Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo vs Conditioner
If you've visited my website before, you know I am all about the nitty gritty and the most detailed comparisons possible. I want to know exactly how something performs, how its counterpart compares, and if you really need it all.
I tend to prefer toning conditioners because they’re gentler and more hydrating, yet still effectively tone your hair. When I saw an equal amount of people saying that the Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo was better than the conditioner or that you needed both, I wanted to figure it out for myself.
I’ve tested each product separately as well as together on my fine, dry, damaged hair to see how well the shampoo and conditioner work on their own, as well as how well they complement each other. I’ve reviewed each product separately (see: Bust Your Brass Shampoo Review and Bust Your Brass Conditioner Review), but below, I’m comparing each product side by side. Breaking down their similarities, differences, and what the results actually look like, I share which one is better and if you actually need both (spoiler: you don’t).
Also curious about the Bust Your Brass Mask? Check out my Bust Your Brass Toning and Strength Repair Mask Review.
amika bust your brass shampoo vs conditioner: which should you buy?
similarities
Both the Bust Your Brass Shampoo and Conditioner:
Are formulated for blonde, highlighted, silver, and gray hair
Use violet pigments (both blue and purple tones) to neutralize yellow tones
Help maintain your hair color between salon visits
Are color-safe
Work well on highlighted hair
Have Amika’s signature amber-vanilla
These products can be used together or separately.
differences
toning power
The shampoo is noticeably stronger, and if you only want to buy one product, I recommend the shampoo.
Because the shampoo is formulated to cleanse while depositing purple pigment, it does a better job of toning your hair when it starts looking yellow or brassy.
The conditioner still has purple pigment, but it’s more for maintaining your results, rather than dramatically toning your hair.
hydration
Conditioner is, by design, meant to be more hydrating, but there’s more to the story here.
The Bust Your Brass Conditioner has a very thick texture (it’s sometimes hard for me to squeeze it out of the bottle), but it doesn’t make my hair feel that hydrated. This is because it’s partially a bond repair formula, so it has proteins in it that help repair from the inside out. That is great news for blondes and color-treated hair, because bleach is damaging and this conditioner will help your hair fight damage over time. On the downside, though, your doesn’t feel ultra-hydrated and nourished when you use this conditioner.
When it comes to the shampoo, toning shampoo tends to leave your hair feeling somewhat dry. Surprisingly, the Bust Your Brass Shampoo is not drying, though I wouldn’t say it’s hydrating, either. If you struggle with dryness after using a toning shampoo, you may really like how Bust Your Brass makes your hair feel.
All that said, I’d say that neither of these are especially hydrating. The conditioner may have a slight edge, but if you are picking between these products based on hydration, I’d steer you towards a completely different toning conditioner instead.
which gives better results?
Overall, I’d say the Bust Your Brass Shampoo gives you better results. You get a stronger tone that isn’t overpowering (no purple tint leftover), yet your hair doesn’t feel dry. A little goes a long way, and you can use your normal conditioner and/or hair mask without affecting the toning results.
The Bust Your Brass Conditioner made my hair harder to manage and while it did maintain the tone I wanted, the bond repair ingredients were too strong for my fine hair. I personally would rather use a hydrating (or toning) conditioner and then a separate bond repair product afterwards.
amika bust your brass shampoo before and after
amika bust your brass conditioner before and after
amika bust your brass shampoo vs conditioner results
which is better for fine hair?
The Bust Your Brass Shampoo, hands down. I have fine hair that is dry and damaged, so I thought I’d like the conditioner more, but it honestly made my hair harder to manage and slightly frizzy. The conditioner is formulated with bond repair technology, and those proteins aren’t super hydrating, and my hair just didn’t love it.
I personally recommend getting the shampoo and then sticking to your normal conditioner. That said, if you prefer bond repair and your fine hair responds well to it, you may want to try the conditioner instead.
can you use one without the other?
Yes. The two products are formulated to be able to be used together and while I’ve tried it a few times, I personally prefer using the products separately. Most highlighted hair and blondes only need one toning product, too, unless you are platinum or ultra-cool toned.
As such, I think the more cost effective option is to get the Bust Your Brass Shampoo and then use your everyday conditioner. The shampoo is super concentrated, so you only need a little bit and the bottle will last you longer.
That said, if you have a purple shampoo that you already love, you can use the Bust Your Brass Conditioner to add a touch of bond repair and maintain your color.
You don't need both products for either to work effectively.
should you buy the shampoo or conditioner?
buy the shampoo if:
Your hair becomes brassy quickly.
You want stronger toning.
You only want to purchase one toning product.
You have fine hair.
You don’t love the way bond repair makes your hair feel.
buy the conditioner if:
Your blonde already looks cool, or is at the right tone for you.
You want lightweight moisture (not a lot!).
You want added bond repair, not just toning.
Your hair feels dry after purple shampoo.
buy both if:
You have cool-toned blonde hair, or are platinum blonde.
Your hair gets brassy regularly.
You want the complete toning routine.
You want the strongest overall results while also protecting your hair against damage long-term.
While I’ve bought both the shampoo and conditioner already, in the future, I’ll only be repurchasing the Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo because it provides the most noticeable toning and addresses the biggest concern (brassiness) without drying out my hair..
That said, the conditioner is a great option if you want to maintain your tone while also protecting your hair against future damage. I’d then recommend adding a hydrating leave-in conditioner or mask to your haircare routine, though.
frequently asked questions
which tones hair better: the bust your brass shampoo or conditioner?
The shampoo provides stronger toning and is better at neutralizing yellow and orange tones.
can you use the bust your brass conditioner without the shampoo?
Yes. The conditioner works well with any shampoo and can be used on its own if your hair only needs light toning.
can you use the bust your brass shampoo without the conditioner?
Yes, that’s what I do. If your hair tends to feel dry after toning, using a moisturizing conditioner or mask (instead of toning conditioner) can help restore softness and rehydrate the hair.
should you buy both products?
Honestly, no. Just get the shampoo.
is the conditioner as purple as the shampoo?
No. The conditioner does contain purple pigment, but it's designed to maintain your blonde rather than provide intensive toning like the shampoo.
which is better for damaged hair?
The conditioner is better for damaged hair because it has bond repair technology in the formula. That said, if your hair is more dry than damaged, the proteins in the conditioner may be too harsh. In that case, you may want to check out the Bust Your Brass Mask. See my Bust Your Brass Conditioner vs Mask post for more detail.
