What Is The Difference Between Blue & Purple Shampoo

Imagine spending all of your hard-earned savings to get your favorite balayage done from a super expensive salon, only to see your hair turn BRASSY! Oh my God, doesn’t this sound like a nightmare?! But getting brassy hair is inevitable. No matter how much of an expensive treatment you’ve had, your dye will die down (oh wait, I just created an exciting pun!) anyway! And this is why women are so skeptical about getting their hair dyed. They love the dye but dread the brassiness that follows! But no more! Like every other problem, this problem has a solution too! So what can you do to avoid the dreadful brassy tones?
The simple answer is TONING SHAMPOOS! MORE SPECIFICALLY, PURPLE AND BLUE SHAMPOOS! In fact, these shampoos are a great invention in the beauty industry that has solved many anxious women fighting brassy hair! They’re super useful in toning brassy hair, that too, AT HOME! Sounds like a dream, no?
Congrats! We’ve created a balanced equation and smoothly transitioned from imagining a nightmare to imagining a dream! But there’s an issue: How do you choose between blue and purple shampoo? And what’s the difference between them? Let’s discover!
How Does Brassiness Occur?
Before we get into the specifics of blue and purple shampoos, it’s crucial to understand what they treat, i.e., brassiness.
In general, every hair color has different undertones. Dark hair (such as brunette) has warm orange-colored undertones. Too dark hair’s undertones can be red as well. Light hair, on the other hand, has underlying yellow tones. These undertones get exposed/prominent when hair is lightened through a color treatment such as highlights, balayage, etc.
Brassiness generally refers to the exposure of any warmer undertones such as red, yellow, or orange. We use purple and blue shampoos to avoid this exposure.
Blue and Purple Shampoo Difference
Important to realize, purple and blue shampoos difference is in the undertones they conceal/neutralize.
Blue shampoos neutralize and conceal ORANGE and RED undertones. Not the yellow ones. Therefore, people with naturally dark hair (brunette, for example) should use blue shampoos to avoid brassiness after getting their hair dyed.
Conversely, purple shampoos neutralize YELLOW undertones. In other words, a naturally light-haired (blonde, for example) would have to use purple shampoos to avoid brassiness.
WHEN AND HOW TO USE
Now that you know the purple and blue shampoo difference, it’s time to understand when and how to use them.
You can start using the shampoos right away as soon as you realize that your hair has become brassy after color treatment.
Ideally, use the shampoo once a week to see the difference it brings. If using it once a week is toning your hair effectively, then stick to that. If it’s not, then use it twice a week. You can also mix a small amount of it with your regular shampoo and use it daily.
FINAL WORD
To sum up, knowing the purple and blue shampoo difference is crucial in understanding their effects on your hair so you’ll be able to treat your brassiness effectively.

Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo
$19.00
Let’s kick brass to the curb and keep brunette hair free of unwanted orange tones with Joico’s Color Balance Blue Shampoo. In fact, this ideal balance of color toning and strengthening ingredients protect hair with mega shine. Apply to wet hair. Leave in 3-5 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 2-3x per week, alternating with regular shampoo.

Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
$17.00
This Total Results Brass Off is a professional salon clarifying shampoo that neutralizes brassy tones while refreshing your hair with cool tones. As a matter of fact, it is best for brunettes who lighten their hair, this shampoo deposits balancing blue-violet pigments to reduce brassy tones. Wearing suitable gloves, apply to wet hair, lather, and rinse well. Leave on 3-5 minutes before rinsing.

Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo
$22.50
The Redken’s Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo is a color-depositing, blue toning shampoo for brown hair. This progressive toning system is ideal for preventing and neutralizing brass for brunettes. For this reason, this sulfate-free shampoo gently cleanses your hair without stripping color and helps prolong cool brunette color. For the best results: Apply to wet hair, lather, and rinse.

Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
$19.00
The Joico’s Color Balance Purple Shampoo offers immediate cooling results, plus round-the-clock healthy hair protection. Moreover, it gently cleanses hair, instantly neutralizes unwanted yellow & warm tones in blonde hair. It long-lasting results through 12 washes. Boosts shine & smoothness, controls static and paraben-free.

amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
$20.00
This highly pigmented purple shampoo counteracts unwanted orange and brassy tones, so hair stays light and bright. Perfect for blonde, silver, and gray shades, it delivers cool-toned results—whether the hair is natural or bleached. Not to mention, it’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals; this shampoo makes blonde maintenance a breeze. Apply to wet hair, gently massage a small amount through scalp and hair. Let the product sit longer on hair for added toning benefits. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
$24.00
The gentle cleansing formula contains violet pigments to counteract unwanted yellow and orange tones, enhance your color’s depth and dimension, and revive highlights. Another key point, it also has ArganID™ technology to help repair hair from the inside out. A sulfate-free, tone-correcting shampoo to fight brassiness in blonde, lightened brunette and grey hair. Massage through wet hair and scalp. Leave on for three to five minutes and rinse well.