Blue vs. Purple: There are lots of blue and purple shampoos on the market. And while they achieve roughly the same outcome, blue is generally intended for brunettes, and purple is for blondes. However, some blue washes lean more toward indigo (and sometimes violet) than classic blue. Boasting a blend of "blue-violet pigments," Matrix Total Results Brass Off Color Depositing Blue Shampoo contains a bit of both. In any case, you can pretty much count on a reduction in brassiness and an overall cooler-toned finish. So, how do you know it's time to break out the blue shampoo? "If someone struggles with fading to an unwanted yellow/orange brassy tone midway point between visits to the salon, they are a good candidate for blue shampoo," Wiley says. What To Look For in A Blue Shampoo Korab walks us through the process. "Blue shampoo should be used on brunette hair that has been lightened or highlighted by applying blue tone pigment into the hair to help tone down brassy tones," she instructs. "For virgin hair or slightly processed hair, it is beneficial to use once a week to make hair appear healthier and shinier and keep brassy tones from coming through." The term blue shampoo is pretty self-explanatory—the shampoo formula is enriched with blue pigments that infuse into the hair. Won't that turn my hair blue, we hear you ask? Not quite, as the process is a little bit more scientific than that. How does blue shampoo for brown hair work?

Say goodbye to brassiness with the right toning shampoo for your hair hue. Keep your color radiant for longer, straight from the shower! H elping natural brunettes gradually neutralize unwanted warm tones that arise after exposure to sunlight and environmental elements Keep your brown hair vibrant for longer with blue shampoo, designed specifically for all your brunette needs andextend your routine by adding in Redken’s newest hero product One United. This multi benefit all-in-one, treatment has 25 benefits in three key areas: manageability, protection and beauty. It’s a must have for everyone’s hair care routine, delivering instant results and improved manageability for all hair types and textures.

And again, it's important to assess both the instructions on the bottle and the needs of your hair in the moment so that you can find the best routine for you. Your brown hair will be glowing in no time. The Best Blue Shampoos

Blue shampoo is an effective and easy way to counteract the brassiness in your hair and keep your brunette color looking healthy, vibrant and on point. When you lighten brown hair, whether it’s with highlights, balayage, ombre or full coverage, the process requires bleaching to remove the color. This can expose orange undertones and result in an unwanted brassy effect. Even if you go the other way, and darken your hair instead of lightening it, as the color fades, this can also leave behind orange undertones. To counteract this effect, your best option is using a color-depositing, toning range, designed specifically for brunettes: blue shampoo. By using blue pigment, toning shampoo and conditioner you can extend the life of your color significantly, while caring for your hair at the same time. Hairstylist Jennifer Korab agrees, adding, "As the weeks progress, it’s common for color-treated hair to become brassy regardless of color tone. Blue shampoo can counterbalance the brassy pigment and extend the life of the hair between salon visits." Theresa Holland has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, covering wellness, makeup, skincare, and haircare. For this story, she interviewed two stylists for product recommendations and insight into the science of color-depositing hair washes. Having tried a handful of blue/purple shampoos in the past, she's particularly fond of Fanola and Kevin Murphy. You can read more stories by Theresa on MyDomaine and The Spruce. Blue shampoo is a gentle cleansing shampoo designed to help neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones in blonde and gray hair," explains celebrity stylist and HairBoss CEO Jamie Wiley. "It is formulated with blue pigments that help to counteract the yellow tones, leaving hair looking brighter and more vibrant." Who Should Use a Blue Shampoo?

When shopping for a blue shampoo, both Wiley and Korab agree that customers should avoid products with sulfates. Korab adds that you should also steer clear of parabens and silicones. Apply blue shampoo to wet hair in the shower. Lather it around, focusing on the color-treated sections, and allow it to sit for three to five minutes. Then rinse it out and use a conditioner like you normally would. Some blue shampoos call for using gloves to avoid getting the color on your skin, but most will wash clean from your hands when you rinse your hair. For blonde hair experts recommend the Color Extend Blondagerange from Redken that contains a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner and mask, it’s the easiest and most effective way to keep your color where you want it and take control of your shade of blonde. This range contains ultra-violet pigment to tone blonde hair and neutralize unwanted shades of brassy yellow, and Triple Acid Protein Complex tones to strengthen and fortify the hair cuticle for less breakage. It leaves hair shinier, softer and easier to manage. While there are many standout blue 'poos on the market, Matrix Brass Off shines above the rest. Formulated specifically for lightened brunette hair, this sulfate-free hair wash deposits blue-violet pigments to minimize brassiness. In other words, it creates a stunning cool-toned finish that brings out the intended effect of your color-treated hair. The vanilla-rose scent doesn't hurt either. While fair-haired folks often deal with a yellowing effect, brunettes often see an orangey hue. Blue shampoos are one way to combat this—they neutralize the coppery color by adding a cool-toned finish. Just bear in mind that "blue" is somewhat subjective. So while you'll find plenty of undeniably cobalt options, many lean toward indigo and even violet.

This depends on the hair's porosity, the condition of your hair and how regularly you wash it. Use Color Extend Brownlights daily to achieve your desired cool result. Then as needed to maintain your cool tone. Results have shown that the neutralization will last much longer, extending the life of your brunette shade. Substitute your range for Color Extend Magnetics on days you don’t use Brownlights. Simply put, Wiley says that blue shampoo "is ideal for anyone with dark blonde, gray hair, [or] brunette hair." This applies whether your brown color is natural or not, but if it's not, she adds that blue shampoo is ideal "to maintain the color of hair after a salon appointment." With notes of notes of rose, bergamot and jasmine, Color Extend Brownlights Conditionermakes your hair look as good as it smells . This anti-brass conditioner was also designed for all types of hair, from natural to highlighted brunettes, ideal for those looking to banish unwanted warm tones and maintain a cool tone end result. Apply to damp hair after shampooing. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly to reveal your beautiful, brass-free brunette.

Overall, our favorite blue shampoo is Matrix Total Results Brass Off Color Depositing Blue Shampoo. We love that it's formulated specifically for lightened brunette hair and that the sulfate-free blend uses blue-violet pigments to provide a brilliant cool-toned finish with no brassiness in sight. Having said that, Not Your Mother's Triple Threat Brunette Blue Treatment Shampoo is an excellent choice for those on a budget but still want to tweak the orange out of their warm brown highlights. There are plenty of everyday hair products out there, but not every formula is suited for everyday use. Just as clarifying shampoos and hair growth shampoos are often best used as-needed, your blue shampoo may come with specific instructions, especially in terms of frequency and methodology. In the world of haircare, few things are as dreaded as brassy tones. Cropping up at the worst of times, it’s the last thing you want to find in throughout your hair. Enter: blue, silver and purple shampoo the products you need to fight brassy tones. From blonde to brunette, and all the different techniques in between, you can benefit from this anti-brass, toning shampoo to keep your hair the color you want it to be. So whether you’re a color-changing pro, a shade-switch up newbie or you’ve never colored your hair before, we’ve got you covered on what you need to know.