Can you use purple shampoo on red hair? Is it going to help with anything or yet another ineffective hack?
As more and more women dye their hair blonde, the demand for purple shampoos has increased.
But, if the purple shampoo is designed to neutralize yellow undertones in blond hair, you may wonder: what will purple shampoo do to red hair?
According to many people, shampoo removes the orange tint that sometimes appears in red hair.
They believe it does more than just clean the hair; it also helps the cuticles to relax after being stripped of grime and grease.
So, can you really try it on your red hair?
Yes, you can because purple shampoo can help color last longer by penetrating the cuticle layer.
Tip: Always wait for at least 48 hours before cleaning your red hair dye with shampoo.
What Should You Know about Purple Shampoo?
Toning shampoo, often known as purple shampoo, adds violet or purple pigments to your hair to neutralize brassy or yellow tones.
This shampoo is designed for those with highlighted hair or hair that is a lighter shade, such as silvers, blondes, pastels, grays, whites, and platinum.
Blonde hair with too much redness, yellowness, or brassiness can be fixed with purple shampoo. It is mainly because it contains a violet hue.
Purple is located on the opposite side of the color wheel from yellow, so they are contrasting hues and nullify opposing hues.
This is why many people use purple shampoo on red or blonde hair.
Can You Use Purple Shampoo on Red Hair without Issues?
A person with red hair can use purple shampoo. It is natural to wonder if purple shampoo would dull red hair, but the answer is no. It is totally risk-free; do not fret.
This hair treatment will not actually lighten your hair color, but it will help even it out.
In fact, as your red hair color fades, it can help to cancel out any unflattering orange or yellow undertones.
How Does Purple Shampoo Affect Red Hair?
It is easy to assume that your red hair dye job is a done deal, at least as far as longevity is concerned.
Unfortunately, you soon notice that your once vibrant red hair has begun to take on a yellowish, and in some cases, brassy, hue.
Those layers do nothing to improve your appearance, so obviously, you should get rid of them.
That is when the majority of us visit the salon every 3-4 weeks to eliminate the brassiness.
However, this approach might quickly drain your bank account. You should try a purple shampoo instead.
The Wonders of Purple Shampoo
So what does purple shampoo do to red hair?
In a nutshell, the unattractive yellow and brassy tones that develop in dyed red hair over time can be neutralized by using a purple shampoo.
This shampoo’s secondary use is to reduce redness in hair, which you may see if you use it excessively.
This shampoo has violet and blue pigments that neutralize the orange and yellow tones introduced by the red dye.
Therefore, your hair will appear as though it has never been dyed before. Of course, the hair's natural color will return as well.
How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo on Red Hair?
While using purple shampoo on red hair is safe, it is important to know how frequent you can be.
Toning your hair once a week is sufficient if, for example, you only need to do it for aesthetic reasons.
However, you may need to increase the amount and the frequency to twice weekly if trying to get rid of the color.
We also advise starting with once-weekly applications if this is your first time using it.
This will allow you to retain complete control over the process while progressively removing color to achieve the appropriate tone.
Tip: Color a shade darker than you normally would if you want your red hair to last longer.
Can You Use Purple Shampoo on Colors Other than Red?
As for the quick answer, yes, purple shampoo can be used on all darker hair hues.
The minerals in your water, too much exposure to the sun, and even extreme heat styling can all cause your newly dyed brunette hair to turn orange and brassy or yellow within weeks.
The opposite of the orange on the color wheel is purple. Therefore, using purple as a hair treatment will help remove brassy tones and revitalize your hair.
The purple shampoo creates similar effects on lightened brown or dark hair as it does on blonde hair.
Keep in mind that using a purple shampoo will not do much for someone with a full head of dark brown hair.
However, it will help your highlighted strands blend in with your natural hair color if your hair is naturally dark.
If you want to start using purple shampoo, all you have to do is switch to it in place of your regular shampoo.
It will cleanse your hair and scalp just like regular shampoo. Moreover, it will also include a toning element to help maintain the harmony of your color treatments.
Tip: Be sure to wash your red hair less frequently because larger molecules of red dye tend to fade quickly in water.
DIY Purple Shampoo to Enjoy Great Benefits
If you are the type who needs to keep tabs on everything, including the dye-removing procedure, then by all means, use this DIY shampoo.
Step #1: Get a Regular Shampoo
Get your regular shampoo along with some violet dye. Ensure that the dye is semi-permanent and does not contain any ammonia.
If it is not available, use high-quality purple food coloring instead.
Step #2: Mix Everything
Next, combine the dye or coloring agent with the shampoo. Use a large dish or add the coloring chemical directly to the shampoo bottle to prevent making a mess.
Step #3: Shake Well
You need to mix the ingredients vigorously to get good results. Combine the components if you are blending them in a bowl, or shake them up if you use a bottle.
Step #4: Apply It to Your Hair
Once mixed properly, you should apply it to your hair. Be sure to gradually apply the coloring or dye so that you do not have too much of it mixed in.
There you go! You have your homemade purple shampoo to treat your red hair!
How Do You Use Purple Shampoo on Your Red Hair?
Now that you know why purple shampoo is so great for redheads, you may be wondering if there is a special way to use it.
The solution is easy! When your fiery tresses need some shaping, try the following steps.
Step #1: Apply Some Purple Shampoo
Red hair may not always need purple shampoo, but if you ever see your strands turning brassy, try switching to a purple shampoo instead.
While most shampoos are designed with the scalp in mind, purple shampoos require you to coat your hair from root to tip to reap the full benefits of the color.
Step #2: Wait for a While
Once you have applied your purple shampoo to your red hair, you should not wash it out immediately.
Instead, take some time to massage it onto your hair. Then, leave it there for a few minutes to help it do its job.
Step #3: Use the Conditioner
After shampooing, you should also use some purple conditioner for better effects. Simply apply it to your strands like any regular conditioner.
Step #4: Wash it Out
Just like the shampoo, you should leave the conditioner on your scalp for a few minutes. In most cases, you can rinse it out in five minutes.
The frequency of washing your hair with purple shampoo depends on how brassy your hair is.
What you need to do and how often is also influenced by the product you are utilizing.
Some purple shampoos should only be used once weekly, and others can be incorporated into your regular routine until the brassiness is gone.
Tip: Stick to sulfate- and salt-free products because they are less likely to cause your red color to fade.
Takeaway
Many people still ask, “Can you use purple shampoo on red hair?”
Well, you do not need to worry about anything so long as you do not overdo it. You can always start with a homemade purple shampoo and then decide if you should switch to a commercial product.
Purple shampoo is all the rage these days, and for a good reason too. When used correctly, it can protect your dyed hair quite well.
