The 9 Best Purple Shampoos to Cut Down On Brassiness

If you're looking for a way to maintain your blonde tone at home between color appointments or simply loathe when your tresses start to get that yellow hue or orangey tint, you're not alone. Luckily, your dye job doesn't require an expensive product from your hair salon — rather, you can just enlist the help of an affordable purple shampoo to stop brass in its tracks.

Now, those with natural or color-treated blonde, silver, or gray hair are probably already familiar with the magic that is purple shampoo for brassy hair, but if you've recently gone platinum or are newly growing out your gray, let's just put it this way: This stuff is a total savior and needs to be in your shower caddy. Not only does purple shampoo cleanse hair, but it can also extend the life of your professional color job or restore your natural hair to its intended glory.

Here, a pro colorist explains what purple shampoo does and how to use it — plus, find the best purple shampoo for brassy hair to fit your needs, with help from customer reviews.

What Is Purple Shampoo?

Purple shampoo isn't like any old shampoo — rather, it's a two-part product. Not only does it function as a cleanser to remove dirt, sweat, and excess oil from your locks, but it also simultaneously helps brighten and cool silver or blonde hair. Yep, purple shampoo can actually tone down yellow, orange, and brassy hues, which can occur in color-treated hair, says Kimberly Cannon, a colorist at Sally Hershberger in New York City.

How, exactly, does it do this? Purple shampoo contains a purple or violet pigment, which, when used on top of warmer pigments, neutralizes or balances them out. Some sulfate-packed purple shampoos strip the hair of its natural oils in order to allow the pigment to better penetrate the follicle, which can be harmful to your strands. So when you're picking a purple shampoo, the most important thing is to opt for a sulfate-free purple shampoo (read: made without sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate) to avoid damage.

How to Use Purple Shampoo

Those with color-treated hair tend to reach for purple shampoo a few weeks after their last dye job when unwanted yellow and orange tones start to show — but it's not to replace your everyday shampoo. Purple shampoos can be a bit harsher on hair (due to drying components), so try substituting in purple shampoo for every third or fourth wash, suggests Cannon. "Just be aware: Overuse can cause buildup and lead to flat or overly full hair," she points out.

To properly use purple shampoo, coat your hair from root to end, and let it sit. "I recommend keeping the shampoo on for three to five minutes, but if you feel you need more impact, you can add a minute or two," advises Cannon. After it's all rinsed out, always follow up with a moisturizing mask or deep conditioning treatment to hydrate, strengthen, and repair hair.

The Best Purple Shampoos for Brassy Hair

Ahead, the best purple shampoos for brassy hair — any of these options will tackle that brass and take your blonde, silver, or gray hair from dull to bombshell in just one wash. (Also consider a hair gloss if you're looking for a more aggressive way to refresh your hair color.)

Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo

One of the most in-demand purple shampoos, this one not only has tone-correcting pigments to neutralize yellow tones, but the formula also features a multi-spectrum defense complex to protect color against fading, as well as a bio-advanced peptide complex to repair strands, fight frizz, and add shine.

"Bye bye brass! This purple shampoo is the best!" wrote one reviewer. "I use it every other week to help reduce my brassiness and keep my salon fresh highlights bright and shiny. It kicks the brass without drying or turning my hair purple. I definitely recommend this shampoo for all chemically treated blondes," they continued.

Buy It: Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo, $23, ulta.com

Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo

Probably what comes to mind when you think of the OG purple shampoo, this Clairol product has "the prettiest purple pigment," notes Cannon, who cites this as one of her absolute favorites. It's also made with salicylic acid, which will keep your scalp squeaky clean and clear up any acne up top, as well as moisturizing vegetable proteins so you don't have to worry about it being overly drying — despite the cheap price point.

"I've used this for years to maintain my blonde. I use it 1–2 times a week and it takes out the brass. I've even been asked if I had gotten my hair done after using it. It does a great job refreshing the tone," shared a buyer.

Buy It: Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo, $16, ulta.com

R+Co Sunset Blvd Daily Blonde Shampoo

While purple shampoos can be a bit drying on your tresses, this one contains natural, gentler ingredients including pure pearl extract, sunflower sprout extract, and vegetable proteins, which help to nourish hair. Don't worry, it still contains a bright violet pigment that will nix brass.

"I love this purple shampoo as it takes the brassiness away without making my hair feel like straw. It leaves it shiny and soft, without weighing it down as well. Winner!" raved a customer.

Buy It: R+Co Sunset Blvd Daily Blonde Shampoo, $34, dermstore.com

Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo

This sulfate-free purple shampoo guarantees bright, cool-toned results for blondes and those with silver or graying hair — whether natural or color-treated. The violet pigment zaps brass, while the formula (which is packed with protein; amino acids; minerals; and vitamins A, D, E, and B) will make your hair feel incredibly soft and healthy.

"I absolutely love this product," said a shopper. "It is inky purple and so rich, you leave it on depending on how silver-ish you want to go. It doesn't dry out blonde hair and lasts a long time (I used once a week). Love it," they added.

Buy It: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo, $26, sephora.com

Wella Invigo Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Color Refreshing Shampoo

Dimitris Giannetos, a celebrity stylist whose clients include Meghan Trainor and Camila Cabello, revealed that this is his go-to purple shampoo — and not just because the bottle looks super pretty on your shower shelf. It instantly cools copper tones for vibrant natural or highlighted blondes, and tons of reviews commented on how it leaves strands so much softer post-wash.

"I have tried many purple shampoos and this is my favorite and I'll never try another. Not only does it smell great, it leaves my hair soft and revived my blonde like I just left the salon!!" wrote a reviewer.

Buy It: Wella Invigo Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Color Refreshing Shampoo, $19, ulta.com

Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo

This pick was developed by color specialists from the Nexxus Salon in New York to gently cleanse hair and correct brassy tones. Pair it with the brand's purple conditioner, which is enriched with strengthening keratin proteins.

"I have blonde growing out to gray. It really takes out the yellow and leaves it a beautiful color. Also, it doesn't overly dry. I do leave it in for like 5 minutes in the shower and this is my only shampoo. I shampoo only a couple times per week," shared one buyer.

Buy It: Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo, $20, target.com

Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo

Infused with jojoba and algae extracts — both of which condition hair so that it feels soft and healthy — this violet-tinted shampoo brings out your blonde and brightens white and silver hair without drying it out.

"I have tried almost all of the silver shampoos and Paul Mitchell is by far the best!" raved a customer. "I have course, thick hair and the shampoo does not dry out my hair. I just purchased the conditioner and it works just as good!" they added.

Buy It: Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo, $18, ulta.com

Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo

It might be a splurge, but Cannon is a fan of this product from Oribe because it's so moisturizing, thanks to the inclusion of coconut- and corn-derived cleansers (translation: they're much gentler and less drying than other cleansing agents). The formula also includes hydrating purple orchid and flax extract, which help conserve the hair follicle's melanin (aka its natural pigment).

"I've tried other violet/purple shampoos in an attempt to protect my blonde highlights, but nothing compares to this. I only use it once a week but my hair is the same colour now that it was 4 months ago when I had my balance done. Expensive but lasts ages if not used every day," said a shopper.

Buy It: Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo, $46, nordstrom.com

Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo

Designed for natural and highlighted blonde or silver hair, this purple shampoo neutralizes brass and copper to leave hair brighter in just one wash. It's packed with keratin, wheat, and silk amino acids to gently cleanse, purify, strengthen, and add shine to your locks.

"This is by far my favorite purple shampoo! I have brunette hair with blonde highlights and it removes any copper color the blonde develops over time. I leave it on for a few minutes in the shower and it leaves my highlights with a cool ash blonde without distorting my brunette color. Other shampoos claim to do the same, but this one actually delivers!" wrote one reviewer.

Buy It: Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo, $22, ulta.com