How To Apply Purple Shampoo

Welcome to your ultimate guide on using purple shampoo, a must-have for anyone wanting to maintain or enhance blonde hair from the comfort of their home. Purple shampoo acts as an easy-to-use toner, keeping your blonde shades vibrant and your hair healthy without the need for constant salon trips. Let’s dive into how this specialized shampoo works and how you can get the most out of it.

What is Purple Shampoo?

Purple shampoo is a game-changer for anyone with blonde hair, from platinum to dark blonde shades. It acts as an at-home toner, maintaining your hair color's vibrancy and health without frequent salon visits.

The secret lies in its formulation, which includes crushed violet pigments. These pigments add a subtle violet tint to the hair, specifically targeting and neutralizing any yellow, orange, or brassy tones. Factors like chlorine exposure from swimming pools and UV rays from the sun can damage blonde hair, making it porous, brittle, and discolored. Incorporating a heat protectant alongside your purple shampoo regimen can significantly mitigate these effects.

The Science Behind Purple

Ever wonder why purple shampoo is purple? It's all about color balance. According to color theory, purple and yellow are opposite each other on the color wheel. This positioning means that purple tones can effectively cancel out yellow hues in blonde hair, restoring it to its former glory.

  1. Preparation:

Start by wetting your hair thoroughly in the shower. This ensures the shampoo can be evenly distributed and work effectively.

  1. Application:

Squeeze an appropriate amount of purple shampoo into your hand. The amount can vary based on the product you’re using and the level of brassiness in your hair. For a high-quality option, consider using the Parrotfish Purple Shampoo.

Apply the shampoo to your hair, focusing on areas with noticeable yellow or orange tones. Lather well to ensure every strand is covered.

  1. Timing:

Leave the shampoo in your hair for about two to three minutes. If your hair has severe brassiness, you might extend this time by a minute or two, but be cautious not to overdo it to avoid undesired violet tints.

Consult the instructions on your specific product for the best results, as some formulations may differ in recommended application times.

  1. Rinsing:

Thoroughly rinse your hair with lukewarm water until all shampoo is washed out. This prevents any residue from altering your hair color further.

  1. Follow-Up:

After rinsing out the purple shampoo, follow up with a conditioner to keep your hair hydrated and smooth. For an effective pairing, try the Parrotfish Purple Conditioner, designed to complement the toning effects of the shampoo while nourishing your locks.

Integrating Purple Shampoo into Your Routine

Purple shampoo should complement, not replace, your regular shampoo. Regular shampoos cleanse and hydrate, while purple shampoo focuses on toning and maintaining color. Use it one to two times a week or whenever your hair starts to look a bit dull. Frequent use can over-tone your hair, potentially making it appear darker than desired. Be mindful of your hair’s response to adjust how often you use it.

How long should you leave purple shampoo in?

Aim for two to five minutes based on your desired ashiness and the level of brassiness. The difference in outcome between two and four minutes can be significant, so consider setting a timer to avoid overdoing it.

How to get the best results with purple shampoo?

For optimal results, use purple shampoo once a week or whenever brassy tones creep in. For those with white or gray hair, avoid leaving it in for more than 15 minutes to prevent lilac tinges.

What happens if you leave purple shampoo in for 1 hour?

Leaving purple shampoo in for an hour might result in a temporary lilac hue, especially if your hair is very light or damaged. To correct this, use your regular shampoo for the next few washes.

How Long Does It Take for Purple Shampoo to Work?

For best results, leave the purple shampoo on your hair for 2-5 minutes, depending on how much toning you need. Even a minute or two can make a noticeable difference, so it’s a good idea to set a timer to ensure you achieve the desired effect without over-toning.


Now that you understand the ins and outs of using purple shampoo, incorporating it into your hair care routine can be a game changer for managing and revitalizing blonde hair. Remember, while purple shampoo is fantastic for neutralizing brassy tones, it's important to use it correctly to avoid any unwanted hues. Happy shampooing!

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Discover Key Ingredients

  • aloe extract

    Removes excess sebum and product residue without damaging hair strands. Unlike harsh chemicals, aloe vera is gentle, preserving hair integrity.

  • acai oil

    Rich in healthy fatty acids, acai oil tames frizzy, dry, and damaged hair, leaving curls smoother, shinier and moisturized. 

  • gentian violet

    Helps remove the yellow, brassy or dull tones and highlights from blonde or silver hair.

  • sodium coco sulfate

    Derived from coconuts, and milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, while still producing a sudsy lather. It is safe for colored hair and helps the transition period from liquid to bar seamless.

Read Press Coverage

  • "Parrotfish's Argan Shampoo Bar wins the spot for best shampoo bar due to its ability to hydrate and heal several hair types."

  • "Parrotfish's cocoa butter and coconut-based shampoo bars are rich with argan oil or peppermint to cleanse hair and feed it essential minerals to keep locks healthy."

  • "Parrotfish shampoo bars convinced me to ditch my plastic shampoo and conditioner, and I’m never looking back."

Customer Reviews

Based on 84 reviews
94%
(79)
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N
Naomi H.
Actually Works!

This is the only purple Shampoo I have tried that’s actually able to lighten my hair! I have thick hair in a darker blonde color, and normally after using purple shampoo it looks the same as before. With this one, my hair stylist noticed my hair was lighter, and I didn’t even bring it up! And yes, I follow instructions!

M
Mary

argan oil shampoo and conditioner

S
Susan T.
Good product

I purchased the purple shampoo and conditioner bars & am very pleased with the results. It has definitely toned down the yellowing of my gray hair and does not dry my hair out. I will be ordering again for sure.

J
JENNIFER B.

purple shampoo and conditioner

D
Dorothy C.
Great product

I color my hair and have tried many products that deal with toning down the orange, but nothing has worked as well as the purple bars for shampoo and conditioner. My hair has never looked or felt better. I love this product.