What does purple shampoo do and should I use it on my hair?

Purple shampoo may sound like a beauty gimmick, but it is quickly becoming a must-have product for light-haired people everywhere. As anyone with blonde locks can confirm, regardless of whether the colour is natural or dyed, fair hair is particularly susceptible to becoming dull, yellow or lacklustre.

There are a number of reasons why this is the case. Heat styling, for example, can alter the colour of blonde hair as any damage caused by hot implements will show up very easily. The same can be said for factors such as pollution, product build-up, and exposure to chemicals such as chlorine.

For those who have previously enjoyed a head of shiny platinum hair, rapid discolouration can be disheartening and frustrating. After all, the last thing your hair needs when it’s damaged is a new layer of dye. This is where purple shampoo comes in.

How does purple shampoo keep your hair looking great?

Purple shampoo is what is known as a colour-correcting product. Every colour has a warm or cool ‘opposite’, meaning that they cancel each other out if layered on top of each other. To clarify, purple is the cool opposite of warm yellow, so purple shampoo works to colour-correct the warm yellows typically found in blonde hair. If you find that your fair hair is starting turn a little too yellow for your liking, therefore, purple shampoo will be able to cool it down to a more stylish platinum blonde.

If you’re still a little confused about the science of purple shampoo, try combining yellow and purple paints on a palette. You will notice that the colour turns into a neutral grey or beige. This neutralisation is the same thing that will happen to your hair.

Should I use purple shampoo on my hair?

Purple shampoo can be used by folks with light hair who are unhappy with discolouration. Regardless of whether your hair is dyed if it contains too many yellow or brassy tones for your liking a purple shampoo will be beneficial. Brunettes or those with dark shades should beware, however, as purple shampoo will not have any effect on your locks and will only leave you disappointed.

If you’d like more information on using purple shampoos, maintaining your blonde colour or just want to find a hairstyle that represents the real you, we'd love for you to meet one of our expert stylists.