakes and following the right routine, you can keep your blonde or silver hair looking fresh and free from brassiness!
Mistake 1. Leaving it on too long
While it might be tempting to let purple shampoo sit for an extra-long time to maximize toning, this can backfire. Leaving it on for too long can result in an overly ashy, dull, or even slightly purple tint especially if you have very light blonde or platinum hair. It's advised to start with the recommended time (2-5 minutes), and adjust based on your hair’s needs.
Mistake 2. Using it too often
Purple shampoo is a powerful toner, but that doesn’t mean it should replace your regular shampoo. Overuse can lead to a buildup of purple pigments and makes your hair look dull or slightly grayish. Most people only need to use it once or twice a week. If your hair starts looking too cool-toned, take a break and switch back to your regular shampoo for a few washes.
Mistake 3. Applying it to dry hair
Some people believe applying purple shampoo to dry hair makes it work faster or more effectively, but this can cause uneven absorption. You can choose to apply purple shampoo to wet hair so the pigments distribute evenly and tone your hair correctly.
Mistake 4. Skipping moisture & aftercare
Purple shampoo can be drying, so following up with a hydrating conditioner or hair mask is key. For the best results, use a high-quality ionic hair dryer like the Laifen Swift Special, which helps reduce frizz and locks in moisture while drying your hair quickly and evenly.
How to use purple shampoo as toner
Purple shampoo can also double as a toner to give your blonde, silver, or highlighted hair a fresh, salon-like refresh between appointments. When used as a toner, purple shampoo works by depositing violet pigments onto the hair to neutralize yellow undertones and restore a brighter shade.
After your toning session, rinse with ukewarm water to seal the hair cuticle and lock in the toning effect. Because this method can be more intense than a standard wash, it’s important to follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask to restore moisture and keep your hair soft and shiny. It’s best to do this process only when your hair starts looking overly warm usually every 2-3 weeks.
