What Shampoo Is Good for Purple Hair? Expert Picks

ByCarolina Herrera
What Shampoo Is Good for Purple Hair
Purple hair isn’t just a color, it’s a commitment. The first few days after leaving the salon, your hair looks bold, shiny, and straight out of a Pinterest board. But then, the fear sets in: what if it fades too fast? What if your shampoo strips it away? I’ve seen this happen countless times in salon chairs and through my own product testing, and let me tell you, choosing the right shampoo makes all the difference.

I want to help you keep that gorgeous purple alive as long as possible. Not through marketing promises, but with real, tested advice. So let’s get into what shampoo is actually good for purple hair, what to avoid, and how to protect your investment.

Why Purple Hair Fades So Quickly

Before we even talk shampoos, let’s be real about why purple dye vanishes faster than you’d like.

  • Molecule size matters: Purple dye molecules are larger and don’t penetrate the hair shaft as deeply as darker dyes. This makes them more likely to wash out with each rinse.

  • Porous hair from bleaching: To get a vibrant purple, most people bleach first. Bleached hair is like a sponge, porous, fragile, and prone to losing color quickly.

  • Water + surfactants = fade: Each time you wash, water swells the cuticle and surfactants (the cleaning agents in shampoo) pull away pigment.

Quick fact: A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science showed that color-treated hair loses up to 40% of its color intensity after just 10 washes with regular shampoo.

This is why a regular shampoo just won’t cut it for purple strands.

Do You Really Need a Special Shampoo for Purple Hair?

Yes, you do. And here’s why:

  1. pH balance: Color-safe shampoos are slightly acidic (around pH 4.5–5.5) to keep the cuticle sealed. Regular shampoos can be alkaline and rough on color.

  2. Sulfate-free cleansing: Sulfates like SLS and SLES are powerful detergents. Great for removing oil, terrible for keeping purple dye intact.

  3. Color-depositing options: Some shampoos actually contain purple pigments that refresh your tone every wash.

So when people ask me, “Do I really need a shampoo for purple hair?” my answer is always: if you want your color to last longer than a couple of weeks, absolutely yes.

What to Look For in the Best Shampoo for Purple Hair

Let’s break it down ingredient by ingredient, so you know exactly what to scan for on a label.

Gentle Cleansers

Look for alternatives to harsh sulfates:

  • Cocamidopropyl betaine

  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate

  • Decyl glucoside

These clean without stripping pigment.

Moisturizing Ingredients

Bleached hair is dry by default, so you need hydration:

  • Argan oil

  • Shea butter

  • Glycerin

  • Hydrolyzed keratin or silk proteins

UV Filters

Sunlight fades purple dye just as fast as shampoo does. Shampoos with UV filters add another layer of protection.

Pigmented Formulas

Some “purple shampoos” contain violet pigments to neutralize brassiness and extend color. They’re especially helpful if your purple has cool undertones like lilac or silver-violet.

Woman washing vibrant purple hair with color-safe shampoo

Shampoos That Actually Work for Purple Hair

Here are some of the standouts I’ve tested on clients and seen results with:

1. Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

  • Sulfate-free, concentrated formula

  • Deposits violet pigments while repairing bonds

  • Keeps purple shades cool and vibrant

What users say: Over 70% of reviewers on Ulta mentioned less fading and stronger hair after switching to Olaplex.

2. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

  • 100% vegan and sulfate-free

  • Has jojoba, green tea, and sage for moisture

  • Lightweight, doesn’t weigh down fine hair

Why I recommend it: Pureology uses “Antifade Complex,” and studies show its key ingredient (sunscreen benzophenone-4) reduces UV-induced fading by up to 50%.

3. Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo

  • Made for high-maintenance fashion colors like purple, pink, and blue

  • Keeps vibrancy up to 65 washes

  • Pearly gel texture feels luxurious

Quick fact: According to Matrix’s in-house testing, this shampoo slowed color fading by 60% compared to standard shampoos.

4. Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

  • Gentle cleansing system

  • RCT protein complex strengthens root, core, and tip

  • Safe for daily use if you have oily roots

Client experience: I’ve seen this work wonders for people with purple balayage who don’t want patchy fading.

5. Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash (Purple)

  • Deposits actual purple dye each wash

  • Great for refreshing vivid tones

  • Works like a mini-dye top-up

Who it’s for: If you want your hair to stay bold purple instead of fading to a pastel lavender.

What to Avoid in a Shampoo for Purple Hair

This part is crucial. Even the best dye job won’t last if your shampoo is working against you.

  • Sulfates: Look out for sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). They’ll strip your color faster than anything.

  • Clarifying shampoos: Great for removing buildup, terrible for keeping purple pigment. Use only before a fresh dye session.

  • High pH formulas: If a shampoo makes your hair feel squeaky, that’s a bad sign. It’s opening your cuticle too much.

  • Silicone overload: While not inherently bad, heavy silicones (like dimethicone) can cause buildup and dull your purple over time.

How Often Should You Wash Purple Hair?

Here’s where most people go wrong: overwashing.

  • Aim for 2–3 times per week.

  • Use dry shampoo in between washes to absorb oil.

  • Rinse with cool or lukewarm water, hot water opens the cuticle and lets color escape.

Quick tip: Studies show cooler water rinses can extend dye vibrancy by up to 30%.

Extra Care Tips to Keep Purple Hair Vibrant

Purple hair needs a little more TLC than natural shades.

  1. Condition wisely
    Always follow shampoo with a conditioner made for color-treated hair. Look for lightweight formulas with proteins and natural oils.

  2. Heat styling
    Use heat protectant sprays before blow drying or straightening. Heat is another color-fading culprit.

  3. Weekly treatments
    Hydrating masks with keratin or amino acids strengthen bleached hair. My personal favorite is a bond-repair mask once a week.

  4. Sun protection
    Wear a hat or use UV-protecting sprays when outdoors. UV exposure breaks down purple pigment quickly.

Ingredient Breakdown: What Research Says

Hydrolyzed keratin

  • Proven to reduce hair breakage by up to 40% in a study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.

  • Helps rebuild the structure of bleached hair.

Argan oil

  • Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids.

  • Research shows it increases hair elasticity and shine, making purple tones pop more.

Purple pigments (direct dyes)

  • They cling to the outer layer of the hair shaft.

  • Not permanent, but refresh color between salon visits.

My Personal Recommendation

If I had to narrow it down:

  • Best overall: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, balances moisture, UV protection, and color care.

  • For deep repair: Olaplex No. 4P, especially if your hair feels fragile after bleaching.

  • For bold maintenance: Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash, keeps purple bright and intense.

Remember, the best shampoo is the one that matches both your hair’s condition and your lifestyle. If you wash daily, go for Redken. If you can stretch washes, Matrix or Pureology will serve you better.

Final Thoughts

Purple hair is magical, but it demands respect. The right shampoo won’t just clean your hair, it will protect your investment, keep your strands strong, and let your color shine longer. Think of it as insurance for your dye job.

So the answer to “What shampoo is good for purple hair?” is simple: one that is sulfate-free, color-safe, pH-balanced, and ideally infused with nourishing ingredients or purple pigments.

Your purple deserves nothing less.