How Often Should You Use Purple Shampoo?
If you've ever wondered whether you're using purple shampoo too often (or not often enough), you're not alone. Purple shampoo is one of the best tools for keeping blonde, highlighted, gray, and silver hair bright, but using it too frequently can leave your hair looking dull, dry, or give it that dreaded purple tint.
The ideal schedule for using purple shampoo depends on your hair color, how quickly your hair turns brassy, and the strength of your purple shampoo. Below, I'll explain exactly how often most people should use purple shampoo, when to adjust your routine, how to get the best toning results without damaging your hair, and common mistakes to avoid.
how often should you use purple shampoo? (without over-toning your hair)
Most people should use purple shampoo:
Once per week for maintenance
Twice per week if brassiness develops quickly
Every other wash only for very stubborn yellow tones
Less often if your hair is very porous or naturally cool-toned
You hear lots of talk about how purple shampoo “brightens” your blonde, but is important to not confuse bright with light. Purple shampoo does not contain any bleach or lightening elements; it will only lift yellow or orange tones. It won’t take your highlights to an icy white color unless your stylist bleached them to that platinum-level.
As such, if you want lighter hair, you’ll need to head to the salon for professional coloring. Purple shampoo is purely meant to maintain the tone of your color at home.
how often based on hair color
platinum blonde
Platinum blondes can maintain their bright, icy blonde by toning 1-2 times a week.
You may need to tone more often if you are swimming a lot (chlorine and salt/ fresh water can warm up the hair), or using hot tools often.
One tip to keep in mind is that you can also use purple conditioners or hair masks. Strong purple shampoos can be drying, so to decrease damage or breakage, alternating your shampoo with a more nourishing purple formula can help you keep your tone without harming your hair. I love this mask; it also has a bit of bond repair in it so it works to strengthen your hair as it tones.
highlighted blonde
If you have highlights you do not need to tone super often; once a week is ideal.
Of course, you can increase if highlights begin looking yellow, but I’ve found that once a week is the sweet spot for most people (and my hair stylists agree). If you feel like your highlights are missing that “pop,” try incorporating a hair oil. It will make your hair glow, and I love that this one has a purple tint so it works with your purple shampoo, not against it.
gray or silver hair
Those with natural grey or silver hair only need to tone once a week or every other week.
You may want to tone more often if you notice warmth peaking through from hard water minerals (shower water) or if you heat style often.
My mom has salt-and-pepper hair, and she’s found that over-toning her hair makes it look dull, so even if you feel like you don’t have a ton of contrast with your grey/ silver hair, remember that over-toning won’t add additional dimension.
The caveat here is if your stylist has colored your hair grey or silver (I did it once). You aren’t working with a natural base, so you may need to up the frequency to once a week or pair your shampoo with a toning mask for the maximum results.
brunette with highlights
If you are brunette with highlights (like me), the key here is actually to look at what your highlights are doing. If they look yellow, then you will want to tone with purple shampoo once a week.
On the other hand, if your highlights look orange, a blue or violet shampoo will work better for you. That’s because blue cancels out orange, whereas purple cancels out yellow - for more information, check out my Purple vs Blue Shampoo for Blondes post with side-by-side photo comparisons. The good news is that most purple shampoos are now formulated to be violet (with blue and purple pigments) to address all shades of brassiness (orange and yellow).
My favorite purple shampoo for brunettes is this one; I also have a post on the Best Blue Shampoo for Brunettes with Highlights with before-and-after results.
signs you're using purple shampoo too often
As we talked about, using purple shampoo too often doesn’t make your hair brighter; it can dull your color or make your hair feel worse. Common signs you are using purple shampoo too often include:
Hair feels dry
Hair looks dull instead of bright
Purple or lavender tint appears
Blonde loses dimension, looking flat
Ends become brittle or straw-like
If you are in pursuit of brighter hair, it may be worth it to go back to the salon to discuss either (1) adding more dimension or (2) lightening your hair a shade or two. This will give you that “pop” that over-toning can’t.
signs you need to use it more often
I have absolutely walked around with brassy hair out of fear of over-toning my hair and tinting it purple, or making it too dry. That said, it isn’t super complicated and is one of the easiest at-home hair fixes you can do. You may want to tone more often if you notice:
Yellow tones return quickly
Hair looks warm instead of cool
Highlights lose brightness
Brassiness shows up after heat styling or vacation
Another option is that instead of using purple shampoo more often, you can supplement with a purple conditioner or hair mask on alternating days. I don’t love a purple shampoo and conditioner back-to-back unless you have platinum or grey hair. For those with highlights, alternating days is the way to achieve a more balanced, bright look.
how long should purple shampoo stay on?
This varies based on the shampoo you have, so check the directions and keep in mind that an extra minute or two makes your hair duller, not brighter.
As a general guideline, I only leave the shampoo on for a minute or two. Most purple shampoos are highly concentrated nowadays; if the shampoo is strong enough to stain your hands, then it will tone your hair in less than 3-5 minutes.
If you are someone who wants the formula to really soak into your hair without risking over-toning, you might prefer a purple mask.
should you use purple shampoo every wash?
Usually, no.
Purple shampoo isn't designed to replace your everyday shampoo. Most people get better results alternating between a moisturizing shampoo and a purple shampoo. Part of what makes your hair pop is the health of your hair; over-toning can dry it or and leave it looking dull, flat, or lifeless.
Alternate purple shampoo with a nourishing shampoo for best results.
If you use lots of styling products (like dry shampoo), you will also want to incorporate a clarifying shampoo every week or so to remove build-up.
purple shampoo mistakes to avoid
Using it every wash
Leaving it on too long
Skipping conditioner afterward
Expecting it to lighten hair
Using it on orange hair (blue shampoo works better)
frequently asked questions
can i use purple shampoo every day?
Honestly, no. Daily use can dry out your hair and sometimes leave a purple cast. Think duller and purple-tinted, not brighter and lighter.
can purple shampoo damage hair?
Not directly, but many formulas can be drying if used too frequently or left in for too long. To avoid this, follow-up with a hydrating conditioner or mask anytime you use purple shampoo.
does purple shampoo replace toner?
No. Purple shampoo helps maintain cool tones but won't replace a professional toner done in a salon.
should i use purple conditioner too?
Purple conditioner can add a little extra toning while helping replace moisture. It's especially helpful if you have a gentler purple shampoo, or if you feel like you are reaching for purple shampoo too often and your hair is starting to feel dry as a result.
If you want to see how purple shampoo vs conditioner looks on the hair, check out my side-by-side photo comparisons in this post: Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo vs Conditioner.
what if purple shampoo isn't working?
You may need a stronger formula, a longer processing time (within the product instructions), or a professional toning at the salon if the brassiness is severe.