How does purple shampoo work & how can you get the most out of it

How to get the most from your purple shampoo

Speak to anyone with blonde, platinum, gray or bleached hair and they will all agree that the most hardworking – and relied upon – product in their regular haircare routine is purple shampoo and conditioner.

True hair heroes, purple products can work wonders when it comes to restoring and reviving hair and making it look salon fresh – even when it’s been months since your last visit. But how exactly do they work? How can purple products really banish brassiness? And what are the best ways to ensure you’re getting the most from them?

We’ve answered all of those questions for you below, and pulled together a definitive list of all the ways to ensure you’re making your purple products work as effectively as possible. Read them, and prepare yourself for gorgeous hair…

What exactly is purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo (and conditioner) is a product designed specifically for use on blonde, platinum, gray or bleached hair. It contains violet pigments that are deposited into strands in order to help tone and neutralize any brassiness, soothe any dullness and revive the overall color. Purple care lines, like Nexxus’s Blonde Assure Color Toning range, come as a shampoo and conditioner set – to work double duty to restore color during shampooing, and then impart much-needed hydration to soften and smooth hair.

How does purple shampoo work?

Think back to art lessons in elementary school: purple and yellow are opposite each other on the color wheel, remember? That means that the purple pigments that help make up these shampoos and conditioners will counteract and eliminate yellow tones. It sounds pretty basic, but that’s because it is. Purple shampoos were once saved for professional use only, but now products have been formulated for at-home use, meaning we can all benefit from their magic in between hair appointments. However, it’s not as simple as just replacing your regular products with purple shampoo; there are geways to ensure you make the most of it and are getting the very best results possible, such as…

Don’t use purple shampoo everyday

First and foremost, overusing purple shampoo is a problem for your hair health. Not only does using it more often than required mean you’ll go through your bottle quicker than necessary, but if you overuse it, it can actually cause build-up in your hair. As a result, hair can actually end up looking much duller and darker than it’s supposed to, which is the opposite of what we’re trying to achieve by using it in the first place. So, that’s why it’s important you only use it as often as you need; most people will benefit from using it once a week, but speak to your colorist if you’re not sure what’ll be best for you.

Use purple differently than normal shampoo

Instead of applying purple shampoo like you would regular shampoo, treat it more like conditioner. That means applying it into towel-dried hair (which helps it absorb better for a brighter result) and combing it through. Start by applying it at the root and massaging it down the mid-lengths and ends, then use a fine-tooth comb or a detangling brush to evenly distribute it. Finally, let it sit for a few minutes – how long you leave it in depends on the color you want to achieve, but anywhere between 1-5 minutes should be enough.

Follow up with a masque

Using purple shampoo can be quite drying on hair (another reason why it shouldn’t be used daily). However, to counteract the dehydrating effect, use either a purple conditioner (Nexxus’s Blonde Assure Color Toning Purple Conditioner is infused with moisturizing ingredients for a hefty dose of hydration) or follow up the shampoo with a deep conditioning masque. Nexxus’s Keraphix Damage Healing Treatment Masque is infused with keratin protein and black rice for stronger, healthier, more nourished hair after just one use. Plus, the sachets make them easy for traveling with.

Finish with a cool rinse

You might have been asked by your colorist if you want to finish your treatment with a cool rinse – and the answer should always be yes. The same rule applies when you’re washing hair at home. Not only will it remove excess product without stripping any of the moisture from hair, but it’ll help lock in the color and ensure a shiny, healthy, bouncy finish.