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Purple Shampoo. What It Actually Does and Whether You Should Be Using It | Abingdon | Didcot | Wantage | Oxford
Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.
CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: bookings@wisteriaavenue.co.uk
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA
Hair Salon Opening Times
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Wednesday-Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Do I need to use purple shamoo?
Purple shampoo has become one of the most talked about haircare products of the last few years. Walk into any supermarket or pharmacy and you’ll find an entire shelf dedicated to it. But for every person who swears by it, there’s another who’s tried it and ended up with patchy, purple tinged hair wondering what went wrong.
So what does purple shampoo actually do, who should be using it, and how do you use it correctly? Here is the honest answer.
Purple Shampoo FAQ's
What Does Purple Shampoo Actually Do?
Purple shampoo works on the principle of colour theory. On the colour wheel, purple sits directly opposite yellow. When two complementary colours are combined, they cancel each other out. This means that the violet pigment in purple shampoo, when deposited onto the hair, neutralises yellow and brassy tones rather than adding to them.
It does this by depositing a small amount of pigment onto the surface of the hair shaft during washing. It isn’t a bleach, it doesn’t lift colour, and it doesn’t fundamentally change your hair colour. It simply counteracts the warm tones that develop as lightened hair fades between appointments, keeping blonde and highlighted hair looking cooler and fresher for longer.
Who Should Be Using Purple Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is designed for lightened hair. That means blondes, highlights, balayage, and any other service where the hair has been lifted from its natural colour. It works best on hair that is already reasonably light, typically a medium blonde or lighter, where the yellow tones it’s designed to neutralise are most visible.
It is not designed for darker hair and using it on brown or dark hair is unlikely to produce any noticeable benefit. On very dark hair it may even deposit a subtle purple tinge without doing anything useful.
If you have grey or white hair, purple shampoo can be genuinely useful for keeping it looking bright and clean rather than yellowy. Grey hair, particularly white or silver, is susceptible to picking up warm tones from environmental factors and purple shampoo helps counteract this.
How Often Should You Use It?
This is where most people go wrong and it’s the most common cause of the patchy or overly purple results that give purple shampoo a bad reputation.
Purple shampoo is a toning tool, not a daily cleanser. Using it every time you wash your hair deposits too much pigment, which can leave hair looking dull, grey, or with an obvious purple cast, particularly on very light or porous hair.
As a general guide, once or twice a week is sufficient for most people. If your hair is particularly porous or very light, once a week or even once a fortnight may be enough. If you’re unsure, start with once a week and adjust based on how your hair responds.
How Long Should You Leave It On?
Most purple shampoos are designed to be used like a regular shampoo, applied, worked into a lather, and rinsed after a few minutes. Some are formulated to be left on for longer, up to fifteen or twenty minutes, for a more intensive toning effect.
The longer you leave it on, the more pigment is deposited. This can be useful if your hair is particularly brassy, but it also increases the risk of an uneven or overly purple result. If you’re new to purple shampoo, start with a short application time and increase gradually until you find what works for your hair.
Can Purple Shampoo Replace a Professional Toner?
No, and this is an important distinction. Purple shampoo is a maintenance tool designed to extend the life of a professional toner between salon appointments. It is not a substitute for a professional toner applied in the salon.
A professional toner contains a higher concentration of pigment and is formulated to penetrate the hair more effectively than a shampoo. The result is more even, more precise, and longer lasting than anything a purple shampoo can achieve on its own. Purple shampoo works best when it has a good professional toner to build on. Used on significantly brassy or warm hair without a recent toner, it typically doesn’t have enough pigment to make a meaningful difference.
Think of it this way. A professional toner does the work. Purple shampoo helps maintain that work between appointments.
Are Some Purple Shampoos Better Than Others?
Yes, though the differences can be difficult to assess from the packaging alone. The key variable is pigment concentration, which determines how effectively the shampoo deposits colour. Some budget options contain very little pigment and produce minimal results. Others are so heavily pigmented that they require careful application to avoid staining.
Mid to high range salon brands tend to strike the best balance between effectiveness and ease of use. We’re always happy to recommend a product that suits your specific hair type and colour at your appointment. A recommendation from your stylist who knows your hair is worth far more than the marketing on the packaging.
What Should You Do If Purple Shampoo Has Made Your Hair Too Purple?
If you’ve overused purple shampoo or left it on too long and ended up with an unwanted purple or grey cast, don’t panic. Because the pigment is deposited on the surface of the hair shaft rather than penetrating deeply, it will fade relatively quickly with regular washing using a standard shampoo. A clarifying shampoo can speed this process up if you want a faster result, though use it sparingly as clarifying shampoos can be drying.
If the result is very uneven or you’re concerned about the condition of your hair, come in and we’ll take a look and advise on the best course of action.
Purple Shampoo and Hair Health
One final point worth making. Purple shampoo, like all shampoos, contains cleansing agents that can strip natural oils and moisture from the hair if overused. On colour treated or chemically processed hair, which is already more porous and susceptible to dryness, this is worth bearing in mind.
Always follow purple shampoo with a good conditioner and consider a weekly deep conditioning treatment if your hair is colour treated. Keeping the hair well moisturised not only improves its condition but also helps colour and toner last longer by keeping the cuticle sealed.
Come and Talk to Us at Wisteria Avenue, Abingdon
If you have questions about purple shampoo, home toning, or how to maintain your colour between appointments, come in and talk to us. A free consultation costs nothing and we’ll give you straightforward, honest advice about what your hair actually needs.
Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.
CALL: 01235 534705 EMAIL: bookings@wisteriaavenue.co.uk 4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA
Opening Times
Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:
10 am
3:30 pm
11:30 am
7:30 pm
10 am
6 pm
9 am
4:30 pm
Want to know more about the benefits of purple shampoo?
Complete the below and a staff member will contact you at the earliest opportunity with further information about how we can help you with your hair appointment. Any questions, call or send a WhatsApp to the salon on 01235 534705 or book your appointment online.
Want to know more about when you need purple shampoo?
As one of the best hairdressers in Oxfordshire, we would love to discuss your plans with you! To book your hair appointment or consultation, get in touch with Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon by booking online or calling us on 01235 534705.
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