If you’ve ever noticed your blonde turning yellow or your brunette developing unwanted orange tones, you’re not alone. Colour-treated hair naturally changes over time, especially when exposed to heat, sunlight, chlorine, and environmental factors.

That’s where toning shampoos come in. Purple, blue, and black shampoos are specially formulated to neutralise unwanted tones and help maintain blonde, brunette, and balayage colour between salon visits.

Here’s how they work - and how to choose the right one for your hair.

Why Coloured Hair Becomes Brassy

After colouring your hair - whether it’s blonde balayage, highlights, or full colour - everyday factors gradually break down colour molecules. As this happens, unwanted warm tones can appear.

Common causes of brassiness include:

• Sun exposure
• Heat styling tools
• Chlorine or saltwater
• Frequent washing
• Natural colour fading

Blonde balayage and highlights may start to look yellow over time, while brunette and darker balayage tones may develop orange warmth. Understanding how to correct these tones is key to maintaining fresh, salon-quality colour.

How toning Shampoos Work

Toning shampoos work using colour theory to neutralise unwanted tones and restore balance to your hair colour.

Think of the colour wheel:

• Purple cancels yellow
• Blue cancels orange
• Violet or black pigments help tone very pale blonde hair

These shampoos deposit small amounts of pigment to correct warmth and keep your colour looking clean and vibrant between appointments.

Purple, Silver, and Violet Shampoo - What's the Difference?

Purple, silver, and violet shampoos are often marketed under different names, but they all belong to the same category of toning shampoo.

These names are used interchangeably and all perform a similar function - neutralising yellow tones in light hair.

You may see these labelled as:

• Purple shampoo
• Silver shampoo
• Violet shampoo

All of these products are designed for blonde, grey, silver, and highlighted hair, including blonde balayage results.

Which Shampoo Should You Use?

Choosing the right toning shampoo depends on your hair colour and the tones you want to correct.

Purple (Silver or Violet) Shampoo - Best for Blonde and Silver Hair

Purple shampoo - also known as silver or violet shampoo - is ideal for:

• Blonde hair
• Silver hair
• Grey hair
• Highlighted hair
• Blonde balayage
• Platinum blonde tones

It helps:

• Reduce yellow tones
• Maintain cool blonde shades
• Keep highlights looking fresh
• Extend time between toner appointments
• Support long-lasting blonde colour results

Most clients use purple shampoo once or twice per week to maintain their blonde between salon visits.

We Recommend:

Blue Shampoo - Best for Brunette and Dark Blonde Hair

Blue shampoo is recommended for:

• Brunette hair
• Dark blonde hair
• Light brown hair
• Brunette balayage
• Dimensional colour services

It helps:

• Reduce orange tones
• Maintain rich brunette shades
• Prevent warmth from appearing
• Keep balayage tones looking balanced

Blue shampoo is especially helpful for maintaining deeper colour results and keeping brunette tones clean and glossy.

We recommend:

Black Shampoo - Best for Very Light Blonde Hair

For very light blonde or platinum hair, black or strong violet shampoos provide more powerful toning.

These products:

• Neutralise stubborn yellow tones
• Maintain icy blonde shades
• Create cool silver finishes
• Support platinum blonde maintenance
• Help preserve dramatic blonde transformations

These shampoos are often recommended after major blonde transformations or colour corrections.

We’re super excited to introduce milk_shake to Vivo because for those of you with very light blonde and platinum blonde hair, their Icy Blond Shampoo and Conditioner is going to be a game changer.

The black shampoo works by depositing violet tones onto your hair to counteract the yellow brassy tones, (remember violets and purples are opposite yellow on the colour wheel). Whilst the black pigment works to give your hair incredible cool ash and silver tones.

Not only is going to keep the colour of your hair looking salon fresh, it has heaps of other benefits:

• Grapeseed oil hydrates and conditions your scalp and hair, adding softness.
• Milk proteins help to strengthen the hair’s structure.
• Quinoa proteins help protect your colour from fading and improve manageability and shine.
• Integrity 41® milk_shake’s patented complex helps guarantee long-lasting colour.

How Often Should You Use Toning Shampoo?

Toning shampoos are powerful - and using them too often can dry the hair or create overly cool tones.

Typical usage includes:

• Once or twice per week
• Follow product instructions carefully
• Adjust frequency based on your tone needs

If your hair begins to look dull, flat, or overly cool, it may be time to reduce usage and increase hydration treatments.

Tip for using Toning Shampoo Correctly

Using toning shampoo properly helps achieve even colour results and maintain healthy hair.

For best results:

• Apply evenly to damp hair
• Leave on for the recommended time
• Rinse thoroughly
• Follow with a moisturising conditioner
• Use deep conditioning treatments weekly
• Always use heat protection when styling

Hydration is essential when maintaining blonde, brunette, or balayage colour.

When to See Your Stylist for Tone Refreshing

While toning shampoos help maintain colour at home, professional colour maintenance is still essential.

You may need a toner refresh if:

• Brassiness returns quickly
• Blonde tones appear dull
• Colour looks uneven
• Shine is reduced
• Your balayage loses its brightness

Most clients benefit from:

• Toner refresh appointments every 6–10 weeks
• Gloss treatments between colour services
• Professional colour maintenance planning

Professional toner and gloss services provide longer-lasting results than at-home toning alone.

Find a Colour Specialist Near You

Maintaining the perfect tone requires both professional care and the right home routine.

Whether you're maintaining blonde highlights, balayage, platinum colour, or rich brunette tones, working with a trained colour specialist helps keep your hair healthy, vibrant, and beautifully balanced.

If your blonde is starting to look yellow, your balayage feels dull, or your colour needs refreshing, it may be time to book a professional toner or gloss treatment.

Find your nearest Vivo salon to book a toner refresh, gloss treatment, or colour consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use purple shampoo?
Most people use purple (silver or violet) shampoo once or twice per week, depending on how quickly brassiness appears.

Can purple shampoo replace toner treatments?
No - toning shampoo helps maintain colour between visits, but professional toner and gloss services provide longer-lasting results.

What happens if I use too much purple shampoo?
Overuse may create a purple tint or dryness. Always follow usage instructions and use moisturising treatments regularly.

Do brunettes need toning shampoo too?
Yes - blue shampoo helps neutralise orange tones in brunette and darker balayage hair.

Check these out THESE BEST purple, blue and black shampoos:

Summary

Discover all our purple, silver, black and blue shampoos or if you need help choosing the best product for your hair, get in touch with the Vivo team!

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