If you have blonde, balayage, highlighted or grey hair, you’ve probably heard of purple shampoo and conditioner. But what exactly do they do, and how often should you actually be using them?

Purple shampoo and conditioner are designed to help neutralise unwanted yellow and warm tones that can develop in lighter hair over time. Sun, heat styling, hard water, product build up and simply the natural fading of your colour can all contribute to your blonde becoming warmer between salon appointments.

So, how does purple shampoo work?

It’s all about colour theory. Purple sits opposite yellow on the colour wheel, so violet pigments help counteract those warmer yellow tones, leaving blonde hair looking cooler and more balanced.  It’s important to remember that purple shampoo doesn’t lighten your hair or change your colour. It’s there to help maintain and refresh the tone you already have.

How often should you use it?

This is where it’s easy to overdo it. Purple shampoo isn’t necessarily something you need to use every time you wash your hair. How often you use it will depend on your hair, how often you wash it and how quickly it starts to pick up warmer tones.

One of our favourites for maintaining a fresh, cool blonde is Kevin Murphy BLONDE.ANGEL.WASH. It uses lavender pigments to help counteract brassiness and brighten blonde tones, while also nourishing the hair. It also has a matching conditioner, Kevin Murphy BLONDE.ANGEL.RINSE, which is a great option if your hair needs a little extra moisture alongside your toning.

If your blonde is looking more dull than particularly yellow, Redken Blondage High Bright Shampoo and Conditioner is another product we love. It helps remove build up and impurities that can leave blonde hair looking dull and less bright between salon appointments.

On a final note just remember, purple products are a maintenance step rather than a replacement for your salon appointment. If your colour has become significantly warmer or you’re looking for a completely different tone, your stylist will always be the best person to advise you.