Purple shampoo is a staple in the haircare routine of anyone with blonde, silver, grey, or highlighted hair. Its primary mission? To neutralize those unwanted brassy, yellow tones that can creep in over time. But sometimes, it feels like your purple shampoo isn’t living up to its full potential. You might be left wondering why your blonde isn’t brighter or your silver isn’t shimmering. Fear not! This comprehensive guide will delve into the science behind purple shampoo and provide you with practical tips and tricks to maximize its effectiveness, ensuring you achieve the vibrant, cool-toned locks you desire.
Understanding the Science Behind Purple Shampoo
Before we dive into how to make purple shampoo work better, it’s crucial to understand how it works in the first place. Purple shampoo utilizes the principles of color theory. On the color wheel, purple and yellow are opposite each other. This means they neutralize each other.
When blonde or grey hair is exposed to sunlight, hard water, pollution, or heat styling, it can develop yellow or brassy undertones. These tones are unwanted, making the hair appear dull and less vibrant.
Purple shampoo contains violet pigments that deposit onto the hair shaft. These pigments counteract the yellow tones, restoring a brighter, cooler, and more balanced color.
The intensity of the purple pigment, the porosity of your hair, and the application technique all play a significant role in the final result. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and understanding these factors is the first step to making purple shampoo work effectively for you.
Factors Affecting Purple Shampoo Effectiveness
Several factors can impact how well your purple shampoo works. Recognizing these factors will help you troubleshoot any issues you might be experiencing.
Hair Porosity
Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Hair with high porosity has open cuticles, allowing it to absorb moisture quickly but also lose it just as fast. Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate. Medium porosity hair is the ideal balance.
High porosity hair tends to absorb purple pigment quickly, which can lead to over-toning or a purple tinge if left on for too long. Low porosity hair may resist the purple pigment, requiring longer processing times or more frequent use to see results.
Understanding your hair’s porosity is essential for adjusting your purple shampoo routine. A simple test involves placing a strand of your clean, dry hair in a glass of water. If it sinks quickly, it has high porosity. If it floats on top, it has low porosity. If it floats in the middle, it has medium porosity.
Hard Water
Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can deposit onto your hair, creating a barrier that prevents the purple pigment from effectively penetrating the hair shaft.
Hard water can also contribute to brassiness by oxidizing the minerals already present in your hair. This creates a vicious cycle where you’re fighting against both the existing brassiness and the buildup caused by hard water.
If you live in an area with hard water, consider using a shower filter to remove the minerals. Chelating shampoos can also help remove mineral buildup from your hair, allowing the purple shampoo to work more effectively.
Product Buildup
Just like hard water, product buildup from styling products, conditioners, and even some shampoos can create a barrier on your hair. This barrier prevents the purple pigment from reaching the hair shaft and neutralizing the yellow tones.
Regularly clarifying your hair with a clarifying shampoo can help remove product buildup and allow the purple shampoo to penetrate more effectively. Avoid using heavy styling products or silicones, as these can contribute to buildup.
The Specific Purple Shampoo Formula
Not all purple shampoos are created equal. Some are more pigmented than others, and some contain ingredients that can be drying or damaging to the hair.
Choose a purple shampoo that is specifically formulated for your hair type and color. If you have fine or dry hair, look for a sulfate-free formula that contains moisturizing ingredients. If you have heavily brassy hair, you may need a more highly pigmented shampoo. Read reviews and experiment to find the best formula for your needs.
Optimizing Your Purple Shampoo Routine
Now that we’ve covered the factors that can affect purple shampoo effectiveness, let’s move on to practical tips for optimizing your routine.
Pre-Cleansing with a Clarifying Shampoo
As mentioned earlier, buildup can prevent purple shampoo from working effectively. Before using purple shampoo, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any buildup from products, hard water, or environmental pollutants. This will create a clean slate for the purple shampoo to work its magic.
Look for a clarifying shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfates, as these can be harsh and drying. Focus the clarifying shampoo on your roots, where buildup is most likely to accumulate.
Applying Purple Shampoo Strategically
How you apply purple shampoo can significantly impact the results.
- Even Distribution: Ensure that you distribute the purple shampoo evenly throughout your hair. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to work the shampoo from root to tip. Pay special attention to areas that tend to be more brassy, such as around the face or at the ends.
- Targeted Application: If certain sections of your hair are more brassy than others, you can apply purple shampoo specifically to those areas. Use a small brush or applicator to target the affected strands.
- Patch Test: If you’re using a new purple shampoo or are unsure about its intensity, perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous section of your hair before applying it to your entire head. This will help you avoid over-toning or ending up with a purple tint.
Adjusting Processing Time
The processing time, or how long you leave the purple shampoo on your hair, is crucial. Too short, and you won’t see a noticeable difference. Too long, and you risk over-toning and ending up with a purple cast.
Start with a shorter processing time, such as 2-3 minutes, and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired results. Check your hair every minute or two to monitor the color. If you have high porosity hair, you’ll likely need a shorter processing time than someone with low porosity hair.
Using a Purple Conditioner or Mask
To further enhance the effects of purple shampoo, consider using a purple conditioner or mask. These products contain similar violet pigments and can help to maintain the cool tones between shampoo washes.
Purple conditioners and masks are generally less pigmented than purple shampoos, making them a good option for regular use. They also tend to be more moisturizing, which can help to counteract the drying effects of some purple shampoos.
Incorporating a Toner
For stubborn brassiness or when you want a more dramatic color correction, a toner can be a powerful tool. Toners are demi-permanent hair colors that help to neutralize unwanted tones and add shine.
Toners come in a variety of shades, including violet, blue, and silver. Choose a toner that is appropriate for your hair color and desired result. It’s generally recommended to have a professional stylist apply toner, as it requires a more precise application and understanding of color theory.
Maintaining Hydration
Purple shampoo can sometimes be drying, especially if it contains sulfates. Maintaining hydration is crucial for healthy, vibrant hair.
Use a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week to replenish moisture. Avoid using heat styling tools excessively, as these can dry out your hair. Use a heat protectant spray when using heat styling tools. Consider using leave-in conditioners or hair oils to add extra moisture and shine.
Preventing Brassiness in the First Place
While purple shampoo is excellent for neutralizing brassiness, prevention is always better than cure.
Protecting Your Hair from the Sun
Sun exposure can cause oxidation and contribute to brassiness.
Wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray when spending time outdoors. UV protectant sprays are available in various formulations, including leave-in conditioners and styling products.
Using a Water Filter
As previously mentioned, hard water can exacerbate brassiness.
Invest in a shower filter to remove minerals and other impurities from your water. This will not only help to prevent brassiness but also improve the overall health and appearance of your hair and skin.
Avoiding Sulfates
Sulfates are harsh detergents that can strip your hair of its natural oils and contribute to dryness and brassiness.
Choose sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to help maintain your hair’s moisture balance and prevent brassiness. Sulfate-free products are generally gentler and less likely to cause color fading.
Regular Trims
Split ends can make your hair look dull and brassy.
Get regular trims to remove split ends and keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant. Trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks can help to prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft and causing further damage.
Limiting Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling can damage your hair and contribute to brassiness.
Minimize your use of heat styling tools, such as hair dryers, curling irons, and straightening irons. When you do use heat styling tools, use a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from the heat.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best intentions, you might still encounter some issues when using purple shampoo. Here’s how to troubleshoot some common problems.
Hair Turns Purple
If your hair turns purple after using purple shampoo, you’ve likely left it on for too long or are using a shampoo that is too pigmented.
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to help remove the purple tint. You can also use a regular shampoo multiple times to gradually fade the purple. In the future, use a shorter processing time or dilute the purple shampoo with your regular shampoo.
No Visible Results
If you’re not seeing any results from your purple shampoo, it could be due to several factors, including product buildup, hard water, low porosity hair, or a shampoo that is not pigmented enough.
Try clarifying your hair, using a shower filter, increasing the processing time, or switching to a more pigmented shampoo. Also, make sure you are applying the shampoo evenly and targeting the areas that are most brassy.
Dry or Damaged Hair
If your hair feels dry or damaged after using purple shampoo, it could be due to sulfates or other harsh ingredients.
Switch to a sulfate-free purple shampoo that contains moisturizing ingredients. Use a deep conditioner or hair mask to replenish moisture. Avoid using heat styling tools excessively.
Uneven Toning
Uneven toning can occur if you don’t apply the purple shampoo evenly or if certain sections of your hair are more porous than others.
Ensure that you distribute the purple shampoo evenly throughout your hair. Use a small brush or applicator to target any areas that are particularly brassy. You can also try applying a protein treatment to areas that are highly porous to help even out the porosity.
Final Thoughts: Achieving Your Perfect Blonde or Silver
Mastering the art of using purple shampoo effectively requires a bit of experimentation and understanding of your hair’s specific needs. By considering factors like hair porosity, water quality, and product buildup, and by optimizing your application technique and processing time, you can unlock the full potential of purple shampoo and achieve the bright, cool-toned locks you’ve always desired. Remember to prioritize hydration and preventative measures to keep brassiness at bay. With the right approach, you can confidently maintain your perfect blonde, silver, or grey hair and enjoy a vibrant, healthy-looking mane.
What exactly *is* purple shampoo and how does it work?
Purple shampoo is essentially a shampoo that contains purple pigment. This purple pigment works on the principle of color theory: purple is directly opposite yellow on the color wheel. Therefore, when purple pigment is applied to yellow or brassy tones in blonde, silver, or highlighted hair, it neutralizes those unwanted yellow tones, making the hair appear brighter and cooler.
The purple shampoo doesn’t actually dye your hair purple (unless it’s left on for an excessive amount of time). Instead, it deposits a small amount of purple pigment that cancels out the yellow, resulting in a more neutral or ashy blonde or silver shade. Think of it as a toner in shampoo form, offering a quick and easy way to maintain your desired hair color between salon visits.
How often should I use purple shampoo?
The frequency of using purple shampoo depends greatly on your hair type, color, and desired results. Overusing purple shampoo can lead to a dull, overly toned, or even slightly purple hue, particularly in lighter or more porous hair. It’s always best to start slow and observe how your hair reacts.
A good starting point is once or twice a week. If you notice your hair still getting brassy, you can increase the frequency. If you find your hair is becoming too dull or has a slight purple tint, reduce the usage. Pay attention to your hair and adjust the frequency based on your specific needs.
Can purple shampoo damage my hair?
While purple shampoo can be a great tool for color maintenance, it’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks. Many purple shampoos can be quite drying, particularly those formulated for very brassy hair as they often contain stronger pigments and cleansing agents. This dryness can lead to breakage and frizz if not properly addressed.
To mitigate potential damage, choose a purple shampoo that is specifically formulated for your hair type (e.g., dry, damaged, or color-treated). Look for ingredients like moisturizing oils, keratin, or protein that can help to counteract the drying effects of the shampoo. Always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner or hair mask to replenish moisture and maintain the health of your hair.
Is purple shampoo only for blonde hair?
While purple shampoo is most commonly associated with blonde hair, it’s not exclusive to it. Anyone with lightened or silver hair, including highlights, balayage, or grey hair, can benefit from using purple shampoo. The key is to identify unwanted yellow or brassy tones in your hair.
Brunettes with lightened strands, such as caramel highlights, can also use purple shampoo to keep their blonde highlights from turning brassy. However, it’s important for brunettes to use purple shampoo sparingly, as it can sometimes make the darker hair appear dull or ashy if overused.
How long should I leave purple shampoo on my hair?
The amount of time you leave purple shampoo on your hair depends on the specific product and your hair’s porosity. Always read the product instructions carefully as they will provide the manufacturer’s recommended time frame. Leaving it on for too long can result in a purple tint, especially on very light or porous hair.
As a general guideline, start with 2-3 minutes for your first use. If you don’t see a significant difference, you can gradually increase the time in subsequent washes, up to a maximum of 5-10 minutes. Monitor your hair closely and rinse immediately if you start to notice any purple tinges. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and increase the time gradually.
What’s the difference between purple shampoo and blue shampoo?
Both purple and blue shampoos are designed to neutralize unwanted tones in lightened hair, but they target different color families. Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones, while blue shampoo neutralizes orange tones. The choice between the two depends on the specific brassiness you’re trying to combat.
If your hair is more yellow than orange, purple shampoo is the right choice. If you’re seeing more orange or copper tones, especially in darker blonde or light brown hair with highlights, blue shampoo will be more effective. Some brands even offer combinations of purple and blue pigments to address a wider range of brassy tones.
Can I use purple shampoo on extensions or wigs?
Using purple shampoo on extensions and wigs can be done, but it’s crucial to proceed with caution. The hair used in extensions and wigs is often more porous than natural hair, meaning it can absorb pigment more quickly and easily. This increases the risk of over-toning and turning the hair purple.
Before applying purple shampoo to your extensions or wig, perform a strand test on a small, inconspicuous section. Dilute the purple shampoo with regular shampoo or water to reduce its intensity and shorten the processing time significantly. Always rinse thoroughly and condition afterwards to prevent dryness and maintain the integrity of the hair.