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Honestly, being blonde isn’t cheap. While there are some naturally blessed with golden locks, for the majority of us so-called bottle blondes, maintaining highlights, bleach and tones, and other “blonding” services can be not only an expensive endeavor, but it can also feel like a second job — especially when summer time hits. Incorporating a purple shampoo for blonde hair is essential when it comes to winning the battle of brass because it will counteract the dulling effects of increased UV rays, tone-altering chlorine from the pool, and breakage-inducing spikes in temperature.
There are a number of purple-tinted shampoos designed specifically for platinum, grey, and blonde hair, which can help to beat brass year round, but there are also some options for those who prefer a warmer tone (as opposed to an icy or ashy tone) too. Even if you’re a natural “dishwater blonde,” looking to lighten your locks by just a shade or two, visiting a salon for a partial highlight or worse — opting for a risky DIY dye job — may not be necessary thanks to these advanced brightening formulas. Using a color-enhancing shampoo is also beneficial for those with dark blonde or light brunette hair colors, as they can help give a radiant shine and lustrous brilliance to listless locks. The one downside to using a color-enhancing or purple shampoo is that they do tend to be pretty drying, which can be an absolute disaster for color-treated blondes with bleach-damaged tresses (or as many colorists like to refer to as “compromised hair”). We’ve rounded up a few trusted tone-enhancing shampoos formulated specifically for blondes to beat the brass and prevent further damage.
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1. John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo
If you’re not looking to combat brass or maintain an ash or silvery tone, this gradual brightening shampoo is a great alternative to maintain golden and warmer blonde hues. It’s also a great option for those with highlights or naturally blonde locks that want to go a shade or two lighter without using bleach or hydrogen peroxide to do the trick.
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2. Joico Color Balance Violet Shampoo
This violet-infused shampoo is no joke when it comes to brass-busting super powers. I’ve personally used this shampoo for almost a decade, and I won’t be without it. Even when I was rocking my natural hair color several years back (mousy, dishwater light brown) it brightens up the tone and gives it a faux shine. And, it’s also able to take a dulled-down baby blonde shade to practically platinum. The one caveat is that it is so concentrated with purple dye that it will stain your shower.
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3. Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo
This is probably the most iconic O.G. purple-tinted shampoo that’s been around forever, and is still a solid best-seller. While it’s not as intensely pigmented with violet dye as some of the other options on the list, this tried-and-true classic does the trick. It’s also gentle enough to use a daily basis and doesn’t pose the risk of leaving your hair feeling straw-like or accidentally pastel purple.
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4. Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
This ultra-pigmented purple shampoo is no joke. I’ve spotted this in a several hair salons and witnessed a few colorists using this shampoo in lieu of an actual toner — yes, it’s that good. The reviews of this blonde-enhancing shampoo confirm my claim, seeing as how it’s backed with a solid 4-star rating with over 4,000 reviews. The best part? It’s super affordable.
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