Brassy hair got you down? If you’ve ever bleached your strands or had any form of highlights, chances are you’ve been met with the fear of brassy hair. You know that orange-toned color that makes a brunette feel like a pumpkin? Yup, that’s brass. But before you consider doing something drastic (don’t dye your hair again just yet!), blue shampoo might be the answer to neutralizing your lackluster locks. It’s time to go blue. Celebrity hairstylist and colorist Jennifer Korab, who has been working in the hair industry since she was 17 years old and is now the creator and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, breaks down the simple color theory behind investing in a blue shampoo. “Since every hair color has underlying warmth strands, (darker hair has underlying orange tones while lighter hair exposes underlying yellow tones), the blue shampoo is used to neutralize the orange tones in the darker hair,” she explains. “Blue and orange are complementary colors on the color wheel, meaning the blue pigment in the shampoo neutralizes the warm underlying tones exposed on pre-lightened brown hair.” Below, Korab answers all our blue shampoo questions and picks her favorite blue shampoos on the market.
What exactly is a blue shampoo?
Think of blue shampoo as a neutralizer. It’s formulated to counterbalance the coppery tones in your hair and leave you with a more cool-toned finish.
What do you look for in a blue shampoo?
The most important thing is that the product is pigmented enough to neutralize all the unwanted brass tones. The second is to ensure the product is not drying to the hair. Third, you want to look for a shampoo that guarantees the integrity of your hair and keeps the strength and moisture in your hair. Finally, you also want to make sure the product does not strip your hair.
Who needs a blue shampoo?
People with dark to medium brown hair who have previously lightened hair through any element of hair lightening, whether that’s highlights, balayage, all-over lightened, or permanent color to expose brassy tones.
What’s the difference between blue and purple shampoo?
Purple shampoo is ideal for those with lighter blonde streaks as purple is the opposite of blonde on the color wheel, thus working to cool down brass. Blue shampoo is perfect for brown-haired individuals, as blue and orange are complementary colors on the color wheel.
Any expert recommendations?
Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Matrix Brass Off Shampoo
Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone
A few expert tips and tricks:
- When your hair has more brass, you can leave on the shampoo for a few extra minutes to combat the extra brassiness.
- You can also dilute the product using your regular shampoo when you may not want full strength.
1
Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Calling all those with blonde highlights or a balayage! This color extender will keep you looking like a natural brunette for weeks, if not months, on end.
2
Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
The perfect blue shampoo for all hair types. This shampoo works by depositing blue-violet pigments into your strands that effectively reduce brass. See the shampoo results in action here.
3
Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone
If you’re looking for shine and softness, grab Pureology’s Top Coat + Tone. Though technically not a shampoo, it works the same to fix orange tones and restore natural color. Plus, it lasts up to eight washes and is packed with hydrating oat milk to nourish damage.
4
dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo
If your orange is more of a red, grab this formula from dpHUE. Packed with hydrating hibiscus flowers, the gentle ingredients will cleanse your hair without stripping it or drying it out.
5
Blue Malva Color Shampoo
An Amazon favorite, this natural option is made of pure plant and flower extracts that make your hair feel nourished and your bathroom smell like a spa.
6
Not Your Mother’s Triple Threat Brunette Blue Treatment Shampoo
This drugstore and vegan-friendly option boasts the critical ingredient of tansy oil that restores your natural brunette without doing any damage.
7
John Frieda Blue Crush Blue Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Brunettes
Meet your dream duo! If you want to hit brass with that one-two punch, grab this blue conditioner and shampoo set from John Frieda. You’ll see noticeable results within one wash.
8
Free No Orange Vegan Shampoo or Mask
Ideal for the gray-haired folks of the world, this pea protein-based shampoo doubles as a mask. If you want to use it as a mask first, apply it to wet hair, then massage, and leave on for up to five minutes. Lather, rinse, and shine!
Chloe Hall
Beauty Director
Chloe Hall oversees all beauty coverage at ELLE.com.
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