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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Lifting your hair to a brighter, lighter, blonder hue is a commitment—a worthy one but a commitment nonetheless. This is because the lightening process leaves the hair porous and more prone to damage, often leading to unwanted dullness, brassiness, and yellow-ish undertones.Â
While salon upkeep is required to keep things looking fresh, the good news is that there are multiple at-home options. Enter purple shampoos, which can be used between salon visits to keep your hair looking bright and balanced.
“Purple shampoo works by neutralizing any unwanted yellow or warm tones to your blonde or gray hair,” explains hairstylist, Carolyn Gahan. When we think of the color wheel, violet sits opposite yellow. So by applying the tint through your hair, we’re able to cancel out the warmth and restore the hair to its original vibrant state.Â
Finding a purple shampoo that compliments your hair type isn’t exactly straightforward (a simple Google search will garner hundreds of results). We conducted hours of research on the best purple hair every hair type, from thin to thick, curly, coily, bleached, and naturally silver. After evaluating each formula on its active ingredients, and also having a look at what the formula doesn't contain—namely sulfates that can weigh down your hair, and taking into account overall value, we narrowed down our list. We consulted top stylists for input on their top picks to give you the best in show.
Best Overall
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Smooths hair
Creates shine
Smells great
Scent may be too strong for some
While Moroccanoil might be best known for their argan oil treatments, this toning shampoo is hands-down one of the best we’ve tried (and that’s saying something). The formula contains its signature ingredient while also incorporating violet pigments to brighten natural and bleached blondes, as well as silver and gray hair. It’s sulfate-free, smells delicious, and works for most hair textures, too.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 2.4 fl. oz. or 6.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Effective formula
Affordable
Vegan
Can leave a residue behind
This drugstore buy is free of sulfates, parabens, harsh surfactants, harsh salts, and is completely vegan, so it’s excellent for those with colored, bleached, or sensitive hair. The rich purple pigment works well to correct orange, yellow, and golden tones, while the hibiscus extract nourishes and softens. Use every second shampoo to maintain a bright, clean blonde.
Price at time of publish: $19
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 6.8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore
Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo
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Amazon
Affordable
Effective formula
Not for every wash
This top-rated drugstore buy has amassed a large following thanks to its concentrated formula and reasonable price point. But since it’s powerful, we suggest using it as a weekly or biweekly treatment to remove brassy undertones—as opposed to your regular shampoo.
Price at time of publish: $27
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size: 8.4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color
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Amazon
Smells great
Effective formula
Nourishing
Expensive
If you want a violet toning shampoo that also affords a luxurious hair-washing experience, it’s got to be Oribe’s Bright Blonde formula. It’s extremely gentle and serves up a fine, frothy lather that coats every strand for a fresh, clean, and balanced result. Paraben and sulfate-free, it also comes enriched with botanical extracts (like watermelon and chamomile), plus keratin for strength.
Price at time of publish: $46
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Curly or Kinky Hair
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength & Color Care Shampoo
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Amazon
Affordable
Contains certified organic ingredients
Nourishing
Could weigh down fine hair
If your texture is on the curlier side, you’ll love the nourishment this formula from SheaMoisture gives. There’s organic shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba oil to restore moisture, while purple rice water subtly brightens. While it’s not as pigmented as other options, the light tint means that it can be used every wash without the risk of over-toning.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 13.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Damaged Hair
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
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Amazon
Strengthening
Creates shine
Scent may be too strong for some
If you favor a very cool-toned blonde or gray aesthetic, you’ll be a big fan of Amika’s Bust Your Brass shampoo. It’s extremely pigmented, so it works quickly to mitigate warmth from the hair. The formula also utilizes a bond repair technology to improve strength and reduce breakage, while mango butter leaves hair immediately soft and shiny. As sulfate and paraben-free, it’s a great pick for dry, damaged, or bleached styles.
Price at time of publish: $28
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8 fl. oz. or 33.8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Frizz
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Creates shine
Long-lasting results
Contains sulfates
If you wish you could maintain a cool, clean blonde for longer, Joico’s Color Balance formula is a dream come true. “Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo is my favorite because its pigment attaches to the hair fibers and stays put even after multiple washes,” explains Gahan.
“You will see a noticeable difference straight away, and your hair feels mega shiny afterward. This range I also use regularly on my gray clients for that crisp white color." It’s also packed with peptides to support hair integrity and softness.
Price at time of publish: $23
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size: 10.1 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Bleached Hair
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
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Amazon
Strengthening
Hydrating
Expensive
If you want the bond-repairing benefits of Olaplex but don’t want to compromise on your color, No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is for you. It contains that brand’s signature bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate—which is known to rebond broken, damaged, or compromised hair—as well as a violet tint to remove unwanted orange, yellow, or golden tones. While it’s effective on both natural and bottle blondes, it’s especially great for bleached hair that’s been damaged in the process.
Price at time of publish: $30
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Colored Hair
Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Miracle Filler
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Amazon
Strengthening
Provides UV protection
Expensive
If your lightened hair is also prone to split ends and breakage, Pureology’s Strength Cure formula simultaneously tones, hydrates, and fortifies hair. The key is a winning combination of purple orchid, proteins, and antioxidants that are designed to seal and repair while removing golden undertones. There’s also an included UV filter to ward off color fading.
Price at time of publish: $85
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 9 fl. oz. or 33.8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Fine Hair
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Softening
Hydrating
Adds volume
Contains sulfates
Kérastase is the pinnacle of luxury haircare, and this Anti-Brass Shampoo is nothing short of a miracle. The soft, foamy formula uses concentrated violet pigments alongside hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower to tone the hair while creating touchable volume. It’s not at all heavy or dense, so it works well for finer hair that is either naturally blonde, gray, or bleached.
Price at time of publish: $38
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Medium to Thick Hair
Shu Uemura Yūbi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair
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Amazon
Hydrating
Smooths hair
Contains sulfates
This shampoo from Shu Uemura contains purple and blue pigments exclusive to the brand for a toning effect you really can’t find anywhere else. There’s also white peony, coconut, and hyaluronic acid for hydration, making it ideal for medium to thick hair types that crave a little extra nourishment.
Price at time of publish: $36
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral | Size: 10 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Natural Blondes
Bumble and bumble Illuminated Blonde Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Nourishing
Creates shine
Expensive
Toning shampoos can soften skimp on nourishment, which is difficult if you have naturally dry, frizzy hair. But Bumble and bumble’s Bb.Illuminated formula is rich in hazelnut seed oil, coconut, and glycerin to restore lost moisture and foster shine. And then there is the toning element, which works equally well on natural or lightened hair. Bonus: there’s even amethyst extract for a little sparkle.
Price at time of publish: $85
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 fl. oz. or 33.8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Highlights
John Frieda Violet Crush for Blondes Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Hydrating
Doesn't stain skin
Affordable
Works better for warmer highlights
This shampoo deposits crushed violet pigments into blonde hair to counteract brassiness. It lathers well without being too sudsy or staining skin. What makes this shampoo so great for highlights is its peroxide-free formula that doesn't need to be left on hair long for results. Reviewers note a difference after one shampoo.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.3 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Color-Extending
Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Conditioner
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Amazon
Eliminates yellowish, brassy tones
Creates a cooler-toned blond
Very noticeable results
Not recommended for daily use
Contains PEGs
If you want your salon-lightened hair to last longer between treatments, this one's for you. Redken Blondage Shampoo contains deep purple color-depositing pigments that eliminate yellowish, brassy tones and leave a cooler blonde hue in their wake. This product can be a bit drying if you use it every day, but don't worry—it'll still work wonders when you lather up just two to three times a week.
Price at time of publish: $25
Hair Type: Color-treated | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 10.1 or 33.8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Very Light Blondes
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
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Ulta
Plant-based formula
Naturally sourced pigments
Leaves hair shiny and soft
May stain hands/shower
If your hair is platinum, white, silver, or otherwise bleached an ultra-light hue, go with Klorane. This plant-based shampoo gives unwanted yellow and copper tones the boot while leaving hair nourished, shiny, and soft. The purple pigments come from organic centaury herb, and while the naturally sourced ingredient works remarkably well, we should note it might temporarily stain your hands or the shower.
Price at time of publish: $22
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral | Size: 13.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
We’re giving top honors to Moroccanoil's Blonde Perfecting Shampoo, which is packed with argan oil to repair the hair from the inside out while keeping brassy and orange tones and bay. The sulfate-free formula is also super gentle, making it great for all hair types. For curly and kinky hair, we recommend SheaMoisture's Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Shampoo. It's ultra-hydrating to restore moisture to dry and damaged hair while protecting your color. Finally, a shout-out to the Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo for combining its hair-strengthening benefits with violet pigments to simultaneously repair and refresh the hair.
Meet the Expert
- Carolyn J. Gahan is an experienced creative colorist, with extensive blonde and lightening experience.
- Sabrina Yamani Yamga is an award-winning colorist and extension specialist at SPACE by Alex Brown in Chicago.
What to Look For in a Purple Shampoo
Purple Tone
Different purple tones neutralize different brassy shades. For example, violet is great at counteracting yellow tones in light blonde hues, as with Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo and Fudge Clean Blonde Violet-Toning Shampoo.
“If your hair is more of a brassy orange or warm brunette, purple is too light,” says Sabrina Yamani Yamga, an award-winning colorist and extension specialist at SPACE by Alex Brown in Chicago. “So you'll want to opt for a blue shampoo.”
Nourishing Ingredients
As Yamga notes, purple shampoos can be drying. So look for hydrating ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and keratin amino acids. These are meant to ensure hair is soft, smooth, and shiny after washing.Â
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo is a great choice if you want something that not only lightens but also improves the texture of your hair. If the price is too steep, go with something like L'Oreal Ever Pure Purple Shampoo.
Sulfate-Free Formula
Sulfates can do a number on your hair, so if your hair is on the drier side already, opt for a sulfate-free purple shampoo. A sulfate-free purple shampoo will be gentle while still being effective at getting rid of unwanted brassy tones.
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Shampoo and Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo are a couple of our favorite sulfate-free formulas.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Emily Algar has had bleached highlights for most of her life—and because her natural hue is quite warm, she’s spent years (and dollars) testing some of the best blonde toning shampoos on the market. She’s also spent the last six years chatting to various hairstylists and colorists for work (it’s a tough life), gathering industry tips about the next products for every hair type and condition.