Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
Blue shampoo vs purple shampoo which one do you use? Check out how to use blue shampoo and purple shampoo and how often to use all these shampoos.
If you are someone with either naturally blonde hair or had got your hair dyed blonde or any lighter colored shade, or if you are a brunette attempting to lighten your hair color, then I’m sure you’ve faced the problem of hair brassiness.
While your colored hair may look vibrant and fresh when it’s dyed, as soon as brassiness begins to creep in, it will ruin the vibrancy of your hair and make it look dull and faded.
Well, luckily enough, blue and purple shampoos can come to your rescue!
So, check out this article for all the information you need on blue and purple shampoos, which one you should choose, how to use them and how to pick the best brand.
What are blue and purple shampoos?
Blue shampoos are meant for brunettes (or people with dark colored hair) whose hair succumbs to brassiness when they choose to bleach or lighten their hair color.
While brunette’s lighten their hair, there could be underlying natural hair pigments of orange, reddish-orange or copper that tend to show up in the hair. That’s when a blue shampoo comes into play.
On the other hand, purple shampoos are meant for blondes (or people with lighter colored hair like silver, ash, platinum etc), when their hair develops brassy tones like yellow or yellowish-orange. That’s when they’d require you to use a purple shampoo.
Blue and purple shampoos are helpful in the removal of brassy tones from the hair and also further retaining the vibrancy of the hair color over time and keeping it from fading.
Well, because salon trips can become rather expensive and using these shampoos can do the trick for you.
Blue Vs Purple Shampoo
Why Should I Use A Blue/Purple Shampoo
Hair brassiness can be a result of many factors. Here are some of the reasons as to why your hair could have turned brassy.
Firstly, if you’re a brunette and decided to dye your hair blonde or any other lighter shade, then obviously you’d have to bleach it before that.
Now, in the process, after your hair got bleached, you soon realize your hair has turned orange to your horror!
Well, don’t worry, as this is a normal and common problem that occurs in many people.
Brassiness mostly occurs because you didn’t leave the bleach on for the right amount of time and therefore, the color didn’t lift off correctly, letting the warmer undertones of your hair show up.
Secondly, if you’re a blonde and tend to use hard water to wash your hair or often go swimming, the mineral deposits in the water can cause the minerals to get stuck onto your hair shaft, causing your hair to become brassy.
Lastly, if your hair is overexposed to sunlight, it will fade over time and then it may begin to look brassy.
So this is the reason why you need a blue or purple shampoo as blue neutralizes the orange pigments in hair and removes brassiness.
And purple removes yellow undertones making warm blonde/brunette hair look “cooler”.
The Color Wheel: Why You Can’t Mix Blue And Purple Shampoos
I’m sure most of you must be wondering why brunettes should use a blue shampoo and blondes a purple shampoo. Why will a regular shampoo not work?
Well, it is important to keep in mind the importance of the color wheel whenever we talk about brassy tones in hair.
So, what is the color wheel? The color wheel shows us a spectrum of colors and is placed in a specific manner. You will notice that half the color wheel has warm colors, while the other half has cool colors.
Now when the warm pigments like orange, copper or yellow overpower the cool pigments in the hair, we notice brassiness.
Therefore, the only way we can get rid of this brassiness is by neutralizing and balancing out these warm pigments.
In order to neutralize these warm pigments, we require to pick the colors opposite to the color we want to neutralize.
So, in this case, a blue shampoo will neutralize the orange or copper tones in the hair, while a purple shampoo will neutralize the yellow tones in the hair.
How To Choose A Good Blue Or Purple Shampoo?
If you want to choose a good blue or purple shampoo, then here are some points to consider.
- Remember to buy a shampoo that is thick in consistency and is opaque in color, not translucent or transparent.
- Find a shampoo that is free from harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens etc. This is especially for color-treated or bleached hair, because the hair is already likely damaged to a certain extent and using a shampoo with chemicals will only create more damage to the hair.
- Look for shampoos that are salon-grade or of high quality (which are used by professionals), even though they may be a little expensive.
- Search for products that have high customer ratings with good reviews, if you aren’t buying it from a store.
Related: How To Use Blue Shampoos
Related: How To Use Purple Shampoo
How Often To Use Blue Shampoo or Purple Shampoo: Will It Stain?
Well, blue or purple shampoos can stain your hair if you have left it on for too long.
That means you have to use it correctly, even though it is used similar to how we’d use any other regular shampoo.
The key is how long you leave it on your hair for. Remember, at the most, a blue or purple shampoo can be left on your hair for 15 minutes at a time and then must be washed off completely.
Also, remember to purchase the right type of shampoo, to get rid of brassy hair and not a hair color depositing shampoo. This is a common mistake people make too.
In case your hair has been stained, do not panic as there are various methods to help get rid of the color or you can also leave it as it is, if it isn’t bad and it will fade away over time.
Some of the easiest home remedies to remove blue or purple shampoo stainds include using washing your hair with a baking soda mixed shampoo and using a clarifying shampoo to help dissolve the stained pigments.
You should however, be careful of overusing these remedies as they can strip your hair off all its moisture.
And also, using a a liquid detergent or bleach washing hair can be quite harsh hair and cause damage.
How To Use Blue Shampoo Vs Purple Shampoo
Yes, using a blue or purple shampoo will require nothing additional as compared to washing your hair with a regular hair washing shampoo. It is just as simple and easy -to-use.
All you need to do is rinse your hair properly under running water and let it get completely wet before shampooing it.
Using warm water is recommended, so that the cuticles on the hair shaft will get raised and the blue or purple shampoo will penetrate properly into the hair strand, making the product work more effectively.
Then, use a sufficient amount of shampoo so that all your hair is covered and lather it well, gently massaging it into your hair and then leave it on for a few minutes.
For those who have a lot of brassiness in their hair, you will have to keep the shampoo on for longer, but for a maximum of 15 minutes per hair washing session.
If your brassiness hasn’t completely gone away, then try to repeat shampooing your hair another time, until the brassiness goes away.
Lastly, wash off the shampoo properly and condition your hair well.
Differences Between Blue Shampoo Vs Purple Shampoo
When it comes to hair care, the choice between blue and purple shampoo can be a difficult decision. Depending on the type and condition of your hair, one may be more suitable than the other.
The primary difference between the two lies in their respective purposes. Blue shampoo is great for neutralizing brassy, yellow tones in hair. Thanks to its high level of direct dyes, blue shampoo can help cancel out these undesired yellow tones, resulting in a more desirable shade.
Whether you have natural blonde hair or have given yourself a light blonde hue through coloring processes, blue shampoo can be your saving grace. On the other hand, purple shampoo is wonderful for bringing out the cool shades in hair.
The secret lies in the lighter pigments present in this type of shampoo, which can enhance the natural cool tones in the hair, giving it a healthier and shinier look. This type of shampoo is usually suitable for individuals with blonde or brunette hair.
In summary, blue shampoo is great for counteracting yellow, brassy tones while purple shampoo works to enhance the cooler tones in your hair color.
Whether you choose one or the other is up to you, as it depends heavily on the desired effect and type of your hair. Both options can lead to fantastic results, so give both of them a try!
Can I Mix Blue And Purple Shampoo
Mixing the two together is an appealing idea, but does combining blue and purple shampoo produce a better result? We’ve put together this guide to answer your questions and help you decide if it’s right for you! The answer to the question “Can I mix blue and purple shampoo?” is a definite maybe.
While there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that a mixture of the two shampoos may have some positive effects, other sources believe it could be a recipe for disaster.
On one hand, blue shampoo is designed to reduce brassy tones and help you maintain cool color tones, while purple shampoo helps to deepen the tones and fix unwanted yellow and orange pigments. In theory, combining these two products should result in a shampoo that provides both these benefits.
However, there are some precautions to take when mixing blue and purple shampoo. For one, it is recommended that you start by using the purple shampoo first before using a small amount of blue shampoo. This is because purple shampoo is stronger and has a tendency to be slightly drying.
Moreover, it’s important to use the right ratio of each product. Too much of either one will likely leave your hair feeling lackluster.
While mixing blue and purple shampoo could definitely offer some perks, it’s important to weigh the risks. Whichever route you take, it’s best to do a patch test on a small section of hair before committing to a full application.
Should I Use Blue Or Purple Shampoo For My Balayage
When it comes to maintaining your balayage, there’s no doubt that you’re in need of a powerful shampoo to keep your hair looking its best. That’s why the question of which color is right for you: blue or purple? Well, it all depends on the level of maintenance you’re willing to commit to.
If you prefer to keep your hair care routine as minimal as possible, then blue shampoo is the way to go. It’s formulated with a combination of gentle, yet effective, surfactants that help to neutralize brassy tones, increasing the longevity of your balayage.
And you won’t have to worry about overusing it as much, as blue shampoo can also help reverse signs of damage caused by other color treatments.
On the other hand, purple shampoo works like a charm if you don’t mind a bit more maintenance. Its intense violet pigment can help neutralize unwanted yellow tones and keep your balayage looking vibrant and fresh.
Plus, purple shampoo is concentrated, so it’ll give you quick, optimal results. Keep in mind, though, that overusing purple shampoo can lead to an ashy, gray cast, so use it sparingly.
At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. With the right color-specific shampoo in your hands, you can flaunt beautiful balayage with enviable confidence and ease.
Best Blue Shampoos And Purple Shampoos
Deciding which shampoo to choose between blue and purple can be a tricky task. After all, they both serve different purposes when it comes to treating bleached hair. That’s why we’ve rounded up this list of the best blue and purple shampoos for bleached hair.
Whether you’re a pro in the bleached hair game or just looking for the perfect product for your newly coloured tresses, we’ve picked out the best of the best for all hair types.
Starting with the best blue shampoos for bleached hair, we can recommend the IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm. It’s a great option for those wanting to shift their hair from yellowish tones to a silvery ash blonde. This hydrating balm helps to prevent brassy hair, so you don’t end up having to keep running to the salon every few weeks.
Another great blue shampoo for bleached hair is the L’Oreal Professionel Serie Expert Silver Shampoo. This shampoo works hard to fight yellow tones, leaving your hair bright and cool-toned. It contains natural pigments, which help to keep your hair looking at its best.
Moving on to purple shampoos for bleached hair, one of the best is the Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo. It’s designed specifically for blonde hair and works to tone down brassy tones and help to keep blonde hair looking light and cool. It also helps to restore moisture and shine to the hair, so it really is one of the ultimate purple shampoos for bleached hair.
Next up is the Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Shampoo. It contains a unique blend of purple and blue pigments that help to restore hair to its original colour. This is perfect if your hair has been damaged from harsh bleaching processes or chemical treatments. It also helps to protect the hair from further damage.
Finally, for babes looking for the ideal purple shampoo to add some extra shine to their bleached locks, there’s the Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo.
It’s specifically designed to keep your bleached blonde looking vibrant and shiny, while neutralising brassy tones. The sulfate-free formula helps to protect the hair, so it’s perfect for anyone who wants to get the best out of their bleached hair.
There you have it, the best blue and purple shampoos for bleached hair! No matter what type of hair you have, you’re sure to find the perfect product that works for you, so go out there and find your perfect match.
FAQs About Blue Shampoos And Purple Shampoos
1. What are the good brands to buy for blue or purple shampoo?
These are some of the best blue shampoo brands – Fanola, Aveda, Oligo, Pravana, Matrix. Out of these I find the Aveda Blue Malva shampoo best as it is sulfate free and natural.
These are some of the best purple shampoo brands – John Frieda, Kevin Murphy, L’Oreal Paris, Redken, Fanola. In these purple shampoos the L’Oreal Everpure one is sulfate-free.
2. How often can blue or purple shampoos be used?
Well, how often you want to use a blue or purple shampoo depends on how brassy your hair is, but it’s recommended to use it around twice a week or until your brassiness is completely gone.
For those who want to maintain their hair vibrancy, you can also use a blue or purple shampoo (depending on your hair color) from time to time.
3. Should I use a blue or purple shampoo to get rid of green pool hair?
It is important to note that neither a blue or purple shampoo will work for green pool hair. For green pool hair you will require to use a red shampoo.
The reason why only a red shampoo will work and not a blue or purple is again with reference to the neutralizing of colors according to the color wheel.
4. Are blue or purple shampoos the same as blue or purple toners?
No, they aren’t. Blue or purple hair toners are similar to hair dyes wherein they work immediately on the hair, while blue or purple shampoos will take a few hair washes to show effects on the hair.
The final takeaway about blue vs purple shampoo
Well guys, I hope this article has cleared out your doubts about which shampoo you should use for your hair.
Remember if you have brassy, orange hair then you need a blue shampoo to neutralize these undertones.
However if you have yellowness in your blonde hair then you’d require a purple shampoo.
Also remember to choose a good quality shampoo (whether it’s blue or purple!) which is free from harsh chemicals like sulfates and suits your hair type and texture.
Also Read:
How To Remove Purple Hue From Purple Shampoo Out Of Hair
