Diving into the world of hair care products, you might have come across purple conditioner.
The thing is, it’s not suitable for everyone. So if you’re wondering it you should use it, then good news. That’s what we’ll cover in this article.
Now, everyone can “use” it. But when we ask the question of “who can use it”, we mean who’ll benefit from the purple pigments in the conditioner.
So lets dive in.
The Basics of Purple Conditioner
To answer the question described above, we’ll have to dive into how purple conditioner works. Where the magic comes from. The purple pigments and why they work.
The Color Wheel
You might remember the color wheel from art class. Purple is opposite from yellow on the color wheel, meaning purple conditioner can counteract yellow tones in blonde hair.
This helps keep your blonde color looking fresh and radiant, and avoids brassiness.
How It Works
Purple conditioner works like a regular conditioner, but with added violet pigments. When you use it on your hair, the purple pigment neutralizes yellow tones that develop in our hair over time.
To get the best results, the purple conditioner needs to sit to let the pigments penetrate your hair. But won’t this make your hair purple?
No. The potency of most purple conditioners is relatively weak. Most brands claim that you can use their product every day, without staining your hair.
If you know about purple shampoo, you’ll know it’s a different story there.
Who Should Use Purple Conditioner?
Because purple shampoo combats yellow tones, it’s used by blondes or people with lighter hair colors. That means blonde, pearl, platinum, gray, and so on.
This is because unwanted yellow tones are more prone to develop in these hair colors. If you’re unsure whether you’re on this list, we’ve described everything below.
| Hair Type | Benefits of Purple Conditioner |
|---|---|
| Light Color-Treated Hair | Maintains vibrancy of color and counteracts yellow or orange tones |
| Natural Blondes | Neutralizes unwanted yellow tones and enhances blonde color |
| Natural Grays | Restores original icy hue and keeps gray hair looking fresh |
| Natural Whites | Maintains bright and clean look for white hair |
| Light Highlights & Balayage | Helps keep highlights looking fresh and vibrant without damaging the rest of the hair |
Remember that the effect of purple conditioner vary based on hair type, color, and porosity. Experiment with different purple conditioners and ask a professional colorist for advice.
Light Color-Treated Hair
If you have light color-treated hair, purple conditioner is a must-have. It helps maintain the vibrancy of your color and counteract any yellow or orange tones that might develop over time.
Whether you have dyed your hair platinum blonde or got a subtle color refresh, purple conditioner can keep your locks looking their best.
Natural Blondes
True to its name, purple conditioner is a great friend to natural blondes. That is no matter what shade you have.
Even if your hair is not color-treated, the purple tint in the conditioner can neutralize unwanted yellow tones. This helps to enhance your blonde color, making it look brighter and more vibrant.
Natural Grays
People with gray hair can also greatly benefit from using purple conditioner. Just like blonde hair, gray can become yellow or dull over time due to various factors like pollution, water minerals, and sunlight.
Using a purple conditioner on your gray hair can help restore its original, icy hue, and keep it looking fresh.
Natural Whites
Having a head full of natural white hair is pretty impressive, but maintaining it is not the easiest task. The white color can easily pick up unwanted tones, making it appear yellowish or dingy.
To prevent this, use a purple conditioner to maintain a bright and clean look for your white hair.
Consult with a professional colorist for advice on how often you should use purple conditioner based on your hair type.
Light Highlights & Balayage
Purple conditioner can also work if you’ve opted for light highlights or balayage on brunette, brown, or even darker hair.
While it’s more commonly used for blonde hair, these lighter sections in your hair may experience brassiness or color shifts, just like blondes do.
Use a purple conditioner can help keep your highlights looking fresh and vibrant, without causing any damage to the rest of your hair.
Remember that purple conditioner is not a one-size-fits-all product, and the results can vary depending on your hair type, hair color, and porosity. Experiment with different purple conditioners, and consulting with your colorist to find the best one for your specific needs.
Benefits of Purple Conditioner
Purple conditioner has many benefits. For one, it’s a conditioner. It adds moisture, keeps your hair soft, and makes it easy to detangle. Second, the purple pigments offer a whole other array of benefits:
- Neutralizes brassiness and yellow tones to keep your hair color on point.
- Enhances shine for a glossy finish.
- Adds moisture for hair and scalp health.
Neutralizes Brassiness and Yellow Tones
Purple conditioner proves to be an essential product if you want to neutralize brassiness and yellow tones in your hair. It is perfect for those with blonde hair, highlights, or gray hair.
Using it regularly can help keep your hair color fresh and vibrant, especially if you have lighter shades or are prone to seeing brassy tones due to sun exposure.
Enhances Shine and Vibrancy
In addition to neutralizing unwanted hues, purple conditioner enhances shine and vibrancy in your hair.
The violet pigments work on different hair types – blonde, gray, or highlighted – to refresh their color and bring out a more ashy, cooler tone. It also helps in maintaining the desired color for longer periods.
By using purple conditioner on darker hair, you can ensure your highlights stand out more and don’t blend in with the base color.
Moisturizes Hair and Scalp
Purple conditioner doesn’t solely focus on color; it also benefits the overall health of your hair. Ingredients such as shea butter, proteins, and keratin provide deep moisturizing, ensuring softness and smoothness for both your hair and scalp.
This allows your hair to stay healthy and resilient despite color treatments, heat styling, and other potential damage sources.
Who Should Not Use Purple Conditioner?
By now, you know that purple shampoo is for blondes. But what about those with brown, black, or red hair?
While purple conditioner doesn’t have significant color-altering benefits for these hair colors, it can still provide conditioning and moisturizing benefits.
Here’s an overview:
| Hair Color | Benefits of Purple Conditioner |
|---|---|
| Brown | No color-altering effects, but still nourishes and moisturizes hair |
| Black | No color-correcting properties, but effective in conditioning hair |
| Dark Red | Minimal color-neutralizing effects, consider a product for red hair maintenance |
| Other Dark Colors | Not the best choice, mainly intended for blonde and gray hair. Still provides nourishment to hair. |
Brown Hair
If you have brown hair, you’re not likely to see any color-altering benefits from using purple conditioner. The main purpose of this product is to neutralize brassy tones in blonde and gray hair.
While the conditioner will still nourish and moisturize your hair, you won’t get the brassiness-neutralizing effects that lighter-haired individuals experience.
Black Hair
Similar to those with brown hair, people with black hair won’t benefit from the color-correcting properties of purple conditioner. The purple pigments are designed specifically for lighter hair colors and don’t have the same effect on dark hair.
But don’t worry, the conditioning aspect of the product will still be effective in keeping your hair smooth and hydrated.
Dark Red Hair
For dark red hair, purple conditioner may not be your best option. While the product is still able to condition and moisturize, the color-neutralizing effects are minimal on dark red hair.
Instead, look for a shampoo and conditioner specifically tailored to maintaining the rich tones of red hair.
Other Dark Hair Colors
If you have any other dark hair colors like deep burgundy or violet, purple conditioner may not be the best choice for you.
It’s mainly intended for those with blonde and gray hair, as the purple pigments work most effectively in neutralizing brassiness in lighter hair colors.
Your hair can still benefit from the nourishing properties of the conditioner, so it’s up to you whether you’d like to give it a try or opt for a product specifically designed for your hair color.
Why Purple Conditioner Won’t Work on Dark Hair
Purple conditioner is a fantastic product that can do wonders for your hair, but it’s important to understand that it might not be suitable for everyone.
But as explained, if you have dark hair, this product won’t give you the desired results.
The pigments works due to color theory: purple is opposite to yellow on the color wheel. When you use a purple conditioner on hair with yellow tones, it effectively cancels out the brassiness.
Dark hair has more natural pigments, which makes it difficult for the purple color to counteract the unwanted undertones. The purple pigment in the conditioner is simply not strong enough to impact your dark hair.
But fear not. There are products for brunettes as well: blue shampoo and conditioner.
These are products, similar to purple shampoo and conditioner, but designed for brunettes. If you look at the color wheel, blue is opposite from orange. And dark-haired people tend to develop orange brassy tones.
So if you have dark hair, skip the purple and go for blue.
Final Takeaway: Who Can Use Purple Conditioner
You might wonder who can benefit from using purple conditioner. Everyone can use purple conditioner, but it’s specifically designed to help blonde or light-haired people combat brassiness.
Brunettes or those with dark hair won’t see the toning effects, as it is targeted towards light shades. If that’s you, you will still benefit from the nourishing qualities.
So, if you have blonde or lighter hair, purple conditioner could be an excellent addition to your hair care routine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does purple conditioner also work as a toner?
Yes, purple conditioner can work as a toner for your blonde hair. It helps neutralize yellow and brassy tones, restoring your hair to a cooler blonde shade. When using a purple conditioner, remember to follow the instructions and leave it on for the recommended amount of time, which is usually 1-3 minutes.
Can undyed hair benefit from purple conditioner?
If your hair is naturally blonde or highlighted, you can definitely benefit from using purple conditioner. It will help combat unwanted warm or brassy tones that may appear in your blonde hair due to factors such as heat, sun exposure, and product build-up. By using a purple conditioner, you’ll help keep your hair looking vibrant and bright.
Is purple conditioner suitable for brunettes?
Purple conditioner is primarily designed for blonde and silver hair tones. However, if you’re a brunette with blonde highlights or balayage, using a purple conditioner can help maintain the lighter sections of your hair by neutralizing brassy and yellow tones. It may not have a significant impact on the darker portions of your hair, but it’s worth a try if you want to preserve the brightness of your highlights.
