Purple shampoo is known for its ability to neutralize unwanted yellow tones on lightened hair, thanks to the purple pigment it contains.

This unique property makes it a popular choice for maintaining cool, vibrant hair, especially for those with lighter shades.

Now, you might assume that because purple shampoo can counteract yellow tones, it could also lighten your hair.

But, it’s important to understand that purple shampoo doesn’t actually contain any lightening agents.

Consequently, it won’t be able to change the level of your hair color. Rather, by cancelling out darker, yellowish hues in your hair, it helps to create the illusion of lighter hair.

So, while purple shampoo won’t physically lighten your hair, it can contribute to a brighter appearance that you may be seeking.

Understanding Purple Shampoo

What Is Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo is a special type of shampoo designed for those with blonde or lightened hair. It contains purple pigments that help to neutralize unwanted yellow tones in your hair.

Don’t worry, though; using purple shampoo won’t turn your hair purple.

Color Theory and the Color Wheel

To understand how purple shampoo works, you need to know a bit about color theory and the color wheel. The wheel consists of primary colors (red, blue, yellow) and secondary colors created by mixing them.

In this case, purple (violet) is on the opposite side of the color wheel from yellow.

Colors that sit across from each other on the color wheel are called complementary colors. They help cancel out each other’s tones. That means when you use purple shampoo, the violet pigments in it work to neutralize yellow tones in your color-treated hair.

The Real Purpose of Purple Shampoo

The primary goal of purple shampoo is not to lighten your hair but to maintain the coolness or brightness of blonde, silver, or platinum hair. It keeps your color looking fresh and natural by neutralizing yellow and brassy tones.

This way, your color-treated hair remains vibrant and tone-intensive for a longer period.

Remember, purple shampoo is more about maintaining the right color balance in your hair, rather than making it lighter.

For lightening purposes, you might need to consult a professional stylist or use other products. Keep it brief, friendly, and easy to understand.

Also read: How to tone hair with purple shampoo

Does Purple Shampoo Lighten Your Hair?

No, purple shampoo does not lighten your hair, as it contains no lightening agents. It is usually used on blonde or bleached hair to remove unwanted yellow tones.

Purple Shampoo Lightening Properties

You might be wondering if purple shampoo can lighten your hair.

Although purple shampoo doesn’t have any lightening agents, it can actually make your hair look lighter.

When you use purple shampoo, it cancels out the darker yellowish tones in your hair, revealing icy platinum tones. This gives the illusion of having lighter hair without actually changing the level of your hair color.

Toning Properties of Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo is beneficial for toning and neutralizing unwanted brassy or yellow hues in your hair. It works best on color-treated or natural hair ranging from blonde to gray and white shades.

You might find purple shampoo helpful for maintaining the vibrancy and cool tones of your hair, but it won’t actually alter its level of color or lighten your hair on a permanent basis.

Neutralizing Brassy Tones

If you’ve been using too much purple shampoo, don’t worry. Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy tones, not make your hair darker. However, if you keep leaving the purple shampoo on for too long, it might give your hair a slight purple tint.

To avoid this, make sure you follow the recommended instructions for how long to leave purple shampoo in your hair.

When using purple shampoo, remember that it works to neutralize brassy tones, making your hair appear lighter and cooler.

Instead of thinking about purple shampoo as a hair-lightening product, consider it as a toning and maintenance product to keep your hair looking vibrant and fresh.

Purple Shampoo Effects for Different Hair Types

Hair Color	Purple Shampoo Benefits	How Often to Use
Blonde Hair	Neutralizes yellow and brassy tones, maintains vibrant shade	Once or twice a week
Bleached Hair	Tones down brassiness, maintains brightness	Once or twice a week
Brown/Dark Hair	No significant effect on color. May help with brassiness on lighter highlights	Depends on situation
Silver/Gray Hair	Combats yellow tones, maintains brightness	Once or twice a week
Colored Hair	Not recommended, use color-safe shampoos/conditioners	As directed for specific product

Blonde Hair

Purple shampoo works wonders for blonde hair, as it neutralizes yellow and brassy tones. You can use it once or twice a week to maintain a cool and vibrant blonde shade. It’s perfect for both natural and dyed blondes, but remember that it won’t make your hair lighter.

Bleached Hair

After bleaching, hair can often develop unwanted warm tones. Purple shampoo combats that by toning down the brassiness while maintaining the brightness of your bleached hair.

Just like with blonde hair, incorporate it into your hair care routine one or two times a week.

Please note that you should not mix bleach and purple shampoo.

Brown and Dark Hair

Purple shampoo isn’t great for brown and dark hair because it won’t have an obvious effect on the color. It might help with some brassiness if you have lighter highlights, but overall, it won’t lighten the hair or provide a significant change.

Silver and Gray Hair

People with silver and gray hair can benefit from using purple shampoo. Just like with blonde hair, it combats yellow tones and keeps your silver or gray looking bright and cool. Use it once or twice a week to maintain the desired effect.

Colored Hair

For those with unique hair colors like reds, pastels, and other colored shades, purple shampoo may not be beneficial. It is specifically designed to tackle brassy hues in blonde, silver, and gray hair.

If you’re looking to tone and maintain your vivid hair color, there are other color-safe shampoos and conditioners available.

Potential Issues and Solutions

As with many other hair products, purple shampoo does come with its don’ts. If your purple shampoo isn’t working, here are a few of the most common issues.

Overusing Purple Shampoo

Using purple shampoo too often can cause build-up, making your hair look dull and darker. It is recommended to use purple shampoo once or twice a week to prevent overuse.

If you notice your hair becoming dull, consider reducing the frequency of your purple shampoo use and incorporate a clarifying shampoo to remove any excess buildup.

Porous and Over-processed Hair

When you bleach your hair, it becomes porous and prone to damage. This can lead to dullness, brassiness, and yellowish undertones.

To protect your locks, consider using a deep conditioner or hair mask specifically designed for color-treated or damaged hair. This will help lock in moisture and provide protection against further processing.

Choosing the Right Product

Not all purple shampoos are created equal. When choosing the right product for your hair, look for one that is designed to remove dirt, oil, and debris, along with neutralizing those unwanted yellow tones.

It’s also helpful to find a shampoo that has nourishing ingredients like hair care oils or proteins to help maintain and improve the condition of your hair. Experiment with different brands and formulations to find the one that works best for you.

Remember, purple shampoo cannot make your hair lighter, but it can help to neutralize brassy tones and provide a cooler, more vibrant appearance.

Alternative Solutions For Toning

Actual Toners

Actual toners can help neutralize unwanted yellow tones, and are great for lightened hair. Toners can combat warmth in your dyed hair, making it look more ashy or beige.

The benefits of using a toner include better color correction and a more even result.

To use a toner, you simply need to apply it to damp hair, massage it in, and let it absorb before rinsing.

Toning Shampoo

One alternative to using actual toners is to use a toning shampoo. Like a regular shampoo, you can use this to cleanse your hair during your shower routine.

However, toning shampoos are designed to reduce unwanted yellow tones in lightened or dyed hair. By using a toning shampoo, you can keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy.

For best results, be sure to combine the use of toning shampoo with a clarifying shampoo. This will help remove buildup from hair products, allowing for better absorption of the toning properties.

Additionally, it may be helpful to leave the shampoo on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing. This will allow the product to penetrate the cuticle and do its job more effectively.

Alternatives to Lighten Your Hair

Some alternatives to lighten hair include:

Bleaching: This is a chemical process that removes the natural pigment from hair, resulting in lighter hair. It is a more permanent solution than using purple shampoo.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is a natural way to lighten hair. It contains citric acid, which can bleach hair when exposed to sunlight.
Honey: Honey has natural bleaching properties and can lighten hair over time. It is also a natural conditioner and can leave hair feeling soft and smooth.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea can lighten hair naturally and is a gentle alternative to harsh chemicals. It works best on lighter hair colors.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is a common household item that can be used to lighten hair. It should be used with caution and in moderation, as it can be damaging to hair if overused.

It is important to note that these alternatives may not work for everyone and can have varying results.

It is best to consult a professional stylist before attempting to lighten hair at home.

Key Takeaway: Will Purple Shampoo Lighten Your Hair?

No, purple shampoo will not lighten hair in a traditional sense. It contains purple pigments that neutralize unwanted yellow tones in lightened hair, but it does not contain any lightening agents.

When that’s said, it can make your hair appear lighter, after the yellow tones have been removed.

Purple shampoo is designed to maintain the coolness or brightness of blonde, silver, or platinum hair, and it helps create the illusion of lighter hair by canceling out darker, yellowish hues.