If you’re new to using purple shampoo, it’s essential to understand how long to leave it in your hair for optimal results.
Leaving it for too long will cause issues. But removing it too quickly will result in wasted work.
The amount of time you leave purple shampoo in your hair depends on your hair type and desired outcome.
So here’s how to go about it.
How Long Does It Take Purple Shampoo to Work?
When using purple shampoo, it is essential to find the right amount of time to leave it in your hair.
It usually takes purple shampoo around 3-7 minutes to work, depending on your hair type and porosity.
Some products work faster, all the way down to a single minute.
To figure out what works best for you, start by leaving it on for the lowest amount of time the bottle recommends.
Remember, the more porous your hair, the faster it will absorb the violet pigment. So, if you have highly porous hair, you may want to shorten the duration to avoid over-toning.
You can always adjust the time in future applications based on your initial results.
Monitor As You Go
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your hair while the purple shampoo is in it. As you monitor the color change, you’ll better understand how long it takes for your hair to achieve the desired cool-toned, vibrant shade.
It’s always better to start with shorter periods and gradually increase if needed.
To make the most out of your purple shampoo experience, use it consistently. This will help you maintain the desired tone, and you can avoid brassiness.
How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo?
Generally, you can use purple shampoo once or twice a week, or every other week if you have fine and light hair.
This depends on how quickly your hair develops brassy tones.
In summary, it might take a bit of trial and error to figure out the perfect timing for purple shampoo. Begin with the recommended time on the bottle and adjust as needed.
Keep an eye on your hair’s color and tone, and use the shampoo regularly to maintain your desired look.
How Long Should You Leave Purple Shampoo In Your Hair?
It’s often recommended to leave purple shampoo in for anywhere between 1-7 minutes during your first use.
Keep track of how long you leave it in during your first use, and adjust the time as needed for future uses.
As you become more familiar with your hair’s response to the purple shampoo, you’ll get a feel for it. You may find that you need to leave it in for a longer or shorter amount of time to reach your desired shade.
Quick Overview of Specific Durations
Here’s how purple shampoo affects your hair depending on the duration.
| Duration | Recommended for | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 minutes | Very light hair, little brassiness, novice users or long-time users | Minimal toning and safe starting point |
| 5 minutes | First-time users or people with brassier hair | Usually a safe starting point to remove brassiness |
| 15 minutes | Anyone looking for more toning effect | Cooler and more vibrant result |
| 30 minutes | Not recommended | Potentially over-toned hair |
| 60 minutes | Not advised | Excessive color removal, unhealthy |
Using Purple Shampoo for 1-3 Minutes
The shortest recommended time to leave purple shampoo in your hair is between 1-3 minutes.
This duration is for people with very light hair, and little brassiness. This is also for you, if you’ve used purple shampoo for a while, and hence don’t have a lot of brassiness left.
Using Purple Shampoo for 5 Minutes
When using purple shampoo for the first time, it’s best to start with a shorter duration of around 5 minutes.
This allows you to test the effectiveness of the shampoo on your hair without risking unwanted purple tones.
While you might not see dramatic results at first, it’s a safe starting point with most purple shampoo.
Apply the shampoo evenly, rinse after 5 minutes, and assess the results. If your hair still looks brassy or yellow, consider gradually increasing the duration during future applications.
Using Purple Shampoo for 15 Minutes
Leaving purple shampoo in your hair for 15 minutes is suitable if you’re looking for a more noticeable toning effect.
Allow the shampoo to work for the full 15 minutes, then rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
While this might give a cooler and more vibrant result, be cautious not to exceed 15 minutes, as it could result in your hair looking dull, dark, or even slightly purple.
This is generally not recommended for people with very light hair colors.
Using Purple Shampoo for 30 Minutes
A 30-minute duration for purple shampoo is generally not recommended.
Leaving the shampoo in your hair for such an extended period can potentially result in over-toning. This results in dull, dark, and sometimes excessively purple hair.
If you feel the need to leave the shampoo for a longer time, it’s crucial to monitor your hair closely during the process. Rinse immediately if you notice any unwanted color changes.
Using Purple Shampoo for 60 Minutes
Leaving purple shampoo in your hair for 60 minutes is not advised at all, as it can lead to excessive color removal and leave your hair with an unwanted color.
It’s also not healthy for your hair.
If you want to do this to change the color of your hair, it’s better to use an actual toner or color treatment.
Duration & Hair Color
Depending on your hair color, thickness, and more, the leave-in time changes.
Below, we’ve written some general guidelines. But remember: it’s always best to start out with the recommended time written on the bottle.
It’s also best to always start out with a shorter duration, so you don’t experience any mishaps.
| Hair Color | Recommended Duration |
|---|---|
| Platinum | 1-5 minutes |
| Gray | 1-5 minutes (up to 10 mins if very yellow) |
| Blonde | 1-7 minutes |
| Brown with lighter highlights/balayage | 3-10 minutes (adjust as needed) |
Purple Shampoo Duration for Platinum Hair
If you have platinum hair, you should be careful not to overdo it with purple shampoo. Leave it in for about 1-5 minutes, just enough time to neutralize the yellow tones.
Remember to check the results after a few minutes to avoid over-toning your hair.
Purple Shampoo Duration for Gray Hair
Gray hair can benefit from purple shampoo as well, as it helps to remove any yellowish tones.
The recommended duration for gray hair is 1-5 minutes, much like platinum and blonde.
If your hair is particularly yellow, you can leave it in a little longer, up to 10 minutes. But don’t overdo it, and always keep an eye on the results.
Purple Shampoo Duration for Blonde Hair
For blonde hair, the ideal duration to leave purple shampoo in is 1-7 minutes. This helps eliminate the brassy tones without making your hair look too ashy.
Make sure to start with a small amount of shampoo and increase the duration if needed, based on your hair’s condition.
Purple Shampoo Duration for Brown Hair
If you have brown hair with lighter highlights or balayage, purple shampoo can be used to remove any unwanted brassy or red tones.
It’s best to leave the shampoo in for a slightly longer duration, about 3-10 minutes.
Make sure to focus on the lighter areas of your hair and adjust the time according to the result you wish to achieve.
Leaving It for Too Long or Short
Purple shampoo is to be used correctly. If you don’t, you may have issues.
If you leave it on for too long, you may experience:
- Driness
- Purple stains
- Dull hair
But if you use it too little, you may not see an effect at all.
What Happens if You Leave Purple Shampoo in Your Hair for Too Long?
If you accidentally leave purple shampoo in your hair for too long, you might end up with purple locks instead of toned-down brassiness.
Moreover, keeping the shampoo on your hair for more than the recommended time, like an hour, can remove an excessive amount of yellow undertones and make your hair look dull and dark—causing an unwanted color.
To avoid such mishaps, you should always follow the recommended time suggested by the product’s manufacturer.
Typically, this ranges between 4 to 7 minutes for first-time users.
You can gradually increase the time if you need more toning effect, but remember to be cautious.
What Happens If You Don’t Leave It in Your Hair Long Enough?
On the other hand, if you don’t leave purple shampoo in your hair long enough, it won’t work as effectively in toning down the unwanted brassiness.
For your first time using purple shampoo, try leaving it on for just two or three minutes to observe how it works on your hair. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes in subsequent applications if you feel it doesn’t provide desired results.
But always read the instructions included with the product, as each product is different.
How to Use Purple Shampoo
Here’s a short guide on how to use purple shampoo.
1. Selecting the Right Purple Shampoo for Your Hair
To use purple shampoo effectively, first, choose the right shampoo for your hair type.
Look for a formula specifically designed for your hair needs, such as color-treated or bleached hair.
Keep in mind that purple shampoos vary in intensity, so if your hair is very brassy, you might want to choose a more concentrated formula.
2. Application and Timing Instructions
Use purple shampoo just like any other shampoo, by lathering it into damp hair. Focus on the areas with the most brassiness or yellow tones.
Be attentive to the duration you leave the shampoo in your hair as described earlier.
3. Rinsing and Conditioning
After the appropriate duration has passed, thoroughly rinse the purple shampoo from your hair with warm water. Remove all traces of the shampoo to avoid any lingering purple tint.
Follow up with a conditioner, preferably one designed for color-treated hair. This will help seal the cuticle and lock in the cool-toned results.
Preventing and Fixing Common Issues
Purple shampoo is a tool to fix a common issue: brassy tones. Here’s a bit more about that.
Avoiding Brassy Tones
To avoid brassy tones in your hair, it’s essential to use purple shampoo the right way.
Start by applying it to wet hair and make sure it’s evenly distributed. Leave it on, depending on the level of brassiness you need to correct.
Remember to follow the instructions on the product and don’t leave it on for too long, or it can over-tone your hair.
Color-Correcting Orange and Yellow Hues
Orange and yellow hues in the hair can be frustrating, but purple shampoo can help color-correct them.
Since purple neutralizes yellow tones, you’ll see an improvement in your hair’s overall color.
Purple shampoo is not be as effective on strong orange tones. In that case, you can use a blue shampoo, which is designed to tackle orange colors.
Addressing Damaged Hair and Breakage
Leaving purple shampoo on your hair for too long, like an hour or more, can damage your hair and cause breakage.
To avoid such an issue, monitor the processing time carefully and don’t exceed the recommended time. If you notice your hair becoming dry, damaged, or experiencing breakage, try using a deep conditioning treatment to help restore some moisture and strength to your strands.
