Comparing Blue vs. Purple Shampoo: Which One is Right for You?

Shampoo plays an important role in keeping our hair looking and feeling healthy. But with so many options on the market, how do we know which one is right for us? If you've ever noticed the "blue" and "purple" shampoos at the store, you may be wondering what the difference is between them. As a previous hairstylist for over 10 years and an educator for the Matrix product line, I understand the importance of haircare at home and am excited to share these tips with you! In this blog post, we'll discuss the key differences between blue and purple shampoos, so you can decide which one best suits your hair needs.

Purple Vs. Blue Shampoo: How they work

Have you noticed those yellow and brassy tones in your hair? You may be wondering what's the best solution. Blue and purple shampoos are specially designed to address these issues and can help you maintain your blonde hair color.

Blue shampoos are designed to neutralize yellow and brassy tones in blonde hair and work best on hair that has been lightened or bleached. It removes unwanted yellow and gold tones from hair and is an effective solution for correcting overly warm blonde tones.

Purple shampoos, on the other hand, can help to maintain blonde highlights or platinum hair color. It adds subtle violet undertones to blonde hair, helping to counteract yellow and brassiness. This is a great option if you want to enhance the cool tones of your hair or keep your blonde color vibrant.

When choosing between blue or purple shampoos, consider the color of your hair and the desired effect you want to achieve. Blue shampoo is better for lightening overly warm blonde tones, while purple shampoo is better for maintaining and enhancing cool tones. However, both can be used to maintain blonde hair and correct unwanted yellow and brassy tones.

Purple Vs. Blue Shampoo

If you have blonde, grey or silver hair, you may have heard of purple shampoo. This special shampoo is specifically designed for those with light-colored hair and can help to tone down unwanted warm yellow tones. On the other hand, those with darker hair may find blue shampoo more beneficial. This type of shampoo can help to reduce red and orange hues and is a great choice for brunettes with blonde highlights or balayage hair color. No matter your hair color, it is important to use the right shampoo to keep your hair looking its best. Blondes should opt for purple shampoo, while brunettes should go for blue. Doing so will ensure that your hair looks vibrant and healthy and that you get the best results.

What is Purple Shampoo?

When it comes to maintaining healthy, vibrant hair, purple shampoo is a must-have for those with blonde, gray, or silver locks. Purple shampoo works by counteracting the yellow tones that naturally occur in light-colored hair due to oxidation by removing yellowness. The purple pigment in the shampoo neutralizes the yellow tones, leaving the hair looking brighter and more vibrant.

Purple shampoo is best used on light-colored hair that has been dyed or lightened, as it can help maintain the color for longer. It can also be used on natural gray or silver hair to reduce yellow tones and help keep the color looking fresh. When using purple shampoo, it is important to use it sparingly, as overuse can lead to a purple tint in the hair. It is also important to follow the shampoo with a conditioner to prevent dryness and maintain optimal softness. If your hair is overly dry and/or you use the purple shampoo too much it will lead to a purple tint in your hair color.

What is Blue Shampoo?

If you’re looking for a way to keep your blonde or brunette hair looking bright and vibrant, blue shampoo is your answer. Blue shampoo, specifically designed to reduce brassiness and yellow tones in blonde and brunette hair, is the perfect way to maintain your desired shade of cool tone while also reducing fading.

Blue shampoo works by depositing blue pigments into the hair shaft to neutralize the orange and red tones. Using blue shampoo regularly can help keep both color-treated and natural dark blonde and brunette hair looking fresh and vibrant. It can also be used to tone highlights and create a more unified look for blonde hair. So grab yourself some blue shampoo, like Matrix blue shampoo or Fanola blue shampoo, and get ready to rock your beautiful locks instantly!

How well do these Shampoos Work?

These type of shampoos works best when used twice a week to maintain hair's shine and vibrancy. It works by depositing blue pigments onto the hair, which neutralizes the warm tones and leaves hair looking and feeling healthier. However, it will not replace that your hair may need to be toned. Toning your hair is using hair color to color balance the yellow, orange and warm tones that occur. If this is the case and blue & purple shampoos haven't helped that you need to seek a professional stylist to better assist you with achieving the tone of your hair that you desire.

How to Use Blue and Purple Shampoos

When using either blue or purple shampoo, it is important to use it sparingly. When shampooing you should be doing a rinse, wash repeat cycle and wash 2 times. The first shampoo is to remove any built-up residue from products and chemicals. The second wash is to clean the hair. The first wash should be with a color care shampoo and the second with your purple or blue shampoo for best results. Start using it every other wash, and increase the frequency if needed. After applying the shampoo to wet hair on your second wash, leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out. This will give the shampoo time to work its magic and deposit the pigment into the hair. To get the best results, follow up your blue or purple shampoo with a conditioner that is specifically formulated to work with the shampoo. I personally am usually a bigger fan of heavy conditioners to keep the hair hydrated over most of the blue & purple conditioners however this is a personal preference. I will link my favorites below but my favorite conditioner of all time is the "It's A 10". It fully conditions your hair leaving it soft and shiny but also not too heavy.

If you are looking to preserve the color of your hair, be sure to use a heat-protectant spray when styling. This will help to keep your hair looking vibrant for longer. Heat protectant sprays can be applied before styling, and will help to lock in the color. As well as using cooler water. The hotter the water the worse for your hair. It not only isn't good for hair to be using hot water but it will rinse out the toner your stylist has put on your hair much faster.

Best Blue Shampoos

Blue shampoo is designed to help neutralize yellow and brassy tones in hair that has been lightened or color-treated. It can also help keep blonde hair looking bright and vibrant between salon visits.

Many of the best blue shampoos are sulfate-free and contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, keratin, and sunflower seed extract to help keep hair healthy and shiny. It's important to look for blue shampoos that are specifically formulated for blonde hair, as they tend to be more effective in neutralizing yellow tones. Some of the best blue shampoos are designed to work in tandem with purple shampoos to deliver maximum toning and color protection.

Blue shampoo is the perfect product for anyone looking to keep their lightened or color-treated hair looking its best. It can help keep blonde hair looking vibrant and neutralize yellow and brassy tones. To get the best results, it's important to use a blue shampoo that is specifically formulated for blonde hair and is sulfate-free and filled with nourishing ingredients. Below are the best blue shampoos you can pick from right now.

Best Purple Shampoos

Are you looking to keep your blonde, grey and silver hair vibrant and free of yellow tones? Here are some of the best purple shampoos on the market including Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Purple Shampoo, Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo, and Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo. Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Purple Shampoo is formulated with anti-fade technology to keep blonde hair color vibrant, while Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo uses its violet pigment to neutralize yellow and orange tones in bleached or highlighted hair. Finally, Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo uses plant-sourced amino acids to nourish and protect blonde hair while toning yellow tones. Here are those and a few others linked below for you

How Often Should I Use Blue or Purple Shampoo?

To get the best results, you should use blue or purple shampoo once or twice a week. However, if your hair is particularly prone to yellowing, you may want to use it more often. On the other hand, if your hair is already cool-toned, you may want to use purple shampoo less often to avoid over-toning. Be sure to read the instructions on the product label to determine how often you should use it. You can adjust this by seeing if you have achieved the cool tone you are looking for. Once you have don't use it until you start to see the warmth or yellow and orange tones come back again and adjust your shampoos like this. If you somehow end up overusing it do not panic. Using clarifying shampoo treatments will help remove the overuse of color pigment in your hair.

Using all the techniques above will help you achieve the exact tone for both blondes and brunettes. Everyone loves a different tone of hair color depending on their skin tones so regardless of what trending right now in hair color be sure to do what's you want first and foremost, but hopefully also for what is complementary to you! If you have questions on any of this please be sure to leave them below. I'm always here to help!