Does Purple Shampoo Damage Hair? The Truth Revealed
We're just going to say it: purple shampoo is the most under-rated product in your hair care routine. When it comes to tackling brassy tones, its violet pigment is a second-to-none solution in between salon visits. But, when a formula is this powerful, we can't blame you for asking, 'Does purple shampoo damage hair?' Here, we're unveiling the truth about this blonde hair (and brown hair) essential, so you can lather up with confidence...
The Truth About Purple Shampoo and Hair Damage
So, does purple shampoo damage hair? The answer is no. The pigmented formula coats hair strands in a temporary tint that balances out yellow undertones without affecting the internal bonds. But, as with all shampoos, there are good and not-so-good formulas, each offering different results for your hair type. The key to choosing a purple shampoo that's kind to your hair is looking for these two key elements:
Salon approval - Only the best of the best hair care products can be found in the salon, so if your purple shampoo sits sink-side, you know it's professionally approved. INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo is a hair stylist staple that you can also use at home to keep your hair colour fresh, bright and free of brassy strands.
Nourishing ingredients - Look for purple shampoos that promise to be gentle and keep your hair soft to the touch. INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo combines purple pigment with vitamin E for a dose of nourishment. Combine it with your favourite conditioner to take the caring effects to the next level. We love ULTIMATE SMOOTH Conditioner for taming frizz or ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner for lustrous, healthy hair.
Why Do Some Believe Purple Shampoo Could Be Damaging?
The reason some people think purple shampoo might be damaging largely comes down to the fact it’s tinted. Because we know certain hair colour products can have an impact on hair’s condition, there’s a myth that purple shampoo could have the same effect. However, as we mentioned above, the violet pigment only coats the outer layer of hair, and it has a temporary effect, meaning it doesn’t alter the make-up of the hair shaft.
But, as with many hair products, it’s a good idea to use purple shampoo in moderation. Over-use or leaving it on too long can result in your hair looking dull with a purple tinge. Use it just enough to counteract the brassy undertones in your hair. You’ll know when it’s needed – hints of yellow or orange are your cue to lather up.
Over-use of a purple shampoo could also lead to a loss of moisture – not because the formula itself is drying, but because you’re skipping your usual, targeted, nourishing formulas. So, in between purple shampoo sessions, reach for a richer shampoo, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo for damage repair or ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo for frizz-defying glossiness.
What Do the Purple Tones in My Shampoo Do?
That purple colour may look a little daunting at first, but its neutralising effects all come down to the magic of colour theory. If you look at the colour wheel, you'll notice that purple and yellow sit opposite one another. The theory is that colours opposite each other on the wheel are able to balance each other out.
So, if you have blonde hair, or even certain shades of brown hair, and you're starting to notice unwanted yellow tones appearing, applying a pigment-depositing purple shampoo will help to cool down the excess warmth. A blue shampoo works in much the same way. Because blue sits opposite orange on the colour wheel, it's able to neutralise the orange tones that commonly occur through dark hair, so the richness of your brunette strands is restored.
Image Credit: @visionblonde and @chontelleberryman
How Often Should I Use a Purple Shampoo?
The answer differs from one person to the next, but as a general rule, we recommend using your purple shampoo once per week to keep your colour free of brassiness – especially through blonde tones. But, if yellow tinges are a rare concern to you, you can use it even less frequently. Simply reach for it as and when you need a speedy colour correction.
Can I Use Purple Shampoo on Grey Hair?
You can, and you should. Grey or silver hair is just as susceptible to unwanted brassiness as blonde hair, often due to excess use of hot tools, product build-up or air pollution. So, if your grey natural colour is yellow shades or orange brassiness, use a purple shampoo in the same way you would if you were aiming to correct blonde hair. That means massaging INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo into wet hair, letting it work its magic for 3-5 minutes, and then rinsing to reveal a sparkling grey.
What's the Difference Between a Purple Shampoo and Purple Conditioner?
Violet shampoos and purple conditioners both target the same hair goal: to reduce brassy tones. But a shampoo formula is slightly different to that of a conditioner or pigmented hair mask. A purple shampoo is ideal for a quick fix when overly warm tones appear, as it only takes up to five minutes to refine and refresh your salon shade. Meanwhile, a colour-depositing conditioner or mask will take a little longer, but it comes with a dose of nourishing ingredients if your hair needs more TLC.
So, if it's a pigmented hair mask you want, try the Color Fresh Mask in Pearl Blonde or Lilac Frost. The cool tones of these 10-minute treatments ensure brassy hair is balanced out and light hair looks fresh and bright. It's so easy that you can do it at home; simply apply your chosen mask to clean, damp hair after shampooing, comb it through to evenly distribute the pigment, wait 10 minutes, and then rinse. Your blonde tones will glow.
How to Add Purple Shampoo to Your Colour Maintenance Routine
1. Only Use it When You Need It
You don't need to use a purple shampoo every time you wash your hair. Instead, save those purple shampoo sessions for when your hair really needs it – meaning, when those brassy undertones start to show up. The rest of the time, use a regular shampoo that's tailored to your hair type and goals. If damage is your concern – hence you clicking on this article! – we recommend ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo for gentle yet effective cleansing that removes breakage-causing impurities.
2. Allow the Purple Pigments to Get to Work
Don't rinse your purple shampoo out right away. If you're using INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo, massage it into wet hair and then let the violet toning pigments work for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with warm water, making sure no residue is left behind. Your hair will be cooler, brighter, and ready for the next steps in your regimen.
3. Follow with a Hydrating Conditioner or Hair Mask
You now know that purple shampoo doesn't lead to damaged hair, but if you want to keep working on your hair health, make sure you follow your shampoo with a conditioner or hair mask. We love ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner for inside-out care, as the creamy formula is packed with AHA and Omega-9 to repair the hair's internal bonds while restoring the outer layer. On days when you want extra care, apply the ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask. Packed with smart conditioning agents, it tracks down and treats the damaged areas of hair that need it most for 6x easier detangling¹.
4. Repair and Glow with This Power Pair
Hair that's healthy and nourished glows brighter, so after using your purple shampoo, amp up the care and radiance with your miracle power pair:
- Mist ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue through clean, towel-dried hair. The leave-in deep treatment repairs hair damage in 90 seconds² and gives you 99% less breakage. When it comes to achieving your healthiest hair, this is a game-changer.
- For an irresistible, mirror-like shine, apply ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum over the top. The Squalane and Omega-9-boosted hair oil tames frizz, nourishes hair in 30 seconds, and gives you smoothness that lasts up to 3 days³. Plus, it shields your strands against UV rays and heat damage – two of the most common culprits behind brassy, unwanted tones.
Looking for more ways to level up your hair care routine? Then check out Wella's virtual consultation tool. Like having your hairstylist on 24/7 speed dial, it builds your bespoke hair care regimen in minutes.
¹ Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
² When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
³ When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum, if unwashed for 3 days, vs. untreated.