Blue Or Purple Shampoo For Gray Hair? Which Is Best?

Not everyone reacts the same way when it comes to finding gray hairs. Some people choose to embrace their silver locks, while others do everything they can to hide them. However you feel about your gray hair, it’s essential to know which is the best blue or purple shampoo to keep your silver strands in excellent condition.

woman washing hair purple shampoo

In this article, we will look at which blue or purple shampoo for gray hair is the best and why.

This post contains affiliate links and we may earn if you click on them (at no extra cost to you). Please read our full disclosure policy here.

In A Hurry? Our Top Picks

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

So which is best for gray hair, blue or purple shampoo?

Choosing a blue or purple shampoo for gray hair is simple. If you are a brunette and growing out your grays, then blue shampoo is best for you. Purple shampoo is best if you are a blonde and fully embracing those silver locks.

We’ll look at this in further detail, but first, let’s discuss why gray hairs appear.

What Causes Hair To Go Gray?

Gray hairs are inevitable. You can try to delay your hair from turning gray for as long as possible, but you won’t be able to avoid them altogether.

As you age, your hair follicles stop producing as much melanin, which is the pigment responsible for giving your hair its natural color.

The amount of melanin produced by hair follicles starts to decrease with age, and this is when the gray hairs become noticeable.

Some people find gray hairs much earlier than others. If you are wondering why, here are some of the reasons:

Genetics

No matter how hard you try to delay those gray hairs from showing if it’s in your genetics to go gray early.

There’s really not much you can do to stop it from happening. Graying hair is determined by genetics, race, and ethnicity.

White people may notice gray hairs from their mid-30s, Asian hair may begin to gray during the late 30s. African-Americans may not notice gray hairs until their mid-40s.

But for those who will experience premature graying, this could happen at least ten years earlier.

Lack Of Vitamins

If you don’t give your body the nutrients it needs, you may notice some significant changes, including strands of gray hairs.

A vitamin deficiency, in particular vitamin B12 deficiency, is a common cause for going gray prematurely.

It’s essential to take supplements to ensure you get the proper nutrients. You can eat foods such as meats, fish, dairy, and poultry which are natural sources of vitamin B12.

Health Problems

Certain health problems can also cause hair to turn gray. Von Recklinghausen’s disease, tuberous sclerosis, vitiligo, thyroid disease, and alopecia areata are all illnesses that can lead to gray hair.

Experiencing high levels of stress can lead to conditions that may cause the hair to fall out.

Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium are hair loss conditions brought on by stress. When the hair starts to re-grow, it can be gray because of a lack of melanin.

Also, check out my post on The Best Ways To Remove Color From Gray Hair.

The Difference Between Blue And Purple Shampoo

If you’ve decided to not color your gray hair but instead embrace your silver locks, you will need to use a specially formulated shampoo to ensure your hair gets the correct care it needs.

To leave your hair feeling softer and brighter, a good blue or purple shampoo for gray hair should do the trick.

Let’s take a look at the difference between blue and purple shampoos.

What Is Blue Shampoo?

Blue shampoo is specially formulated to help those with brown-colored hair avoid brassy red and orange tones while growing out gray hairs.

Using blue shampoo will counteract any brassy hues due to the blue-toned pigments.

Pros Of Blue Shampoo

  • Blue shampoo can counteract any brassy tones on colored brunette hair.
  • It can give gray hairs an added shine.
  • Blue shampoo can be used on non-colored brunette hair.
  • It can work great on gray hair, taming frizz, and leave hair feeling softer.

Cons Of Blue Shampoo

  • Blue shampoo can stain hands, so wear gloves to prevent this.
  • It can leave your hair feeling dry and dehydrated if used too often.

What Is Purple Shampoo?

Purple shampoo is designed to keep blonde hair from looking dull and discolored. For blondes embracing gray hairs, purple shampoo will prevent any brassy yellow tones while keeping silver strands nice and shiny.

Pros Of Purple Shampoo

  • Purple shampoo can eliminate any unwanted brassy yellow tones on blonde hair.
  • It can leave your hair looking brighter, glossy, and healthy.
  • Purple shampoo can be great for gray hair.
  • It can help tame frizz.

Cons Of Purple Shampoo

  • Some purple shampoos have direct dyes in them and can leave hair looking purple.
  • Purple shampoo can leave your hair feeling dry if overused.

Which Shampoo Is Best?

We’ve discussed how blue or purple shampoo for gray hair can have both pros and cons. The answer to which one is best is purely dependent on your hair color.

Blue and purple shampoos work in the same way of giving your gray hair the nourishment and care it needs while combatting any brassy tones.

As your hair has underlying warm tones, you need a shampoo that will offset this.

Natural brunettes have warm orange tones, and natural blondes have yellow tones. When hair is lightened, these tones become more exposed.

If you look at a color wheel, you will see blue is opposite to orange, and purple is opposite to yellow.

This means the blue shampoo will cancel out the orange, and purple shampoo will cancel out the yellow in gray hair. 

So if you have dark brown or brunette-colored hair, it’s best to use a blue shampoo to ensure any brassy red and orange tones are counteracted.

If you have blonde-colored hair, consider adding a purple shampoo to your hair washing routine. This will help to neutralize any warm, yellow brassy tones and keep them at bay.

Also Read: Which Developer To Choose For Gray Hair?

Top 5 Best Blue And Purple Shampoos For Gray Hair

When it comes to choosing the right blue or purple shampoo for gray hair, you need to consider your hair color and the texture of your hair.

Gray hairs don’t necessarily mean just a color change. You may notice a difference in your hair’s texture, too, as gray hair can be coarse and dry.

As gray hairs are harder to manage and are more prone to frizz than pigmented hair, you need to ensure you give it the proper care it requires.

It’s essential to find a blue or purple shampoo that can help tone down any brassy tones in gray hair and which can nourish and hydrate your hair at the same time.

Here are five of our top blue or purple shampoos for gray hair:

Fanola No Orange Blue Shampoo

Fanola No Orange Blue Shampoo

BEST FOR: BRUNETTES

Fanola No Orange Blue Shampoo will help combat any brassy red or orange tones and leave you with a consistent, vibrant color.

Its special blue pigment is designed to keep your brunette hair on point. This blue shampoo is formulated with coconut oil to stop your hair from breakage and give added shine.


MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Color Depositing Blue Shampoo

MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Color Depositing Blue Shampoo

FOR BRUNETTES

If you are looking for a blue shampoo that will give your hair an instant refresh with cool tones and neutralize any brassy tones at the same time, then the MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Shampoo can do just that.

It’s suitable for colored and natural brunettes and helps reduce any brassiness as it deposits balancing blue-violet pigments.


Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo Blonde + Silver

Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo Blonde + Silver

BEST FOR: BLONDES

Clairol Shimmer Lights is an affordable purple shampoo designed to tone down brassiness and leave your hair looking nourished and shiny.

It is one of the most popular shampoos around. This shampoo will leave your hair feeling soft, thanks to its protein-enriched conditioned formula.


Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo

Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo

FOR BLONDES

The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo by Pravana is formulated to neutralize any brassiness while giving your hair a refresh as the color fades.

This shampoo adds shine to your hair and is infused with coconut oil and soy protein to help cleanse and brighten hair.


Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Color Freeze Silver Shampoo

Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Color Freeze Silver Shampoo

Suitable For Blondes and Brunettes

Enriched with blue-violet pigments to neutralize yellow tones, this Color Freeze Silver Shampoo from Schwarzkopf will help you maintain cool, icy silver tones.

It’s formulated for over-processed, colored, balayage, and highlighted hair, allowing the hair’s elasticity and strength to be restored to a healthy condition.


Also Read: Shampoo Bars Pros and Cons: Most Important Facts

How To Use Blue/Purple Shampoo

If you are new to using a blue or purple shampoo for your gray hair, remember to read the shampoo bottle directions carefully.

Avoid using blue or purple shampoo every day, and don’t leave the shampoo in your hair for long periods.

Let’s look at how to use blue or purple shampoo for gray hair in three simple steps:

Step One

Wash your hair with your regular shampoo to ensure that any dirt or oils are removed completely. This will allow the cuticles to absorb the blue or purple shampoo fully.

Step Two

Pat down your hair with a towel to dry. Next, apply a generous amount of the blue or purple shampoo to your hand, then begin to apply it through the lengths of your hair.

Once the shampoo has been applied all over your hair, leave for approximately two to three minutes (or however long it instructs on the shampoo bottle).

Step Three

After the minutes are up, you can wash the shampoo out thoroughly before using a conditioner to help leave your hair feeling healthy and nourished.

Conclusion

Deciding to embrace your silver locks can be incredibly liberating.

However, it’s essential to understand how to care for your hair properly as you allow the gray hairs to grow out.

This is why you should know which blue or purple shampoo for gray hair is best for keeping your hair in the best condition possible.

Everyone’s hair is different due to color and texture. Try to find a suitable shampoo that will give your hair the nourishment it needs to stay healthy, shiny, and vibrant.

You can find different kinds of blue or purple shampoo for gray hair that will meet your budget and keep the brassy red, orange, and yellow tones at bay.

Remember these important points when it comes to a blue or purple shampoo:

  • Pick a blue or purple shampoo for your gray hair that will eliminate brassy tones.
  • Some blue and purple shampoos can leave hair feeling dry, so focus on products that will hydrate and nourish your hair.
  • Blue or purple shampoos do not need to be used every day.
  • Blue shampoos can stain hands, so consider wearing gloves.
  • Some purple shampoos can have direct dyes in them, so try to avoid these.
  • Always read the instructions on the shampoo bottle carefully.

Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.