Photo Credit: ShutterstockLet’s be real… If you are blonde, there is a high chance you don’t want to see any yellow or orange in your hair. “To keep the blonde cool, use purple shampoo,” says Haute Beauty expert Jamie Caruso of Salon Lusso of Naples. Understanding the blonde struggle, Caruso is here to discuss how and when to use it properly.

What is purple shampoo?

Purple shampoo is designed to minimize unwanted yellow tones. If someone is feeling brassy that means to me they are seeing an unwanted orange tone which would call for blue shampoo. A common misconception is that purple shampoo is going to make blondes brighter. The purple shampoo will not brighten up your blonde. Purple shampoo is going to assist in toning it down and bringing it back to its natural state.

How often should you use purple shampoo?

Over usage of purple shampoo can cause the hair to look dull because you are toning out any warmth or brightness. Often clients at Salon Lusso of Naples will say they feel their blonde is dull, it’s not bright, or it’s feeling drab.  Do you use purple shampoo and if so how often?

Pro tip: Less is more with purple shampoo. After you’ve waited 3-4 weeks I would only use it once every 7-10 days. If it’s a highly pigmented purple shampoo you can cut it with your daily shampoo and cocktail them together.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Is there a right time to use purple shampoo?

After any highlighting service, whether it’s foils, balayage, baby lights, or teasy lights, I recommend waiting about three to four weeks before using purple shampoo. Give it time for any toners or glosses that were used at the time of your service to fade naturally. Hair oxidizes over time, and that goes for all hair colors. Hair color or highlights change weekly. That’s why when you come back to the salon it never looks exactly like it did when you walked out of your previous appointment. There are many different contributors that cause hair oxidation such as water, heat, chlorine, the environment, and products.

Is there a purple shampoo you recommend?

All purple shampoos are created differently. Some are highly pigmented, others are designed for silver-based tones and some are for maintenance and neutralization. I would discuss with your stylist which is best suitable for you. Purple shampoo is an amazing tool and it’s our job as the stylist to educate the client on how to use it.