Blue vs Purple Shampoo for Blondes
In the photos above, my hair is photographed before using any toner (left), after using purple shampoo (middle), and after using blue shampoo (right).
Toning your hair at home is one of the easiest ways to maintain your hair color and stretch the time between salon visits. With plenty of options on the market, it can be overwhelming to figure out exactly what will work best for your hair color. While purple toners and shampoos have been around for years, it’s only recently that I’ve started to see more blue toners available for purchase. In order to know how they work to tone your hair, it’s best to refer to the color wheel.
Purple is opposite of yellow, which means that purple shampoo works to cancel out the yellow (and light orange) brassiness found in highlighted, blonde, and platinum hair.
On the other hand, blue is the complementary color to orange, so using a blue shampoo will cancel out orange (or even red) brassiness, typically found in darker hair colors that pull warm, like dark brown.
My hair is naturally dark brown, but I have bright blonde highlights applied throughout, so I decided to use both purple and blue toners and compare the results side by side to see which works better.
blue vs purple shampoo before and after
Above, you can see my hair after using purple shampoo (left) and blue shampoo (right).
The purple shampoo canceled out the yellow and orange tones, whereas the blue shampoo canceled out the deeper orange and red tones.
The purple shampoo result looks lighter because it toned my highlights. The blue shampoo toned the base of my hair, which is naturally dark brown.
blue vs purple shampoo for blonde hair
Both purple (left photo) and blue shampoo (right photo) products toned my hair and really lifted the brassiness, but there’s definitely a clear winner on which toner is better.
which is better for blonde or color-treated hair - purple or blue shampoo?
Overall, I recommend using purple shampoo unless you have dark hair with subtle highlights. All color-treated hair is more prone to breakage and split ends by default, since bleach is damaging. Purple shampoos, in my experience, are more likely to be hydrating and gentler. Below, you can see how purple shampoo (left) and blue shampoo (right) affected my hair. The blue toner left my hair noticeably drier.
which is better for grey hair - purple or blue shampoo?
Grey hair is more wiry in nature, so I still recommend purple shampoo over blue shampoo if you have grey hair - the reason for this is that blue shampoo tends to have more drying formulas than purple toners, regardless if you use shampoo, conditioner, or mask, and will make grey hair more prone to frizz.
the best purple and blue shampoos for toning blonde hair
While I recommend purple over blue toners, there are still great products for both. If you’re worried about damaging or potentially overtoning, I always suggest using a conditioner instead of a shampoo. Here are the top products that I’ve tried, loved, and repurchased over time:
the best purple toners for blonde hair
Davines Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner - The best purple toner on the market, I really love this conditioner. It almost feels like a mask with how hydrating it is as it leaves your hair feeling so soft and sleek without weighing it down. It really is foolproof in that it tones your hair perfectly, no matter how long (or little) you leave it on for. The scent isn’t my favorite, but it doesn’t last long and isn’t overpowering. Davines also makes a Heart of Glass Shampoo and Intense Treatment, but I think you get the best results for the best price with the Rich Conditioner.
UNITE Hair BLONDA Purple Shampoo - This is a stronger formula that really pulls all yellow and brassy tones out. Meant to be used weekly, I like that you get dramatic results without having to put a lot of effort it. It’s color safe, sulfate and paraben free, and doesn’t leave any residue. I like to pair this with their 7SECONDS Detangler Leave-in Conditioner for added shine, protection, and hydration; it also doubles as a heat protectant, too.
Kristin Ess One Purple Conditioner - My go-to recommendation if you are on a budget. One of Target’s most popular haircare brands, I like that you can buy a big size for less than $25, which will last you a long time. I recommend toning conditioner over shampoo because it’s more gentle and less drying, but this brand also sells a purple toning shampoo, if you prefer it. If you’re on the fence and just want to try, the travel size is a great option and less than $5.
the best blue toners for highlighted hair
Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo - Avid isn’t my go-to hair brand, but it’s been around for a long time and is known for high-quality products. This was more expensive than I would typically spend, but I know the bulk size will last me a long time, especially since a little goes a long way. The results make the prince worth it; this shampoo suds well without drying your hair, adds shine, and is gentle enough that it won’t tangle wiry hair.
Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss - Technically a treatment instead of a shampoo, this is a great option for dark brown hair. It subtly cancels out all brassiness without adding a blue tint, and adds an incredible about of shine since it’s a gloss. It’s also hydrating, and leaves your hair soft and frizz-free.