What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Red Hair Truth

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Red Hair

You are not alone, if you have ever stood in front of a mirror after wondering why your formerly bright red hair appears dull, brassy or orange. Bold and beautiful, red hair is, at the same time, one of the most difficult to maintain. 

This is why purple shampoo was picked by too many of us – that violet-bright bottle, which promises to rescue the situation with the brassiness and give it a new shine. However, what does purple shampoo do to red hair? Does it help or hurt? We shall see what really happens in red and purple.

The reason why people with red hair are reaching out to purple shampoo

Purple shampoo became a superstar with the help of the internet. All of the blonde influencers appeared to have it in their showers, and said it maintained the cool-toned and bright hair. 

So of course redheads took an interest. Could it do the same for them? The thing is, the red hair does not act as the blonde hair. The red pigment molecules are bigger and they attach in another way to the hair shaft. 

So even though the purpose of purple shampoo among the blondes is to neutralize the yellow, the same can have unexpected results on the red hair. There are those who adore it: there are those who get grey, faded colour. It is simply a matter of learning when it works and when it does not.

Colour Theory and Tones of Hair

You need to think like a painter in order to know purple shampoo. The basis of hair color lies in the undertones: warm, cool or neutral. The red tones are very strongly rooted on the warm side and the orange and copper tones are on the bottom. 

Purple is its opposite to yellow on the color wheel. This is why purple shampoo balances yellow in the hair of blonde and silver. But red is not yellow. 

It consists of red and orange colours. That is why when purple color falls on red hair it can sometimes neutralize these warm tones rather than complementing them. That is why we will have different outcomes depending on your shade of red.

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What the Purple Shampoo really does

Purple shampoo would have violet shades that would be gently staining the outer layer of your hair. These pigments neutralize undesired warm colors that occur due to oxidation, exposure to sun or the build-up of the product. It brings cool, icy tones on blonde hair. It lightens silver on grey hair. Those purple tints may conflict with the warmth of nature, though, on red hair. The result? A better shade of darker burgundy or a hard-to-notice softened color, depending on the underlying shade and the duration of wear of the shampoo. 

Therefore, although it does not really ruin red hair, it does not make it better as it does with blondes.

The influence of Purple Shampoo on Red Hair of various shades

Red hair isn’t just one color. It has strawberry blonde, copper, auburn, cherry red and deep burgundy. The effects of purple shampoo differ between them.

In case you have natural red or copper hair, purple shampoo will not make much of a difference. The pigments do not adhere firmly to hair that has not been processed and may only result in some change of tone or even no difference whatsoever.

When you have red hair, it can sometimes be reduced by purple shampoo which at times will be the color of orange or brassiness that you do not want. Nevertheless, excessive use may kill your color and make it less vivid.

In dark red or burgundy colors, purple shampoo can be a positive contribution to cool undertones and result in a richer and more harmonious color. The darker the underlying colour, the more the purple colours are mixed.

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When Purple Shampoo Makes Red Hair Prettier

Sometimes, purple shampoo may be fantastic on redheads. When your dyed red is too orange or brassy e.g. due to heat styling or sun exposure, purple shampoo will bring the color down. 

It is able to cool down the harsh orange color and to give your color a more balanced and natural look. This will also come in handy when you have a cooler red such as mahogany or plum, and the purple underpinning works to add depth. 

The key is moderation. One of these a tiny portion once a fortnight or so will not rob you of your shine and will make your tone refreshing.

When the Purple Shampoo Will Be Bad or Flatten Red Hair

This is where the majority of the people make mistakes. Purple shampoo is not an everyday shampoo and it is certainly not that shampoo that will lighten the red hair. 

Excessive application leaves your hair covered with violet residue that leaves your hair appearing ashy, gray or even brown. 

In case it has sulfates in the shampoo, it may as well strip your color molecules at a faster rate leaving your hair deprived and dry. Red color is not strong enough- it decays quicker than any other color, hence brutal toning products may worsen the situation. Once that occurs, your color becomes one dimensional and your hair is no longer shiny, but looks weary.

How to Use Purple Shampoo on Red Hair the Right Way

You still wish to have it, and it is possible to do it in the right way. Imagine purple shampoo as a treatment, but not a cleanser. Begin by washing your hair using your normal color safe shampoo and getting rid of accumulation. 

After that rub the purple shampoo on all roots and all ends and leave it to sit no longer than one to three minutes the first time. Wash so well and use a moisturising conditioner. When your color seems too cool later, have intervals between the successive use. 

Redheads typically do not need more than two to three weeks between visits, and just need to tone down the brassiness without losing tone.

Also Read: How to Dye Blonde Hair Black Without Green Tips

More Proven Ways of Maintenance of Red hair

 

Purple shampoo is not your long-term weapon in case you are out to maintain your red hair looking fresh. Better is the use of color-depositing shampoos and masks, which add red color in your hair. 

There are companies with red formulas, such as Overtone, Joico, and Pure Blends. Toning glosses can also be done at home, although the effect of these is not permanent and remains visible only temporarily, with no harm to the skin. 

As a natural alternative, you can use beet juice, hibiscus tea or cranberry extract to rinse your hair in the morning to provide a temporary redness and condition your hair, albeit lightly.

Actual Performance: User-Feedback

The truth can be found in online reviews. Most redheads claim that purple shampoo would make their unwanted brass color fade after hair dye application, yet there are many reports that purple shampoo made their hair gray or blacker. 

One of the users on Reddit has explained that her copper hair has become mauve brown after two uses. According to the professional colorist in Allure Magazine, even though purple shampoo is safe in red tones in moderate amounts, it must not take the position of a red color refresher. 

The verdict? Having a tweak here and there is alright, but it is not your priority all-time hero with such a colorful red in your heart.

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Product Recommendations Which Are Workable

To have a purple shampoo, a sulfate-free and color-safe one would do. Find such products as Fanola No Yellow Vegan, Matrix So Silver, or Redken Color Extend Blondage – but in little.

In case you still want to increase the red color, use Overtone Vibrant Red Conditioner, Joico Color Infuse Red Shampoo or Celeb Luxury Viral Red Conditioner. These are products that are meant to dispose of the pigment instead of neutralizing it. 

In the low-maintenance category, the L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System is a good choice that preserves the red color between washes.

Errors that People make when use of Purple Shampoo

Many individuals use purple shampoo as a panacea, and it can be difficult to overwork it. Any prolonged time may leave it on the hair causing a patchy effect of purple or gray. Washing it every time takes away your color and dries up your hair. 

One more mistake is that it should not be mixed with clarifying or dandruff shampoos which may be too harsh and strip away red pigments. And lastly, when purple shampoo is not accompanied with conditioner, the hair is left split and lifeless. 

The cure is simple – austerity and dampness. Light application, and hydration must always be ensured.

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How to Revive Life in case You Went Away

In case your red hair faded away after excess purple shampoo, then there is nothing to panic about. To begin with, apply a soft clarifying shampoo to get off residual pigment. Next put on an intense conditioner or a colour restorer mask. 

You can also apply a red gloss or semi-permanent color to get yourself instantly re-coloured. The salons will usually provide a fast color refresh that will last less than an hour and will revive your hair. 

In case you like the home services, you can add several drops of red color conditioner to your usual mask to give it a mild, personal touch.

How To Make Long Red Hair Last Longer

Red also dies easily as its molecules do not stick to the hair shaft. However, a couple of habits can be a significant difference. Use cool but not hot water to wash your hair. Heat is known to open the cuticle and release color. 

Always apply a sulfate free colorless shampoo. The amount of heat styling should be limited and when you do so use a heat protectant. 

Red also fades very easily in UV rays, hence wear a hat or apply a UV blocking spray out. Last, add toning gloss or a color depositing conditioner after every several weeks. Minor fads keep thy red; Thine rich and radiant.

Authority and Expert Opinions and Evidence

Colorists also concur that purple shampoo is ideal on blondes and gray because of the yellow interaction. The Journal of Cosmetic science states that purple molecules cannot absorb the light as red pigments do, this explains why they cancel yellow but not orange or red. 

Dermatologists also caution that some purple shampoos are of high PH, which makes hair cuticles coarse and makes the hair frizzy or braided in the long run. Experts recommend the use of purple shampoo to be balanced with conditioning treatment so that your hair remains soft and shiny.

The Question of Purple Shampoo on Red Hair

Here’s the bottom line. Purple shampoo may serve red hair – but not in all circumstances. When your red dye has faded to orange or brassy copper, a slightly cooler shade will be gained with a mild purple shampoo. 

However, with such a vibrant and warm red, purple shampoo is going to dull it. However, it is better to use red-enhancing shampoos or glosses that are meant to match your color. Purple shampoo is not to be used as a regular product but rather a quick fix. 

Without seeming cliche, it is possible to play with tone without defying the fiery look that makes red hair shine.

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FAQs

1. Is purple shampoo applicable on natural red hair?

Yes, though do not anticipate great changes. Natural red hair will not normally respond greatly to purple hair dye since it does not contain the processed pigments that dyed hair contains. A little coolness of tone may come about, but it will not brighten, or enrich your red.

2. Does purple shampoo fade away red hair?

It can be used too often. Certain of the formulas contain sulfates which strip dye molecules. Even sulfate-free ones may darken color when the purple stain accumulates with time. Use it once every few weeks and apply conditioner.

3. What should be the frequency of the purple shampoo on red hair?

After every two or three weeks suffices. With excess use it can flatten your hair and cause it to be ashy. Being concerned with having a constant color, alternate a red-depositing conditioner in between the uses.

4. What is the color of the shampoo that cancels the brassy red hair?

The orange is canceled by blue shampoo, and the excessive warmth or coppery reds will be eliminated. To achieve more reds which are yellowish, purple shampoo can work, but red color shampoos work best in general.

5. Does purple shampoo outperform blue shampoo with red?

Not really. The blue shampoo is more effective in canceling the orange tones that may prevail in red hair. The purple shampoo addresses yellow and that is not typically the problem of redheads.

6. What will happen to red hair and make it look like it has been toned?

Apply a colored depositing shampoo, a semi permanent gloss or a tinted conditioner. These do not neutralize but add pigment so that your color is kept fresh and shiny.

7. What will happen to the purple shampoo when I leave it too long?

There is the possibility that your hair takes up excess pigment and becomes violet or grayish. The solution is easy, apply a clarifying shampoo one or two times first to get the build up out, then deep condition.

8. What uses do purple shampoo have in the salon?

Yes. The glosses and toners used by the professionals are more precise and safer. They are able to fix brassiness and at the same time add shine and hydration, which purple shampoo fails to achieve all the time.

9. Does purple shampoo make the orange or copper hair look less brassy?

A little, but blue shampoo is better with orange. Purple will counter mild brass, however, strong orange undertones will be countered by blue or red- refresher products.

10. And what happens when my red hair becomes dull after applying the purple shampoo?

Add a clarifying shampoo to get out residue and then add a conditioner to revive the color. Apply a red toning gloss or mask in order to add back the warmth and shine.

Final takeaway

 Purple shampoo does not work on red hair in all situations, though it can help it. Imagine it is more of a tune-up, but not a miracle product. 

Keep it warm and red-loving, and feed your tone, with shampoos that go with red, and keep it out of the sun and heat, and wear it up, as often as you feel like, with red. Red hair is not to be neglected–and now you see how to proceed to keep it flaming without losing its fire.