Best Purple Shampoos (2026) Reviewed
Purple shampoo neutralizes brassy yellow tones in blonde, silver, and gray hair. These are the best options for every budget and hair type.
What to Look For
- Pigment intensity — Highly pigmented formulas work faster but require careful timing; lighter formulas are more forgiving for weekly use
- Hair type compatibility — Some purple shampoos can be drying; look for hydrating ingredients if you have damaged or color-treated hair
- Sulfate content — Sulfate-free options are gentler on color-treated hair and won’t strip moisture as aggressively
- Bond-building ingredients — Formulas with proteins, keratin, or bond-repair technology help strengthen bleached hair while toning
- Leave-in time — Quick-acting formulas need only 1-3 minutes; some can be left on longer for more intense toning
Best Purple Shampoos
Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer — Best Overall
Olaplex No. 4P combines bond-repair technology with toning power, making it the standout choice for bleached and damaged blonde hair.
This ultra-concentrated formula uses the same patented bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate found in Olaplex treatments, repairing broken bonds while neutralizing brassiness. Users report softer, stronger hair after just one wash. The coconut oil-derived surfactants create a gentle lather that won’t strip moisture.
- Pros:
- Repairs hair bonds while toning
- Highly concentrated violet pigment
- Sulfate-free and vegan
- Leaves hair noticeably softer
- Cons:
- Premium price point
- Can over-tone if left on too long
Best for: Anyone with bleached or highlighted hair who wants toning and repair in one step.
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo — Best Intense Toning
- Say Goodbye to Yellow Tones - Fanola No Yellow purple shampoo for women and men is formulated with an Extra Violet Pigment. The rich hue instantly neutralizes brassy and yellow tones, making it the perfect shampoo for grey hair, blondes, and those with bleached hair.
- Enhances Shine and Softness - Not only does it neutralize brassiness, but this purple toning shampoo also enhances the hair’s radiance and silkiness. A typical purple shampoo for blondes can be drying, but No Yellow leaves your locks looking healthier, shinier, and more luminous.
- How to Use - Apply the toning shampoo and massage into the scalp. Leave on for 1 to 5 minutes before rinsing out. Reapply depending on your desired result. Follow up with one of our moisturizing conditioners or hair masks to lock in hydration and prolong color.
- At-Home Toning Solution - Preserve your preferred cool tone in between color services with this purple shampoo for blonde hair. Get salon-quality results at home by pairing with Fanola's No Yellow Mask and No Yellow Hair Color.
- Professional Hair Care Made in Italy - Fanola is a professional Italian hair care brand that aims for the highest quality values, processes, and ingredients across all products. Inclusive beauty is at the brand's core with over 10 different product ranges in professional hair care, with this neutralizing shampoo being no exception.
Fanola delivers the most aggressive brass elimination on the market, making it the go-to for platinum blondes and silver hair that turns yellow fast.
This Italian salon-grade formula packs an intense violet pigment that can neutralize even stubborn yellow tones in a single wash. The formula includes silk proteins and grape extract to help offset its strong cleansing action. Use gloves—it will stain.
- Pros:
- Most pigmented formula available
- Works on stubborn brassiness
- Salon-grade results at home
- Large bottle lasts months
- Cons:
- Can be drying without conditioner
- Stains hands, nails, and shower
- Easy to over-tone hair purple
Best for: Platinum blondes or silver/gray hair with persistent yellowing who need maximum toning power.
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights — Best Budget
- Removes dull yellow in gray white hair
- Leaves hair shiny without residue
- Renews and refreshes faded highlights.
Shimmer Lights has been the drugstore standard for decades, delivering reliable brass correction at a fraction of salon prices.
This protein-enriched formula tones blonde and gray hair effectively without the premium price tag. The deep violet color deposits evenly when left on for 3-5 minutes. It’s been a stylist recommendation since the 1980s for good reason.
- Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Widely available
- Protein-enriched formula
- Proven track record
- Cons:
- Can dry out hair with frequent use
- Strong fragrance
- Contains sulfates
Best for: Budget-conscious blondes who want effective toning without spending salon prices.
Matrix So Silver Purple Shampoo — Best for Gray Hair
- Toning Purple Shampoo: Neutralizes unwanted brassy, yellow tones in all blonde and grey hair
- Multi-Tasking Properties: Professional toning shampoo desposits purple pigments to neutralize and reduce yellow tones in just one wash
- Key Benefits: Nourishing shampoo suitable for both color treated and natural hair to enhance and restore cool tones
- Suggested Use: Wearing suitable gloves, apply to wet hair, lather, rinse. Repeat if necessary. For maxium benefits, leave on for five minutes to tone and cleanse
- So Silver Collection: Includes the So Silver Shampoo (moderate toning), Pigmented Conditioner (light toning), Neutralization Mask (maximum toning) and Leave-In Spray (buildable toning)
Matrix So Silver is specifically formulated for gray, silver, and white hair, delivering bright, luminous results without a purple cast.
The color-depositing formula neutralizes yellow undertones while adding shine to natural gray and silver hair. It’s gentle enough for twice-weekly use and won’t leave hair feeling stripped. The vegan formula is also effective on platinum blonde.
- Pros:
- Designed specifically for gray/silver
- Vegan formula
- Adds shine and brightness
- Won’t over-deposit on porous hair
- Cons:
- Less intense than some competitors
- May need longer processing time
Best for: Natural gray, silver, or white hair that needs gentle, consistent toning.
Redken Blondage Purple Shampoo — Best Salon-Quality
- Color Depositing Purple Shampoo: A professional salon shampoo for color-treated or chemically-treated hair, including bleached hair. Neutralizes brassy, yellow and orange undertones
- Benefits: With purple pigments to instantly tone, strengthen and moisture blonde, bleached, and color treated hair. Helps with color retention, anti-fade protection and maximizes color vibrancy for a cooler blonde result
- Additional Benefits: Cleanses, strengthens and adds softness. With salicylic acid to strengthen and repair blonde hair from the core and pure violet pigments to remove unwanted brassiness and leave hair color cool and bright
- Suggested Use: Use 2-3 times a week. Apply and leave on for 3-5 minutes. Anti-Brass pigmented purple formula with protein, amino acids and glycerin to ensure brighter, cooler blonde hair
- Blondage: Nourishes, increases smoothness and shine, and strengthens blonde hair for less breakage. Color correct and neutralize unwanted yellow undertones for brassiest blonde hair
Redken Blondage combines professional-grade toning with a strengthening Triple Acid Protein complex for salon results at home.
This salon-favorite formula uses ultra-violet pigments and salicylic acid to tone while strengthening hair from the core. The professional-grade formula helps preserve highlights and balayage between appointments. Leave on 3-5 minutes for optimal results.
- Pros:
- Strengthens while toning
- Professional salon formula
- Great for highlighted hair
- Pleasant citrus scent
- Cons:
- Contains sulfates
- Higher price than drugstore options
Best for: Anyone who wants professional salon results and hair strengthening between color appointments.
John Frieda Violet Crush — Best Drugstore
- KNOCKS OUT BRASSY TONES - Rid your hair of brassy tones and revive your hair with Violet Crush Shampoo
- SALON-FRESH BLONDE - Enhance your color and discover your best blonde
- CRUSHED VIOLET PIGMENTS - Deposits crushed violet pigments into blonde hair to counter-act yellow tones to make color-treated or highlighted blonde hair appear cooler and brighter in as little as one use
- BEST USED WITH VIOLET CRUSH PURPLE CONDITIONER - Use with John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Conditioner to achieve optimal results
- CLEANSE YOUR BLONDE HAIR - Wash and cleanse your blonde hair, leaving hair feeling revitalized and salon-fresh
John Frieda Violet Crush delivers noticeable brass correction in one wash at a price point that won’t break the bank.
The crushed violet pigments deposit evenly for cooler, brighter blonde in as little as one use. The formula works on all shades of blonde, from highlighted to platinum. For stubborn brassiness, leave on 2-3 minutes before rinsing.
- Pros:
- Affordable and widely available
- Works quickly
- Good for all blonde shades
- Doesn’t leave hair too dry
- Cons:
- Less intense than professional formulas
- Packaging prone to leaking
Best for: Everyday blondes who want reliable toning from an accessible drugstore brand.
L’Oreal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo — Best Sulfate-Free
- Toning Sulfate Free Shampoo: Maintain your perfect blonde with EverPure's Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo that hydrates and neutralizes brassy yellow and orange tones in blonde, bleached, highlighted and silver hair
- Hydrating Shampoo Formula: Color-treated hair requires special care. This moisturizing shampoo is infused with Hibiscus and Purple Dye to tone brassy hair and leave it deeply moisturized
- For Best Results: Use EverPure's Purple Shampoo and Conditioner system 2-3 times a week instead of your normal shampoo and conditioner routine. Lather purple shampoo into wet hair, leave in for up to 2 minutes. Follow with purple conditioner
- Vegan Shampoo: EverPure hair products have the purest respect for your hair and have been formulated without sulfates, parabens and harsh salts. Always color caring and powered by science
- L'Oreal Paris Innovation: We are a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in hair color, hair care, hair style, skin care and cosmetics
L’Oreal EverPure offers effective brass-toning in a gentle sulfate-free formula that won’t strip color or moisture.
Infused with hibiscus, this vegan formula neutralizes brassy yellow and orange tones while keeping hair hydrated. The sulfate-free, paraben-free formula is gentle enough for color-treated hair and won’t cause fading. Use 2-3 times per week.
- Pros:
- Sulfate-free and vegan
- Hydrating formula
- Affordable price
- Works on highlighted brunettes too
- Cons:
- Milder toning than salon formulas
- May need more frequent use
Best for: Color-treated blondes who need a gentle, sulfate-free option that won’t strip their investment.
Amika Bust Your Brass — Best for Damaged Hair
- Tones Brassiness
- Gently Cleanses
- Strengthens and prevents future breakage
Amika Bust Your Brass is clinically proven to strengthen damaged blonde hair while toning, delivering 2.2x stronger strands.
This bond-fortifying formula uses quinoa protein, plant butters, and ultra-violet pigments to repair and tone simultaneously. Clinical testing showed 55% less breakage when used as a system. The sulfate-free formula is safe for keratin and Brazilian treatments.
- Pros:
- Bond-fortifying technology
- Clinically proven strength results
- Sulfate-free
- Smells amazing
- Cons:
- Premium price
- Smaller bottle size
Best for: Bleach-damaged hair that needs repair and toning in one step.
Joico Color Balance Purple — Best UV Protection
- Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo gently cleanses hair, neutralizes unwanted yellow and warm tones, and boosts shine and controls static.
- VIOLET PIGMENTS directly attach to the hair and instantly neutralize unwanted yellow tones.
- GREEN TEA EXTRACT AND UV ABSORBERS help fight fading and tonal change to keep color looking great.
- SMART RELEASE TECHNOLOGY, our one-of-a-kind liposome delivery system, packs a punch – continuously releasing Rosehip Oil, Arginine, and Keratin to help repair, strengthen, and protect hair from the damaging effects of daily styling.
- KERATIN, a protective protein found naturally in hair, actively seeks out damage and helps repairs hair by replacing lost proteins. The result? Stronger, healthy-looking locks.
Joico Color Balance Purple uses Smart Release Technology to continuously deposit rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin while providing UV protection.
This formula combines violet pigments with green tea extract and UV absorbers to protect color while toning. The Smart Release liposome system continuously releases repairing ingredients throughout the day. Results last up to 12 washes.
- Pros:
- UV protection included
- Long-lasting toning results
- Strengthens hair 2x
- Paraben-free
- Cons:
- Takes 1-3 minutes to process
- Mid-range price
Best for: Sun-exposed blondes who need toning with built-in color and UV protection.
Verdict
For most blondes, Olaplex No. 4P delivers the best combination of toning power and hair repair. On a budget, Clairol Shimmer Lights gets the job done at a fraction of the price. For severely brassy hair, Fanola No Yellow offers the most intense correction available.
