When it comes to having brunette hair, it's all about maintenance and keeping those brassy tones away. When buying the perfect blue shampoo for your hair, there are a lot of things to take into consideration.
What Is Blue Shampoo?
Blue shampoo is a shampoo that has a blue dye or hue in it to tone brunette hair. It deposits blue residue on the hair strands of brunette hair to help neutralize any unwanted shades of orange or red.
Blue shampoo works as a toner and can save you multiple visits to the salon. It can be paired with a blue conditioner to get better results. Many people who have dyed their hair brunette opt for a blue shampoo, especially if their original hair was brassy or black.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
"Hey there, fellow blondes! I've been using blue shampoo for YEARS to keep my hair looking its best. I love it because it helps neutralize brassy tones and keeps my locks looking cool and icy. Like Kim K, if you've recently transitioned to blonde hair color, blue shampoo is absolutely crucial to healthy, good-looking hair."
Who Should Use Blue Shampoo?
If you meet the following criteria you would be a good candidate for using blue shampoo:
- You recently dyed your hair brunette and want to maintain its ashy tones.
- You have lightened your hair from black or dark brown to brunette.
- You have brassy or orange undertones in your hair.
- You are a natural brunette who is looking to keep their hair a cool shade.
Uses of Blue Shampoo
Blue shampoo has the following uses:
- Neutralizes brassy tones in hair that has been dyed brunette.
- Restores ash tones in brunette hair, especially in the summer.
- Helps make brunette hair more maintainable over time.
Blue Shampoo According to Hair Types
Blue shampoo comes in different formulas for different types of hair. Usually, it does not do any damage to or cause dryness in normal hair. But that isn’t the case with thin or curly hair. Here are the kinds of blue shampoo you should buy based on your hair type:
Normal hair
People with normal hair can use any time of blue shampoo without worrying about the formula or its properties. This is because the hair naturally restores its moisture after using the shampoo and is not affected too much.
Frizzy hair
People with frizzy hair will notice that their flyaways and frizz get worse when using regular blue shampoo. This is because the deposited particles can be easy to charge and cause magnetic repulsion. If you have frizzy hair, you should invest in a blue shampoo that is moisturizing and has rice water elements to reduce frizz.
Damaged hair
People with damaged hair know that any sort of hair styling can leave their hair looking dirty and dull. Especially because the damaged hair follicles do not repair themselves, leading to flat and disfigured hair. If you have damaged hair, invest in a blue shampoo that is hydrating and offers protein strengthening. You can even use a blue conditioner for added protection.
Curly hair
Curly hair tends to dry out fast and can become frizzy if it comes into contact with products that do not suit it. If you have curly hair, hydrating blue conditioners would help maintain the moisture of your hair whilst color correcting it. You can also opt for highly hydrating blue shampoos with protein enhancement formulas.
Blue Shampoo vs Purple Shampoo
Blue shampoo and purple shampoo work on the same principles. They both color-correct the hair and cross out unwanted hues. On the color wheel, yellow is on the opposite end of purple and orange is on the opposite end of blue.
This means that purple shampoo helps eliminate yellow and golden hues from the hair, making it look ashy or platinum. On the other hand, the blue shampoo helps remove brassy and copper tones from brunette hair. Both deposit balancing color pigment onto the hair to neutralize the unwanted hues.
Blue Shampoo vs Blue Conditioner
Blue shampoo and blue conditioner have the same basic function but the only difference is that you can leave in blue conditioner for longer and it has to be used less frequently. This makes it easy to use without the need for constant touch-ups. In some cases, people with lightened hair have to use blue shampoo every two to three days.
Blue Shampoo Durability
Another factor to take into consideration is how long the hair stays neutralized after using the shampoo. Good blue shampoos leave the hair toned for about four days minimum and natural brunettes can use it as less as once every two weeks. Regular shampoos last around two days. Hence if you are someone who doesn’t have the time to wash their hair frequently, invest in a blue shampoo with a long-lasting effect.
Blue Shampoo Price
Blue shampoos are pricey but their cost increases with the added benefits provided with the shampoo. For example, a hydrating shampoo that offers a longer-lasting hydrating and color-canceling effect will be more expensive than a regular blue shampoo.
