Whether you were born with a beautiful blond hue or sought some assistance elsewhere [1], you definitely don't want to let it turn drab. Of course, pretty much no one is rushing to sign up for dullness, no matter their hair colour, so it's important to consider the specific concerns with light-coloured looks in particular. If you do already have cool-toned blond hair, you're also probably all too familiar with the threat of brassiness — and the violet-tinged products often used to balance [2] that back out.
Plus, lighter hair is more easily changed by sun exposure [3] (and can be sensitive to hard water), so that's something else to consider. Oh, and don't forget that any chemicals used to change colour [4] could nudge previously strong hair over to the fragile side [5] . . . meaning you're left with that problem to solve [6], too. Ack.
Well, lucky for you (and your blond hair), we've picked out the best hair care [7] to help with all of these problems, straight from Sephora. Some of these products change up your current shade, while others just make sure your style stays as bright as you want it to be. From heat-protectants to limit breakage to colour-depositing masks, there's something at Sephora to tackle fading, frizz, and more.
Check out the shampoos, conditioners, and other treatments that address issues specific to blond hair ahead.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask
Not only does this Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask [8] ($62) neutralise overly yellow undertones with its ultra-violet hue, it also helps hair get stronger and stay strong with hyaluronic acid that resurfaces fibres that may have been damaged during the colour process.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
This Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo [9] ($35) also neutralises any undesirable brassy undertones as you shampoo (similar to the toning process in a salon that adds coolness to more yellowy shades). It also softens with edelweiss flowers, and several Sephora reviewers note that it leaves their hair less dry after washing.
For a shampoo that can be used daily, there's also this Kérastase Blond Absolu Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo [10] ($35) is a clear formula to nourish and cleanse blond hair.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Strengthening Conditioner
This Kérastase Blond Absolu Strengthening Conditioner [11] ($40) is not as rich as a mask, yet it still nourishes blond hair whether it's in a balayage, highlighted, or bleached style. After all, the mask offers the same benefits of hyaluronic acid (to strengthen hair fibres and leave hair silky), but in a more lightweight formula that can be used daily.
dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-permanent Hair Colour and Deep Conditioner
This dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-permanent Hair Colour and Deep Conditioner [12] ($35) has actual semi-permanent hair colour inside so it's a better choice for someone who wants to enhance their current colour without (or in between) a trip to the salon. There are Light Blonde, Medium Blonde, and Dark Blonde shades to either help with fading colour or toning down highlights as desired.
IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Blonde Drops
If you already have a shampoo, conditioner, or cream you love that's not for colour-treated hair in particular, these IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Blonde Drops [13] ($29) can be added to any of those to tone out brassiness. It can also offer an extra boost to your favourite violet shampoo — and has a 4.5-star rating from other Sephora shoppers.
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
This popular Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo [14] ($12-$20) tones out overly warm shades in natural and dye-aided blondes. Hair is fortified as it's cleaned as this shampoo includes nutrient-packed avocado oil and shine-boosting wild cherry bark extract.
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Conditioner
The top-rated Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Conditioner [15] ($12-$24) repairs and restores hair with shea butter, vitamin E, and keratin. All three of those ingredients work together to nourish hair, protect colour from oxidation, and make sure damaged strands are mended so styles are smoother, too.
Amika Supernova Blonde Violet Moisture and Shine Cream
As with all products from this brand, the Amika Supernova Blonde Violet Moisture and Shine Cream [16] ($25) nourishes hair with sea buckthorn berry, rich in free-radical-fighting, collagen-boosting omega-7. This leave-in cream works especially well at taming frizz (when applied wet or dry), and also at detangling and heat protecting as needed, too.
Amika Blonde Maintenance - Bust Your Brass Starter Set
If you're interested in trying out the brass-fighting shampoo and conditioner (plus the leave-in cream), or simply want to bring a colour-care routine on the road, this Amika Blonde Maintenance - Bust Your Brass Starter Set [17] ($29) includes all three items, plus a bonus dry shampoo.
Christophe Robin Brightening Shampoo with Chamomile
Blondes get bright with this Christophe Robin Brightening Shampoo with Chamomile [18] ($34), a lightening shampoo for both natural and colour-treated hair. Both camomile and cornflower
gently lighten blond hair — then naturally blond hair is ready to get even lighter in the sunshine, and dyed blondes have excess pigments removed so their colour doesn't get dull either.
Shu Uemura Colour Lustre Shades Reviving Balm
This purple Shu Uemura Colour Lustre Shades Reviving Balm [19] ($58) goes on after you shampoo and works especially well at intensifying more platinum tones. Both the Cool Blonde and Golden Blonde options can also help colour-treated blond hair last longer between salon trips because there's protective musk rose oil inside as well.
Christophe Robin Temporary Colour Gel
While this product may often be used to cover up greys, the Christophe Robin Temporary Colour Gel [20] ($35) simply offers Golden Blonde or Dark Blonde colours that can be targeted or applied all over for a subtle shade adjustment. It lasts up to seven shampoos and there's no mixing (or even semi-permanent colour) involved with this temporary gel if you're nervous or a first-timer.
Verb Dry Shampoo for Light Hair
This Verb Dry Shampoo for Light Hair [21] ($18) has subtle purple undertones that enhance all shades of blond. It also removes oil and adds volume to hair between washes, so hair looks and feels cleaner (without talc, sulphates, or formaldehydes).
Verb Ghost Wash and Go for Light Tones
Or, the Verb Ghost Wash and Go for Light Tones [22] ($28) includes a full-sized bottle of the dry shampoo for blondes along with travel-sized bottles of the colour-safe Verb Ghost Shampoo and Conditioner with brassiness-banishing sunflower seed extract and the detangling moringa seed oil.
Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Butter Masque
The blend of plant butters in this Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Butter Masque [23] ($35) make sure hair is well taken care of as their essential fatty acids add hydration and shine. There's also colour-correcting lavender inside, toning down yellow to brighten and lighten blond hair; the longer you leave it on, the brighter the colour (but less brassy the tones).
Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Shampoo and Conditioner
This Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Shampoo [24] ($27) gets hair clean without taking out colour or moisture. It's got deep purple pigments that banish brassiness, plus lemon extract to brighten highlights.
There's also a lighter purple, partnering Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Conditioner [25] ($27) that further enhances blond tones and leaves hair more manageable and soft, thanks to nourishing sunflower seed oil inside.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Heat Protecting Serum
Keep blond styles safe from heat with this Kérastase Blond Absolu Heat Protecting Serum [26] ($37). Its light purple colour does offer some toning of brassiness, but its greatest strength comes from the antioxidants that safeguard hair before heat styling.
dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner
The purple pigments in this dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo [27] ($26) cancel out warmth and silk proteins reduce breakage in chemically damaged or otherwise fragile strands. The sulphate- and paraben-free shampoo still foams up and can help both colour-treated and natural blondes have lustrous, soft, styles.
It pairs best with the dpHUE Cool Blonde Conditioner [28] ($26) featuring the same silk proteins and purple shade in a lightweight conditioning cream.
Kérastase Reflection Cool Blonde Purple Colour Correcting Treatment
If there's just a specific spot on your hair that you'd like to tone out brassiness (like on the roots, tips, or highlights), this Kérastase Reflection Cool Blonde Purple Colour Correcting Treatment [29] ($39) can be spread right on those areas to neutralise colour with the treatment's cool, purple pigments.
O&M Conquer Blonde Silver Shampoo and Silver Mask
The O&M Conquer Blonde Silver Shampoo [30] ($36) and O&M Conquer Blonde Silver Mask [31] ($36) are purple-pigmented products that reduce brassiness in even extremely light blond hair (that can look almost silvery). The shampoo has hydrating aloe vera and jojoba esters to prevent fading while the shea butter and macadamia oil in the conditioning mask add softness and gloss.
Moroccanoil Colour Depositing Mask
The Moroccanoil Colour Depositing Mask [32] ($7-$28) is not meant to keep blond colour non-brassy, but actually adds unique colours while ingredients like argan and apricot kernel oil keep hair hydrated and strong. There are subtle shades like rose gold that would be visible on light hair, along with bolder choices like aquamarine and hibiscus, too.
Living Proof Colour Care Whipped Glaze for Blondes and Highlights
The Living Proof Colour Care Whipped Glaze for Blondes and Highlights [33] ($16-$29) adds temporary dye to blond hair to counteract fading and rebalance its tone. The mousse also has a chelating agent that keeps hair safe from any hard water minerals that can negatively interact with the dye, plus a UV filter to protect against sun fading.
Living Proof Ban Brassiness Mini Transformation Kit
This Living Proof Ban Brassiness Mini Transformation Kit [34] ($18) has a colour-protecting mousse alongside the sulphate-free Colour Care shampoo and conditioner. While the shampoo and conditioner improve hair's health no matter the overall colour or highlights, the whipped glaze has purple pigments just meant for blondes.
Together Beauty Purple Reign Shampoo
Together Beauty Purple Reign Shampoo [35] ($24) is an antioxidant-rich, 98-percent natural shampoo made with purple rice and quinoa. The shampoo neutralises overly yellow tones (or refreshes highlights) in both natural and colour-treated blond hair.
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo and Conditioner
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo [36] ($29) and Sachajuan Silver Conditioner [37] ($33) both also have violet pigments to tone cool blond shades and offer UV protection against further fading. These products also feature red algae extract to moisturise hair and add shine and strength, too.
Bumble and Bumble Blondish Hair Powder
This Bumble and Bumble Blondish Hair Powder [38] ($36) is a tinted dry shampoo that does the product's typical job of extended blowouts by adding volume and absorbing excess oil. The spray comes out in a darker blonde so it can also touch up the roots of someone with that hair colour, too.
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Masks
These tinting hair masks help with brassiness as each colour addresses that issue — and natural oxidation — that often comes from colour-treating hair. The Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask - Baby Blonde [39] and the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask - Golden Blonde [40] ($53) address light blond and more honey tones, respectively . . . but both feature the same moisturising sweet almond and buriti oils.