Toning Shampoo: Kick the Yellow Brassy Tones to the Curb

If your hair is highlighted, your hair stylist may have recommended that you try a purple toning shampoo to keep your highlights bright.  Purple toning shampoo helps keep highlights or colored hair from turning yellow or brassy. It works by depositing purple pigment onto highlighted hair. The purple pigment tones out the yellow or brassiness leaving your hair a more desired neutral tone.

It's important to note that purple toning shampoos shouldn't be used daily or even with every shampoo. Only use a purple toning shampoo 3-4 times per month, or when you notice that your hair is starting to get brassy. Over use of purple toning shampoo can result in blue, purple, or gray highlights. Although, these days that just might be your thing.

Shampoos with high levels of pigment are great for medium blonde to black hair, while lighter pigmented shampoos are better for medium blonde to platinum blonde hair. If a shampoo has too much pigment for hair color, I like to cut it with a traditional shampoo using a 50/50 ratio.

Pro tip: use a highly pigmented purple shampoo on brown and black hair to increase shine and depth.  Also great for gray (#grannyhair) or white hair that loses its luster. It's not just for blonde hair.
 
Click here for a list of purple toning shampoos that come highly recommended.