When you color your hair brown or blonde, you might not like the warmth that comes through your hair color. Going for a cool-toned look, it’s important to have an at-home care routine that will help you neutralize brassy tones and keep your color free of unwanted orange shades.
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If this sounds like something you struggle with, find out more about what a blue shampoo is and how to use it properly to avoid having a green hair mishap.

What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

Blue shampoo is a toning shampoo that contains blue pigments. The latter deposit onto the hair with each wash, neutralizing any warm underlying pigments. If you have red or orange tones in your hair, blue toner will not give you a blue tint: because blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, blue pigments will do corrective coloring, neutralizing orange and keeping your hair color cool.

Who Should Use Blue Shampoo?

Blue shampoo should be used on lightened and highlighted brown hair and is ideal for anyone trying to maintain a perfect caramel, dirty blonde, and ash brown color. It can also be used on natural brunettes but the effect might not be as drastic.

Here is a color science behind it. Each hair color has a variety of underlying warm pigments that always come through when the hair is being lightened to a new hair level. Medium to light shades of brown hair naturally contain warm undertones such as red and orange, and they almost always come through when going through a color process. In this case, you will most likely benefit from a blue shampoo that will help you reach or maintain the desired brunette hair color.

For highlighted and blonde hair, the results of using a blue pigment may be different and, potentially, less appealing. It is not recommended for golden or yellow-based blondes because blue shampoo can add a green tint to the hair. Remember, when yellow and blue mix, it creates a green color – a hair color mistake that is very difficult to correct. Thus, when your hair is highlighted to yellow, you should be very careful with blue toners and blue shampoos.

If your hair is highlighted to a pale yellow or almost white blonde, a blue shampoo can give it a slight blue tint. Thus, when you seek an icy blonde color, it is key to use a silver blue toner instead of a blue one. It will neutralize the underlying red and orange pigments in your hair and enhance the icy tones.
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Blue Shampoo vs Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo and blue shampoo work in a similar way, canceling brassy tones in your hair color. Because purple and yellow are opposites on the color wheel, violet pigments cancel out brassy yellow tones, which makes it great for making blonde hair more neutral. However, the purple shampoo will not work as well for caramel highlights or ash brown hair, as brassy orange is best neutralized by blue pigments.

5 Best Blue Shampoos to Choose

​If blue shampoo sounds like something you would benefit from using, look into purchasing one of our favorite ones:

1. Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo protects the vibrancy of brunette hair, gently color-correcting the unwanted brassy orange hues.
2. Matrix Brass Off deposits blue-violet pigments ensuring flawless results for lightened and highlighted brunettes.
3. DevaCurl No-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Curl Cleanser is a conditioning color-deposing cleanser designed to neutralize brassy tones in lightened and highlighted curly hair.
4. Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Shampoo is a popular sulfate-free shampoo for maintaining cool brunette color, which is also great for brunettes covering their grays.
5. Not Your Mother’s Triple Threat Shampoo and Conditioner is a blue treatment shampoo and conditioner based on blue tansy oil that tones down all brunette undertones while soothing and strengthening the color-treated strands.

How to Use a Blue Shampoo?

Whatever your desired look is, most toners are demi-permanent colors. Thus, a color stays looking its freshest for up to 3 weeks, and you can expect to see warm tones coming back through towards this time. Of course, that depends on how often you shampoo your hair, how much you are exposed to the sun, and the quality of your water. If you want to avoid the warm tones, invest in a blue shampoo to use in between hair appointments at home.
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You likely won’t need to start using a blue shampoo until week 3; however, feel free to add it to your hair care routine whenever you notice a lot of unwanted brassy tones coming through your strands. Once you feel it is time to start incorporating it into your hair care routine on a regular basis, use it up to two times a week, which is generally enough to see the tonal change in your hair.

Need More Motivation…
​Growing hair out, men?
​Check out these 55 medium length hairstyle ideas for men.
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​With the warm and welcoming weather, hot holiday season and outdoor restaurant terraces, the summer season is exactly the best time to rock a new hairstyle. Are you looking for some hair inspiration and willing to explore the most recent hair trends? We’ve got you!
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From the latest haircuts and hairstyles to some hairstyling tips, we have collated everything you need to make your hair look great this season. Scroll down to see some of the best and seriously sought-after 2021 hair trends.

#1: Mullet Haircut

Are you bold enough to pull off this latest hair trend? Popular in the 80’, mullets are experiencing their resurgence as the number one female haircut for 2021.
With tons of texture and movement, shorter sides and longer back, this look is a quintessence of rebellion. Even though this haircut is not for everyone, it is undeniably cool and sexy.

#2: Angled Collarbone Bob

Are you debating on going short for a while but lacking confidence for the leap? An angled collarbone bob, one of the looks trending now, is a great option for a “short but not too short hairstyle”.
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We love its incomparable versatility: you can wear the collarbone bob straight and sleek for work, wavy and undone for a night out or curly and flirty for a dinner date. At the same time, on a hot day, you still have that safe backup option to throw your hair up.

#3: Half Up Half Down with a Scrunchie

Everyone seems to be mad about scrunchies this summer – they are so 90s’ and so cool. Velvet or silk, neutral or with a print, matching or contrasting with your hair color – options for a trendy scrunchie hairstyle are numerous.
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Put all your hair up in a top knot or, even better, wear it in a half up half down hairstyle to show off the depth of your balayage or any other sassy color for summer.

#4: Shag Haircut

How divine is this wispy, feathery hairstyle – so effortless and daring, yet feminine and soft. Heavily layered, with plenty of texture and face-framing strands, shag cut is one of the major 2021 fashion trends.
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The good news is that it is relatively low maintenance, so you won’t spend hours to style it. In fact, those choppy layers look good even when they dry out naturally which is a rare bonus for a top-notch haircut.

#5: Middle Part

Every detail counts when it comes to refining your style, and the way you part your hair is one of those little things that can change the whole picture. While side-swept hair with an ear tuck was huge during the last decade, this parting is now considered “too millennial”.
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Even though we believe that the most fashionable hairstyle is the one that suits you, we need to admit, the middle part is currently a big thing. Why not simply try it?

#6: French Braids

What can be better than keeping your hair away from your face and neck on a hot day? French braids are going strong this summer season and are a great hairstyle for a day on the beach, festival, or picnic.
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Before you start braiding, use some gel or hair cream and rub the product between your fingers to tame the flyaways and frizz – this way your braids will be neater and more long-lasting. It won’t hurt to use just a tad of hairspray to finish the look.

​#7: Summer-Ready Curls

Curls and waves are popular every summer: it’s utterly the best way to style your locks for a dinner date in a park, girls’ night on an open terrace, or just a good hair day.
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Often, in other seasons, poor weather conditions can put you off from making an effort to style your hair, as you clearly know – curls are not going to survive wind, rain or snow. On the other hand, warm summer days are virtually made for adding waves to your hair. Just make sure you use the heat protecting spray before curling.

#8: Short, Blunt Bob

Bob haircut is a staple for many years since Vidal Sassoon made it popular in the 1960’, but a short and blunt version of this cut is one of the main hairstyles for 2021.
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Use some mousse to add body to your hair and blast dry it for a slightly undone, effortless look. While smooth and polished bobs will always be popular, stylists say that a modern bob needs to be slightly tousled and imperfect.

#9: Curtain Bangs

Everyone knows that eternal bangs cutting and growing dilemma – we certainly all have been there. However, so popular curtain fringe is a completely different story. Elongated and subtle, it frames your face in the most flattering way, while giving you the freedom to pin it back.
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As the curtain bangs blend with the rest of your hair, growing them out won’t be a big deal. Do you even think you’d want to, though?

#10: Female Crop Cut

Mimicking an outgrown pixie, crop cut is a blunter and bolder version of a women’s short haircut. If you feel ready for an ultimate statement hair crop, this 2021 summer hair trend is exactly what you need. Ask your stylist for a slightly heavier and longer line at the nape and around the temple area and go full-on texture at the crown to hit all this summer’s trends.
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A cropped cut is one easy to style, but you will have to get used to the regular use of a hairdryer – unfortunately, most of the short haircuts end up looking flat without styling. Use some paste or pomade to finish the look.

Quality, experience and service—three keys to meeting men’s unique needs in the salon space, according to Vaughn Acord (@vaughnnewyork), founder of V76 by Vaughn.
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1. Laws of Attraction
Men want to know their stylist or barber has experience and expertise in working with men’s hair, and they want to feel comfortable in the environment, Acord notes.

WAHL Professional educator Kevin Nguyen (@yakuzabarber) agrees that men crave a combination of phenomenal service and top-tier cuts.

2. Trend Watch
Nguyen notes that some of the biggest men’s trends now involve textured hair and disconnections with fades. Meanwhile, Acord observes that men’s looks are leaning toward longer, looser locks—think variations of mullet shapes and shags, heavily ’70s-influenced. “I love this transition away from uptight hair, with more movement and touchability,” Acord enthuses. “Even guys with shorter hair are allowing their sides to be warmer and not skinned down to the scalp.” Much of this trend can be attributed to men visiting their groomers less often in pandemic times—but, Acord warns, that reality places even more of an emphasis on the quality of the cut.

3. Retail Redux
As stylists and clients alike cope with so many COVID-related changes at salons and barbershops, Acord notes that not all of them have been negative. “Now, everything is so much more focused and tailored for that client in the chair, with 100 percent attention,” he asserts. “Your products, tools, supplies—everything you’re using is geared to him, and you can ask questions about his routine, his challenges. You can really educate him on his specific needs and product solutions.”

Still, pandemic-era retailing remains challenging, with clients now accustomed to ordering online. “Because of that new dynamic, I definitely keep less in the salon for retailing,” Acord relates.

When we reach for a new food or skin care product, many of us turn to Google to find out what is in it. We want to know what makes it “good” for us or if it will “work” to make us look better and more youthful. Unfortunately, most people do not do this when picking out hair care products, and our scalp is often given little thought.

Do you know what shampoo really is or why you even use it? Did you know you have a choice and there are many shampoo alternatives that give better results? Find out more about the no-poo method and why ditching the shampoo is not as crazy as it sounds.

What Does the No-Poo Method Even Mean?

For those of you that may not have heard of the no-poo movement, it is the choice to not use a shampoo that contains harsh detergents to cleanse your hair. Whenever I approach this conversation with a new client, the majority of the time they are unaware that using traditional shampoos means putting detergent on a scalp and stripping the oils that a scalp and hair need to be healthy.

Over the years, more and more people have created their own techniques for healthier scalp cleansing and are actively falling into the no-poo crew. Here are some compelling reasons why you should, too.

Why Switch to the No Shampoo Hair Care

What made you buy the shampoo and/or conditioner taking up space in your shower? Was it the way it lathers up and releases a pretty scent, was it the cool packaging that hooked you, or did someone tell you that you needed to have it?

What if I told you that it lathers because it contains detergents that are not supposed to be on your scalp and scents that are more than likely artificial and irritants? Detergent is an amazing cleaning agent. It is great at stripping away everything on your scalp, but it doesn’t pay any attention to what is being stripped away.

Think of the things you use detergent on. Clothes, cars, floors… Now imagine putting shampoo, which has detergent, on your body or your face. At this point, you might give me an uneasy look.

Hear me out though, you have immediate reasons as to why you would not do this: it would dry your skin out, be too hard, make you break out, etc. Why then do you think it is safe and necessary on your scalp? Is the skin on your scalp really that different from any other skin on your body? The answer is no. However, what makes it different offers more reasons as to why you don’t want detergent touching the scalp.

Your scalp has a protective layer of oil called sebum. Sebum is the body’s defensive layer to protect your scalp. Shampoo (or rather detergent) is such a “great’’ cleanser that it strips this away. This sends signals to your scalp that its defensive layer has been removed and it then goes into overdrive trying to get it back. This can lead to overproduction of oils (oily scalp) and the inability to make up for the loss (dryness). As a result, your hair feels brittle, dry, and rough.

What happens next? Well, the makers of shampoo strategically lean into this because they now have created a need to mask the damage that has been done, and here is where conditioner, masks, and treatments come into play. These products bandage up the damage that has been caused and now you are reliant on a second and possibly third staple product in your routine. If you do not strip the sebum from the scalp and rough up the cuticle, there is no need for conditioners because you are not damaging the hair, to begin with.

Shampoo being bad for your scalp should be enough reason for anyone to seek out other options, but an even stronger argument would be for those individuals who color or highlight their hair. Any shampoo, regardless of being “sulfate-free”, “paraben-free”, “organic”, “natural”, or labeled “color-safe,” will strip your color. If it lathers, it has detergent and detergent will strip color and toner and dull highlights. Those buzz words listed above just mean that your shampoo is a step above cheap drugstore options. Your color is most protected when no detergent is introduced to your haircare routine.

Shampoo Alternatives

When you choose to use no shampoo in your hair, you can take up one of many no-poo method variants that have been developed out of the need for people to cleanse their hair without using detergent. These include using only water, rinsing hair with DIY creations, or using cleansing conditioners and creams. Let’s explore the most popular ones:

DIY Shampoo Substitutes

Another popular route among individuals who embrace essential oils and natural hair remedies is DIY no-poo concoctions. I am all for this! Still, if this appeals to you, I do encourage you to do research on hair types and each oil that Pinterest or your favorite blog may tell you to incorporate. Certain oils such as coconut oil are not good for all hair types (it can cause breakage on color treated and fine hair).
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Many DIY versions use Apple Cider Vinegar, which is great for removing build-up. You can mix a couple tablespoons of ACV with water and apply to the scalp; scrub and rinse. You should follow this with a form of conditioning, as ACV is acidic and can dry the hair out if used alone.

Conditioners

This is the method most people associate with the no-poo method. With this approach you don’t use a shampoo, hence the term “no-poo”, and go straight to a conditioner. Many of these products are marketed towards thicker, coarser, curly textures, and The Curly Girl Method encourages to take up this routine.
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The downside to this method is there is no cleansing component and it will not be suitable for all hair types. If you have tried a traditional no-poo and been unsuccessful, it is probably because you need a specific cleansing component.

Cleansing Creams and Conditioners

My go-to method is using a strategically created cleansing cream. What makes this different from the conditioner-only method is that it has a balance of cleansing and conditioning properties. This makes it a great option for all hair textures and densities.
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The only thing I will use on my clients, husband, kids, and my own hair is New Wash by Hairstory. Cleansing creams can take the guesswork out of figuring out what is needed to effectively wash and cleanse hair. Still, do not rely on the labels and be sure to look into the ingredients when selecting a cleansing cream or conditioner. Silicones and surfactants are components of many products that should be avoided. New Wash, in particular, uses aloe vera and essential oils to gently remove dirt and impurities from hair while not disrupting the scalp’s natural oils or stripping away color.

 ​No-Poo Method Mistakes to Avoid

To make the no shampoo method work, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:

1. Not committing for long enough. Commit to no-poo at least for a month. Your scalp needs time to adjust. Do not use any shampoo during this time – just one of the shampoo alternatives described above.
2. Not targeting the scalp. Make sure you are using enough cleansing product and target the scalp. Try using a scalp massager (scrubber) while washing your hair to stimulate and exfoliate the scalp.
3. Not rinsing thoroughly. If your hair feels oil, dirty or greasy after washing it with a cleansing cream or conditioner, you did not get it all the way to the scalp and/or have left some product behind.
4. Being not consistent. You cannot use a no-poo method one day and shampoo another. It is not a treatment, but a new and better way to wash your scalp and treat your hair.

If you avoid these mistakes and commit to a gentle detergent-free hair care routine, good hair results are sure to follow.

My clients know they have the choice to use whatever they wish to care for their hair; however, if they chose to use shampoo, I cannot guarantee longevity and they will need to see me more frequently for maintenance.
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If you are curious about making the switch, I encourage you to try it out and commit for one month. Whether you have fine hair or coarse hair, virgin or color-treated hair, curly or straight, ditching shampoo and finding the best no-poo hair cleansing method for you will greatly improve the health and appearance of your hair.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about no-poo or discounts for the no-poo products.

Hairstory: New Wash
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