11 best purple shampoos to banish brassy tones in blonde hair
As someone who's been hooked on highlights ever since her very first full-head of foils at fifteen, I've become quite the connoisseur at finding the best purple shampoos over the years. From the ashy look I loved at university, to my current warm and buttery balayage, there's no shade of blonde I haven't been – and through it all, purple shampoo has been a staple product in my haircare routine.
Designed to neutralise any unwanted yellow tones that show up once your salon toner has worn off, a trusty purple shampoo will help keep brassiness at bay, and revive dull locks to their freshly-dyed blonde radiance. “Essentially, they give the client the little boost needed to tide them over to their next hair appointment," explains Charlie Ray Hamill, colourist at Blue Tit salons.
Whatever your natural or desired blonde tone, there's a purple shampoo out there for you. And many also help tackle other problems commonly associated with bleach – like dryness, damage, and an increase in breakage. Below, we've pulled together an edit of the best purple shampoos you can buy in 2025 – and we've also consulted the experts for help answering some of your most common FAQs.
Meet the experts:
- Charlie Ray Hamill, Colourist at Blue Tit salons
- Jason Hogan, celebrity and associate colorist at Josh Wood Colour
How we test the best purple shampoos:
Finding the best purple shampoos is a task that we take incredibly seriously. Over the past few weeks and months, the resident blondes in the GLAMOUR team have been lathering up all the top formulas in order to get some trusty first-hand feedback. From straight and fine hair, to curly and thick hair – to dry and overly-processed locks and sensitive scalps – we’ve been sure to find formulas that have been granted the seal of approval with all different hair types, textures, and key requirements.
Did the shampoo leave behind annoying purple stains? Did our hair feel noticeably more dry after using it? Did we notice a big difference in the overall brassiness of our hair as soon as our hair was dry? These are all key considerations we took into account to decide which shampoos truly deserved a spot in this edit.
What is the best purple shampoo? Scroll to find one that works best for you.
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
- Size: 250ml.
- Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, and conditioning agents.
- Best features: Neutralises yellow and brassy tones; Reduces breakage; Strengthens strands damaged by bleach.
Enriched with the brand’s original Bond-Builder System that we all know and love, the ever-trending No.4-P formula works to transform dry, brittle, and chemically-damaged strands. And it does all that while also knocking out any unwanted pesky yellow undertones.
Providing strength, reducing breakage, and hydrating every single strand, it's a must-have for anyone who's overdone it on the bleach. Expect to be left with soft and shiny hair that's far brighter and blonder than before.
It's also vegan, cruelty-free, sulphate-free, parabens-free and phosphate-free – so, it's no wonder that it's a favourite among hairstylists. Impressive, huh?
- Size: 400ml.
- Key ingredients: UV filter, conditioning agents, and glycerin.
- Best features: Potent formula for icy, platinum, and ashy blondes; Highly pigmented formula.
Packing a serious punch, this is 100% the shampoo to pick for intense toning – as its intense ultra-violet pigments will dramatically and immediately get to work immediately banishing yellow and orange undertones. With this in mind, it's especially effective for those with super-lightened hair who are seeking the icy or platinum blonde look.
“I used this iconic OSMO shampoo religiously back in my ashy blonde days, and ten years later it's still got a staple spot in my bathroom cupboard for when I need to quickly tone down the brassiness,” says freelance commerce writer, Georgia Lockstone. “As you'd expect from such a potent formula, it can leave behind a bit of purple staining on your hands – so definitely wear gloves if you've got a fresh manicure!”
Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo
- Size: 250ml.
- Key ingredients: Ethylhexylglycerin.
- Best features: Subtle and gentle toning; Maintains warm undertones; Brightens naturally blonde or grey hair.
A cult purple shampoo for blondes and those with grey-coloured hair, this Philip Kingsley formula subtly neutralises brassiness – without completely getting rid of any warmth. Formulated with optical brighteners, it leaves hair seriously glossy, and shiny – while also being lightweight and not leaving behind any noticeable build-up.
“While most purple shampoos are very opaque and gloopy, this Philip Kingsley one is more gel-like in its consistency – making it ideal for more regular use. After using., my hair was noticeably more soft and shiny – and best of all, my white tub wasn't left with any purple stains," adds Georgia Lockstone.
L'Oreal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum Purple Tinted Shampoo
- Size: 300ml.
- Key ingredients: Ferulic acid, and citric acid.
- Best features: Boosts shine; Prolongs and brightens colour; Protects scalp and hair health.
Designed to lock in your hair colour for longer, this salon-grade purple shampoo for coloured hair works hard long after you use it to keep your colour vibrant. Formulated with the antioxidant ferulic acid, you can expect far less fading – and a serious reduction in any telltale yellowing tones. It's a great option for natural brunettes looking to maintain their blonde highlights or balayage.
“This was the most luxurious shampoo I tried – working up instantly into a really lovely later, and leaving my hair feeling oh-so smooth and soft,” says Georgia Lockstone. “I definitely noticed that it really helped neutralise yellow tones – but it was slightly more subtle, and left the colour looking really natural.”
PROVOKE Touch Of Silver Brightening Purple Shampoo
- Size: 200ml.
- Key ingredients: Nothing noticeable.
- Best features: Really affordable and accessible; Tones really quickly.
If you bleached your hair as a teen, this is probably one of the hair products you bought straight afterwards from your local Boots to keep those orange and yellow tones at bay.
Incredibly affordable, this purple shampoo boasts a potent mix of violet and blue pigments, and instantly vanishes brassiness — leaving you with your desired blonde, icy, or silver look in just one quick wash. Unsurprisingly, the formula is a little drying — so try to stick to using it as just a weekly treatment.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Shampoo
- Size: 250ml.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, and edelweiss extract.
- Best features: Salon-grade colour maintenance; No staining; Leaves hair seriously soft and sleek.
Recommended by heaps of haircare professionals, this is one of the best purple shampoos for restoring shine and gloss – thanks to its formula of hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower.
Designed to melt away dirt and excess oil – without stripping your strands of any nutrients – it lathers really beautifully into a lovely rich foam. And best of all, its violet pigments neutralise yellow tones – without staining your tub, or leaving an unwanted purple cast on your hair. Instead, you can just expect neutralised yellow tones, and seriously luminous locks.
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Shampoo with Florentina Iris
- Size: 250ml.
- Key ingredients: Florentina iris, and almond butter.
- Best features: Doesn't strip golden tones; Nourishes and hydrates dry hair; Leaves strands glossy and shiny.
A seriously nourishing purple shampoo for dry, bleached hair, this Christophe Robin formula is seriously nourishing. It leaves you with seriously glossy strands, and tones your tresses without dulling any gorgeous golden hues.
A clean and vegan formula that’s ideal for sensitive scalps, the soft violet pigments are derived from natural florentina iris, while nourishing almond butter extract indulges every single strand in luxurious moisture for a soft and high-shine finish.
Davines Heart Of Glass Silkening Shampoo
- Size: 250ml.
- Key ingredients: Baobab seed extract.
- Best features: Lightweight formula; Subtly balances undertones; Conditions hair; Sustainable and natural formula.
Lightweight and seriously silky, this purple shampoo for fine hair is enriched with natural pigments that minimise brassiness without leaving behind any build-up – making it a great option for anyone with especially fine or thin hair. Infused with deeply hydrating baobab seed extract, it's gentle, nourishing, and deeply conditioning.
A bit of a hybrid between a purple and a blue shampoo, it helps counteract both yellow and orange tones — but in a really subtle way that doesn't completely eliminate golden hues. So, it's ideal for really gentle and subtle toning.
Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo
- Size: 300ml.
- Key ingredients: Salicylic Acid, polyquaternium blends, and amino acids.
- Best features: Neutralises brassiness instantly; Protein-rich formula; Leaves hair shiny.
Impatient? Don't worry – so are we. This powerful purple shampoo contains potent ultra-violet pigments that can kick any brassiness to the curb after just one wash. Ideal for highlighted hair, just leave it on for a few minutes to achieve a truly icy blonde.
Plus, it's also infused with amino acids to help strengthen every single chemically-treated strand, and smoothing polyquaterniums – which are a family of conditioning agents that add softness and shine, and reduce any frizz or static.
Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo
- Size: 266ml.
- Key ingredients: Keravis, and astaxanthin.
- Best features: Strengthens fragile colour-treated hair; Vegan formula; Adds softness and shine.
Want your hair to look good and healthy at the same time? No problem – this specialist shampoo tones your locks with natural purple orchid pigments, while also strengthening and repairing any damaged strands. It's also a great shampoo for greasy hair.
Formulated with the powerful Keravis protein complex, and the restorative antioxidant, astaxanthin, expect a serious reduction in hair loss. A great pick for sensitive scalps, this gentle formula will leave hair bright, soft, and glossy – and also far less susceptible to breakage.
John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo
- Size: 250ml.
- Key ingredients: Nothing of note.
- Best features: Speedy results; Relatively mess-free.
A simple yet effective formula, this John Frieda shampoo will quickly and effectively neutralise any brassy or yellow tones in just one wash – making it an ideal choice for anyone in need of immediate ashy results. Plus, it's also a great pick for natural blondes who are looking to revitalise dry hair and ‘zhuzh’ up their look.
As you'd expect from such an affordable option, it's definitely not packed with heaps of restorative ingredients – so it might be a little too drying for regular use, but would still work well as a weekly or bi-weekly treatment.
Save when you shop for the best purple shampoo with these Amazon discount codes.
Your purple shampoo FAQs, answered:
What is purple shampoo and how does it work?
Essentially a shampoo that's been tinted with violet or lilac pigments, purple shampoo is the ultimate at-home toning solution for neutralising any unwanted orange or yellow undertones in blonde hair.
Purple toning shampoos rely on a little genius concept called ‘colour theory.’ Imagine if you joined the two ends of the rainbow together to form a colour wheel – the colours that sit opposite each other can effectively cancel each other out and neutralise them. So, soft purple and lilac pigments are ideal for erasing yellow tones, while more bold blue and violet pigments help counteract any warm tones and brassiness.
How do I know if I need a purple shampoo?
If your natural blonde or chemically lightened hair is starting to look a little brassy, chances are you'd benefit from a purple shampoo. Particularly common amongst bleached blondes, brassiness often happens in hair that's been lifted several shades lighter, as the melanin from your hair's naturally deeper tone starts to creep back through – turning your platinum or ashy look a little too warm-toned.
But it's something that can happen to natural blondes, too – because blonde hair is naturally quite porous. This means that it soaks everything in a lot more – including build-up from chemicals like chlorine, minerals from hard water, pollution in the air, and even UV rays from daylight – all of which can bring out brass tints.
Gone for some slightly warmer-toned highlights or balayage? Purple shampoo is still great for countering excessive brassiness – but you'll want to pick one that's a little more subtle and gentle. “If you have warm, golden, or honey blonde hair, you might want to avoid an overly cool-toned purple shampoo," Hamill adds.
How long should I keep purple shampoo in my hair?
Generally, it's recommended to lather on your purple shampoo and leave it to work its magic for a matter of minutes, depending on how much toning you're after. Every formula is different, and you must check the instructions on each tube first.
It also depends on your blonde, says Hamill: “For white and bright natural blonde, I’d suggest just washing the shampoo in and out of your hair like any other shampoo, but for silver and grey tones you could leave it in a little longer.” You also don't need to follow up with your regular shampoo – just rinse it out, and follow with your favourite conditioner as usual.
As mentioned, it's important not to overuse your shampoo either. Once a week should be fine, or less if you start noticing dull hair. But be warned: “If you have a clean white blonde colour, the pigment could literally turn it blue,” says Hamill – particularly if you overuse, leave it on for too long, or opt for a formula that's too strong.
As Hogan explains, it's also wise to care for your highlighted hair in-between salon appointments with a mask, too – particularly during the summer months. “Alongside using your purple shampoo, using a nourishing hair mask containing a UV filter will really help you preserve your colour,” he adds. "The Oribe Beautiful Colour Mask is my personal favourite."
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