Does Purple Shampoo Work for Brown Hair?

LuxeLuminous is reader supported. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

Purple shampoo is a color-toning shampoo that contains a purple pigment. These pigments are designed to neutralize unwanted yellow tones on hair.

It is also known as “purple toner.”

Purple shampoos are commonly used by people who have bleached their hair. When you bleach dark hair, you often end up with unwanted orange or yellow colors. You can neutralize those colors with purple or blue shampoo.

However, does purple shampoo work for brown hair? Absolutely!

  • Purple shampoo will work on yellow tones in brown hair.
  • It prevents your hair from developing brassiness or unwanted tone due to sun exposure. 
  • It can also be used as an alternative to hair dye. 

Purple shampoo contains purple pigment because it is designed counteract those pesky yellow tones. If you remember the color wheel, the purple color lies right opposite the yellow color to cancel out each other’s effect (more on this later).

Purple shampoo has been around for years, but it has recently gained popularity due to its ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

We’ll dig deeper into purple shampoo on brown hair below.


Contents

Does Purple Shampoo Work on Brown Hair?

Purple Shampoo on Brown Hair

Purple shampoo can work wonders on blonde locks, whether they be natural or dyed. But purple shampoo is not just for girls with ashy blond hair. It works beautifully on brown hair as well, as shown above!

In fact, color depositing shampoos can be used on hair of any color, including red hair, dark brown, or even green hair! They will neutralize unwanted tones, regardless of the starting color.

In fact, color depositing shampoos can be used on hair of any color, including red hair, dark brown, or even green hair! They will neutralize unwanted tones, regardless of the starting color.

Most purple shampoos contain Keratin which helps in restoring bleached hair. They are effective on dark brown hair too.

Purple shampoo never changes your natural hair color, even if it is dark brown. They only neutralize the brassy tones or yellow tone highlights. 

The active ingredient in purple shampoo is called aminophenol, which changes the pigment in your hair by breaking down melanin and turning it into other pigments. This process also makes your hair more porous, allowing the dye to penetrate deeper into your hair shafts and reach down to the roots. 

Purple shampoo can be used on any type of hair, but it works best on blonde hair because it has a higher concentration of melanin than darker colors like brown or red. The brassy tone looks more like a red color, so purple shampoo would not be that effective in neutralizing it. 

This is why it’s important to understand what tones you want to counteract and understand how color-depositing shampoo works to neutralize those tones.


Color Toning Shampoo 101

As we explained above, purple shampoo will counteract unwanted brassy tones. Are you sure the color tone you want to get rid of is brassy?

Let’s refer to the color wheel.

Color-depositing shampoos will neutralize the opposite color on the color wheel. So a green shampoo will remove unwanted red tones, a blue shampoo will cancel unwanted orange colors, and a purple shampoo will remove those brassy yellow tones.

The key takeaway here is that you want to find the color you want to remove, and then choose the opposite color shampoo for that color.

The key takeaway here is that you want to find the color you want to remove, and then choose the opposite color shampoo for that color.

If you end up wanting to remove a tone that’s in between — an orange/yellow tone, for example, you can mix blue and purple shampoo to remove those colors.


How to Use Purple Shampoo

Purple Shampoo on Brown Hair

The first step in using purple shampoo on brown hair is to choose the correct purple shampoo for your hair. There are many different types of purple shampoos, so it’s important to know which one you need before you start using it.

Always protect your skin when using purple shampoo because it can cause irritation and damage if not used properly. 

The first step in using purple shampoo on brown hair is to choose the correct purple shampoo for your hair.

Keep in mind that purple shampoos can stain your hair and skin as they contain purple pigment. It is suggested to put on moisturizer or petroleum jelly on your hairline. Also, wear gloves and avoid the product from dripping.

This will prevent your forehead from staining. 

Of course, you should always follow the instructions for your specific color-depositing shampoo, but here are generic recommendations:

Apply a small amount of purple shampoo and massage it to your scalp gently for a short while. Let the purple shampoo sit in your hair for at least 5-10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

To achieve a more dramatic color, you can leave the shampoo for a maximum of 15 minutes. 

If you get a lilac hue after washing, you ultimately have to switch to regular shampoo for the next few washes. The appearance of the lilac shade means that you have applied purple shampoo for too long. 

In the last step, it is necessary to use a conditioner. Although purple shampoo is good at neutralizing the hair tone, it dries out your hair too.

Applying a good quality conditioner specifically to the middle part and to the end of the hair strands is essential. 


Where Does The Brassy Hair Tone Come From?

Purple Shampoo

Brassy hair is a common problem for many women, particularly those who have colored their hair.

It can be caused by the environment, styling products, tools, or natural underlying hair pigment. The most common cause of brassy hair is the environment.

Due to the hair’s natural pigment oxidation, unwanted yellow tones appear. This process can be accelerated by exposure to sunlight or heat.

The sun’s UV rays turn your hair more yellow in color and also damage your strands from the inside out. If you are going to be outside for long periods, make sure to use a hat with a wide brim that will protect your face and neck from harmful UV rays. 

Moreover, tap water might contain harmful minerals and metals that can penetrate the hair strands causing a yellow tint to appear.


How Frequently Can You Use Purple Shampoo?

Purple shampoo is not a regular shampoo. Therefore, you should not apply it to your hair daily. Using too much purple shampoo can result in a darker tone which many users do not prefer. 

Purple shampoo is not a regular shampoo. Therefore, you should not apply it to your hair daily. Using too much purple shampoo can result in a darker tone which many users do not prefer. 

If you use it frequently, then it will eliminate all the yellow tone strands from your hair.

Purple shampoo is meant to be used once a week or every two weeks, depending on your requirements and on the particular brand you choose.


Products That Can Fix Brassy Hair 

There are many products on the market that claim to fix brassy hair. However, some products often contain harsh chemicals that damage your hair and scalp. Therefore, you must be vigilant while choosing a neutralizing product for your hair. 

Listed below are a few products that help to eliminate the brassy color of your hair and make it look healthy, shiny, and vibrant. Whether you are looking for a shampoo, conditioner, or leave-in treatment, these products can help you achieve your desired look.


Conclusion

Purple shampoo will neutralize yellow tones in any color hair. If you want those removed, purple is the way to go. Just make sure you want a purple shampoo, and not a blue or other color-depositing shampoo.

Blondes will see the most striking changes when using these shampoos, but brunettes can really tighten up their look as well.

Good luck!

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).