17 Best Drugstore Purple Shampoos

Affordable and super effective products that keep untamed brassy tones at bay.

Reviewed by Alicia Igess JonesAlicia Igess Jones, Hairstylist
By Shiboli ChakrabortiShiboli Chakraborti, Certified Skin Care Coach  • 
All products recommended on StyleCraze are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission. Learn more about our product selection process here.

If coloring your hair blonde is your newfound obsession, you may wonder how to take care of it while maintaining its hue and vibrancy. We’re here to tell you that all you need is the best drugstore purple shampoo, and you’re good to go. Over time, the blonde might start to show traces of yellowish or grayish tones that look awful and to prevent that from happening, the purple cleansers keep these shades away and keep your hair looking refined and fresh. These cleansers work best for blonde tones as they have purple-colored pigments that tone down the brassy shade from the dyed tresses. Not only do they protect the locks, but they also keep them nourished and healthy-looking. To help you pick the perfect one, we’ve listed the 17 best ones for you!

Top Picks

17 Best Drugstore Purple Shampoos

Note: Use these shampoos as per the instructions. Do not leave the shampoo on for more than 2-3 minutes. Before using any of these products, do a patch test to determine how long it takes for the product to work without leaving behind purple or blue stains. It also helps you know if the product causes allergic reactions or breakouts. Wash your hair with a regular shampoo before using these purple shampoos. These shampoos are specifically for blonde, bleached, blonde highlights, gray, and white hair. They are not for darker hair shades.

Best Color Retention:Fanola No Yellow Shampoo

The Fanola No Yellow Shampoo is formulated with violet pigment to tone down the brassy and yellow hues on light blond, gray, bleached, or streaked hair. It is perfect for gray, super light, or decolored hair as it keeps the color consistent and vibrant. It neutralizes the yellow tone from pigment residue due to the oxidation after bleaching and lightening. It gives the hair a bright and even tone. In this YouTube video, you will find a detailed review of this product.


Pros
  • Retains color
  • Works as a toner
  • No product residue

Cons

  • Might cause hair loss.
  • Unpleasant smell
  • Patchy shades

protip_icon Quick Tip
Use a good pre-shampoo conditioner or mask to detangle your hair before hopping in the shower in order to protect your hair and reduce hair loss.

Why It’s Worth Buying: The product has more than 33,182 reviews claiming its efficacy.
Price at the time of publication: $14.06

Best For Brassy Tones:Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo

The Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo neutralizes brassy tones from blonde shades. It contains vitamin B5 derivative, which softens the hair strands and adds shine to natural and color-treated blonde hair. The violet tone enhances icy cool blonde, silver, white, and ashy tones. It prevents hair color from fading due to UV radiation. The box is recyclable, and the bottle is made from recycled plastic. Check out this video on YouTube for a detailed understanding of the product.


Pros
  • No color fading
  • Pleasant smell
  • SLS-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Adds shine

Cons

  • May dry out the hair.
  • Might make the hair patchy.
  • Might not work on all hair types.

Why It’s Worth Buying: More than 47,726 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
Price at the time of publication: $29.95

The L’Oreal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo neutralizes brassy yellow and orange tones. It makes the hair bright and more even-toned. It can be used for blonde, bleached, highlighted brown, and silver hair. It contains hibiscus and purple dye, which moisturize and even out the hair. It is free of sulfates, parabens, harsh salts, and gluten. It is also vegan and cruelty-free. If you want to know more about this product, check out this video on YouTube.

Pros

  • Maintains hair color
  • Moisturizes the hair
  • Pleasant smell
  • Brightens the hair
  • Paraben-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Vegan
  • No harsh salts

Cons

  • Might cause breakouts.
  • Might dry out the hair.

protip_icon Pro Tip
After you are done washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner, finish it off by giving your hair a rinse in cold water. Cold water can help to seal the hair cuticles and minimize frizz and dryness.

Why It’s Worth Buying: This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 50,959 rave reviews on Amazon.
Price at the time of publication: $8.62

Best For Silver Tones:Matrix Total Results So Silver

The Matrix Total Results So Silver is a color depositing purple shampoo that neutralizes the brassy tone. It also corrects yellow tones in blonde and gray hair. It helps to maintain a cool blonde color without stripping, drying or making the hair dull. It illuminates the highlights of blondes and enhances silver tones. It also adds brightness to color-treated and natural hair.


Pros
  • Removes red tones
  • Maintains the blonde color
  • Enhances the silver tones
  • Brightens color-treated hair
  • Adds shine

Cons

  • Unpleasant smell
  • Might leave hair a bit orange.
  • Might dry hair.

Why It’s Worth Buying: The overwhelming 37,780 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
Price at the time of publication: $20.0

Best Anti-Split Ends:Kick Active Purple Shampoo

4.4

The Kick Active Purple Shampoo is an award-winning purple shampoo that eliminates brassy tones. It has a special silver shampoo formula that delivers precise color adjustments and extends the life of hair colors. It works with blonde, silver, and gray hair. This shampoo is protein-rich, so it protects the hair from damage, breakage, and split ends. It also has nutrient-rich plant-based elements that remove grime, dirt, and excess oil. It makes the hair silky, soft, and manageable.


Pros
  • Makes the hair healthy
  • Makes the hair manageable
  • Leaves no buildup
  • Prevents split ends

Cons

  • Might dry out the hair.
  • Might make the hair frizzy.
  • Might cause tangling.

protip_icon Pro Tip
Dry your hair with a terry cloth or a microfibre towel because they create less friction than a regular towel and subsequently give you less frizzy hair. You can also use a soft cotton t-shirt.

Price at the time of publication: $18.95

Best Residue-Free:Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo

4.3

The Platinum Blonde Shampoo is suited specifically for blonde, white, and silver-colored hair. It is formulated with a violet tint to remove brassiness. It helps to soften the hair strands and add shine to natural and color-treated blonde hair. It has conditioners and nutrients that keep the hair hydrated, healthy, and radiant.


Pros
  • Color-safe
  • Adds shine
  • Softens the hair
  • Removes residue and buildup
  • Refreshes the hair
  • Smoothes the hair
  • Repairs damage

Cons

  • Strong smell
  • Might not work on light brown hair colors.
  • May cause allergic reactions.

Why It’s Worth Buying: With 7,692 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
Price at the time of publication: $14.88

The Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo is an award-winning color-enhancing shampoo. It tones down brassy yellow and orange tones from blonde and gray hair. The protein-rich formula refreshes faded highlights and brightens gray hair. It removes dull, yellow tones in gray hair and makes it shine. The shampoo removes dirt and buildup from the scalp and hair without leaving behind residues. It can be used on natural or color-treated hair.

Pros

  • Softens the hair
  • Easy to style
  • Conditions the hair
  • Brightens highlights
  • Adds shine

Cons

  • Unpleasant smell
Price at the time of publication: $20.63


Best For Wet Hair:Redken Color Extend Blondage

The Redken Color Extend Blondage shampoo was awarded the Allure Best of Beauty Best Shampoo in 2019. It is a color-depositing purple shampoo that neutralizes brassy hues from blonde, color-treated, and highlighted hair. It strengthens and repairs the hair and ensures cool blonde tones. Citric acid, the key ingredient, strengthens and repairs the hair. It cleanses the hair gently and makes it fresh and soft. Apply the shampoo to wet hair. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes and then rinse out. Use 2-3 times per week for optimal results.


Pros
  • Enhances the natural color
  • Pleasant smell
  • Adds shine

Cons

  • Might leave darker blonde shades more orange.
  • Might cause breakouts and allergic reactions.

Why It’s Worth Buying: A whopping 4,725 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
Price at the time of publication: $88.0

Best For Oil-Absorption:Kenra Brightening Shampoo

4.4

The Kenra Brightening Shampoo is powered with advanced brightening technology that helps eliminate brassiness and increase your hair’s shine by 80%. This perfect purple shampoo for natural and color-treated hair prevents oil buildup and tones your hair efficiently. Suitable for daily shampooing, it cleanses the hair gently without fading the color for healthy-looking, vibrant, and impressive locks.


Pros
  • Suitable for daily use
  • Lightweight
  • Reduces brassiness
  • Paraben-free

Cons

  • May dry out your hair

Price at the time of publication: $17.99

Best Highly Pigmented:OGX Blonde Enhanced + Purple Toning Shampoo

4.2

The OGX Blonde Enhanced + Purple Toning Shampoo provides the perfect toning treatment for naturally blonde, gray, and pre-lightened hair. Its richly pigmented and hydrating formula brightens and protects your hair against color fade while color-correcting the unwanted yellow and brassy tones. It is infused with purple fig, iris, and keratin that strengthen your locks and enhance the overall effect of your hair color. Additionally, the blood orange, papaya butter, and coconut milk in the formula fills your hair with a revitalizing fragrance.


Pros
  • Pleasant fragrance
  • Reduces brassiness
  • Long-lasting
  • Sulfate-free

Cons

  • May stain your skin
Price at the time of publication: $7.89


Pantene Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo

The Pantene Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo eliminates brassy tones, maintains silver hair, and reduces dullness. It uses purple pigments that maintain silver hair and neutralize excess yellow tones. It is scented with light and fresh lotus fragrance. It is safe on color or chemically treated hair. It leaves you with brighter and even-toned hair color.


Pros
  • Adds shine
  • Softens the hair
  • No tangles
  • Pleasant smell
  • Brightens white hair

Cons

  • Might cause flaking.
  • Might cause itching.

Why It’s Worth Buying: More than 6,605 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
Price at the time of publication: $14.99

The Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo eliminates brassy tones and evens out blonde, gray, and white tones. It cleanses the hair without dryness and damage. This ZeroSulfate purple shampoo contains deep purple pigments to neutralize brassy tones. The exclusive antifade complex lightens the hair tone and removes brassy hues.

Pros

  • 100% vegan
  • Softens the hair
  • Pleasant smell
  • Lightens the hair tone

Cons

  • Might stain the hair.
  • Might weigh the hair down.
Price at the time of publication: $126.85


The Biolage ColorLast Purple Shampoo is a purple pigment depositing shampoo that neutralizes brassy and unwanted warm tones. It conditions and protects hair from breakage and maintains and boosts the coolness of blondes, making blonde hair healthy and silky. The vegan formula is free of parabens, and your hair will feel two times smoother with three times less breakage than before.

Pros

  • Brightens hair color
  • No color-fading
  • Makes the hair silky
  • Pleasant fragrance

Cons

  • Might not work on all hair types.
  • Might cause dryness.
  • Might form suds.

Price at the time of publication: $37.0

John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo

The John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo removes brassy tones and revives the hair color. It contains violet pigments that absorb UV light, emit a white-blue glow, and make blonde shades look bright. The shampoo cleanses the hair and removes all dirt, grime, and buildup. The advanced, extra-strength formula revitalizes the hair and makes it healthy. It is safe for natural and color-treated blonde hair.


Pros
  • Lightens the hair
  • Softens the hair
  • Peroxide-free
  • Revitalizes the hair
  • Safe on color-treated hair
  • Makes the hair manageable

Cons

  • Might leave gray and white hair with purple tints.
  • Might dry hair.
Why It’s Worth Buying: It has received over 6,630 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
Price at the time of publication: $9.97

Here are some purple shampoo and conditioner combos. Check them out!

Luseta Color Brightening Purple Shampoo

The Luseta Color Brightening Purple Shampoo and Conditioner helps neutralize brassy tones in blonde and gray hair. This shampoo cleanses the hair and scalp gently and repairs split ends. The conditioner imparts shine and protects the hair from heat and environmental damages. The shampoo has a pH level of 5.5 – 6.5, and the conditioner has a pH level of 4.5 – 5.5. It contains coconut oil, hydrolyzed keratin, quinoa seed extract, and biotin. The coconut oil and hydrolyzed keratin are packed with fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that nourish and moisturize the hair. The quinoa seed extract contains nine essential amino acids that strengthen, repair and protect the hair. Biotin adds volume to the hair and stimulates hair growth.


Pros
  • Pleasant smell
  • Makes the hair healthy
  • Strengthens the hair
  • Brightens hair color
  • No product residue
  • Adds shine
  • Sulfate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Safe to use on color-treated hair

Cons

  • Might dry out the hair.
  • May weigh the hair down.

Why It’s Worth Buying: More than 6,538 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
Price at the time of publication: $35

The Jhirmack Silver Brightening Shampoo And Conditioner are specially formulated for all shades of silver, gray, and blonde hair. It neutralizes yellow and brassy tones and improves highlights, and enhances their shine. The formula is made with macadamia nut oil and collagen that moisturize and strengthen hair. The green tea extracts soften hair, add shine, and prevent split ends. It adds life to your silver hair making it look gorgeous.

Pros

  •  Suitable for oily, dry, and normal hair types•
  •  Moisturizes hair
  •  Strengthens hair
  •  Adds shine
  •  Pleasant fragrance
  •  Lightweight
  •  Cleanses well
  •  Softens hair
  •  Makes hair manageable

Cons

  •  Might darken gray hair sometimes

Price at the time of publication: $12.95

The Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo And Conditioner removes all brassy yellow tones from blonde and gray hair. It also protects hair color from fading. The Multi-Spectrum Defense Complex protects the color from fading and losing vibrance. It also contains a Bio-advanced Peptide Complex, which is a blend of hair identical keratins that repair the hair from within. The shampoo cleanses the hair while neutralizing yellow tones, while the conditioner conditions the hair and eliminates any brassy tones.

Pros

  • Maintains hair color
  • Eliminates brassy tones
  • Softens the hair
  • Pleasant scent
  • Makes the hair silky
  • Removes residue and dirt
  • Hydrates the hair

Cons

  • Might cause hair fall.
  • Might make the hair frizzy.
  • Might not work on thick and oily hair.
Why It’s Worth Buying: It has received 8,803 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
Price at the time of publication: $66.3

Infographic: How To Choose The Best Purple Shampoo For Your Hair

It is a known fact that purple shampoos neutralize brassy tones and make color-treated hair appear fresh and rejuvenated. Most purple shampoos also come with gentle formulas that help your tresses remain moisturized and well-nourished. However, before choosing one, check out the infographic below to take note of the several pointers that you must keep in mind before making a purchasing decision.

How To Choose The Best Purple Shampoo (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Download Infographic in PDF version

Purple shampoos are best for people with bleached, blonde, blonde highlighted, white, or gray hair. Some of these shampoos also prevent the hair color from fading due to excess UV radiation. It is important to only use drugstore shampoos if they are devoid of parabens, sulfates, chemicals, harsh salts, and gluten. However, there are many purple shampoos that might make your hair patchy, dry, and smelly. You should steer clear of drugstore purple shampoos if they fail to add shine.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast. She understands the science behind purple shampoos and strongly advocates using them to sustain the blonde look. This list of best purple shampoos has been compiled following extensive research and an in-depth analysis of the reviews posted by the users online. These products not only prevent brassy tones in your dyed hair but also keep it refined and fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do purple shampoos work?

Purple shampoos have violet pigments that even out yellow and orange tones due to the purple and blue hues in the pigments.

How long should I keep the shampoo on?

Do a patch test to see how long it takes for the shampoo to work.

Do these purple shampoos work on all hair types?

No, these shampoos might not work on all hair types. Read the reviews to see if they suit your hair type. Also, perform a patch test before using any of these shampoos.

Can I use purple shampoo on dark hair with blonde highlights?

Yes. Use a purple shampoo on dark hair with blonde tresses to neutralize the brassy tones and add shine to the blonde highlights.

Can I use purple shampoo for my purple hair?

Yes. Use a purple shampoo without sulfates to keep your purple hair looking shiny and healthy.

Does purple shampoo darken gray hair?

Yes. Purple shampoos darken gray hair slightly, but our eyes will not catch the slight dark shade of gray.

Can purple shampoo be used every day?

No, skip using purple shampoos daily to avoid damaging your strands. However, if your hair looks extremely brassy, use the shampoo twice weekly to neutralize the yellowish tones.

What is the difference between purple shampoo and normal shampoo?

Purple shampoo is a toning product that neutralizes the yellowish tones and adds shine to your blonde tresses. It also removes dirt and excess oil from your hair. On the other hand, a normal shampoo only cleanses the dirt and debris from your scalp and hair but does nothing to maintain the color of your hair.


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