Water or chemicals like bleach and chlorine can damage light-colored hair and turn it golden and yellowish. If you have naturally blonde hair, have recently dyed your hair a light color, or are starting to have gray hair, a purple shampoo product can bring back a more natural color and shine to your hair. The frequency of use is up to you. You can use it once a month or twice a week. However, using it too often can actually turn the hair color purple. As long as the shampoo is used with care, you can maintain the natural color and repair the damage to your hair.
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Part 1 of 3: Choosing Shampoo Products
Step 1. Choose a purple shampoo product with a thick color and consistency
High-quality shampoos are usually opaque, not translucent. If you can, dispense a little shampoo on your fingers before buying to make sure the product has a strong, intense color.
- Some choices of quality purple shampoos are Matrix So Silver Purple Shampoo and Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo.
- You can buy this product from the internet, at the nearest beauty supply store, or from a salon that sells retail products. However, it's a good idea to contact the salon first to make sure the product stock is still available.
Step 2. Purchase a darker purple shampoo for gray, silver, or platinum hair
Darker purple shampoo formulas (some have indigo or bluish undertones) are better for platinum, gray, or light blonde hair. Avoid light purple or indigo shampoos and look for dark purple shampoos specifically formulated for pale hair.
Step 3. Choose a light purple shampoo if you have blonde hair
Blonde hair needs less purple to get rid of the golden tint that sticks out. Avoid indigo shampoos and opt for a lighter purple shampoo so your hair doesn't appear purplish or bluish.
The lighter the color of the product, the less golden tones are absorbed from the hair. Take this into account when you want to choose the right product for your hair
Step 4. Avoid purple shampoo if you have dark hair
Purple shampoo is an ideal product for changing blonde or silver hair from a golden hue to a more neutral, bright color. However, this product is not effective on brown or black hair. If you have dark hair, try a different shampoo treatment.
Part 2 of 3: Using Purple Shampoo
Step 1. Wet your hair with warm water
Make sure your hair is completely wet before you shampoo. Warm water works to soothe and restore hair. This temperature helps widen the hair shaft so it can absorb the shampoo better.
Step 2. Apply shampoo to hair
Use shampoo from roots to ends. Carefully massage the shampoo while spreading it all over your hair and creating a lather. Pay attention to the "problem" areas of your hair, such as the golden or yellowish strands that you want to remove.
- If you want to use purple shampoo on light hair or highlights, only apply the shampoo to the blonde strands. Purple shampoo has no effect on dark hair.
- Focus on the roots when you wash your hair to prevent future hair damage.
Step 3. Leave the shampoo on for 2-3 minutes if you have naturally blonde hair
If your hair is a warm natural blonde, and has a subtle golden hue, you can just let it sit for 2-3 minutes. After a few minutes, rinse your hair with cold water.
- The roots of the hair need more time to absorb the shampoo than the ends. Therefore, you need to shampoo the roots first. The ends of the hair are more porous and easily discolored.
- The recommended time will be different for each product brand. The shampoo may need to sit for up to 5 minutes.
Step 4. Leave the shampoo on for up to 15 minutes for golden or dyed hair
If your hair has had a significant discoloration or you recently dyed your hair blonde, let the shampoo sit for 5-15 minutes. Hair may take more time to absorb the color from the shampoo. After that, rinse your hair with cold water.
- If you've never used purple shampoo before, try waiting 5-19 minutes before rinsing it off. If you notice an insignificant difference (or no difference at all) after drying your hair, leave the shampoo on for 10-15 minutes in your next treatment.
- If you leave the shampoo on for more than 15 minutes, you may have a purplish tint to your hair. While this isn't a problem for gray or silver hair, it can spoil the natural look of blonde hair.
Step 5. Leave the shampoo on your hair for 30 minutes for gray, silver, or platinum hair
While people with darker hair are at risk for color loss, those with silver and platinum hair can actually get the desired results by leaving the shampoo on for a long time. Leave your hair covered in shampoo for half an hour before rinsing, depending on how yellow your hair is.
- Unlike using purple shampoo on dark blonde hair, using this product on platinum or silver hair aims to lift the warm tones from the hair.
- If you want to leave the shampoo in your hair for a long time, put a plastic shower cap over your head while you wait.
Step 6. Condition the hair as usual after rinsing the shampoo
Finish the shampooing process by moisturizing your hair with conditioner. If you want, you can use purple conditioner in addition to purple shampoo to amplify the intensity of the color.
Using purple conditioner with purple shampoo can result in a gray or pale tint. Use both if you want a pale hair color
Part 3 of 3: Treating Hair Color with Purple Shampoo
Step 1. Use purple shampoo once a week or whenever you start to see a golden complexion
Alternate purple shampoo and regular shampoo to keep your hair light and even. If you have blonde hair with a warmer tone, you can use purple shampoo only when the hair color starts to look yellow. Pay attention to the condition of your hair and use your estimates when you want to set a shampooing schedule.
If you don't see any change after a month, you can increase the use of purple shampoo to 2-3 times per week
Step 2. Dilute the shampoo if it is too harsh for the hair
While purple shampoo won't dye your hair, you can see a purple tinge in your hair after shampooing if the shampoo is too harsh. To prevent this, mix shampoo with water in a 2:1 ratio, then pour it into a spray bottle.
- If you need to dilute the mixture again, add more water.
- This option is suitable for people who have warm toned hair and just want to improve the look of their hair color.
Step 3. Use purple shampoo on dry hair for a shiny hair look
Instead of regular shampooing in the shower, massage the shampoo into your hair before you wet it. Let stand for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Using shampoo on dry hair makes hair look shinier and can remove stubborn golden streaks.
Try this method if the golden tones on your hair are very strong or clear and you haven't seen any significant results after shampooing with purple shampoo
Step 4. Do deep conditioning several times a month
Purple shampoo can dry out hair. To keep your hair from getting damaged or rough, deep conditioning it a few times a month after using your purple shampoo, or whenever your hair starts to feel dry.
