Change is inevitable, which means it will happen whether we like it or not. So talking about hair, it’s for sure going to lose its pigment someday. For some of us, it’s going to be a bit earlier, like mine couldn’t wait for my thirties to emerge. So as a part of the change, they demand a different caring culture.
For years we have been taking care of our dark dyed mane with a regular shampoo as they have been formulated according to the need and nature of naturally pigmented hair.
Now when we are on the way to embracing our silver mane, why not embrace the change and give them the nourishment and care according to their needs.
Silver shampoos are specially formulated for grey hair care. Now the question arises which shampoo to choose, Blue or Purple? Let’s find the answer…
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Let us start with the Blue shampoo. What is a Blue shampoo?
After a few inches of growing out greys, you might notice that your dark brown or brunette coloured hair starts to look a bit brassy or orangish as the colour starts fading. Here it would help if you started using the Blue shampoo…
Blue shampoo deposits blue toned pigments on hair to offset brassy or red tones on brown hair.
Don’t worry about the silver strands as it will add shine to them.
Whether you opt to go cold turkey or get your brunette add lowlights or highlights/balayage, blue shampoo can be a life saver. if you’re a virgin haired brunette, you can also benefit from using a blue shampoo every once in a while.
Now, what is a Purple Shampoo?
Without melanin your natural hair colour turns white and become more porous and external nasties like chemicals, pollution and smoke etc. enter the hair cuticles resulting in discolouration and looking dull.
Also if you are a Blonde with lightened or highlighted hair, the colour starts fading in a few months of growing out greys.
Here the regular shampoo won’t work as it will be ineffective on the faded blonde colour turning it yellow and getting rid of the layer of residue created by the use of some styling products on gray hair.
Purple shampoo combats unwanted warm or brassy yellow tones from hair.
So if you are a blonde who is growing out the greys and want to keep your growing blondes safe from discolouration and at the same time want your natural silvers sparkle, start using a purple shampoo!
In short Blue shampoo is for the Brunettes while Purple shampoo is for Blondes. And both can be used on fully transitioned silver hair.
How to use a Blue/Purple shampoo?
- First step is to wash your hair with a regular shampoo so that any dirt, oil is removed from the hair and when the toner(blue/purple shampoo) is used it will be well absorbed by the cuticles.
- Secondly, dry your hair. Take a genuine quantity of blue/purple shampoo in your hand and apply it on the length and the tip of the hair thoroughly.
- After the shampoo is applied all through the hair, allow it sit in for 2-3 minutes or as instructed on the bottle.
- Then wash it and condition it as usual.
For the starters it is advisable to leave the shampoo for maximum 3 minutes as the effect of these shampoos varies with different users. You can always increase the leave in time according to achieve your desired tone but better than regret at the first time.
Things to keep in mind before using Blue/Purple shampoo:
1# As blue stains more than purple, so if you don’t want blue tinged hands, put on some gloves before using the Blue shampoo.
2# I would advice to read the using ‘instructions’ thoroughly before applying the shampoo.
3# Never use the shampoo twice at the same time even if you don’t get the desired tone as it may leave the hair dry. Always keep a gap of at least a week between two consecutive washes.
4# Avoid using purple shampoos that have direct dyes in them as they can end up dyeing your hair purple instead of toning it.
5# Don’t think your purple/silver shampoo can be replaced to your everyday shampoo. Overuse will colour your hair purple.
6# It’s better to choose a Blue/Purple shampoo that is hydrating and nourishing as silver shampoos have a tendency of drying hair. If not, try using good hydrators and conditioners.
7# Give your hair a leave-in-treatment to bring back the life to your dry hair.
8# Silver shampoos basically just covers the brassiness.To take out the residue from the hair a good clarifying shampoo must be used once in a week or twice a month.
And now the question is, 'Is it necessary to use a Silver shampoo?'
Well to be practical I never felt the need of using any of the silver shampoos and the reasons are-
1# I don’t use too much styling products on my hair, so there is no chance of any product accumulation on my hair that turns hair yellow.
2# I don’t use heat styling products or tools on my hair which can in turn cause damage and need colour correction.
3# The water in our locality is not hard so chances of mineral deposits on my hair is nil or very less that results in dull and strange colour deposition on grey hair, to be treated.
One confession to be made at this point during the last month I have been using L’oreal Paris 6 Oil- nourish shampoo on my grey hair which contains translucent yellow colour in it. Without being aware of the fact that grey hair is prone to colour pigmented products I used it for about a month and it kept my hair look yellowish. After switching to Pantene shampoo, my sparkles are bright and shinier than before. So the lesson I learned is to use clear styling products!!
I was curious so I took an opinion poll from my Instagram silversisters community and was glad I was not alone. There are others too who are regular shampoo users even after the transition…
“I still use regular shampoo. (I think because of the water we have here and the fact I don’t use flat iron, I don’t need to use a purple shampoo). Acure is natural, organic and cruelty- free. Since my hair is on the dryer side, I use their hydrating shampoo and conditioner. I really like it. Works well on my hair. Also, I wash my hair just twice a week typically.“
“I’am using Maui shampoo currently! I love it! In addition to other NOs, it also has no Silicone. It makes the hair feels so soft and looks so shiny, especially on the second day.”
You may also like reading: 14 Grey Hair Friendly Shampoos
Let's Connect...
Hope this post might help you to know about Blue and Purple shampoo. If you find this post informative please share it!!
Great article, Anjana! ❤️
Thanks a lot Katie!
I stopped using purple shampoo and switched to a “brightening blond “.
Much more natural! And great shine and softness.
Thats great, If it works for you.