Difference Between Blue Shampoo and Purple Shampoo

calendarMay 14, 2023 · 4 min read  ·
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Both blue shampoo and purple shampoo are toning shampoos which help deal with brassy tones. They deliver pigments that help your hair retain its quality color longer. Each specific type of toning shampoo is manufactured for a certain hair color, which is based on the color wheel, to be able to have an anti-brass effect. For instance, when brunettes or blondes dye their hair over time, their hair tend to become brassy. Moreover, a series of hot-styling tools, sun-exposure, chlorine (from swimming), shampooing, washing, and medications can expose warm tones which lead to orange or yellow tones.  Particular toning shampoo products are advertised as able to hydrate, fortify and strengthen hair cuticles; make hair softer, shinier, and easier to manage; and can work well on non-colored hair. These products are often recommended to be used once or twice a week. 

Specifically, blue toning shampoo is designed for brunette and brown hair; it is used to neutralize unwanted shades such as orange, red, and other cool warm tones. On the other hand, purple shampoo is best suited for people with blonde hair or those with blonde highlights. The following paragraphs further delve into their differences. 

What is Blue Shampoo? 

Blue shampoo is designed for people with brunette and brown hair; it is used to neutralize unwanted shades such as orange, red, and other cool warm tones (On the color wheel, blue is directly opposite red and orange). This is recommended for brunettes who have ombre, balayage, foils, streaks, highlights, or hair lightening. It is formulated with hair-bonding blue-violet pigments which cools down warm tones and removes brassiness.  Blue shampoo has also been advertised to help hair look vibrant and shiny. 

These steps are suggested in using blue shampoo (Loreal, 2021): 

  • Apply the blue shampoo from root to tip
  • Rinse and follow with conditioner 
  • Nourish your damp hair with a leave-in hair serum or oil

    • What is Purple Shampoo? 

    Purple shampoo is designed for people with blonde hair, gray hair, or blonde highlights; it is used to neutralize unwanted brassy yellow shades by cooling warm tones. Hence, brunettes with blonde highlights can also use purple shampoo to maintain their highlights. It is also recommended for blondes who have balayage, foils, ombre, streaks, highlights, or any hair lightening-element. This is formulated with purple pigments which remove yellow to maintain platinum hair and correct light-colored hair. 

    These steps are suggested in using purple shampoo (Nopuente, 2019): 

  • Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo to make follicles ready to absorb the purple shampoo’s color-correcting pigments. 
  • Since purple shampoo needs “curing time”, leave the product on your damp hair for five minutes (for those with blonde and ashy tresses) or for 10 to 15 minutes (for those with gray and platinum tones). 
  • It is best to follow up with a deep conditioning hair mask to rejuvenate your strands.   

    • Difference between Blue Shampoo and Purple Shampoo

    Use 

    Blue shampoo is designed for people with brunette and brown hair; it is used to neutralize unwanted shades such as orange, red, and other cool warm tones (On the color wheel, blue is directly opposite red and orange). This is recommended for brunettes who have ombre, balayage, foils, streaks, highlights, or hair lightening. In comparison, purple shampoo is designed for people with blonde hair, gray hair, or blonde highlights; it is used to neutralize unwanted brassy yellow shades by cooling warm tones. Hence, brunettes with blonde highlights can also use purple shampoo to maintain their highlights. It is also recommended for blondes who have balayage, foils, ombre, streaks, highlights, or any hair lightening-element.

    Pigments 

    Blue shampoo is formulated with hair-bonding blue-violet pigments which cools down warm tones and removes brassiness.  On the other hand, purple shampoo is formulated with purple pigments which remove yellow to maintain platinum hair and correct light-colored hair. 

    Brands 

    Some of the top blue shampoos include 

    • Fanola No Orange Shampoo, 
    • Matrix Total Results Brass Off Color Obsessed Shampoo, 
    • AVEDA Blue Marva Color Shampoo, 
    • Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo, 
    • Oligo Professional Blacklight Blue Shampoo, 
    • Pravana The Perfect Brunette Toning Shampoo, 
    • Innovation Blue Shimmer Argan Oil Shampoo, 
    • dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo,
    • HASK Blue Chamomile and Argan Oil Shampoo, 
    • and Fudge Cool Brunette Blue-Toning Shampoo (Jangam, 2021).  

    In comparison, some of the top purple shampoo brands include 

    • Fanola No Yellow Shampoo, 
    • Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set, 
    • Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo, 
    • Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Hair Shampoo, 
    • Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo, 
    • Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo, 
    • Wella Invigo Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo, 
    • Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo, 
    • Oligo Professional Blacklight Blue Shampoo, 
    • and Get Back Gorgeous Purple Shampoo for Blonde (Early, 2020).  

    Blue Shampoo vs Purple Shampoo

    Summary 

    • Blue shampoo and purple shampoo are toning shampoos which help deal with brassy tones.
    • Blue shampoo is formulated with hair-bonding blue-violet pigments and is designed for people with brunette and brown hair; it is used to neutralize unwanted shades such as orange, red, and other cool warm tones.
    • Purple shampoo is formulated with purple pigments and is designed for people with blonde hair, gray hair, or blonde highlights; it is used to neutralize unwanted brassy yellow shades by cooling warm tones.

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