With the advent of purple shampoo, brunettes had to sit on the sidewalk waiting for a product that does the same function for them. And at last, experts in the beauty industry have made just what brunettes have always wanted – blue shampoo that kicks away brassiness and brings that bright tone to dark hair. So you can now keep the brassiness where it belongs and get your hair to have that shine that only blue shampoo can bring to it. Below, learn everything about blue shampoo, its benefits, how often, when and exactly how to use it properly.
In this article:
- What Is Blue Shampoo?
- Blue Shampoo vs. Blue Conditioner
- Blue Shampoo vs. Purple Shampoo
- What Hair Colors Is Blue Shampoo Good for?
- How Often and How to Use Blue Shampoo?
What Is Blue Shampoo and How Does It Work?
Also known as brunette shampoo, blue shampoo is a toning shampoo with a deep blue-violet pigment used to neutralize the orange-red brassy tones in brunette hair colors. Blue shampoo works on the same principle that you learned about color wheel.
On the color wheel, we see purple on one side and yellow on the other end, while blue is the opposite of orange. This tells you that when you have a light hair color with brassy yellow tones, you can use purple to cancel any yellow excessiveness, while blue shampoo was made for brunettes that have orange or red brassiness in their hair.
Brunette shampoo isn’t suitable for those who have bleached or toned hair. It could cause severe color damage for any of those categories. If you are a brunette, then it is your time to feel special. Just washing your hair once a week with blue shampoo will give you softly toned hair, which is hydrated and ready to put you in the spotlight.
Blue Shampoo vs. Blue Conditioner
Blue conditioner is a blue-pigmented hair toner that removes the red to orange hue disturbing the dark color of brunette hair, while also conditioning it. Blue conditioner is also a product made especially for brunettes. A bottle of blue conditioner avoids brassiness in dark hair colors and helps you get the same treatment you get at the salon. Blue conditioner also works according to the color wheel analogy given for the blue shampoo, adding that shine needed for it to glimmer and dazzle.
You might be wondering why you need blue conditioner when you already have a bottle of blue shampoo. Well, it is the same reason you use a conditioner after shampooing your hair. While using blue shampoo alone will already tone your brunette hair, blue conditioner makes the process even more complete, since it also provides the necessary nourishment to your toned hair.
While the blue shampoo helps to add the tint needed for the color of your hair to be revived, the blue conditioner helps to add nourishment that might not be within the ingredients of the shampoo. Using both of them will give your hair much more strength, add essential moisture, and in total leave your hair sparkling with an all-beautiful brunette look.
So your first color-correct with blue shampoo and then intensify the process with blue conditioner, also nourishing it.
Blue Shampoo vs. Purple Shampoo
Purple shampoo came to the market before the blue shampoo. While purple shampoo is specifically created to revive the gold locks of blondes, blue shampoo works for the brunettes instead.
Purple shampoo is made for light hair colors, from light blonde to medium blonde. It also works on those that have silver hair, as naturally works for them due to the violet pigment that is contained inside the formula.
On the other hand, the blue pigment in blue shampoo cancels out the excess red or orange pigment in brunette hair. This will cancel out the orange color and make the hair achieve a better hue.
What Hair Colors Is Blue Shampoo Good for?
There are several color-depositing shampoos you’ll find on the market – some general and some specific. Blue shampoo (along with blue conditioner) is specifically formulated for our brunette queens. If your hair is dark ombre or conventional balayage, then this is a great shampoo for you. The product removes brassiness from brunette hair and makes your hair take on a deeper and glossier look that lasts.
So both blue shampoo and blue conditioner are meant only for darker hair colors, whether balayaged, ombre, with or without any highlights.
How Often and How to Use Blue Shampoo?
If you are a brunette, then you know it isn’t unnatural to have orange and red tones show up on your hair from time to time. It might be that you have exposed your hair to environmental stresses like the sun, pollution or chemicals that are unfavorable to it.
However, you can always correct this by using blue shampoo and blue conditioner to treat your hair. Below is an easy way to use the blue shampoo to repair your hair tone:
- Since you are a brunette, there is no need thinking too much about the type of shampoo to use. Just check out the best blue shampoos in our shopping guide and choose one of them.
- Before you apply the blue shampoo, make sure your hair is thoroughly wet.
- Apply the shampoo and massage it deep into your hair. Do this for about two to five minutes. Start the massage at the root and work your way to the tip.
- Leave the blue shampoo to sit in for about three to five minutes. This will allow the pigment to penetrate the hair and work more effectively.
- Rinse your hair with water gently. You can towel-dry or follow up the process by applying a blue conditioner.
Pro-Tip: Using blue shampoo just one a week is enough to tone your hair, though blue shampoo can be applied every time you wash your hair for great results.
Here is how to use a blue conditioner:
- After applying the blue shampoo and rinsing it off thoroughly, shake the blue conditioner bottle. You can also use any of the ones listed in the second section above.
- Apply it to your hair and massage gently from the root to the tip. Leave for about 2-10 minutes.
- Rinse off all the blue conditioner.
Pro-Tip: Using blue conditioner twice or thrice a week is enough for great results.
Finally, blue shampoo and blue conditioner individually enhance the tone of your hair and get rid of any brassiness. Just try out the products and watch your hair transform into a dazzling, healthy, glowing mass of beauty.
Photos via @emilyjewellhair, Instagram
