If you have blonde, silver, platinum, or lightened brown hair, you’ve likely noticed the inevitable—a creeping yellow or orange tinge, often referred to as “brassiness.” This happens when your hair’s cool undertones fade, revealing warmer pigments.
The secret weapon against brassiness is purple shampoo. Based on the color wheel, purple is directly opposite yellow. This means the violet pigment in the shampoo works to neutralize and counteract the unwanted yellow tones, restoring your hair’s bright, cool, and fresh color.
Using purple shampoo correctly is key to achieving optimal results without over-toning. Follow this simple guide to keep your color vibrant between salon visits.
Your 6-Step Guide to Using Purple Shampoo
Step 1: Wet Your Hair Thoroughly
Just like with regular shampoo, start by fully saturating your hair with lukewarm water. This ensures the product spreads evenly from root to tip. For a more intense application, some stylists recommend dampening the hair with a towel first, but full saturation is typically best for beginners.
Step 2: Apply the Shampoo
Dispense a generous amount of purple shampoo into your hands. Lather it slightly between your palms before applying it to your hair. Start by focusing the product on the brassiest sections of your hair, which are often the mid-lengths and ends.
Step 3: Lather and Distribute Evenly
Gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and hair, working up a rich lather. Ensure every strand that needs toning is covered. If you have areas that are more yellow, spend extra time gently massaging the product into those sections.
Step 4: Let the Product Sit (Crucial Timing)
This is the most important step. Unlike regular shampoos, purple shampoo needs time to deposit the pigment and work its magic.
For a subtle refresh or if you’re a first-time user: Leave it on for 1 to 3 minutes.
For moderate brassiness: Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
For very yellow, stubborn brassiness: You can leave it on for up to 15 minutes.
Pro Tip: Never leave purple shampoo on for too long (over 15-20 minutes, especially on porous hair), as it can sometimes leave a subtle purple or grayish cast, particularly on very light hair. When in doubt, start with less time.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse your hair completely with cool or lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Make sure all product residue is removed.
Step 6: Follow with a Moisturizing Conditioner or Mask
Purple shampoo can sometimes be drying, as its main function is toning. Always follow up with a high-quality, deeply moisturizing conditioner or a hair mask. This will restore hydration, seal the hair cuticle, and help lock in the fresh, cool tone.
Tips for Optimal Purple Shampoo Results
Use Sparingly: Purple shampoo should not replace your daily shampoo. Use it only 1 to 3 times per week, or whenever you notice the brassy tones starting to reappear. Use your regular, color-safe shampoo on other wash days.
Wear Gloves: The highly pigmented formula can temporarily stain your hands and nails. Wearing gloves can prevent this.
Focus on Yellow: If your hair is more orange than yellow, you may need a blue shampoo instead, as blue counteracts orange tones. Purple is specifically for yellow tones.
Introducing KARSEELL MACA POWER Purple Shampoo
For those seeking to maintain brilliant, cool-toned hair with professional-grade results, we recommend the KARSEELL MACA POWER Purple Shampoo.
Formulated with powerful violet pigments, the KARSEELL Purple Shampoo effectively neutralizes yellow and brassy undertones in blonde, bleached, silver, and highlights hair. Our unique formula, which includes nourishing ingredients, ensures your hair is not only toned but also left feeling soft, healthy, and revitalized after every wash.
Say goodbye to brassiness and hello to salon-fresh color every day.
