Blondes might have more fun, but maintaining those lightened strands can be hard work. Whether yours is all-natural or from-the-bottle, chances are you're familiar with the uninvited warm and yellow tones that can creep in. Thankfully, the best purple shampoos exist to help you maintain your hue with rich pigments that'll put an end to the brass.
12 February 2022
How we choose the best purple shampoos
When rounding up the best purple shampoos for blonde hair, we look for lathers that deposit colour-enhancing pigments while hydrating parched ends and boosting shine. These are the ones that deliver results in a single wash, leaving your blonde strands soft and nourished.
We called upon our in-house beauty experts for their go-to purple shampoos and, as always, your glowing reviews play an important part too - when a product racks up all those five-star reviews, we pay attention.
The best way to use purple shampoo
If you think of a colour wheel, purple sits directly opposite yellow - so that's why many blonde shampoos are a violet hue, as it helps cancel out those warm and brassy tones. Keep in mind that purple shampoo shouldn't replace your regular shampoo entirely, they're designed to be used once or twice a week. If you're scared of going overboard on the toning effects, you can dilute a little purple shampoo with your usual lather for more subtle results. Most purple shampoos will direct you to leave them in for a few minutes before rinsing, be careful not to leave on for too long or you could get a blue-ish tinge to your strands.
Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo
Best for: Long-lasting results
Not only does this purple shampoo get rid of yellowish tones, but it actually prolongs your blonde thanks to Pureology’s patented Anti-Fade Complex. Sunflower Seed, UV filters and Vitamin E work to fight dulling environmental pollutants whilst leaving strands with long-lasting shine. The 100% vegan, ultra-creamy lather is laced with an aromatherapeutic blend of Pear, Rose and Sandalwood to fill your bathroom with a scent as dreamy as your locks.
The hype: "As someone who’s been bleaching her hair consistently for over four years, there is no product more important to me than purple shampoo. Not only does it keep my hair from getting brassy, it also allows for longer breaks between treatments and therefore less damage caused by bleaching. I use this one by Pureology almost every time that I wash my hair, and I could not live without it." - Eliza Huber, Refinery29
Pure Blonde Booster Shampoo
Best for: Top-up toning Designed to be used as a weekly second shampoo, Philip Kinglsey’s toning purple shampoo is ideal for keeping your blonde looking fresh between long-awaited salon visits. Eliminating dulling buildup and maximising moisture, the balance of violet micro-pigments puts an end to unwanted warmth, keeping lightened stands cool and bright. Follow up with the colour-correcting Blonde Booster Mask for more dramatic results. The hype: "Those who find the usual dark tones of purple washes alarming will find Philip Kingsley’s clear, only slightly purple shampoo reassuring – and its toning powers are just as strong. It has a fresh scent that is apparently lavender but to us smelled a little like gin (wishful thinking?) and it has a strong lather, so a bottle will last you a long time." - The Independent
Color Enhance Blue Malva Shampoo
Best for: Investment
A little pricier than your usual shampoo, but trust us, its bulk size and magical toning results are worth the splurge. Not quite purple like the other blonde shampoos in this list, but the blue-ish pigments in Aveda’s plant-based formula is ideal if your blonde is looking more on the orange side. The not-so secret ingredient? Organic Blue Malva counteracts warm tones to keep your strands looking as cool as when you left the salon.
The hype: "It’s a massive bottle and says to only use once a week so it will last a very long time. I have dark blonde growing out to mousey grey and this shampoo really helps brighten and blend the two colours. Highly recommend." - J, customer review
Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Best for: Depth of colour
Enriched with Japanese cool pigment technology, this brass-banishing shampoo is perfect for bleached blonde, silver or lightened locks, so brunettes can get in on the action too. Violet and blue dyes counteract those unwanted yellow-orange tones, keeping your colour cool between appointments, while Japanese White Peony Extract nourishes and conditions for bright, strong and vibrant strands.
The hype: "Shu Uemura are the best of the best - my hair is shiny and looks healthy!" - Customer review
Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
Best for: Sensitive strands
While Sulfate is a star at ridding strands of dirt and oil, it can be a little too stripping for dryer, more delicate strands. Enter Moroccanoil’s sulfate-free saviour. This blonde-boosting purple shampoo gives brassy tones the boot while ever-so-gently cleansing your tresses. Infused with ArganID technology, it harnesses the antioxidant powers of Argan Oil to infuse the inner cortex of your hair, while helping repair and seal the outer cuticle. Superior restorative properties, confirmed.
The hype: "The best ever. I’m so glad Moroccanoil brought out a product for blonde/white hair. This is the best I’ve used. Leaves hair soft and manageable, and highlights the colour. Will definitely buy this again." - June, customer review
Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo
Best for: A radiant glow
A stylist-favourite, this hardworking shampoo imparts stunning results to light-coloured locks. If your strands are straying into brassy yellow territory, then use Matrix’s shine-inducing lather weekly for an illuminating shimmer. A word of caution: this purple shampoo requires gloves for use, so keep them on during application and rinsing to keep stained hands at bay.
The hype: "My hairdressers use this to wash my blonde hair straight after colouring it. It does the job, I find my colour stays brighter for longer." - Nicola, customer review