We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping People Tested The 13 Best Purple Shampoos of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Our top pick is the Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo By Jessie Quinn Jessie Quinn Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over 10 years of experience covering all things beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. At PEOPLE, she collaborates with the PEOPLE Tested team to share our top recommendations for everything from the best shapewear to the best dark spot correctors. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 6, 2024 04:45AM EDT In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Tried Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? People / Kristin Kempa Whether you’re a natural blonde, a bottle blonde, or have graying hair, brassiness seemingly always creeps in between salon visits. Even with the best hair care practices, keeping the yellow tinge at bay without some product assistance is nearly impossible, which is why purple shampoos are a must-have for light and cool-tone hair colors. “Purple shampoo provides a quick at-home solution to blonde hair that yellows and fades over time,” Carly Zanoni, a colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador, tells PEOPLE. “No matter how icy and bright your blonde is when you leave the salon, the color inevitably fades due to everyday exposures that are impossible to prevent,” she adds, noting that things like water, pollution in the air, and the sun can all contribute to brassy tones. Since purple and yellow neutralize each other, Zanoni says purple shampoos are an effective way to get rid of brassy hair color and work particularly well on lighter blondes who want cooler, icier tones in their locks. Since purple shampoos are one of the best ways to get rid of brassy hair at home, there are so many to choose from. To help make the process a little easier, our PEOPLE Tested team took 26 formulas out for a real-world spin, testing them for their overall efficacy, ease of use, and how well they clean the hair in addition to toning out the yellow tinge. After six weeks of testing, we narrowed down our selections to the 13 best purple shampoo formulas. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-Up: dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Budget: Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best Budget, Runner-Up: Saltair Beach Blonde Shampoo at Target ($12) Jump to Review Best for Gray Hair: Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo at Ulta ($29) Jump to Review Best for Highlighted Hair: IGK Blonde POP Shampoo at Target ($32) Jump to Review Best for Highlighted Hair, Less Expensive: Kristin Ess The One Shampoo at Amazon ($12) Jump to Review Best for Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Shampoo at Amazon ($12) Jump to Review Best Hydrating: Kérastase Blond Absolu Purple Shampoo at Amazon ($42) Jump to Review Best with Keratin: Nexxus Blonde Assure Shampoo at Target ($16) Jump to Review Best Overall Amika Bust Your Brass Shampoo Sephora View On Amazon $28 View On Sephora $28 View On Kohls.com $28 Pros The shampoo has an incredible texture that makes it easy to apply all over and work up an excellent lather (a little goes a long way). We noticed an immediate difference in tone after the first wash. The brand offers excellent directions for specific hair types, including best application practices for color-treated hair, gray hair, and textured hair. Aside from tinting your hair, the formula doesn’t stain. Cons We wish the formula came in different sizes (though you can find a smaller travel-sized version in this travel set). If you’re shopping for a highly effective and versatile purple shampoo, we recommend the Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo. This top pick for the best purple shampoo is enriched with Amika’s bond cure technology that helps protect hair from breakage caused by environmental stresses, plus mango butter extract, borage oil, shea butter, and vegan proteins to deeply nourish and strengthen strands while also cleansing. It also features a high concentration of ultraviolet pigments designed to neutralize brassiness and give all hair types a brighter, more refreshed look. When testing this purple shampoo formula, we were most impressed by how effective and how quickly it worked at, quite literally, busting brass. After just one rinse, our hair looked much more refreshed, and the brass was completely toned out. On top of that, the formula features a nice texture — not too liquidy but also not too creamy — that makes achieving an even all-over application a breeze. And, despite being highly pigmented, the color only sticks to strands, so you don’t have to worry about staining your skin, nails, or shower curtain. The Amika purple shampoo is also formulated for all hair types, and the brand even offers very specific application instructions for a variety of types, including color-treated hair, gray hair, and textured hair. This makes it all the more easy to achieve desired results. Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Amika bond cure technology, mango butter extract, omega-6 fatty acid-rich borage oil, shea butter, vegan proteins, ultraviolet pigments | Best Suited For: All hair types People / Elise Wang People / Elise Wang Best Overall, Runner-Up dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo Dermstore View On Amazon $28 View On Nordstrom $28 View On Ulta $28 Pros With just one use, we noticed a significant difference in our blonde hair color, and it had that salon-fresh look. The formula is effective at cleansing the scalp and strands and even provides a shiny finish once hair is dried. If you subscribe, you can get this shampoo at a discounted price. Cons We wish this formula came in a travel-sized option. In addition to the Amika purple shampoo, we also loved the dpHUE Cool Blonde Purple Shampoo, especially if you’re looking for an option designed to strengthen dry or damaged strands. Formulated with silk protein for supporting hair health along with highly concentrated violet pigments, this formula gave our brassy blonde strands an immediate refresh. After the first wash, we noticed that all of the brassiness neutralized and that our hair looked a lot brighter and fresher than before. The silky texture makes it easy to apply evenly all over the scalp and strands, too. As a shampoo, we were impressed by how well this formula lifts away excess oil from the scalp and removes dirt and debris without stripping hair. We also love how well the formula lathers, making it much easier to cleanse the hair, even after extending our wash schedule a little longer than usual. Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Violet pigments, silk protein | Best Suited For: All hair types People / Grace Simpson Best Budget Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Target $11 View On Ulta $16 Pros In just one use, this purple shampoo effectively neutralizes brass and brightens hair. You don’t have to worry about this formula staining skin, nails, or your shower. You can purchase this shampoo in four different sizes. Cons To get a good lather, you need to use a lot of product. It has a strong scent that might irritate sensitive noses. After testing a few budget-friendly options, we were most impressed by how the Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo neutralized brass and gave us an overall brighter effect. This formula is one of the OG purple shampoos, and its longevity is a testament to its efficacy. Formulated for all hair types, the purple shampoo uses quality violet pigments to cancel out dull, brassy hues. And, in just one rinse, you can see a difference. The drugstore purple shampoo also comes in four different sizes, including a travel-sized option as well as a larger 31.5-ounce bottle for $26 (that’s around 80 cents per ounce). During the testing process, we were also impressed by the overall formula quality, considering it’s a cheap purple shampoo. It also doesn’t stain the skin, nails, or your shower, which isn’t always the case for these types of shampoos. While you do need to use a little extra formula to get a good lather going, the overall quality and value make this one of the best budget-friendly purple shampoos. Size: 2, 8, 16, or 31.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Not listed | Best Suited For: All hair types People / Kelly Meehan Brown People / Kelly Meehan Brown People / Kelly Meehan Brown Best Budget, Runner-Up Saltair Beach Blonde Shampoo Saltair View On Target $12 View On Saltair.com Pros The formula features nourishing ingredients to revitalize strands while also refreshing color. You get 14 ounces of product for under $15. The packaging is stunning and looks just as nice on your shower shelfie as more luxe options. Cons The formula isn’t as potent as the Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo, so it’s a better option for those looking to prevent brass or for maintenance. The Saltair Beach Blonde Shampoo is our runner-up for the best budget-friendly purple shampoo. This formula features a blend of violet pigments, violet flower extract, orchid flower extract, and kukui nut oil to effectively clean the scalp and hair while also nourishing and neutralizing. The purple shampoo also smells incredible — it has a soft floral aroma — and is packaged in a bottle that rivals its more luxe counterparts. And, of course, you can’t beat that price, especially since it gets you a whopping 14 ounces of formula. Our only complaint? It isn’t as pigmented as some of the other options on our list (including the Clairol purple shampoo) so we prefer this option as a preventative or maintenance formula instead. Size: 14 ounces | Key Ingredients: Violet pigments, violet flower extract, orchid flower extract, kukui nut oil | Best Suited For: All hair types, especially dry strands People / Carrie Knapp People / Carrie Knapp People / Carrie Knapp People / Carrie Knapp People / Carrie Knapp Best for Gray Hair Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo Better Not Younger View On Ulta $29 View On Better-notyounger.com View On Macy's $29 Pros This purple shampoo is specifically formulated for gray and white hair. The formula is gentle enough to use on sensitive scalps. With regular use, the formula helps decrease frizziness once hair is dried and styled. It effectively lifts away brassy hues on natural gray and white hair. Cons This shampoo works best if you pre-wash hair. If you have gray hair that looks a little yellow, chances are you just need a purple shampoo to neutralize the brassy tinge and reveal a cooler, fresher gray tone. But, you don’t want to reach for any purple shampoo. Instead, go for a formula specifically formulated for gray and white hair, such as the Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo for Grey & White Hair. This formula is enriched with biotin, bamboo, burdock, and hops and is designed to cleanse, nourish, and strengthen hair all while toning out natural gray and white strands. We tested this purple shampoo out on hair that we thought was a light brassy yellow color but, as it turns out, we just needed a little purple pigment to cool things down and give our gray hair some extra oomph. In addition to its neutralizing power, we were also impressed by how, once dried and styled, our hair looked much less frizzy and had some nice shine to it, too. Size: 8.4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Biotin, bamboo, burdock, hops | Best Suited For: All hair types with gray and white strands People / Holly Raibikis People / Holly Raibikis Best for Highlighted Hair IGK Blonde POP Shampoo IGK Hair View On Target $32 View On Sephora $32 View On Ulta $32 Pros Out of all the formulas we tried, this purple shampoo has one of the best lathers. You don’t have to wait minutes for this shampoo to work its magic. Cons The formula can stain your shower and shower curtain so make sure to rinse it away while washing strands. During the testing period, we were highly impressed by the IGK Blonde POP Purple Toning Shampoo for neutralizing brassy tones on highlighted hair. This formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as squalane to support moisture balance and purple rice for softening and strengthening strands. And, out of all the formulas we tried, it has the best lather, which makes an even application easier. In addition to its efficacy, we also love that you don’t have to wait minutes for this shampoo to neutralize strands. Instead, you just apply the formula to your scalp and ends and then rinse just like you would with a more traditional formula. The only downside to this purple shampoo is that it can stain your shower (and shower curtain) if you don’t immediately rinse it away. So, if you have a light-colored title, we recommend washing it off ASAP to avoid this faux pas from occurring. Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Purple rice, squalane | Best Suited For: All hair types People / Cara Milhaven People / Cara Milhaven People / Cara Milhaven Best for Highlighted Hair, Less Expensive Kristin Ess The One Shampoo Kristin Ess View On Amazon $12 View On Target $12 View On Walmart $13 Pros The purple shampoo effectively brightens bleached strands, helping to neutralize brass and refresh hair color. Since this purple shampoo isn’t as potent as others, it works well on brown hair with blonde highlights. Cons This shampoo might be too clarifying for damaged or dry hair types. If you have brown hair with blonde highlights, we also recommend trying the Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo. This formula is formulated for both blondes and brunettes and is a little less potent compared to some of its counterparts so it effectively enhances brown hair while also neutralizing brassy blonde highlights. You can find the purple shampoo at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Target, and ULTA for under $15, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice. And, despite the more affordable price point, the packaging still feels high-quality and looks great in your shower. Size: 10 ounces | Key Ingredients: Not listed | Best Suited For: All hair types, especially oily People / Alicia Dolieslager People / Alicia Dolieslager Best for Fine Hair Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $12 View On Nordstrom $12 View On Sephora $12 Pros The formula features an excellent lather that makes application a breeze. You can visibly see a difference in tone after the first wash. The shampoo comes in three different sizes, including travel-sized. If you subscribe, you can score a discounted price on this shampoo. Cons Since the formula is heavily pigmented with an inky purple tone, it can stain nails. If you have fine hair and want a purple shampoo that can neutralize brassiness without weighing down your strands, we recommend the Morrocanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated with the brand’s ArganID to help repair and seal hair cuticles and provide an overall deep nourishment (for a shampoo, that is) without weighing things down. We love this formula because it boasts an excellent lather that makes it easy to get an even application. And, even after just one rinse, all of the brassiness diminishes and you’re left with cool blonde tones. Additionally, this purple shampoo comes in several sizes, including a travel-size option. Size: 2.4, 6.8, or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Morrocanoil ArganID, violet pigments | Best Suited For: All hair types (but we found it works best on fine hair) People / Mary Honeyman-Speichinger People / Mary Honeyman-Speichinger Best Hydrating Kérastase Blond Absolu Purple Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $42 View On Sephora $42 View On Kerastase-usa.com Pros The formula features hyaluronic acid, which helps draw moisture into the strands and provides adequate hydration for dry and oily hair types alike. We tested this on long, thick hair and found that you don’t need a lot of product to get good coverage. Out of all the formulas we tested, this purple shampoo provides one of the best cleanses. Cons While it is hydrating, damaged hair might benefit from something a little more nourishing, such as the Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Purple Shampoo. Color-treated blonde hair might require a little more hydration, thanks to the use of bleach. For a hydrating purple shampoo that works well on dry and oily hair types, consider the Kérastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo. This purple shampoo is enriched with hyaluronic acid to draw moisture to the strands and provide plenty of hydration without weighing things down. The formula also includes edelweiss flower, which is rich in antioxidants and can protect hair against environmental aggressors. We tested this purple shampoo on long, thick hair and were overall very impressed. It effectively neutralizes brassy tones and is also easy to apply evenly from roots to ends, and you don’t need a lot of extra formula when covering long hair. On top of that, the Kérastase purple shampoo works well at cleansing and clarifying hair. Size: 8.4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, edelweiss flower, ultraviolet neutralizers | Best Suited For: All hair types, especially dry strands Best with Keratin Nexxus Blonde Assure Shampoo Target View On Target $16 View On Walgreens $18 View On Sallybeauty.com $9 Pros With just one wash, our hair looked much less brassy. The formula lifts away product buildup, dirt, and debris like any other formula. The purple shampoo is enriched with keratin protein to help strengthen strands, especially those that are bleach-treated. Since this shampoo cleanses as well as traditional formulas and also provides plenty of nourishment, you can use it every time you wash. Cons We wish this formula came in a travel-size bottle. Keratin is a haircare ingredient that can make all the difference in hair health, especially if you have dry or damaged strands. Our top pick for this category is the Nexxus Blonde Assure Purple Shampoo Color Care Shampoo for Blonde Hair because it not only includes keratin protein in its formula but it also works well at effectively neutralizing brassy tones while also nourishing strands. With just one wash, our hair looked much less brassy, even when we were long overdue for a highlight refresh. Additionally, the formula worked just as well as traditional shampoo at removing product buildup, dirt, and debris and, despite its deep cleaning formula, it doesn’t strip strands of natural oil. Since the formula works well at cleansing and also provides plenty of lightweight nourishment, it’s a great option for regular use, even if you wash your hair several times per week. Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Keratin protein, violet pigments | Best Suited For: All hair types, especially bleach-treated and gray strands People / Ciara McCune People / Ciara McCune Best for Touch-Ups Olaplex No.4P Toning Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Sephora $30 View On Ulta $30 Pros The product does an excellent job of toning hair between salon appointments (just be sure not to let it sit for long, or else it can create a purple tinge). Since you only need to use it every once in a while, the 8.5-ounce bottle lasts a long time. The formula features OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™ Cons The shampoo doesn’t have a strong lather. For a purple shampoo that can give you salon-worthy hair between visits, look no further than the Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Shampoo. This formula is enriched with the brand’s bond-building technology and is designed to strengthen and protect strands while also toning out brassy hues. In our experience, we found that you only need to use this formula as a touch-up product because regular use (or leaving it on for too long) can cause your hair to turn a light shade of purple — that’s how effective it is at depositing the brass busting color. And, since you only need to use it sparingly, the 8.5-ounce bottle lasts a long time. Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™ | Best Suited For: All hair types, especially dry or damaged hair People / Riley Shea People / Riley Shea Best for Sensitive Scalps Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $37 View On Sephora $37 View On Ulta $37 Pros The formula is gentle enough for sensitive scalps. The purple shampoo has an excellent lather, which helps make the application process even easier. The shampoo comes in three sizes, including a travel-sized option. It features a fresh scent that lingers even after hair is dried and styled. Cons The formula provides light color correction, so it might work better as a preventative or maintenance. Sensitive scalps can still reap the benefits of purple shampoo, thanks to the Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo. This purple shampoo is formulated with nourishing ingredients, including keravis for strengthening strands, astaxanthin (a powerful antioxidant) for repairing damage, and purple orchid for its violet toning abilities. When testing this out on sensitive scalps, we never experienced irritation or tingling and our scalp felt more nourished and refreshed after each cleanse. In addition to its sensitive formula, the shampoo also has an excellent lather that helps make the entire application process easier and ensures you get good coverage. Plus, it has a fresh scent that smells amazing in the shower and even lingers once hair is dried and styled. With that said, the shampoo formula only provides light color correction, so it’s not ideal if you have ultra-brassy tones, and might be a better option for maintenance or as a preventative. Size: 1.7, 9, or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Keravis, astaxanthin, purple orchid | Best Suited For: All hair types, especially damaged or dry strands People / Danielle Yersin People / Danielle Yersin People / Danielle Yersin Best Nourishing Verb Purple Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Nordstrom $20 View On Sephora $20 Pros The purple shampoo provides a subtle toning effect on brassy strands, making it a great option for maintenance. With regular use, our hair felt much more nourished and even held onto moisture better. Cons We wish it lathered up a little more. The Verb Purple Shampoo helps maintain cool blonde tones by subtly neutralizing brassy tones. Although it’s not as drastic as some of the other options on our list, we love that you can use this formula regularly and not only keep brass at bay but also support overall hair health since the formula is so nourishing. With regular use, we noticed our hair texture improved, and over time, strands felt softer, and our hair held onto moisture better, too. If you're looking for a shampoo for curly textures, this formula is nourishing and helps restore some of the dimension while also preventing excess frizz and protecting against breakage. The formula also works well on golden blonde and dirty blonde colors, in addition to cool platinum. Size: 12 or 32 ounces | Key Ingredients: Violet pigments, açaI extract | Best Suited For: All hair types People / Ashley Schaubroeck People / Ashley Schaubroeck People / Ashley Schaubroeck Other Purple Shampoos We Tried Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver: In addition to our top picks for the best purple shampoos, we also tested the Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver and found that it’s an excellent lightweight option that refreshes hair without stripping away natural oils, making it a great option for dry hair types. In our testing experience, we found that this shampoo isn’t nearly as pigmented as some of the others we tried. Nonetheless, it still did a fantastic job of freshening up our color, making it a great choice for brass prevention. Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo With Centaury: We also tried the Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo With Centaury and found that it has enough pigments to brighten up brass, plus it smells incredible. After thoroughly testing, we recommend this product for natural blondes with more oily-prone scalps, as the shampoo left our hair feeling a little dry and wasn’t as nourishing as we’d hoped for bleach-treated hair. Matrix So Silver Purple Shampoo: The Matrix So Silver Purple Shampoo is another option worth trying if you have naturally blonde hair with an oily scalp and are looking for a purple shampoo that can revamp your color in just one wash. This refreshing purple shampoo has lots of brightening power and did an excellent job of refreshing our blonde with just one wash. However, we found it to be a little too dry for bleach-treated and dry strands. Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color: For a gentle formula, consider the Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo. This shampoo is enriched with ingredients that protect hair against oxidative stress and photoaging, and it’s designed to ward off color depletion and fading caused by UV rays. While we love this as a gentle option and find it effective for brightening our hair, we need to pair it with another shampoo to get an effective cleanse. Virtue ColorKick Debrassing Blue-Purple Shampoo: When testing the Virtue ColorKick Debrassing Blue-Purple Shampoo, we were most impressed by its ability to cleanse the scalp and strands without stripping away natural oils, making it a fantastic pick for dry hair types. The shampoo also utilizes 100 percent natural colorants and is enriched with Alpha Keratin 60ku® protein to strengthen and repair strands. However, since it is a natural purple shampoo, we found that this one wasn’t as effective as some of the others on our list and, like the Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver, it’s a great choice for brass prevention or those in-between washes when you don’t need a full tone-up but still want some refresh. People / Grace Kelly Things to Consider When Buying Purple Shampoo Pigment According to Zanoni, the best purple shampoos will have excellent pigmentation and, therefore, are usually on the darker side. “Light lavender shampoos will not be as effective at controlling the yellow tones,” she explains. With that said, the lighter pigmentation might work as a maintenance option and allow you to keep your cool blonde fresher for longer. Our top pick for the best purple shampoo is the Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo. This shampoo features a deep and vibrant purple tone that effectively tones brassiness with just one wash. For another highly pigmented option, we also love the Morrocanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo which has a deep color and also nourishes strands with the brand’s ArganID. If you want something that works well for maintenance, we love the Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo or the Verb Purple Shampoo. Hydration While it’s not always the case, blonde hair is usually achieved through a bleaching process that can have consequences on hair health and leave it feeling dry and more prone to breakage. If you have bleached strands, Zanoni says to look for hydrating and nourishing formulas that don’t leave hair feeling dry or brittle after rinsing. In addition to hydration, Sam Stahl, a colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador, says to look for formulas with bonding technology if you’re concerned about breakage and damage. “This will help rebuild the inner structure of the hair, making for shinier, healthier hair.” Our top pick for the best hydrating purple shampoo is the Kérastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo. This purple shampoo features a formula enriched with hyaluronic acid, which can help attract moisture to the strands and provides plenty of hydration for all hair types, including oily and fine strands. In addition to the Kérastase Purple Shampoo, we also love the Verb Purple Shampoo for its nourishing effect from root to ends. For a formula with bonding technology, consider Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo or the Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Shampoo. How We Tested To find the best purple shampoos, our PEOPLE Tested team researched and reviewed dozens of formulas before narrowing them down to 26 top formulas. From there, they conducted real-world testing on each purple shampoo and, over six weeks, they incorporated each formula into their shower routines to get a better idea of overall performance with regular use. Application: While testing these formulas, the team considered the pigmentation, texture, and application process. They also made note of the lather and how easily each formula applied to strands evenly for full coverage. Color Neutralization: Additionally, the team considered processing time (when applicable), whether or not the formulas stained the skin or nails, and how hair color looked after rinsing and drying.Efficacy: In addition to their application and color neutralization, the team also made note of how well each formula worked at actually cleansing the scalp and strands (they are shampoos, after all), and if they had any impact on hair texture. Overall Value: At the end of the six-week testing period, we compiled the team’s notes and carefully reviewed each experience with the purple shampoos. We carefully compared each option and, ultimately, narrowed it down to 13 top picks, plus a few honorable mentions. Frequently Asked Questions What is the number one best purple shampoo? After testing several formulas, our number one pick for the best purple shampoo is the Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo. This shampoo is enriched with the brand’s bond cure technology, so it nourishes and repairs strands while also toning out brassy hues. The texture makes it easy to apply evenly on the strands and, after just one use, we noticed a significant difference in our hair color, too. On top of that, the brand offers fantastic insight into application best practices on all hair types, including color-treated, gray, and textured hair. In addition to the Amika purple shampoo, we also love the dpHUE Cool Blonde Purple Shampoo. This formula effectively cleanses the scalp and strands while also diminishing brass in just one wash. And, after drying and styling, we noticed a decrease in frizz and an overall shiny finish, too. Is blue or purple shampoo better for brassy hair? “Purple shampoo works best to eliminate yellow, which is the unwanted tone that tends to pop up over time on bright blondes,” says Zanoni. While blue can still benefit hair, she adds that it’s best used on brunettes who wish to eliminate orange tones. How often should you use purple shampoo? Purple shampoo use can vary depending on hair color and the formula. While some shampoos such as the Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo provide a lighter toning effect and, therefore, are great for maintenance, others such as the Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo or dpHUE Cool Blonde Purple Shampoo are deeper in color and need to be used less frequently. “Depending on how often you shampoo, I recommend using purple shampoo every third shampoo,” says Stahl. “Overusing purple shampoo can result in a dingy darker blonde,” she adds. Why Trust PEOPLE? Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best purple shampoos, Jessie thoroughly reviewed the PEOPLE Tested team’s insights to get an idea of their overall experience with each formula. She carefully considered the overall pigmentation, lather, application process, and toning abilities of each purple shampoo in addition to looking at specifics like stay power, whether or not the formulas stain the hands and nails, and if they work better for touch-ups, regular use, or maintenance. Additionally, Jessie connected with hair color experts Sam Stahl and Carly Zanoni to learn about what to look for in the best purple shampoo formulas. As a result, she curated this list of the best purple shampoos, plus some honorable mentions that we couldn’t leave out. Meet Our Experts Sam Stahl is a colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador. Carly Zanoni is a colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.