The 8 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair – Fix Brassiness Once for All

Using an anti-brassy purple shampoo can most certainly restore your silver hair to all its glory. However, you need a good purple shampoo to do that, or else you’ll either be ruining your hair or throwing your money down the trash.

Accordingly, I’ve put together the top 8 purple shampoos for gray hair, each with its own benefits and strong points. So, take a look and see if something calls out to you.

At a Glance

1. MATRIX Total Results So Silver Color Depositing Purple Shampoo – Best Overall
2. Redken Color Extend Graydiant Purple Shampoo – Best Gray and Silver Hair Toner
3. Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet Anti-brass Purple Shampoo – Best for Blonde and Gray Hair Colors
4. Luseta Color Brightening Purple Shampoo – Best for Chemically-Processed and Colored Hair
5. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo – Best for Curly and Dry Hair
6. Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo – Most Budget-Friendly
7. Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo – Best at Preventing Unwanted Tones
8. OWAY Silver Steel Hair Bath – Best Clean Purple Shampoo

Best Purple Shampoos for Gray Hair in 2022

1. MATRIX Total Results So Silver Color Depositing Purple Shampoo – Best Overall

If you want a shampoo that’ll get rid of all the yellow and orange tones in your gray hair WITHOUT making your hair purple, then go with Total Results So Silver purple shampoo from Matrix.

Honestly, it’s the whole package. It cleans your hair pretty well, and its toning effects are off the charts.

To top it off, it’s got a great hydrating formula that restores the shine and moisture to your hair, and did I mention its lovely flowery scent?

Honestly, this is such a great shampoo for gray hair, and you’ll be able to see its amazing effects after just one wash.

Pros

• Good for both natural and color-treated hair
• Neutralizes brassy tones effectively
• Doesn’t desiccate your hair
• Doesn’t irritate sensitive scalps

Cons

• A bit harsh on fine hair

2. Redken Color Extend Graydiant Purple Shampoo – Best Gray and Silver Hair Toner

If your silver hair has started to turn a bit brassy, then you’ll absolutely love the Redken Color Extend Graydiant purple shampoo. This particular shampoo is specially formulated for gray and silver hair, containing customized purple pigments that’ll most definitely tone your hair into that perfectly cool, steel-gray color.

Moreover, since this shampoo contains amino acids, your hair is bound to become stronger, shinier, and softer after using it. Just apply on wet hair, work the shampoo into a lather, and in 3-5 minutes, all the unwanted yellow and brassy tones will be long gone.

Pros

• Specifically formulated for gray and silver hair
• Softens and strengthens hair
• Easy to apply and wash out
• Works on light blonde hair as well

Cons

• The consistency may be a bit runny for some people
• Not be the best choice for dry hair as it can be slightly drying

3. Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet Anti-brass Purple Shampoo – Best for Blonde and Gray Hair Colors

For blonde and gray hair, the Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-brass purple shampoo will be just the thing to brighten and tone your locks.

Whether you’ve got color-treated hair or whether that’s just your natural hair color, this purple shampoo will unquestionably neutralize any brassy tones you’ve got. This is all thanks to its exceptional formula that allows your hair to cling on and soak in as much purple as it can.

Furthermore, since it’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower, this purple isn’t as drying as other shampoos on the market, and it can protect your hair from everyday oxidation that’ll lead to future brassiness. All in all, a great shampoo in and of itself, with the ability to leave your hair bright and luminous.

Pros

• Doesn’t dry out your hair
• Decreases frizz and flyaways
• Combats the yellowest of undertones
• Cleans hair just as good as a regular shampoo

Cons

• On the more expensive side of purple shampoos

4. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo – Best for Curly and Dry Hair

If your gray strands lack hydration and need a little TLC, then you won’t find a better toning shampoo than the Pureology Hydrate purple shampoo. Whether you’ve got thick or fine hair, this purple shampoo will transform your natural gray hair, leaving it bright, soft, and shiny.

Now, I won’t lie; it’s not exactly cheap. However, its results make it worth the extra bucks.

Since this is a sulfate-free shampoo, your hair won’t be totally stripped of all its natural moisture, and as you know, this goes a long way when it comes to having well-defined, frizz-free curls.

Of course, I’m not saying you should skip the conditioner, but by using this shampoo, you won’t need to use as much conditioner as you normally would. And don’t worry, even if your silver strands aren’t naturally acquired, this shampoo will still work just as well at removing the unwanted warm tones.

Pros

• Hydrating and softening
• Preserves color-treated hair
• Cruelty-free
• Has a minty scent
• Good for all hair types and hair textures

Cons

• A bit pricey

5. Luseta Color Brightening Purple Shampoo – Best for Chemically-Processed and Colored Hair

All my blonde and silver gals know just how dry their hair can get after getting a color treatment. Accordingly, you need hair products that are able to repair and hydrate your strands, and Lussta’s color brightening purple shampoo does just that.

This clever little thing comes infused with coconut oil to give your hair the hydration it needs. And, of course, it works like a charm when it comes to neutralizing the yellow tones in your blonde or gray hair.

But it’s not just that. This purple shampoo contains vitamin E to help rejuvenate your hair follicles and split ends. Moreover, it’s got a 5.5-6.5 pH level to soothe your scalp.

Still, what I love the most about this product is the fact that it’s paraben- and sulfate-free. Accordingly, it’s great for dyed hair as well as chemically-straightened hair. So, if you’ve recently had a keratin treatment or if you’ve recently dyed your hair gray/blonde, then this shampoo will be the perfect match for you.

Pros

• Sulfate and paraben-free shampoo
• Hydrates and makes hair shiny
• Preserves dye jobs
• Vitamin E repairs split ends and improves hair follicles
• Not tested on animals

Cons

• Has a slightly odd smell

6. Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo – Most Budget-Friendly

Finding salon-quality shampoo for a reasonable price can be pretty difficult these days. However, the Silver Expressions shampoo from Pantene manages to defy the odds.

Not only does it fully neutralize yellow and brassy tones, but it also makes your gray hair bright and soft. Moreover, since its paraben-free shampoo, which means you won’t have to worry about fading your color or irritating and drying out your scalp.

And if you’re worried about your hair’s strength and integrity, just don’t!!! This shampoo contains no silicones, and its Pro-V formula will nourish and strengthen your hair quite thoroughly.

Pros

• Affordable
• Paraben and silicone-free
• Safe for color-treated hair
• Has a nourishing formula
• Has a fresh, flowery scent

Cons

• Slightly drying when used with fine hair

7. Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo – Best for Preventing Unwanted Tones

We all know that violet shampoos are aimed at neutralizing the brassy, yellow tones that come with heat styling and sun exposure. However, the Joico Color Balance purple shampoo does more than that. It can actually help to protect and maintain your silver shades.

How? Well, first off, it contains UV absorbers that reduce the effect of the sun on your hair. Additionally, it has green tea extract, which is a powerful antioxidant that can protect hair from pollutants and the elements.

Pretty cool, right? And, this shampoo doesn’t fall back on other aspects, either. It cleanses the scalp thoroughly while also making your hair soft and strong due to its smart-release technology. And, since it contains rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin, it’ll repair damaged hair and keep the frizz to a minimum.

Pros

• Protects and repairs color-treated hair
• Its effects last for a long time
• Smells great
• Makes hair lighter and softer

Cons

• Dries out the hair, so make sure to use a good conditioner with it

8. OWAY Silver Steel Hair Bath – Best Clean Purple Shampoo

If you’re looking for a clean purple-pigmented shampoo free of harmful chemicals, then the OWAY Silver Steel Hair Bath will knock your socks right off!

This product neutralizes brassiness and yellow tones just as well as other toning shampoos. However, it contains no harmful or cancer-associated ingredients, which isn’t something you can say for other products nowadays.

And don’t let the “clean” label fool you. This baby is great at cleaning your hair and removing any buildup you’ve accumulated during the week. And personally, I love that it comes in a glass container because who needs more plastic nowadays?

Oh, and did I mention that this shampoo contains phytonutrients, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, as well as vitamins A, B, and C? Talk about nourishment!!

Still, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. While this shampoo is great at cleansing the hair, it can leave it a bit parched afterward. So, if your hair isn’t on the oily side, I recommend leaving this product in lieu of something a bit gentler to avoid drying out your hair strands.

Pros

• Free of harmful chemicals
• Doesn’t leave a purplish cast on your hair
• Nourishing and restorative
• Great at removing oils and buildup
• Has a mild, pleasant scent

Cons

• A bit drying
• The glass bottle may be hard to transport safely

The Ultimate Guide to Purple Shampoos

As great as purple shampoo is for blonde, gray, and silver-white hair, it can do more damage than good if you don’t know its ins and outs. So, to make sure you don’t end up with damaged hair, here are a few tips and tricks on how to get the best use of your purple shampoo.

Understand How Purple Shampoo Works

To put it simply, purple shampoos can get rid of those brassy yellow tones from your hair because purple and yellow are complementary colors.

Since these two colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel, they will cancel each other out once they’re mixed together, and that’s exactly how purple shampoo removes the dull tones that inevitably appear in your hair.

However, you should keep in mind that purple shampoo isn’t as effective for darker hair. So, if you’ve just started going gray or if your hair’s on the darker side, it’s best to forgo purple shampoo altogether and save yourself a few bucks.

Pick the Right Purple Shampoo

You now know that you need to use a purple shampoo to neutralize the brassy and yellow tones in your gray hair, but which one should you use? Well, here are the two most important things you should look for in a purple shampoo.

The Right Purple Tint

When browsing for toning shampoos, you’ll occasionally come across terms like blue shampoo or silver shampoo. So, do these products also get rid of brassy hair?

Well, it doesn’t work like that.

You see, purple and blue shampoos are NOT the same thing, especially when it comes to gray hair. Blue shampoos are made to cancel out orange, which is usually found in dark hair with a brownish hue. Think highlighted hair that’s gotten a bit too orange with time.

So, what happens if you use blue shampoo on gray hair? Well, you’ll end up with green hair. Yes, GREEN!! Since gray hair usually gets a yellow cast, the blue shampoo will simply mix with the yellow and give you a murky, greenish color, and trust me, that’s not a good look.

But what about silver shampoos? Are they okay for gray hair?

Well, it depends. Basically, silver shampoos are purple shampoos, but they have a hint of blue in them. Accordingly, they’ll work well on particularly brassy gray hair, but again, it’s best to stick to a purple or violet shampoo if all you’ve got is a yellow undertone.

The Right Ingredients

Whether your gray color is natural or artificial, you’ll need a purple shampoo with hydrating ingredients. As we age, our hair gets drier and more brittle. Accordingly, it needs contrast hydration, or else it’ll eventually start breaking off. The same effect, of course, happens when dying your hair silver, as the bleach will severely dry out your hair.

As such, look for purple shampoos with things like glycerin, coconut oil, shea butter, argan oil, or grapeseed oil. These ingredients will add shine and moisture to your hair, leaving it looking healthy and bright.

Moreover, if you have color-treated hair, try to stay away from shampoos with parabens, sulfates, and silicones. Bit by bit, these ingredients will strip your hair of its gray color, resulting in much more frequent salon visits.

Use the Shampoo Properly

Even if you have an excellent purple-pigment shampoo, you need to know how to use it in order to get the best results. So, here’s my small guide on using purple shampoos and maintaining your gray color:

1. Use a clarifying shampoo first to remove oils, dirt, and buildup. This will allow your hair strands to fully absorb the violet pigments.
2. Don’t overuse the purple shampoo, or you’ll dry out your hair. Once a week should be more than enough. However, if your shampoo states that it requires more washes, then go with what the instructions say.
3. Avoid flat irons and ultraviolet radiation as much as you can. The same goes for chlorinated water.
4. Try to decrease how often you wash your hair. The more you wash your hair, the faster the color will fade. A bottle of dry shampoo will make the wait between wash days much easier.
5. Pair your purple shampoo with a purple conditioner to get the best toning effects possible.

In a Nutshell

If you’ve got gray hair, purple shampoos are now officially your new best friend. They’ll remove all the unwanted brassy and warm undertones that taint your beautiful silver color, leaving you with bright, shiny locks.

Still, if you’re unsure about which product to use, then I suggest going with the shampoo from either Matrix or Redken. They’re both great at reducing dullness, and I just know you’ll absolutely love their results after a single use.