Brassy tones can dull blonde, silver, and gray hair, turning a fresh color into something warm and lackluster. Whether your hair is naturally light, color-treated, or bleached, the right toning shampoo can help counteract those unwanted yellow and orange hues without a trip to the salon.
How we choose
This roundup highlights eight purple and blue shampoos that address brassiness in different ways. From potent violet pigments to bond-repairing formulas, each product offers a specific approach to maintaining cool, radiant hair. Use this overview to find a shampoo that fits your hair’s needs and your daily routine.
Our 8 Picks
FanolaNo Yellow Purple Shampoo - Purple Color Depositing Shampoo for Blondes, Bleached & Grey Hair - Formulated with Violet Pigment to Remove Brassy Tones from Hair (33.8 Fl oz)
What it is
A violet-pigmented color-depositing shampoo designed to neutralize yellow tones in blonde, bleached, and gray hair.
Why it's worth it
The extra violet pigment instantly counters brassiness while, as stated by the brand, enhancing radiance and softness. It is well suited to those who want a potent at-home toning effect on very light blondes or platinum shades where yellowing is most noticeable. The brand recommends a short leave-in time of 1 to 5 minutes, which helps control deposit to avoid over-toning.
Caveat
The strong pigment can over-deposit on porous or very light hair if left on too long, so careful timing is needed.
Matrix Brass Off Toning Blue Shampoo - Refreshes and Neutralizes Brassy Tones, For Color Treated Hair, Lightened Brunettes or Dark Blondes
What it is
A blue-toning shampoo that deposits blue-violet pigments to neutralize orange and brassy undertones in lightened brunettes and dark blondes.
Why it's worth it
The brand states it neutralizes unwanted warm tones while cleansing hair without stripping. It is a good fit for color-treated dark blonde or brown hair that develops orange brass, helping maintain a cooler, refreshed appearance. The formula is intended to work as part of the Brass Off system for deeper toning when paired with the matching mask.
Caveat
Formulated for dark blondes and brunettes, so it does not target the yellow tones more common in lighter blondes or gray hair.
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo | For Cool Blonde or Gray Hair | Eliminate Brassy Yellow Tones | Boost Color Vibrancy & Shine | UV Protection | With Rosehip Oil & Green Tea Extract
What it is
A purple shampoo that uses violet pigments and a liposome delivery system to tone yellow tones and boost vibrancy in blonde and gray hair.
Why it's worth it
Joico states the violet pigments attach to hair and instantly neutralize yellow tones, while green tea extract and UV absorbers help protect against fading. The brand’s Smart Release Technology continuously releases rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin to help repair and strengthen hair. This is well suited to those wanting both toning and reparative care in a single step.
Caveat
The high pigment level may require adjusting leave-in time to avoid over-toning on very porous hair.
Olaplex Nº.4P Blonde Enhancer Purple Toning Shampoo: Neutralizes Brassiness & Strengthen | Repairs Damages & Hydrates Hair | For Coily, Curly, Straight, and Wavy
What it is
A bond-repairing purple toning shampoo that neutralizes brassiness while strengthening and hydrating all hair types.
Why it's worth it
Olaplex claims it tones and reduces breakage, with clinical results showing 89% smoother hair and 52% less breakage after one use when used as a system. The formula weightlessly nourishes and detangles, making it a good fit for damaged, bleached hair that needs strengthening alongside brass control. It works across textures, from straight to coily.
Caveat
For best reparative results, the brand recommends using it with the full Olaplex system, which adds to the overall cost.
REDKEN Blondage Purple Shampoo For Blonde, Bleached or Highlighted Hair - Neutralizes Brassy Tones With Salicylic Acid, Color Depositing
What it is
A color-depositing purple shampoo that neutralizes yellow and brassy tones on blonde, bleached, and highlighted hair.
Why it's worth it
Redken states it uses salicylic acid to strengthen hair from the core and pure violet pigments to instantly tone. The formula helps with color retention and anti-fade protection, making it a practical choice for maintaining cool blonde shades between salon visits. Brand recommends leaving it on 3–5 minutes for optimal toning.
Caveat
Frequent use may cause slight dryness on fragile hair; alternating with a hydrating shampoo is advised.
L’Oreal Paris Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo for Blonde, Bleached, Silver, or Brown Highlighted Hair, EverPure, 6.8 Fl Oz (Packaging May Vary)
What it is
A sulfate-free purple toning shampoo that hydrates and neutralizes brassy yellow-orange tones in color-treated blonde, silver, and highlighted hair.
Why it's worth it
The brand formulates it with hibiscus and purple dye to tone while preserving moisture, and it is vegan and free of sulfates, parabens, and harsh salts. It is a good fit for those seeking an affordable, gentle daily maintenance option that won’t strip color. Best results are achieved when used 2–3 times a week as a system with the matching conditioner.
Caveat
The 6.8 oz size is relatively small, so those with long or thick hair may go through it quickly.
Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Violet Shampoo, Banishes Brass + Brightens, Ideal for Light to Medium Blonde, Silver, Gray or White Hair
What it is
A violet-pigmented shampoo that banishes brassiness and brightens light to medium blonde, silver, gray, and white hair.
Why it's worth it
Paul Mitchell states the color-enhancing formula adds moisture and softens strands while eliminating unwanted yellow tones, and it is gentle enough for daily use. This is well suited to anyone who prefers a milder toning action that won’t over-deposit, keeping hair light and bright with regular washing. The formula focuses on subtle brightening rather than heavy color deposit.
Caveat
The gentle formula may not be potent enough for very stubborn brassiness on highly bleached hair.
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo| Neutralizes Brass & Yellow Tones | For Blonde, Silver, Gray & Highlighted Hair
What it is
A classic purple shampoo that removes yellow tones and brightens blonde, silver, gray, and highlighted hair.
Why it's worth it
The brand notes it renews and refreshes faded highlights and ash-toned hair, leaving hair shiny without residue. It is a budget-friendly pick that is well suited to maintaining cool tones between salon visits. The straightforward formula targets brassiness without added protein or bond-repairing claims, offering a simple toning step.
Caveat
The strong violet pigment may transfer to light-colored towels or shower surfaces if not thoroughly rinsed.
How to choose
How to choose the right purple shampoos to neutralize brassiness in blonde, silver, and gray hair
- Identify your brass: If your hair pulls yellow, a purple shampoo like Fanola or Joico targets those tones. If it pulls orange or red, a blue shampoo like Matrix Brass Off is formulated for darker blondes and brunettes.
- Consider your hair’s condition: Damaged or bleached hair may benefit from a bond-repairing formula like Olaplex Nº.4P, which combines toning with strengthening. For sensitive scalps or color-treated hair that needs gentle cleansing, a sulfate-free option like L’Oréal EverPure reduces stripping.
- Adjust pigment strength to your routine: Heavy-duty options such as Fanola or Joico deliver intense toning quickly but require careful leave-in timing to avoid over-deposit. Milder daily formulas like Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde offer subtle brightening without risk of over-toning.
- Factor in added care benefits: Some shampoos, like Redken Blondage, include salicylic acid to strengthen, while Clairol Shimmer Lights keeps it simple and budget-friendly.
- Check size and value: Smaller bottles like L’Oréal’s 6.8 oz may need frequent repurchase for long hair, while larger 33.8 oz options like Fanola provide more uses per bottle. Match the size to how often you plan to use a purple shampoo each week.
Takeaway
Choosing a toning shampoo comes down to your hair’s specific brassy undertone, its condition, and how strong a pigment you prefer. With options ranging from potent salon-strength purples to gentle daily formulas, there’s a practical solution to help you maintain the cool, bright look you want.
