What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

Brass can be beautiful when you’re talking about interior design – brass kitchen and bathroom fixtures, wall sconces, and antique picture frames are very in at the moment.

But when it comes to hair, brassy is a look that will never trend. Not to worry – blue shampoo may be just the ticket to cool down those warm brassy undertones.

But what does blue shampoo do? And what’s the difference between blue and purple shampoo?

In this article, we are going to answer these questions as well as some other frequently asked questions about blue shampoo. We’ll also give you our picks for our blue shampoo favs!

---

What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

Blue shampoo is used to refresh lightened hair and neutralize unwanted warm orange or copper-colored tones caused by bleaching and dye fading.

You use blue shampoo to counteract those copper colors.

---

Blue vs Purple Shampoo

Blue and purple shampoos are both toning shampoos meant to neutralize unwanted brassy undertones.

When do you want to use blue, and when do you want to use purple?

The color of the shampoo (blue or purple) is based on the opposite color on the color wheel of the brassy tone that it is designed to neutralize.

The key difference between blue and purple shampoo is that purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones and blue shampoo neutralizes orange tones.

Depending on your natural color, the brassy tones will vary. Blondes and those with light-colored hair tend to produce yellow undertones.

Brown hair typically produces warmer, orange undertones.

Those with very dark or black hair have more red undertones.

Though no one has naturally green undertones, green happens, whether it’s from hard water, swimming in chlorinated water, or using the wrong hair dye or toner for your specific shade and tone of hair.

---

Is Blue Shampoo Good For Your Hair?

Blue shampoo is not bad for your hair as long as you use it as directed. Toning shampoo, whether blue or purple, is not meant to replace your regular shampoo.

Toning shampoos should be used only once or twice a week.

---

Does Blue Shampoo Lighten Hair?

Blue shampoo does not lighten the hair.

In fact, if you use blue shampoo too often, it can create a buildup of product which can actually make your hair appear darker.

Also, be careful to follow instructions as to how long to leave it in. If you leave it in too long before rinsing, it can leave your hair with a blue or lavender tinge.

---

Does Blue Shampoo Work On Dark Hair?

Blue shampoo is different from dye and bleach. It just coats the exterior of the hair strand, rather than penetrating the hair structure. Blue shampoo is meant to be applied to naturally lighter brown, or brown hair that has been dyed blonde.

A blue shampoo will not lift or lighten your hair color and it does not cover grey.

Even if your hair is not light brown, if you have copper orange tones you want to get rid of, the blue shampoo will work.

Just bear in mind that you will not get the icy platinum color of the girl on the bottle if your hair is brown.

If your hair is very dark brown and your undertones are more red than orange, you may want to try a green shampoo, like MATRIX Total Results Dark Envy Color-Depositing Green Shampoo 

---

Can You Use Blue Shampoo On GREY Hair?

Purple shampoo is best for toning grey hair, regardless of your previous natural color. The blue vs. purple applies only to the color of the natural undertone or residual underlying pigment that’s been left behind after bleaching.

If your hair is all grey, then this means your hair has stopped producing the melanin that gives hair its color. 

Grey hair can often take on a muddy, yellow tinge. But this yellowing has nothing to do with your natural undertones (because you no longer have any!). It’s more to do with external factors and can be attributed to a number of things such as air pollution, hair product build-up, chemicals and minerals in the water, medication, sun exposure, and heat styling.

Purple will cancel out those dingy yellow tones, blue shampoo will not.

For grey hair, purple shampoo is typically best.

---

What Does Blue Shampoo Do On Blonde Hair?

For blondes looking to get rid of brassy yellow undertones, you need a purple shampoo, not a blue shampoo. Blue shampoo will not cancel out yellow tones. You also could end up with a green tinge to your hair – blue (shampoo) and yellow (hair) make green!

If you were a brunette and dyed your hair blonde, on the other hand, your brassy tones will be more orange than yellow. In this case the blue shampoo will do exactly what you want it to – neutralize those brassy orange tones.

Our Picks For Best Blue Shampoos

MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Shampoo 

MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Shampoo is sulfate-free and neutralizes and cools down warm brassy orange tones. Scented with nectarine, rose and vanilla, it makes for an indulgent shower experience.

---

dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo 

Made with silk proteins and hibiscus flower extract, dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo neutralizes coppery, orangey tones to keep your hair looking fresh.

It contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten, or silicone, making this an ultra-gentle cleanser that won’t strip or dull color-treated hair.

---

Fanola No Orange Shampoo 

Formulated with Coconut oil for shine and to prevent breakage/split ends and enriched with hypoallergenic Tiare flower to nourish and seal hair cuticles, the rich blue pigments of Fanola No Orange shampoo eliminates unwanted copper and orange tones from brown color-treated hair.

---

Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Shampoo 

Redken’s Brownlights sulfate-free blue toning shampoo is formed with blue pigments to counteract brassy orange undertones in highlighted, color-treated, and natural brunette hair.

---

John Frieda Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Shampoo 

John Frieda Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Shampoo is specifically designed for brunettes. It is made of crushed blue pigments to cleanse and neutralize orange and copper in brown hair while moisturizing and nourishing for a cool brunette tone.