I’ve been blonde my entire life, and began my career as a faux blonde way back in 5th grade. (For a long time I maintained I was still naturally dirty blonde, but quarantine has been a very humbling experience on that front.) Regardless, for years, I’ve needed purple shampoo and conditioner in my life like I need water, coffee, and Jon & Vinny’s delivery come Friday. I’m insanely perfectionistic about maintaining my bright blonde hue, and my shower is never without six or seven bottles of the stuff. (I’m practically an alchemist at this point.)
Regardless of the tone of your blonde (this also applies to silver, gray, and white hair too!) the best purples shampoo and conditioners come in clutch thanks to their signature violet tone which naturally counteracts and helps banish that inevitable yellow, brassy tinge that can start to creep in a few weeks, and sometimes even a few days, post-color session. (You can blame other products in your hair routine—only use clear oils, peeps—in addition to the chemicals and minerals found in your water for any unwanted color morph.)
Regularly using purple-toned formulas is an expert-backed antidote, and every single colorist I’ve ever seen has reminded me to purple-up every few washes to keep things toned and on the cooler side of the blonde hair color spectrum. So, since I’ve tried more purple shampoos and conditioners in my 27 years than any other type of hair product, I’m sharing 11 of the very best formulas below. Keep scrolling!
Maintaining blonde hair requires a lot of maintenance, and your budget will appreciate the less-hefty pricetag of this winner from Not Your Mother’s. It has an intense violet pigment to prevent brassiness and the hero ingredient (violet rice, appropriately) helps prevent damage and dullness. You’ll also get lots of shine with this duo.
This drugstore-favorite is so good at keeping blonde hair salon-level toned. In fact, even the most persnickety of hair snobs (aka—people like me who usually prefer expensive hair products) credit this blonde shampoo and conditioner as one of the absolute best on the market.
Philip B.’s purple shampoo and conditioner are more of an investment, but the pair is one of the best options if you prioritize high-quality, naturally-derived ingredients. I’m not kidding when I say this specialized formula makes blonde hair shimmer—time-released botanicals and moisturizing natural plum extracts are to blame.
I’m not kidding—at one point in quarantine, I would have been bleeding Oribe’s cult-loved Bright Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner. I try not to be biased, but it’s definitely one of my favorites, I always have to have in my rotation. My hair always feels healthier post-wash with these two. Oribe’s Signature Complex (a strategic mix of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts) complements other key additions like brightening lemon, ginger root, and chamomile extract, along with hydrating olive and jojoba oil esters.
My fellow WWW Beauty Editor Courtney Higgs and I gush about our love for Davines almost every single day. (You can’t go wrong with any of their products—they’re all magical.) Despite its name, this is, indeed, a rich purple shampoo and conditioning duo that’s especially fabulous for those who are ultra-bright platinum or silver.
If you didn’t think there was a big difference between purple hair formulas, Amika’s top-notch picks will convince you otherwise. It boasts amazing shine-enhancing and restorative ingredients (which blondes desperately need!) like wild cherry bark extract, keratin, and avocado oil, and to really take things to the next level, I like to pre-game my shampoo with the brand’s residue-nixing clarifying shampoo and then once I get out of the shower, I’ll comb through a dollop of this light lavender leave-in. Combine those four products (the two shampoos, the conditioner, and the leave-in), and you’ll be left with a result that’s the most sparkling, untainted shade of blonde.
First things first, this conditioner is purple (albeit a very pretty light one!), but the shampoo is not. The magic of this game-changing French conditioner from Leonor Greyl is it can be paired with any shampoo, but if you combine the nourishing, brass-busting perks of the conditioner with this rich moisturizing shampoo formula I’ve included above (which is designed to prevent color-loss) you’ll definitely thank me later. This pair is the perfect investment for anyone who’s not a fan of an ultra-violet purple shampoo and conditioner and would rather have something a bit more subtle that’s less likely to turn strands too purple or gray. It’s fool-proof.
In the same vein, the silvery-purple tone of this purple shampoo and conditioner is mild enough so you can use it every day or wash in order to maintain your blonde. (The more intense shades of purple should only be uses every few washes or so.) Ingredients like glycerin, sunflower sprout extract, and pure pearl extract ensure shine, shimmer, and lots of bounce add softness.
Unite is one of my all-time favorite haircare brands, and they actually have two different shampoo options for blonde hair. This is the more intense pairing which has that rich, signature purple shade you’re likely accustomed to, and the other is a champagne-colored shampoo that can be used as more of an everyday brightening remedy. If you’re looking for a true purple shampoo and conditioner, however, I recommend these two. Just be forewarned—the formula smells exactly like grape Koolaid.
Joico is another super OG brand that’s been used in salons forever and still holds its own. I actually keep lots of their formulas in my shower, but their Blonde Life Violet line is what I turn to when my hair starts to verge into brassy, yellow territory. Joico is known for prioritizing hair health, and this blend features lush additions like nutrient-packed tamanu and monoi oils which keep strands glossy, soft, and resistant to breakage.
No purple shampoo and conditioner roundup could ever be complete without this couple from Drybar. Though the formula is gentle and will never strip your hair (as some cheaper drugstore formulas will!) it contains ultra-deep purple pigments to keep blonde, gray, or white hair looking vibrant, shiny, and totally void of any unwanted warm tones. Up next, I’ve Been Bleaching My Hair for 15 Years—Here’s How I Still Have Hair On My Head
