Here’s the answers to your questions about purple shampoos and how to use them on natural blonde hair!
You’ve got that dazzling natural blonde hair that others would kill for, but keeping it looking its best can sometimes feel like a full-time job, right?
Blonde hair tends to get brassy over time, and the golden locks you love can start to look a little lackluster.
You’ve probably tried a bunch of different products and home remedies, with little to no success. The brassiness just keeps coming back!
Well, that’s where purple shampoo comes in!
It’s a secret weapon many blondes swear by (myself included!) to keep their hair looking fresh, vibrant, and most importantly, blonde.
In this article, we’ll take a look at purple shampoos. What are they? How do they work? Plus I’ll give you tips for using them on your natural blonde hair.
So, say goodbye to brassiness and hello to radiant locks!
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What is Purple Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is a specific type of toning shampoo that is designed specifically for blonde hair. It contains purple pigments that work to cancel out unwanted brassy, orange, and yellow tones in the hair.
Before diving deeper into purple shampoo, though, let’s chat about why blonde hair can turn brassy in the first place.
Despite what you might think, it’s not some kind of blonde hair rebellion against you! It actually boils down to basic color theory and hair chemistry.
Your hair is like a thirsty, color-loving sponge that can’t resist soaking up minerals, pollution, and even fancy shampoo.
Let me explain.
Your hair has pigments – eumelanin for black and brown shades, and pheomelanin for yellow and red tones.
As natural blondes, we have less eumelanin and more pheomelanin. So when our hair absorbs minerals and pollutants, pheomelanin shows up, leading to brassy tones.
It’s like a surprise party where the color isn’t what we wanted.
Also, let’s not forget about hard water – water high in mineral content – which can also lead to brassiness or orange tones by depositing excess minerals onto your hair.
And if you’re a heat-styling addict (no judgment here, I love a good curl too), that can also be a contributing factor to your hair looking more like a murky brass instrument than the golden blonde you desire.
So, while it might feel personal, lots of blondies are battling the brass just like you.
Luckily, that’s where purple shampoo comes in to save the day! But why purple?
Well, it’s all about color theory, really. Purple is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, so when applied to blonde hair, it neutralizes any brassy tones and leaves behind a cool, ashy blonde shade.
The purple pigments in the shampoo have a unique property of selectively targeting the yellow undertones in the hair, effectively diminishing their appearance. This helps to achieve a more vibrant and even hair color, enhancing the overall blonde look.

Purple shampoo is also formulated with nourishing ingredients that help to maintain the health and integrity of the hair. It helps to keep the hair moisturized, smooth, and shiny, while also protecting it from environmental stressors.
So, if you’re a blonde looking to maintain that perfect shade, purple shampoo is a must-have in your hair care routine.
It not only helps to keep your hair looking nice and vibrant, but also ensures that your blonde locks stay free from any unwanted brassy or yellow tones.
I love to use purple shampoo in the summertime! I think it brings my color back to life with the warm weather, without having to dye my hair.
How Does Purple Shampoo Work?
Don’t worry, purple shampoo doesn’t color your hair. It won’t turn your hair purple, blonde, or any other color.
Instead, purple shampoo is a toning product designed to help maintain the color of blonde hair and reduce brassiness. Purple shampoo contains violet pigments that work to counteract yellow tones in blonde hair.
These violet pigments are large and cannot penetrate the hair shaft – meaning they only rest on the surface of the hair and don’t alter its structure or color.
When you use purple shampoo, these violet pigments deposit onto your hair strands and neutralize the yellow by absorbing the light and reflecting back a cooler color. This process is known as subtractive color mixing.
While purple shampoo can make your existing blonde hair look better, it doesn’t have the power to lighten darker hair. There are different methods for lightening hair.
It’s all about enhancing and maintaining, not transforming. Remember, its role is to fine-tune and brighten your blonde, not to dye or color your hair.
Plus, purple shampoos also gently cleanse your hair, just like any other shampoo. So you’re not just keeping your blonde hair bright and brass-free—you’re also keeping it clean and healthy!
It’s a win-win, right?
Can You Use Purple Shampoo on Natural Blonde Hair?
If you have naturally blonde hair, you definitely can use purple shampoo. I myself am a natural blonde and I use it just fine from time to time!
Natural blonde hair, just like color treated hair, can develop brassy or yellow tones over time due to exposure to sunlight, heat styling, or water minerals.
Try using a purple shampoo once a week to keep your natural blonde hair fresh and vibrant!
Plus, it will provide added toning benefits without damaging your hair because, again, the purple pigment in purple shampoo only rests on the surface of the hair.
So even if you don’t color your hair, using a purple shampoo can be a great way to maintain its natural blonde color and keep it looking bright and beautiful.

How to Use Purple Shampoo
Using purple shampoo is as simple as using regular shampoo and can easily be incorporated into your hair care routine.
First, wet your hair thoroughly in the shower.
Next, apply a small amount of purple shampoo to your hands and massage it gently onto your scalp and through the lengths of your hair. I only apply shampoo to my roots, but since we’re coloring our whole head this is an exception.
Leave purple shampoo on wet hair for 3-5 minutes to allow the pigments to work their magic. I like to double wash my hair for ultimate cleanliness. After that, rinse thoroughly and follow up with your regular conditioner.
For best results, use purple shampoo once a week, or every other week depending on your hair’s needs. Use your regular shampoo when you are not using purple shampoo.
If you’re ready to give purple shampoo a try, this one by Innersense is the best purple shampoo!
They’re my favorite hair care brand and their purple shampoo works wonders on natural blonde hair. The scent is lovely and always leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s pretty much the lowdown on purple shampoo!
But I know you might still have a few questions, so, let’s dive right into some of the most frequently asked questions about using purple shampoo.
Does Purple Shampoo Make Natural Blonde Hair Lighter?
No, purple shampoo does not make natural blonde hair lighter. But there are other shampoos that help lighten hair! This article on the best shampoos for colored hair have some options.
Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy and yellow tones, but it will not lighten your hair color.
How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo on Natural Blonde Hair?
Natural blondes should use purple shampoo once a week, or every other week depending on your hair’s needs.
Too much purple shampoo can cause your hair to become overly toned and appear dull. So it might take some time to find a happy medium!
Does Purple Shampoo Work on Undyed Hair?
Yes, purple shampoo can still provide toning benefits for natural blondes and undyed hair.
It can help neutralize any yellow or brassy tones that may occur naturally in blonde hair and keep it looking vibrant and fresh.
Just be sure to use it sparingly so as not to over-tone your hair.
What Happens When You Tone Natural Blonde Hair?
Toning natural blonde hair is a process that involves neutralizing and balancing out any unwanted tones in the hair.
In this case, purple shampoo helps to cancel out brassy and yellow tones in natural blondes, leaving you with a cooler, more ashy blonde. It can also add shine and brightness to your hair.
Before You Go…
Are you wondering which natural shampoo you should use for your colored treated hair? (I mean, besides purple…)
No worries! I’ve got you covered!
I’ve got the top 6 natural shampoos for colored hair that are actually not toxic! This post is packed with all the essential info you need to keep your colored hair looking vibrant and beautiful.
Trust me, your hair will thank you!
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