What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

What Is Blue Shampoo?

Like purple shampoo, blue shampoo is an at-home toning product that can help you best maintain your hair color long after your visit to the salon. According to Stenson, it’s “a blue based color deposit that would help neutralize any unwanted brassy tones that are often found in darker blonde and light brown hair color.” Since it’s a shampoo, it also helps cleanse your hair.

But why might you need blue shampoo in the first place? “Lightened hair often turns brassy, especially when exposed to build up, sun and excessive use of hot tools,” Redken brand ambassador and professional colorist Ryan Pearl previously told Makeup.com. If you have brown hair that you’ve lightened, blue shampoo is your best defense against this unwanted effect.

Blue Shampoo vs. Purple Shampoo: What’s the Difference?

Blue shampoo and purple shampoo are very similar. Both are used to help tone and maintain color by eliminating brassiness. Of course, blue and purple are also very similar colors and are next to each other on the color wheel. However, there are subtle differences: Blue works to neutralize red and orange, while “purple shampoo is better suited to neutralize yellow tones,” says Carfi. To make sense of this, think of opposing hues on the color wheel. The theory is that colors that sit opposite from each other on the color wheel work to cancel each other out.

“Blue shampoo is very useful in darker hair types due to the stronger counterbalance of brass tones provided by the blue base toning deposit,” Stenson explains. “Purple shampoo is key in overcoming yellow tones in blonde or platinum hair, while blue shampoo neutralizes orange tones.” TL;DR: Blue shampoo is ideal for brunettes and purple shampoo is the better choice for blondes.

What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

As detailed above, “blue shampoo is designed to help minimize unwanted red and orange tones in color-treated hair,” says Carfi. The blue toning deposit balances and combats brassiness in brunettes with light brown hair or reddish undertones to their hair.

Who Should Use Blue Shampoo?

Considering that purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones, it makes sense that it’s best suited for blonde hair which tends to oxidize yellow. When it comes to blue shampoo, Carfi recommends that anyone with colored hair or highlights in the “bronde” family opt for blue shampoo. He explains that stylists refer to “bronde” as a color that falls between blonde and brown. Think caramel, mocha and butterscotch tones. These shades most often oxidize brassy which presents as unwanted warm tones that lean orange. You can also benefit from blue shampoo if you have reddish-brown hair and want to achieve a cooler tone.

How to Use Blue Shampoo

You’ll want to use blue shampoo when you notice brassy tones appearing in your hair. Leave it on your hair for five minutes to let the pigments sink in and work their magic. Additionally, you can pair it with other hair-care and color maintenance products to get the best results. Stenson recommends following up your blue shampoo with a neutralizing or toning conditioner. “For additional cooling, allow the conditioner to sit on the hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with cool water,” he adds.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is possible to overdo it on the blue shampoo. Carfi suggests using it every other time you wash your hair at a maximum. “If you feel the need to use it more often than that, you should consult your colorist to discuss more professional toning options,” he says. Adds Stenson, “the signs of overuse would be over darkening or a blue tint and can easily be reversed with a clarifying shampoo.” On days when you don’t use your blue shampoo, reach for a color-protecting shampoo to support the longevity of your hair color.

Our Favorite Blue Shampoos and Conditioners

Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo

For eliminating unwanted brassiness, Stenson recommends the Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo. A clarifying formula that deposits blue-violet pigments, it’s best suited for dark blondes or light brunettes who color their hair lighter than their natural color. It’s also effective on non-color-treated hair with naturally red, orange or brassy tones. Still not sold? This customer-favorite product has over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon gushing about the visible results. To get the most out of the toning effects, leave it on for two to three minutes before rinsing.