The Ultimate Guide to Purple Shampoo
Whether you're a blonde battling brassiness or a silver fox looking to keep it cool, you've probably searched for answers about purple shampoo. In this guide, we answer the internet’s most Googled questions and show you why SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser is the gentler, more effective alternative you've been looking for.
Can purple shampoo cause hair loss?
Traditional purple shampoos can be harsh. Many are loaded with sulphates, synthetic dyes, and drying alcohols that strip the scalp, weaken the hair shaft, and lead to breakage, which can look and feel like hair loss.
At SOPHIC, we take a scalp, first approach. Our Violet Cleanser is sulphate, free, alcohol, free, and made with gentle, plant, based cleansers. It protects the scalp and supports stronger hair over time with Hydrolysed Wheat Protein and Betain, a sugar beet, derived moisturiser known to reduce breakage.
No harsh foaming. No stripping. Just toned, healthy hair that feels stronger with every wash.
How purple shampoo works?
Purple shampoo works by using violet pigments to cancel out yellow tones in blonde, silver, or grey hair. On the colour wheel, purple and yellow are opposites, meaning they neutralise each other.
SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser uses natural violet hues from Butterfly Pea Flower, combined with Quandong Extract and Kakadu Plum, to restore a clean, cool finish to your colour. without synthetic colourants or chemical overload.
What purple shampoo does?
It tones. It brightens. It neutralises brassiness.
Purple shampoo helps maintain cool, clean tones in lightened hair by targeting yellow and orange undertones that appear from heat, sun exposure, or product build, up.
But not all purple shampoos are created equal. SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser is designed to do all this while improving softness, hydration, and overall hair health — making it the smart way to tone your hair at home.
When purple shampoo doesn’t work?
Purple shampoo might not work if: Your hair isn’t light enough for pigments to show, the formula is too weak or poorly pigmented, you rinse it out too quickly or you use it too infrequently (or too often).
The Violet Cleanser is designed to work gradually and safely. We recommend using it every second day and adjusting based on your desired tone. It builds a clean, cool tone without staining or over, toning your hair.
Which purple shampoo is best?
That would be SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser, and here’s why:
💜 Sulphate-free and safe for frequent use
🌱 Infused with Australian botanicals like Quandong and Kakadu Plum
🧖 Gently tones without drying or damaging
🧴 Lightweight formula that leaves hair soft, not coated
It’s the purple shampoo reimagined, with the same toning results, and none of the compromise.
Why purple shampoo for grey hair?
Grey hair is naturally more porous, meaning it easily absorbs pollutants and minerals from water. This often leads to yellowing or dullness.
Purple shampoo helps restore brightness and cool undertones to grey hair, making it look crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant.
SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser is ideal for grey and silver hair because it gently tones while soothing the scalp (thanks to Blue Cypress Oil) and strengthening fragile strands (with plant proteins and betaine).
Will purple shampoo lighten hair?
Not technically, but it will make it appear lighter by removing warm tones that darken the look of blonde or grey hair.
By neutralising brassiness, the Violet Cleanser creates a cleaner, brighter tone that reflects more light. With regular use, your blonde or silver hair will look fresher and feel more radiant, no bleach needed.
Will purple shampoo fix yellow hair?
Yes, especially if you use it consistently.
Yellow tones can come from UV exposure, mineral, heavy water, heat styling, or product residue. SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser targets these unwanted tones and gradually corrects them over time.
It won’t leave a purple cast, just a cooler, fresher finish that looks natural and feels healthy.
What does purple shampoo do to your hair?
It tones, yes, but depending on the formula, it can also strip moisture or leave a film on your strands.
That’s where SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser is different. It tones without overdoing it, hydrates without heaviness, and protects your hair’s integrity. Thanks to natural surfactants, antioxidant, rich botanicals, and gentle violet pigments, it delivers noticeable results while caring for your hair long term.
What is the best purple shampoo in Australia?
The SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser, made right here in Australia with ingredients sourced within 50km of our HQ.
🌿 Australian, made and owned
🌿 Vegan and cruelty-free
🌿 Suitable for blonde, silver and grey tones
🌿 Free from sulphates, parabens, silicones, synthetic dyes and fragrances
🌿 Gentle enough for second day use, but still effective on those brassy, stubborn tones
What is the disadvantage of purple shampoo?
Common downsides of typical purple shampoos include: Dryness and brittleness, purple staining or over, toning, scalp irritation and product build-up.
Until now! The SOPHIC Violet Cleanser avoids all of these with a non, staining, non, stripping formula. It doesn’t deposit a purple tint, which means it’s safe for frequent use, especially on fragile or colour, treated hair. Your hair doesn't feel dry at all after use.
What happens if you use purple shampoo on hair that isn't blonde?
If your hair is darker and hasn’t been lightened, purple shampoo won’t have much of an effect. It may cleanse just fine, but the toning pigments won’t visibly alter your colour unless your hair is light blonde, grey, or bleached.However, if you have balayage, ombré, or highlights, even on brunette hair, you’ll see a noticeable brightening effect where your hair is lighter.
Can I tone my blonde hair at home?
Yes, and you should.
Toning at home with a quality purple shampoo saves time, money, and protects your hair from harsh salon chemicals.
SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser is perfect for at, home maintenance. It tones gently, gradually, and naturally. You control how light or cool you want your blonde, without risking over, toning or dryness.
Do you apply toner to wet or dry hair?
Purple shampoo should be applied to towel, dried or damp hair. This helps reduce dilution of the pigment and improves contact with your strands.
We recommend applying the Violet Cleanser to damp hair in the shower. Massage it into your scalp and ends, leave for 4-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Adjust frequency depending on your tone goals.
Ready to go brighter, cooler and healthier?
Shop SOPHIC’s Violet Cleanser and take the guesswork out of toning, the natural way.
