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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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
No products found.
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.
