Mr Viral
Lighter hair tones are notoriously high-maintenance—and come with the annoying reality check that brassiness is bound to happen. That’s why the best purple shampoos are a necessary first step in your hair-care routine, helping keep your texture healthy and preventing those pesky yellow and orange tinges from dulling your shine. Purple formulas work by depositing violet pigments that neutralize yellow and orange tones, so your color stays bright, cool, and expensive-looking.
While purple shampoos won’t lighten, they can help you maintain and tone the hue you already have, eliminating unwanted brassy hair. Celebrity hairstylist George Papanikolas says to think of it like a sheer lip gloss.” It enhances what’s already there, it doesn’t change the base color,” he says. They’re particularly useful on color-treated hair, whether it’s ashy, icy, blonde-pink, or white gold. But even natural blondes can use these products every once in a while to make their color pop.
And there’s no way you’re going to lather on just any purple-pigmented shampoo after spending good money on a pretty blonde balayage or gray-blending treatment. That’s why we asked hairstylists, colorists, and trusted reviewers which toning shampoos they swear by, like our top overall pick from Amika, which prevents brassiness and is great for all hair types.
Whether you’re a year-round blonde or looking for a right-now brightness boost , these are the best options for blonde and gray shades.
The best purple shampoos, at a glanceBest Overall
Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
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Best for Blonde Hair
Matrix Total Results So Silver Color-Depositing Purple Shampoo
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Best for Gray Hair
Oribe Silverati Shampoo
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Best for Brightening
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
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Best for Curly Hair
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
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We asked real-world testers and stylists to evaluate purple shampoos based on how well they neutralize yellow and orange tones, how hydrating the formula is, and how easily they lather and rinse. We also consulted with hairstylists for their professional insights. We paid special attention to ingredients from color-altering ones like ultra-violet pigments to hydrating ones like hyaluronic acid.
Best Overall: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Strength Repair ShampooOriginal photo from Grace McCarty testing Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
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Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Bond-fortifying technology, ultra-violet pigmentsSize: 9.2 ozPros: Cancels out brassy tones, strengthening formula, works on most hair typesCons: Can be a bit dryingThis ultraviolet shampoo does more than just tone your hair. It also helps repair damage, which blondes and highlighted hair almost always need. The violet pigments neutralize yellow, while the bond-repair technology in the formula helps keep hair from feeling brittle. It works for all hair types and textures, making it our top overall pick.
Tester notes: “In between highlights and living in the Miami sun, my hair can tend to skew brassy. I’m already a huge fan of amika’s hair products because of the highly restorative formulas, and I introduced this sulfate-free purple shampoo to my routine a few months ago. A few general tips I find helpful for my fine highlighted blonde hair: Only use purple shampoo twice a week to avoid going too cool, and mix your regular shampoo with a purple one if you’re nervous your hair is going to absorb too many violet pigments,” says Adrienne Faurote, freelance fashion, beauty, and lifestyle editor.
Best for Blonde Hair: Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo
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Matrix Total Results So Silver Color-Depositing Purple Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, salicylic acid, citric acidSize: 10.1 ozPros: Lathers well, great smell, leaves hair shinyCons: Can be a bit dryingCalling all platinum blondes:his shampoo is about to become your BFF. “For those who want to stay bright and icy-blonde, Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo does the job beautifully,” says Papanikolas. “The violet tones cancel out yellow hues, enhance clarity, and keep the blonde tone looking salon-fresh between appointments without dulling down the color.” If your goal is to rock the bleach blonde all year round, this is a great way to keep things fresh in between visits to your colorist.
Tester notes: I really love the icy silver results it gives my hair. The fragrance is a lovely botanical scent. It has a blueish-purple tone, rather than a reddish-purple tone, which maintains the cool notes in my silver hair,” says Manon Crespi, model and influencer.
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