Is Purple Shampoo Good for Orange Hair? Best Solutions Here
Dealing with orange hair tones can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re aiming for a cool blonde or ashy tone. Many of us have heard about purple shampoo as the magic potion for blonde hair, but can it also work wonders on those brassy, orange hues? In this guide, we’ll explore how purple shampoo works, whether it’s a good fit for orange hair, and what alternatives may be more effective. You’ll also discover expert tips for keeping your hair vibrant and healthy as you combat unwanted tones.
What Happens If You Put Purple Shampoo on Orange Hair?
Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize yellow tones in blonde, silver, and platinum hair. It works based on the color wheel principle, where opposite colors cancel each other out. Purple and yellow are opposites on the color wheel, making purple shampoo an effective solution for yellow brassiness. However, orange hair is a different story.
When you apply purple shampoo to orange hair, you may notice a slight improvement, but it won’t fully neutralize the orange tones. This is because purple isn’t the direct opposite of orange on the color wheel—blue is. So while purple shampoo can slightly diminish the intensity of orange, it won’t give you the cool, ashy results you’re looking for. If you’re expecting a dramatic change, you might be disappointed.
Why Does Purple Shampoo Only Work for Yellow Tones?
The science behind purple shampoo lies in its purple pigments, which specifically target yellow tones. If your hair leans more toward yellow than orange, you may find purple shampoo effective in cooling it down. However, if your hair has deep orange or red undertones, purple shampoo alone isn’t strong enough to counteract those shades. The color correction isn’t as targeted, so while it may slightly reduce the orange, it likely won’t be the full transformation you’re hoping for.
What Shampoo Is Good for Orange Tones?
To truly neutralize orange tones, you need to go a step beyond purple shampoo. The real secret to fighting orange is blue shampoo. Blue pigments are the most effective against orange tones because, according to the color wheel, blue directly counteracts orange. This makes blue shampoo a much better option for those dealing with orange hair after a botched dye job or a natural fade.
What Is Blue Shampoo and How Does It Work?
Just like purple shampoo targets yellow tones, blue shampoo is formulated to neutralize orange tones. The blue pigments in the shampoo deposit color on your strands, counteracting the unwanted orange and giving you a cooler, more balanced shade. This makes it an ideal choice for brunettes who experience brassiness after lightening their hair, as well as blondes who develop orange tones over time.
Unlike purple shampoo, blue shampoo works more aggressively on dark hair that tends to turn orange, making it a great choice for anyone with darker blonde, light brown, or medium brown hair that has started to develop those pesky orange tones.
Should You Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Orange Hair?
So, should you reach for purple shampoo or blue shampoo when dealing with orange hair? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Purple Shampoo: Best for yellow tones. Ideal for maintaining a cool blonde shade in platinum or light blonde hair but won’t fully eliminate orange.
- Blue Shampoo: Best for orange tones. Ideal for brunettes or blondes with deeper orange tones, effectively neutralizing brassiness and cooling the overall hair color.
If you’re dealing specifically with orange hair, blue shampoo is your best bet. It’s designed to target those warm, unwanted tones and give you the ashy or cool-toned results you’re after.
Top Purple Shampoos for Orange Hair
While blue shampoo is your go-to for orange hair, sometimes purple shampoo can still help tone down lighter orange hues. Here are some of the best purple shampoos that have shown some effectiveness:
- Fanola No Yellow Shampoo: Known for its strong purple pigments, this shampoo works well on yellow and light orange tones, helping neutralize warmth.
- L’Oréal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo: Infused with hibiscus and other botanical ingredients, this shampoo offers a gentle toning effect for blondes with slight orange undertones.
- Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo: With a formula specifically designed for blonde, silver, or highlighted hair, this shampoo can help to maintain a cooler tone while battling brassiness.
These products can help, especially if your hair is somewhere between yellow and orange, but if you’re primarily dealing with orange hair, it’s best to explore blue shampoo options.
Can Purple Shampoo Help Orange Hair Without Bleach?
While bleach is often the go-to solution for lifting dark or brassy tones, not everyone wants to use such a harsh chemical. If you’re hoping to neutralize orange without bleaching, purple shampoo may offer a temporary fix for lighter orange tones. For best results, though, blue shampoo is more effective when you want to avoid bleach.
To achieve better results without bleach, consider mixing blue and purple shampoos in alternating washes. This can help to gradually correct multiple tones in your hair without resorting to harsher chemical treatments.
Purple Shampoo on Orange Hair Before and After: Real Results
If you’re curious about how purple shampoo affects orange hair, the before and after results often vary. On lighter, more subtle orange tones, purple shampoo can reduce some brassiness and soften the warmth. However, if you’re dealing with deep orange or red tones, you might not see much improvement.
For a more dramatic before and after transformation, blue shampoo consistently outperforms purple shampoo when targeting orange hair. This is why so many professionals recommend blue shampoo for brunettes and those with deeper tones.
Best Blue Shampoos for Orange Hair
If you’re ready to fight back against orange hair, these blue shampoos come highly recommended:
- Matrix Total Results Brass Off Blue Shampoo: This powerful formula deposits blue-violet pigments onto the hair, neutralizing orange tones and leaving a cool finish.
- Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Shampoo: Perfect for brunettes, this shampoo helps maintain a cool, balanced tone by counteracting brassiness with blue pigments.
- Fanola No Orange Shampoo: Specifically designed for darker hair colors, this shampoo combats orange and copper tones, helping you achieve a cooler, ashier look.
Using any of these blue shampoos regularly can help reduce orange tones over time, leaving you with a more balanced, cool-toned color.
Is Purple Shampoo Good for Brown Hair?
Purple shampoo isn’t just for blondes; brunettes can also benefit. However, keep in mind that purple shampoo primarily targets yellow tones, so its effects on brown hair will vary based on your hair’s undertones. If your brown hair has hints of yellow or blonde highlights, purple shampoo can help neutralize the brassiness in those areas. But if your brown hair tends to develop orange tones, a blue shampoo is a far more effective choice.
| Product Name | Type | Key Feature | Best for | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fanola No Yellow Shampoo | Purple Shampoo | Strong purple pigments for yellow tones | Yellow/Light Orange Tones | $10 – $20 |
| L’Oréal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo | Purple Shampoo | Infused with botanical ingredients | Light Orange Tones | $7 – $15 |
| Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo | Purple Shampoo | Formulated for blonde, silver hair | Yellow/Light Orange Tones | $15 – $25 |
| Matrix Total Results Brass Off | Blue Shampoo | Blue pigments for neutralizing orange | Orange Tones | $10 – $18 |
| Redken Color Extend Brownlights | Blue Shampoo | Ideal for brunettes with orange tones | Dark Orange/Brunette Tones | $15 – $25 |
| Fanola No Orange Shampoo | Blue Shampoo | Specifically for darker hair colors | Orange/Copper Tones | $10 – $20 |
Is Purple Shampoo Good for Orange Hair?
In short, purple shampoo isn’t the best solution for orange hair. While it may help slightly tone down lighter orange hues, it won’t fully neutralize them. If you want to effectively eliminate orange tones, blue shampoo is the way to go. By using blue shampoo regularly, you can maintain cooler, ashier hair tones and avoid the dreaded brassiness that often creeps in after lightening.
If you’re battling orange tones in your hair, consider giving blue shampoo a try. It’s the most effective way to counteract those warm shades and achieve the cool-toned look you desire.
Carolina Herrera: Cosmetics specialist & Hair Analyst. Specializing in hair treatments, Carolina provides thorough reviews and advice on choosing the best products for damaged or treated hair.
