Using purple shampoo on dry hair: Should you do it?
Trust us when we say that pastel, blonde, and granny hair are the most high maintenance colors in terms of aftercare. It’s because achieving these require bleaching–a process that involves high levels of chemicals that strip the color of each hair strand, resulting in porous, brittle, and dehydrated hair. With porous stands, hair not just becomes dry, but also easily turns into unwanted brass. The easiest solution to combat brassiness and take care of blonde hair color is to use purple shampoo. Don’t let the name scare you! This won’t turn your hair into a crazy eggplant shade–this shampoo deposits cool violet pigments that neutralize orange tones.
However, these shampoos are known to be drying, so is it really a good idea to use purple shampoo on dry hair? We asked our team of haircare experts to answer frequently asked questions about purple shampoo and bleached hair aftercare.
How does purple shampoo work?
Remember the color theory they taught us in grade school? Purple is in the opposite spectrum of yellow and orange in the color wheel, so they cancel each other out!
Unlike regular shampoos, this is recommended for those who have blonde, gray, platinum, and pastel hair as it tones down brassiness. Although they’re known to be a holy grail for those who love to don light hair colors, they tend to get extremely drying when overused. A tip: Always look for hydrating ingredients when shopping for purple shampoos.
Why should I not use purple shampoo on my dry hair?
We get it. Brassy streaks are never a good sight but you also don’t want to cause further damage to chemically treated hair. So do we recommend using purple shampoo on dry hair?
No, we don’t.
Here are the top reasons not to use purple shampoos on dry hair:
- If you have dehydrated hair, the last thing you want to do is use any products that might result in more breakage.
- Focus on deep conditioning your hair with moisturizing masks like the Cream Silk Triple Keratin Rescue Ultimate Repair & Shine Ultra Treatment Wrap and VitaKeratin Deep Repair.
- When hair is porous and dehydrated, it just absorbs purple pigments and results in purple patches.
- You should give bleached hair time to breathe, especially after bleaching sessions. Whether you went to a professional or did it at home (something we don’t recommend!), bleaching still damages hair.
Why should I use purple shampoo on my damaged hair?
Hair toning sessions are expensive, so you might want a remedy to save you some expensive salon trips. Just like any other product in your beauty arsenal, moderation is key!
In case you have a Code Yellow emergency and really have to tone down the brass, we suggest introducing purple shampoo to your hair and leaving it for only a few minutes. As long as you deep condition your hair afterward, you can still combat brassiness with purple shampoo.
Editor’s Tip: Yes, purple conditioners also exist! We recommend the TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Conditioner, a perfect pairing to the TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Shampoo. It neutralizes brassiness while hydrating each strand.
How often should I use purple shampoo?
Again, it depends on the porosity of your hair since this will be the basis of how each strand will absorb purple pigments. Some formulas are recommended to be used not more than twice a week, even if you have healthy hair.
Editor’s Tip: Find a purple shampoo that is formulated for everyday use! Our top pick is the TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Shampoo. It features an anti-fade technology that leaves your hair with a noticeably vibrant ashy tone after just one wash. It also features jojoba oil, an ingredient known to breathe new life to dry hair.
Any last tips?
The ends are the driest parts of your hair and the most likely to get damaged. If you’re using purple shampoo, apply a deep conditioning mask or conditioner on your split ends. A favorite among those with bleached hair is the Dove Keratin Repair 1 Minute Serum Conditioner, a strengthening treatment that restores hair in just one minute.
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