You’ve just left the salon with gorgeous, icy blonde locks. But as the weeks go by, an unwelcome guest appears: brassiness. Fear not, for the answer may lie in a surprising solution – purple products.
In hair care, both purple shampoo and purple conditioner promise to combat those unwanted warm tones. But which one holds the key to your hair’s salvation?
Stay tuned as we unravel the mystery of purple shampoo vs purple conditioner, revealing their unique properties and guiding you towards the perfect choice for your hair.
What is the Difference Between Purple Shampoo & Conditioner
Purple shampoo is formulated to neutralize brassy tones in blonde, silver, or highlighted hair during washing. On the other hand, purple conditioner serves as a toning treatment applied after shampooing, depositing purple pigments to maintain cool tones and enhance shine.
What is Purple Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is a specialized hair product that neutralises brassy or yellow tones in blonde, silver, or highlighted hair.
It contains purple pigments that counteract the warm tones caused by oxidation or exposure to elements like sunlight or hard water. When used during washing, purple shampoo helps maintain the cool, ashy shade of blonde hair.
What is Purple Conditioner?
Purple conditioner, on the other hand, is a conditioning treatment infused with purple pigments. It is applied after shampooing to further tone and enhances the hair’s colour.
Purple conditioner helps deposit purple pigments onto the hair strands. This keeps them cool-toned and vibrant while also providing nourishment and hydration to the hair.
Purple Shampoo vs. Purple Conditioner: Comparison features
Purpose
Purple shampoo is primarily used to neutralize brassy or yellow tones in blonde, silver, or highlighted hair.
On the other hand, purple conditioner functions as a toning treatment that further enhances and maintains the cool tones of the hair.
Usage
Purple shampoo is typically used during the washing process, much like regular shampoo. It is applied to wet hair, lathered, and then rinsed out.
Purple conditioner, however, is applied after shampooing. It is left on the hair for a few minutes before rinsing to allow the purple pigments to deposit onto the hair strands effectively.
Effect on hair
Purple shampoo works by depositing purple pigments onto the hair strands during washing. These pigments counteract the warm tones caused by oxidation, restoring the hair’s cool, ashy shade.
Purple conditioner, on the other hand, provides a more intense toning effect as it remains on the hair for a longer period. It further enhances the hair color, leaving it vibrant and cool-toned.
Potency
Purple conditioner tends to be more intense in terms of potency than purple shampoo. This is because the conditioner is left on the hair for a longer duration, allowing for greater pigment deposition and toning effect.
Purple shampoo provides a more subtle toning effect as it is rinsed out relatively quickly during washing.
Ingredients
Purple shampoo typically contains a higher concentration of cleansing agents to effectively remove impurities and excess oils from the hair while depositing purple pigments.
In contrast, purple conditioner often includes more conditioning agents such as oils, proteins, and moisturizers to hydrate and nourish the hair while toning.
Frequency of use
Purple shampoo is often recommended for use once or twice a week to maintain desired hair color and tone, as frequent use may lead to over-drying of the hair.
Purple conditioner, however, can be used more frequently, especially for individuals with dry or damaged hair, as it provides additional hydration and conditioning benefits.
Suitability for hair types
Purple shampoo may be more suitable for those with oilier hair or who prefer a lighter conditioning effect, while purple conditioner may be preferred by individuals with dry or damaged hair who need extra moisture and conditioning.
Staining potential
Purple shampoo has a lower risk of staining the hair or skin than purple conditioner, which contains more concentrated pigments and conditioning agents. It’s essential to rinse purple conditioner thoroughly from the hair to avoid potential staining, especially on lighter hair shades or porous hair.
| Property | Purple Shampoo | Purple Conditioner |
| Purpose | Neutralize brassy or yellow tones in hair. | Tone and enhance hair color while conditioning. |
| Usage | Applied during washing like regular shampoo. | Applied after shampooing, left on for few minutes. |
| Effect on Hair | Deposits purple pigments to counteract warm tones. | Intensely tones hair color while providing moisture. |
| Potency | Provides subtle toning effect, rinsed out quickly. | Offers intense toning effect, left on longer. |
| Potential Risk | Overuse may lead to over-toning or dryness. | Overuse may cause hair to take on purple tint. |
| Ingredients | Contains cleansing agents and purple pigments. | Contains conditioning agents and purple pigments. |
| Frequency of use | Recommended once or twice a week. | Can be used more frequently for extra moisture. |
| Suitability for hair | Suitable for oilier hair or lighter conditioning. | Suitable for dry or damaged hair needing moisture (Here is more about purple conditioner on dry hair). |
| Staining potential | Lower risk of staining compared to conditioner. | Higher risk of staining due to concentrated pigments. |
How to Use Purple Shampoo & Conditioner
Here’s how to use purple shampoo correctly
- Wet your hair: Begin by thoroughly wetting your hair with lukewarm water.
- Apply purple shampoo: Squeeze a small amount of the toning shampoo into your palm and lather it between your hands.
- Massage into hair: Gently massage the shampoo into your hair, focusing particularly on areas where your hair is blonde or brassy.
- Let it sit: Allow the purple shampoo to sit in your hair for a few minutes. Remember, the longer it sits, the more toning effect it will have. However, avoid leaving it in for too long to prevent over-toning or purple hues.
- Rinse your hair: Rinse out the shampoo thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
Here’s how to use purple conditioner
- Squeeze out excess water: After rinsing out the purple shampoo, gently squeeze any excess water from your hair.
- Apply purple conditioner: Generously apply the purple conditioner to your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, where brassiness often occurs.
- Comb through your hair: Use a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the conditioner, ensuring it reaches all parts of your hair while avoiding the root area.
- Let it sit: Allow the conditioner to sit in your hair for a couple of minutes, giving it time to work its magic on your blonde locks.
- Rinse your hair: Rinse out the conditioner with cool water to seal the hair cuticles and lock in the toning effects.
Benefits of Using Purple Products
On silver and grey hair
Neutralizes yellow tones: Purple products, including purple shampoo and conditioner, are highly effective in neutralizing yellow tones that often develop in silver and grey hair over time. The purple pigments in these products work by counteracting the warm tones, restoring the hair’s cool and vibrant appearance.
Enhances shine: By eliminating yellow undertones, the hair appears brighter and more reflective, resulting in a lustrous and healthy-looking mane.
Preserves colour: Continuous use of purple products can help preserve the desired silver or grey hair for longer periods.
On blonde hair
Eliminates brassiness: Blonde hair, especially when exposed to elements like sunlight or hard water, can develop brassy or yellow tones over time. Purple shampoo and conditioner effectively neutralize these warm tones, restoring the hair’s cool, ashy shade.
Maintains vibrancy: Purple products help maintain the vibrancy of blonde hair by preventing it from becoming dull or lackluster due to brassiness.
Promotes hair health: In addition to toning and neutralizing brassiness, purple products nourish and hydrate blonde hair.
Read: Purple shampoo on blue hair.
Common Concerns and Troubleshooting
Purple shampoo and conditioner can cause issues if used incorrectly. Here are some tips to avoid that.
Overusing Purple Shampoo
If you notice your hair becoming too ashy or purple, you overuse purple products. If you use it too often, you can experience dry, brittle hair or even unwanted colour changes.
To counteract these effects, try reducing the frequency of using purple shampoo. Alternate it with a sulfate-free shampoo to maintain your colour while gently treating your tresses.
Managing Dryness and Frizz
Purple shampoo can sometimes be drying, especially when used excessively. This can lead to frizz, flyaways, and in extreme cases, breakage.
To combat dryness and ensure proper hydration, follow up with a (purple) conditioner or a nourishing mask. These products seal the cuticle, lock in moisture, and keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant.
Tips for managing dryness and frizz:
- Use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week
- Limit the use of heat styling tools
- Allow your hair to air dry when possible
Removing Build-Up
Over time, purple shampoo can contribute to product build-up, leaving your hair heavy, greasy, and dull.
To avoid this, try incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your hair care routine once every few weeks. This removes unwelcome residue and impurities and leaves your hair fresh and clean.
Remember not to overdo it with clarifying shampoos, as they can strip your hair of its natural oils and colour, leading to further dryness and damage.
Final Takeaway: Which Is Right For You?
In the colourful world of hair care, the battle between purple shampoo and purple conditioner has raged, each vying for the ultimate brassiness banisher. But fear not, for in this epic clash, there are no losers—only winners with luscious locks.
Whether you’re a platinum blonde seeking to slay brassiness or a silver fox looking to shine, both purple shampoo and purple conditioner stand ready to answer the call. So, go forth with confidence, armed with the knowledge that your hair is in capable hands.