I'm a natural brunette, and I bleach my hair platinum blond about once every three months. I love everything about the process — even the itchy scalp (it reminds me that good things are yet to come!)
Well, I love everything except for that pesky little moment when, after you spend half your rent on a double process, you realise you've got to spend even more cash to maintain the look with a purple shampoo.
The good news for anyone who's trying to look bougie on a budget is that there are plenty of affordable drugstore options that really work. See my under-$15 favourites, ahead.
OGX Hydrate & Tone Reviving & Lavender Luminescent Platinum Shampoo
I'll go so far to say that the OGX Hydrate & Tone Reviving & Lavender Luminescent Platinum Shampoo [2] ($6) is the best six bucks I've ever spent — and yes, I've had a chalupa supreme. It smells like a glam grandmother's dream (lavender and chamomile: yes, please), plus it's made with sun filters to protect your hair and keep things shiny.
Kristen Ess The One Purple Shampoo
Celebrity hairstylist Kristen Ess isn't wrong — this shampoo is The One [3] ($12). Sometimes I'll purposefully wash my hair a lot with it to get a cool faded, pastel look. If I want to keep things more vibrant, I'll go five days before washing again. However I use it, the final effect is always purposeful, and never brassy.
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Blonde & Silver Shampoo
I stole a bottle of this Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Blonde & Silver Shampoo [4] ($9) from a dude I was dating who was going grey — he swore it helped bring out brighter tones. I've found it also works to dim the appearance of super-dark roots. (Though that's a look, too.)
L'Oréal Paris Ever Pure Blonde Shampoo
If you've been slacking on using a purple shampoo (been there), and begin developing some brassiness, call in the big guns. This L'Oréal Paris Ever Pure Blonde Shampoo [5] ($7) will do its best to neutralise the dullness, STAT.