How to use purple shampoo from hair colorists

How hair colorists want you to use purple shampoo

The joy of a fresh wash using purple shampoo is second to none. The ability it has to restore and revive hair to its former glory is truly unrivaled – especially because, as anybody with blonde, platinum or gray hair (whether it's dyed or natural) will tell you, the upkeep isn’t always the easiest.

While blonde hair always makes an incredibly powerful statement, keeping it in that just-left-the-salon condition can be a job in itself. And that’s exactly where the power of purple toning shampoo and conditioner comes in. No colorist will let you leave the salon without telling you the importance of using it – although, how often you use it really depends on your own personal preference and the color of your locks. But with that said, have you ever been taught how to incorporate purple shampoo into your own at-home routine in order to maintain the color that you paid so much for to achieve?

If the answer is no, then keep reading, because we’ve rounded up all the excellent ways that hair colorists want you to use purple shampoo. That way, you can ensure your hair will always look the very best it can; but it’s important to remember that, because these kind of color-depositing products don’t contain ammonia (which is what actually changes the color of your hair), they aren’t a permanent solution, nor will they replace the need for professional treatments. Instead, they’re simply a way of extending the life of your hair color – and that’s exactly what we all want, right?

So, without further ado, consider these tips about how exactly hair colorists want you to use purple shampoo to be the ones to take note of…

Don’t use too much

First up: don’t overload with product. It might sound counterproductive, because the more shampoo you use, the better the result will be, right? Wrong. Instead, the amount of product you use depends on a couple of things: whether you’re using shampoo and conditioner – Nexxus’s Blonde Assure range contains both, and using them together will result in a more intense blonde compared to just using one or the other. The other thing to consider is what color you want to be left with, but that comes down to how long you leave the product on, rather than how much you apply. So if you’re a platinum kinda gal, then leave your shampoo on for longer, but if you’re more of a golden blonde girl looking to tone away some of the brassiness, then you only need to leave it on for a couple of minutes.

Apply purple shampoo the professional way

It’s probably fair to say that the way we all apply shampoo and conditioner is something that’s so ingrained in us that it requires minimal thinking. It’s just something you do without a second thought – but when you’re incorporating purple shampoo, it’s worth making sure you’re present in the moment. Most of us just apply, massage and rinse – but the professionals will recommend applying it into towel dried hair (instead of sopping wet locks) and then – as mentioned above – leaving it for a few minutes depending on the end result you’re looking for. It’s also advised to comb the product through your strands to ensure you’re coating each of them for an even result.

Don’t use purple shampoo too often

Many people believe they should be using purple shampoo each and every time they wash their hair, but that’s really not the case: purple shampoo should not replace your regular shampoo. Just like how long you leave your purple shampoo on for, how often you use one is very subjective and comes down to personal preference. It may, of course, take a little bit of trial and error to work out how regularly to use purple shampoo – simply because it varies so much by hair type and color. It may be worth speaking to your colorist to see how often they would recommend you use it, but remember that going overboard with it may actually make your hair look either darker or duller. Using it less regularly lets those warmer tones reflect more light for an overall healthier looking color.