How Was Purple Shampoo Invented?

Purple shampoo has become a game-changer in the world of hair care, particularly for those looking to maintain cool, vibrant tones in blonde, gray, or lightened hair. But how did this innovative product come to be, and why has it gained such popularity?Lets explore the origins of purple shampoo, its journey from salons to mainstream beauty routines, and the science behind its color-correcting magic.

The Origins of Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo originated from a clever use of the color wheel. Stylists noticed that purple, being opposite yellow on the spectrum, could effectively neutralize brassy tones in blonde and gray hair. Initially, this product was a niche solution, primarily found in salons and used to maintain cool, vibrant tones in light-colored hair.

How It Went Mainstream

As more people wanted to maintain their hair color at home, the demand for professional-grade products grew. Beauty brands quickly recognized this and began offering purple shampoo to the general public. This transition made it easier for anyone to:

  • Keep blonde or gray hair looking fresh between salon visits.
  • Access salon-quality toning products from the comfort of home.
  • Maintain cool hair tones without frequent trips to the salon.

How Purple Shampoo Works

The effectiveness of purple shampoo lies in its simple yet powerful formulation. Here’s how it works:

  • Purple Pigments: The shampoo contains purple pigments that counteract yellow and brassy tones in light-colored hair.
  • Color Theory: According to the color wheel, purple and yellow are complementary colors, meaning they cancel each other out.
  • Result: By neutralizing unwanted warm tones, purple shampoo helps restore a cooler, more balanced hair color.

Purple Shampoo Became a Beauty Staple

It’s no secret that when celebrities and influencers rave about a product, it quickly becomes a trend. That’s exactly what happened with purple shampoo. Hollywood stars and social media influencers started sharing their dramatic before-and-after photos, showing off how purple shampoo transformed their hair from brassy to beautifully toned. These endorsements catapulted purple shampoo into the spotlight, making it a must-have in everyone’s hair care routine.

The Rise of Clean and Sustainable Purple Shampoos

As more people become conscious of their environmental impact, the demand for eco-friendly beauty products has soared. The purple shampoo market has responded with a variety of sustainable options:

Many brands now offer purple shampoos that are free from harmful chemicals, focusing on natural ingredients that are gentle on both your hair and the planet.

Parrotfish has taken this a step further with their Purple Shampoo Bar. Not only is it effective at neutralizing brassy tones, but it’s also palm-oil free and comes in a solid bar form, drastically reducing plastic waste. This makes it an ideal choice for eco-conscious consumers who still want top-notch results.


What is the purple shampoo color theory?

Purple shampoo works on the principle of color theory. Since purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, it neutralizes yellow or brassy tones in hair, especially blonde, gray, or lightened hair. This helps brighten the hair to a cooler, more balanced tone.

What did humans do before shampoo? 

Before modern shampoo, people used natural ingredients like herbs, plant extracts, and natural soaps to clean their hair. Some also used mixtures of eggs and milk or various oils to maintain hair health. These traditional methods provided basic cleansing and conditioning.

Is it good to wash hair with just water? 

Washing hair with just water isn’t sufficient for maintaining healthy hair. To keep hair clean, soft, and manageable, it’s important to follow a structured haircare routine that includes proper cleansing products. Water alone cannot remove oils, dirt, and buildup effectively.


Purple shampoo has proven itself as an essential tool for maintaining beautiful, cool-toned hair. Whether you're looking to neutralize brassy tones or simply keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant, purple shampoo offers a simple yet effective solution. And for those who want to make an eco-friendly choice, products like Parrotfish’s Purple Shampoo Bar offer the perfect balance of sustainability and performance.

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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
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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.