Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo, For Blonde And Silver Hair (16 oz / 473 ml)

Product Information

Blonde hair goes brassy because bleaching or lifting does not remove all of the underlying golden/copper/red pigments in the hair when hair is lightened,” says Lynch. “These underlying pigments that remain after lightening are yellow, orange, and red in tone. As the cool pigments fade, the warm underlying pigments left behind after coloring become a larger part of the overall hair color. This warmer toned color is often described as having a brassy appearance.” When it comes to hair, there’s nothing better than fresh color. The challenge? Maintaining that just-left-the-salon level luster until your next dye job. Blondes in particular may notice signs of brassiness over time. This yellow or orange cast can be caused by a number of things, including "your color oxidizing over time, exposure to UV light, chlorine and even traces of copper in your water,” explains Meri Kate O’Connor, celebrity colorist at Loft 647 in West Hollywood, California. This is where a purple toning shampoo can help. What is purple shampoo good for and what happens when you use it? Hairstylist Kevin Kelly adds that purple shampoo is only really a good fit for people with light hair. "You cannot use purple shampoo on caramel highlights," he says. "It will not do anything. It’s not light enough for the color to grab on to." He also adds that purple shampoo works wonders "if your hair isn’t light enough or your hair was highlighted or colors in properly." As well as purple shampoos and conditioners, blonde hair will benefit from a monthly treatment masque or glossing treatment, to help add shine as well as freshening up colour.

Blonde hair can turn yellow with time for two reasons. The first is salon-applied toner rinsing out over time to reveal a yellow undertone. The second is the hair shaft absorbing minerals and chemicals from the environment, which can cause yellowness. Chlorine from swimming pools and even sunlight can be major culprits for introducing yellow tones to blonde hair. This is particularly true of bleached hair, which is more porous. The violet tones in purple shampoo counteract any brassy tones in the hair, giving a more silvery finish that appears brighter and more vibrant.He advises using a shampoo with a violet or purple tint to keep gray hair color vibrant and fresh. "It doesn't need to be a daily wash, but using it once a week will cut brassiness and give you spectacular shine." Avoid using any shampoos that add warmth to gray hair, as cool-toned shampoos will help hair better reflect light. Since gray hair tends to be drier and prone to frizz, Dueñas also recommends avoiding harsh shampoos, as "it's important to leave as much moisture in the hair as possible."

So, next time you're in the middle of a hair disaster, consider grabbing a purple shampoo before you start to panic. But remember that purple shampoo is meant to be a temporary fix until your next dye appointment—not a permanent panacea. How do all the famous blonde bombshells in Hollywood keep their hair color looking so fresh? Chances are the best purple shampoos have a lot to do with it. They say that blondes have more fun, but we’re guessing that whoever coined that one isn’t referring to blondes who are dealing with their hair turning brassy shades of funky yellow or orange. When blondes have to spend a load at the salon on a toning treatment for their highlights, they definitely aren’t having more fun. If you’re a keen swimmer, use a hair protector to keep chlorine from stripping your hair colour and turning it yellow or even green, and rinse hair immediately after swimming.Purple shampoos cancel out unwanted yellow tones in the hair,” says Bodt. If you’re a faux-blonde looking for upkeep, purple shampoos are an essential investment. “For blondes who are looking for more neutral, cooler, or ashier tones, purple shampoos can help offset the warmer tones that appear in blonde hair over time,” adds Lynch. This shampoo is marketed for people with blonde, gray, and highlighted hair, and boasts a strong color-depositing formula. Indeed, multiple reviewers write about how impressed they are with it, saying that they noticed a marked improvement in their hair color after just one wash. Because it’s so highly pigmented, the brand recommends using gloves when applying this shampoo to wet hair before lathering well and rinsing as thoroughly as possible. If you find that your hair is in even more need of anti-brassy TLC, repeat the process and leave the formula on for three to five minutes before rinsing. To keep hair looking its blonde best between salon visits, minimise washing and rinsing it to avoid dumping your toner straight down the drain. Also try washing in cooler water to avoid stripping colour out of dyed hair. When not washing with purple shampoo, be sure to use a shampoo for colour-treated hair as this will protect the colour molecules intact.

First, you don't want to use a purple shampoo every day. Our experts suggest swapping one in for your regular shampoo once every few weeks, or when you want to brighten your shade or minimize brassiness or yellowing. As for how to use a purple shampoo, for best results, allow it to sit for three to five minutes before rinsing to fully penetrate the hair. As with all hair products, there are an overwhelming number of purple shampoos on the market, making it hard to determine which one's right for you. Thus, I asked Ellis to break down the basics. We used the purple shampoo twice a week and found that it kept our honey blonde highlights looking creamy and cool – even two months post colour. It lathered well in the hair, smelt refreshing and didn’t feel drying once rinsed, although we’d still recommend following up with a nourishing conditioner to pamper our hair and seal the hair cuticle. Top tip: we massaged the foaming shampoo into our hair for two minutes to make sure each strand was properly coated.The merits of a purple wash extend further. “I like to use them when I’m shampooing a wig and I want to get rid of brassy tones and keep the color cool and fresh,” says Los Angeles–based hair stylist Davontae Washington, who works with model Winnie Harlow and singer-songwriter Kali Uchis. And to double down on that freshness, a pro-level hydrating mask can help restore strength and moisture in overworked strands. “My favorite product in the world is K-18 Leave-In Molecular Repair hair mask,” says bicoastal colorist Aura Friedman, responsible for self-described “iconic looks” on Lady Gaga and model Soo Joo Park. She recommends using the mask on clean, damp hair and leaving it to soak in for several minutes; that allows time for the “biomimetic [ingredients] that replicate hair keratin” to hold onto color molecules and replicate the look of so-called virgin hair.