If you dye your hair blonde [1], you need a good purple shampoo in your shower kit — no exceptions. Blonde hair [2] often requires a lot of upkeep, and we're not just talking about salon touch-ups. After a few washes — due to harsh chemicals in the water, UV rays, and pollution — it's common for icy or cool blonde hair [3] to start looking brassy or yellow. That's where purple toning shampoo comes in.
No matter what colour you dye your hair, you should use a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, but the vibrant pigment in purple shampoo specifically cancels out yellow tones — like a colour corrector. This means using it in the shower can help lighten and brighten the hair, even long after you've visited the salon. From drugstore to professional-grade varieties, shop the best purple shampoos ahead.
— Additional reporting by Ange Law
Bleach London Pearlescent Toning Shampoo
The Bleach London Pearlescent Toning Shampoo [4] (£8) is a pinky-purple shampoo, and is perfect for anyone who prefers a creamy blonde tone (rather than icy or ashy). There's no wait time with this product, so you can lather it up and wash out immediately.
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
The Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo [5] (£19) gives you a gentle cleanse while brightening and cancelling out yellow and orange tones in your hair. The directions recommend leaving the shampoo on your hair for a few minutes, our editors who tested the formula have found two minutes to be a sweet spot to achieving an icy-blonde.
In addition to the iridescent violet pigments that give your hair a natural-looking sheen, the colour-safe formula also has Moroccanoil's signature ArganID Technology. This works by using positively charged micro-capsules that are attracted to the negatively charged hair fibre, helping to infuse the antioxidant properties of argan oil deep into the cortex of the strands and help repair your hair.
Fudge Clean Blonde Shampoo
One thing that Fudge does very well is violet toning products. The Fudge Clean Blonde Shampoo [6] (£14) specifically, is highly concentrated, so it's not recommended that you leave it on your hair (unless you want it to turn purple). Simply massage the product through your hair and scalp, and rinse straight away — at least the first time, you can always work up to leaving it in longer if you prefer a supertoned look. Fudge has also added guarana extract for a bonus hit of hydration.
IGK Hair Mixed Feelings Cooling Blonde Mixing Drops
The IGK Hair Mixed Feelings Cooling Blonde Mixing Drops [7] (£25) isn't a shampoo, you're right, but it is just as effective as one. Infused with prickly pear cactus extract, the formula is designed to nourish your hair while neutralising brassiness. A little goes a long was with the concentrated pigment drops should be mixed with a leave in conditioner or hair oil and smoothed through damp, clean hair. Plus, the compact packageing makes this product perfect for travel.
Kevin.Murphy Blonde.Angel
The Kevin.Murphy Blonde.Angel [8] (£23) is a violet hair treatment enriched with lavender flower and brazil nut extracts to smooth hair while knocking out any unwanted yellow tones.
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color
Every product from Oribe is a luxurious experience, and the Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color [9] (£45) is no different. Not only is the packaging beautiful, but the formula is free from from sulphates, parabens and sodium chloride, and is designed to brighten silver and blonde hair, while counteracting brassiness.
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo
The Sachajuan Silver Shampoo [10] (£22) violet-pigmented shampoo is an editor favourite. It counteracts brassy tones in cool shades of blonde while UV filters protect your colour from the sun, and ocean silk technology hydrates your hair. It is free of parabens and phthalates, so you can feel good about treating yourself with this formula.
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
The ultraviolet Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo [11] (£22) delivers bright, shiny results. It's ideal for cool-toned grey, silver, and icy shades of blonde. It's also nourishing thanks to proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins A, D, E, and B in the formula.
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Vibrancy Anti-Brassiness Purple Shampoo
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Vibrancy Anti-Brassiness Purple Shampoo [12] (£3) is a top-rated drugstore formula. The purple shampoo corrects yellow and orange tones in hair after just one use. Highlighted brunettes, blondes, and grey hair can all benefit from it.
R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo
For a vegan purple shampoo option, try the R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo [13] (£30). It uses natural mineral pigments to brighten blonde hair and a rich and creamy, coconut-derived surfactant to remove impurities without drying out the hair of natural oils.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
The Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo [14] (£19) contains hyaluronic acid to strengthen damaged hair and edelweiss flower to protect against daily damage, all the while neutralising warm, brassy colours in blonde hair.
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo For Blonde and Silver Hair
The Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo For Blonde and Silver Hair [15] (£9) clarifies blonde hair and eliminates dullness. The formula works to brighten highlights and boost overall shine.
Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo For Blonde & Silver Hair
Quite possibly the original purple-toned shampoo on the market (and still a colourist favourite), Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo For Blonde & Silver Hair [16] (£8, originally £14) refreshes faded highlights and brassy blonde hair to make it look good as new. It can be used on dyed blonde, grey, or silver hair, as well as brunettes with multitonal colour.
John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo
The John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo [17] (£5, originally £7) contains crushed violet pigments to correct stubborn, brassy tones in hair. You can see results in as little as one use.
Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo
The violet-tinted Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo [18] (£16) helps condition hair and intensifies shine. Natural blondes and those with colour-treated hair can use it regularly to keep their hair looking bright.