The solution to the aggravating orange and unwanted brassy tones has finally arrived! The magic of the blue shampoo will leave all brunettes in awe. And for a good reason.
By using purple shampoos, those with blonde hair have had their share of fun, leaving brunettes to battle the yellowish and orange tones in vain! But, no more.
Check what the blue shampoo magic is all about, and learn how to use it properly. You will see the results in no time.
What Is Blue Shampoo?
Blue shampoos are color-depositing shampoos that contain blue-violet pigments. Without them, the blue shampoo won’t be able to do what it does – neutralize brassy tones.
It’s formulated for people with dark or brunette hair, so just as the purple pigments remove the yellow tones in blonde hair, the blue pigments will help combat the brassy orange or red tones in brown hair. Simple, yet effective!
How Does the Blue Shampoo Do Its Magic?
Blue is the opposite color of red on the color wheel. Therefore, it has the power to neutralize the unwanted orange tones brunettes are struggling with.
With color-treated hair, whether that includes highlighting or ombre, the bleach removes the natural color pigment. Then you choose a hair color, deposit it onto the strands, and voila, your hair looks amazing (well, at least usually it does).
But, as hair begins to grow, the color fades (too bad we have to wash it), and the brassy tones of red and orange emerge. Add sun exposure to that, and it’s as if you wanted to have warm, orangey tones!
That’s where blue shampoo comes to the rescue. The blue pigments in it will help maintain your color longer (it will also save you from nonstop salon visits). That means goodbye to copper tones and hello to a cool icy brown hair look!
Do You Need to Use Blue Shampoos?
If you have brassy hair, but don’t like the look of it, then yes! You will eliminate the unwanted orange tones and gain dark, crispy natural brown hair color.
Hence, opt for a blue shampoo if:
- You have brunette hair with lighter balayage, ombre;
- You’ve highlighted your hair (refers to brunettes too);
- You’ve completely lightened hair that’s naturally brown and dark.
Simply put, blue shampoo works on dyed brunette hair that’s becoming orange or red! If that sounds familiar, use the blue magic immediately and get rid of the red undertones!
Blue or Purple Shampoo: What’s the Difference?
It’s all about hair color theory!
Although they do the same thing, the difference lies within color science – blue-violet pigments lie opposite red and orange on the color wheel, and purple lies opposite yellow.
Blondes have underlying pigments that tend to be yellowish or golden, while in brown, it’s more orange and red. Therefore purple shampoos work best at eliminating the unwanted yellow tones in blond hair!
Those with color-treated brunette hair and conventional highlights or lightened brunette hair can also try purple shampoo, but the results probably won’t be satisfactory. Blue shampoo works best for you!
Blue or Silver Shampoo: What’s the Difference?
As with the blue and purple shampoo: they do the same thing but work on a different hair color.
Those transitioning to natural silver hair might opt for silver shampoo instead of blue. It’s made specifically for people with gray hair, as silver is the opposite shade of yellow.
However, if you are a natural brunette going gray, you can use blue shampoo to eliminate the orange and copper tones. Color-treated hair can be hard to manage when the dye starts to fade! But only use it if the brassy tones are hard to remove. Otherwise, silver shampoo is your gray hair pick number one!
How to Use Blue Shampoo?
There are a few tips on how to use blue shampoo, but it’s mostly the same as regular shampoo. The only difference is that you want to coat the hair shaft and apply blue shampoo from root to tip, as with a regular one, you would concentrate more on the scalp.
Easy tips to follow along:
- Rub the blue shampoo gently into your wet hair. Be sure to apply it evenly throughout the hair – from root to tip (for a more aggressive approach, apply the blue shampoo on dry hair);
- Leave the blue shampoo on for about two to three minutes (max 5 minutes);
- Rinse it out.
Does blue shampoo work after one use? No matter the hair type, you should see results after the first application (unless your hair has reached a level where there’s no saving other than bleaching and redyeing). Hence, you can get rid of brassiness in just a few minutes!
Always Pair It With a Conditioner!
Blue shampoos can be very drying, potentially leaving you with orange-free but damaged hair. To avoid that, use a deep conditioner after each application!
If you are dealing with dehydrated color-treated locks, conditioner is a must. Also, if you are a fan of balayage and ombre hair, treating it with deep conditioner masks after blue shampoo is highly recommendable, as the dye strips the strands from their natural moisture.
You can pair a blue shampoo with a blue conditioner to boost it up. You will have the results you desire, all with hair that’s fresher and brighter.
How Often to Use Blue Shampoo?
Too much of everything, whether good or bad, is not recommendable. If you are dealing with a lot of copper and red tones, use blue shampoo daily until the brassiness disappears (but always paired with a conditioner).
However, if you want to prevent the brassy orange color, it’s best if used once or twice a week (blue pigment is a powerful surface toner); otherwise, you might end up with a darker shade than you desire.
Alternate it with your regular go-to shampoo, and your hair color will preserve its cool tones for much longer.
What Not to Do
There are some things to look out for when using color-depositing shampoo, such as blue shampoo. If your hair type is straight, curly, coarse, or thin, make sure you:
- Don’t leave the blue shampoo for too long! Otherwise, you run the risk of darkening your hair. You might even see a blue tint, which you don’t want.
- Don’t use it immediately after you dye your hair. Wait a least three days before applying blue shampoo.
- Don’t use heat tools without a heat protectant because heat will affect the color.
Top three blue shampoos for brassy brunettes
If you love highlights, use Eva Nyc Brass to Sass Brunette Shampoo. With a lovely fragrance of juniper berries and an ultra-foaming texture, this brunettes blue shampoo will keep your hair hydrated, supple, and strong. It’s safe to use on keratin and all color-treated hair.
If you want a hydrating beast, opt for Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo. Those dealing with dry hair will highly benefit from this Matrix shampoo rich in Vitamin E! You will also see those brassy orange tones gone in no time!
Redken Color Extend Brownlights is the best blue shampoo for all hair types. It gently cleanses the hair without stripping and keeps the hair color fresh. You will understand what the blue shampoo magic is all about!
Conclusion
Blue shampoo is truly here to make a brunette’s life easier. No more constant dyeing – the hair color will last longer and stay fresh and beautiful. So try the blue shampoo out before the orange starts to kick it – let the blue pigments spread the magic!