If you color your hair, you already know that brassiness is the enemy. It creeps in slowly, turning your salon-fresh shade into something warmer, duller, and sometimes downright orange. That’s where toning shampoos step in. But walk down any beauty aisle and you’re immediately faced with the big question: blue shampoo or purple shampoo? They’re both designed to combat unwanted warmth, yet they don’t do the same job. Think of them like siblings: related, but absolutely not interchangeable.
We break down everything you need to know about each one, including who should use what, how often, and how to avoid the common mistakes that sabotage your color. Consider this your definitive anti-brass rulebook.
Why Does Brassiness Happen in the First Place?
Before diving into shampoos, it’s worth understanding why brassiness happens because it always does. Color-treated hair naturally exposes warm underlying pigments. For brunettes, that’s typically orange and red. For blondes, it’s yellow. Add in UV exposure, hard water, heat styling, mineral buildup, and time, and your cool, rich shade starts shifting into an unwanted warm zone.
Toning shampoos correct this by using basic color theory. On the color wheel, blue neutralizes orange, and purple neutralizes yellow. This simple rule is the foundation of everything that follows.
What Is Blue Shampoo—and Who Is It For?
Blue shampoo is formulated with blue pigments that specifically target orange tones. If your brunette shade, natural or color-treated, starts turning warm, muddy, or coppery, then blue shampoo is your best friend.
Best for:
- Light, medium, or dark brunettes
- Brunette balayage or ombré
- Bronde shades that skew orangey
- Color-treated brown hair that lifts too warm over time
What blue shampoo does not do is tone yellow. That’s a common misconception. If your highlights or balayage pieces are pulling bright yellow, blue shampoo won’t quite get you where you want to go.
Blue shampoo works especially well for brunettes who want to maintain a deep, cool, or chocolatey tone—not warm caramel.
What About Purple Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is the go-to for anyone fighting yellow brassiness. This is why blondes practically consider it a survival product. But purple shampoo isn’t just for icy blondes. It’s also ideal for:
- Platinum blondes
- Highlights
- Blonde balayage
- Silver, gray, or white hair
- Very light brunettes wanting to counteract golden tones
Purple shampoo deposits violet pigment that instantly shifts bright yellow hair into cooler, ashier territory. If your blonde ever starts looking “sunny” when you want “Scandinavian,” purple shampoo will fix it fast.
Blue vs. Purple Shampoo: The Side-by-Side Breakdown
|
Feature |
Blue Shampoo |
Purple Shampoo |
|
Neutralizes |
Orange tones |
Yellow tones |
|
Best for |
Brunettes, bronde, brown balayage |
Blondes, platinum, silver |
|
Color Wheel Opposite |
Blue vs. Orange |
Purple vs. Yellow |
|
Final Result |
Cooler brown, eliminates brass |
Ashy, icy, or neutral blonde |
|
Common Mistake |
Using it on yellow brass |
Using it on orange brass |
The most important takeaway: use the shampoo that matches the brassiness you’re seeing, not your hair color category. A blonde with orange tones? She needs blue, not purple. A brunette whose highlights turn yellow? Purple, not blue.
How Often Should You Use Blue or Purple Shampoo?
Toning shampoos are powerful. They’re not meant for daily use.
- Blondes: 1–2 times per week with purple shampoo
- Brunettes: 1–2 times per week with blue shampoo
- High-maintenance blondes (platinum, silver): Up to 3 times per week, depending on how quickly yellow returns
- Cold-weather hair or hard-water homes: You may need it slightly more often
Always follow with a hydrating conditioner or mask. Toning shampoos are inherently drying because of the pigment load.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Results You Didn’t Ask For
Even the right product can go wrong. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Leaving it on too long
We’ve all done it—“just five more minutes” in hopes of going icier or cooler. But purple shampoo left too long can leave a violet cast, while blue shampoo can make brunette hair appear temporarily inky.
2. Using the wrong color
If yellow brass is the issue, purple is the only solution. If the brass veers coppery or orange, blue is your fix. Don’t mix up the two.
3. Using it every wash
This leads to dull, flat color. The key is rotation, not repetition.
4. Skipping clarifying shampoo
If you never reset your hair with a clarifier, toning products sit on top of buildup instead of penetrating effectively.
Can You Use Both Blue and Purple Shampoo?
Yes, but only if your hair truly needs both. This usually applies to brondes or blondes transitioning from a darker shade.
For Example:
You might have dark brunette roots that go orange (blue shampoo territory) and light mid-lengths that go yellow (purple shampoo territory). In that case, you can strategically apply blue at the roots and purple mid-length to ends.
Recommended Products for Your Anti-Brass Routine
Here are some expert-recommended picks to round out your anti-brass haircare routine, from detoxing and toning to deep conditioning.
L’Oréal EverPure Clarifying Shampoo — A sulfate-free clarifying cleanser that removes buildup from styling products and hard water without stripping your color. Great for resetting before using a toning shampoo.
L’Oréal EverPure Clarifying Shampoo
Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo — Highly pigmented with blue-violet tones, this shampoo neutralizes orange or copper undertones in brown or bronde hair. It’s a favorite for its strength and efficiency.
Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo
Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo — A true-blue formula designed to tone warm brunettes. According to colorists, its blue pigment helps correct brassy, orange hues while preserving your color.
Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Purple Shampoo — A purple toning shampoo that also strengthens the hair via Olaplex’s bond-repair technology. It’s ideal for blondes and highlighted strands that need toning and repair.
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Purple Shampoo
L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate‑Free Purple Shampoo — A reliable, gentle purple shampoo that neutralizes yellow tones in blonde, silver, or highlighted hair. Vegan and free of harsh ingredients.
L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate‑Free Purple Shampoo
Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment Mask — A deeply hydrating treatment mask for color-treated hair. Enriched with avocado and coconut oil, this mask helps restore moisture and shine while protecting your color with Pureology’s anti-fade complex.
Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment Mask
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask — A whipped, ultra-hydrating treatment that boosts moisture for up to 5 days using hyaluronic acid and squalane. Perfect for dry, color-treated strands in need of serious hydration.
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
Some of the products featured here may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on personal use, stylist feedback, or product performance.
