Maintaining an attractive shade of blonde hair is a tricky task. An attentive blonde who cares about hair maintenance may ask, how long does purple shampoo last?
This could mean two things: How long does a bottle of purple shampoo stay good for, or how long does its effect last in your hair? Both are important in ensuring effectiveness and hair health.
If you’re trying to make the effects of purple shampoo last longer in your hair, or just want to know when it’s time to toss the bottle, this article has got you covered.
How Long Does Purple Shampoo Last on Hair?
The toning effect of purple shampoo typically lasts 3-5 washes on hair, but this can vary with factors such as the type and condition of your hair, how often you use the product, and the specific brand of purple shampoo.
Unlike hair dye, purple shampoo functions like a color stain, depositing pigment only on the surface level of your hair. Thus, the purple shampoo will begin to fade after a few washes with regular shampoo.
If used regularly, purple shampoo can help maintain the desired tone, but it’s important to use it in moderation to avoid over-toning or drying out the hair.
How Often To Use Purple Shampoo To Make It Last Longer?
Using purple shampoo is a careful balancing act. How often you should use it depends on the shade of blonde you wish to have.
If you want to have a cool shade of blonde with no brassy tones, you should wash your hair with purple shampoo about once or twice a week.
Alternate between using normal shampoo and purple shampoo. The normal shampoo will cleanse your hair and the purple shampoo will maintain an even shade of blonde.
On the other hand, if you are trying to keep your hair a warm shade of blonde, such as honey blonde, you’ll probably need to use purple shampoo a little less often.
Hair with higher porosity requires frequent application while applying purple shampoo once a week or every other week is enough for less porous hair.
Frequent hair washing can lead to the quicker removal of purple shampoo’s pigments, shortening its lasting effect. Reducing the frequency of washes can help prolong the toning benefits.
Keep an eye on your hair color and use purple shampoo whenever your hair is starting to look too brassy. Be careful not to overdo it—excessive purple shampoo will turn your honey-blonde hair into a strange, dark shade.
Will Hair Revert to Original Color If You Stop Using Purple Shampoo?
Your hair will quickly return to its original brassy color after you stop using purple shampoo.
Purple shampoo does not deposit any pigment underneath the hair shaft, so you won’t have to wait long for the color to fade.
The stain from purple shampoo will fade after several washes with a regular shampoo.
The cleansing ingredients in your normal shampoo will remove the purple pigment from your hair in the same way that shampoo removes dirt and oil.
If you’ve been using your purple shampoo in excess and your hair has become dark with a purple hue, you may have to be patient as the violet hue fades.
You will likely need to wash your hair multiple times with an aggressive shampoo to get rid of all the purple.
If the purple doesn’t seem to be fading after several days of washing, you can check our article on how to deal with it.
Does Purple Shampoo Expire?
Yes like all cosmetic products, purple shampoo does have a finite shelf life. The shelf life of purple shampoo typically ranges from 24 to 36 months if unopened.
Storage conditions play a significant role in this. Once the bottle is opened it’s better to use it within a year.
Because the manufacturer advised to keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight can help preserve its quality.
Keeping purple shampoo in humid areas like showers can make it expire long before the date printed behind it. An expired purple shampoo exhibits changes in color, consistency, and smell.
If you notice any signs of degradation don’t use it on your hair because it will not provide the desired toning effect and could lead to unsatisfactory results.
Key Takeaways:
- Purple shampoo typically maintains its toning effect for 3-5 washes, influenced by hair type, usage frequency, and brand.
- For cool blonde tones, use it once or twice a week, alternating with regular shampoo. For warm blonde tones, use it less often.
- More frequent use may be needed for hair with higher porosity.
- Hair returns to its original color quickly after discontinuing purple shampoo, as the pigment fades with regular washing.
- The shelf life of purple shampoo is usually 24-36 months; once opened, use within a year and store in a cool, dry place.
- Expired shampoo may change in color, consistency, or smell and become less effective.