If you’re a natural blonde or have ever lightened your hair, you might have considered using purple or blue shampoo. Typically, blondes use purple shampoo to keep blonde looking fresh.
But what does blue shampoo do to blonde hair? The answer depends on the undertones in your hair.
Blonde can be icy and cool. It can also be warm and golden. Blue shampoo will not act the same on every blonde.
If you want to know what blue shampoo does to blonde hair and the results you might expect, we have covered it all in this article.
- Blue shampoo is for orange or copper tones. It suits dark blonde (level 7 to 8) and brunette hair that has been lightened.
- If your hair color is golden blonde, pale blonde, or platinum, do NOT use blue shampoo. Use purple shampoo instead.
- Blue shampoo does not lighten hair. It deposits pigment to make brass look calmer and hair look cleaner.
- Do a small strand test first. Follow the time on the label.
Should You Use Blue Shampoo on Your Blonde Hair?
Use blue shampoo only if your hair shows orange or copper brass. This is most common in brunettes and dark blondes after lightening. Think level 7 to 8 dark blonde, or light brown with highlights.
Here are some lightening techniques for brunettes that may need blue shampoo:
- Balayage
- Highlights
- Foils
- Streaks
- Ombre
Lightening lifts color but it can leave warm pigment behind. Over time, toner fades and the warm orange or copper can show again. Blue shampoo helps neutralize that warmth. People with caramel, dirty blonde, or ash brown hair often use it for this reason.
Blue shampoo is not for every blonde. If your blonde looks yellow, gold, pale blonde, or platinum, do not use blue shampoo. Blue pigment plus yellow tones can turn your hair muddy or green. Use purple shampoo for yellow tones.
Use blue shampoo if you see these tones:
- Orange tones
- Copper tones
- Red tones
Use purple shampoo if you see these tones:
- Yellow tones
- Gold tones
Blue pigments neutralize orange and copper. Purple pigments neutralize yellow. This is the clean logic. It keeps you out of trouble.
- Do not use blue shampoo on yellow, gold, pale blonde, or platinum hair. It can turn your blonde hair muddy or green.
- If your brass is yellow, use purple shampoo. If your brass is orange, use blue shampoo.
- If your hair turns green, stop using blue shampoo right away. Use a gentle clarifying wash once, then deep condition. If the green color stays, see a colorist.
- Very light or porous hair absorbs pigment fast. Leave it on briefly. Follow the label.
- Do a small strand test first, especially if your hair is freshly bleached or very light.
What Does Blue Shampoo Do to Your Blonde Hair?
Blue shampoo is usually made for darker hair that has turned brassy. It can also help some blondes, but only the right blondes.
The simple answer is this. Blue shampoo can make hair look brighter and cleaner by neutralizing orange and copper tones. It also cleans like a normal shampoo, so it removes oil and product buildup.
But using blue shampoo on the wrong blonde can turn hair green. Here is why. Blue pigment plus yellow tones can look green. Many blondes carry yellow or gold undertones. That is why purple shampoo is the safer choice for most blondes.
Blue shampoo works by depositing blue pigment. That pigment cancels orange and copper, leaving a cooler look.
If your hair is extremely light, or very porous from bleach, it can hold on to pigment. That can leave a slight blue cast. On pale blonde shades, that can look dull or off.
When Should You Use Blue Shampoo on Your Blonde Hair?
It depends on your base shade and the brass you see in the mirror.
If you are a dark blonde (level 7 to 8) or a light brunette with highlights, blue shampoo can help when orange or copper shows up. Start with once a week. Adjust from there based on your results.
If you are a light blonde, pale blonde, or platinum, choose purple shampoo instead. Blue shampoo is not the right match for yellow or gold tones.
Hair color can look dull after sun, heat, and many washes. Toning shampoos help maintain the look between salon visits. Use them as support, not as your only shampoo.
Follow the timing on the product label. Leaving toning shampoo on too long can cause buildup or unwanted tint.
Will Blue Shampoo Make My Hair Lighter?
Blue shampoo can make hair look brighter, but it does not chemically lighten hair.
Blue shampoo is a depositing product. It contains pigment, not bleach. It will not lift your natural color level. It simply neutralizes brassy orange and copper tones, so the color looks cleaner and cooler.
Final Words
Blue shampoo is best for dark blondes and brunettes who see orange or copper brass after lightening. It helps keep the tone cooler and more even.
Use it with care. Overuse can cause buildup or an unwanted tint, especially on very light hair. If your blonde is yellow, gold, pale blonde, or platinum, use purple shampoo instead.
FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about using blue shampoo on blonde hair.
Blue shampoo does not chemically lighten your hair. It has no bleach and no ammonia. It deposits blue pigment to neutralize orange and copper tones, so hair can look brighter and cleaner.
It also does not truly darken your hair level. But if you overuse it, the extra pigment can make hair look dull or slightly tinted. If your blonde is yellow or gold, use purple shampoo instead to avoid a green or muddy result.
Usually no. Blue shampoo is a toning shampoo with blue pigment. Daily use can cause buildup and an uneven tint, especially on light or porous hair.
For dark blonde or highlighted brunette hair with orange tones, start with once a week. If needed, go up to two times a week. If you want to use it more often, mix a small amount with your regular shampoo. Stop if hair looks dull, muddy, or green.
It can. Many toning shampoos feel drying, especially on bleached or damaged hair.
Use a hydrating conditioner or mask after washing. If your hair feels rough, cut back on how often you use the toning shampoo and rotate with a gentle moisturizing shampoo.