Being a blonde is hard work, simply put. Not only do you have to attend practically double the amount of salon appointments your darker-haired peers do, but your hair requires a ton of upkeep between visits. One way to ensure your blonde stays looking gorgeous and clean all year-round is by using blonde shampoo and conditioner.
How to Use Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner
Brassy tones are no match against these must-have formulas, as they use a vibrant purple colour to neutralise unwanted yellowness. If you’re a little unsure on how you can make blonde shampoo work for you (or whether you’re even eligible to use it), don’t worry — keep on reading to discover our how-to guide to all things blonde upkeep.
Who’s It For?
Purple shampoos and conditioners can be used by absolutely anyone with blonde tones in their hair, but especially those who are dying their locks blonde. Regular colour addicts, listen up! Blonde shampoo uses a violet hue to take that yellow, brassy shade you might experience a few weeks post-appointment to a cool, ashy blonde. This is called ‘toning’, and uses colour wheel principles to restore locks to that perfect shade (purple is opposite yellow on the colour wheel).
If you’ve got balayage, foils, streaks or any other kind of blonde highlights in your hair, you can also make the most of a blonde shampoo. It won’t affect the rest of your colour, so lather up that purple and get going without a worry.
Natural blonde? We’re incredibly jealous, but besides that, you’re also a prime candidate for a purple toning product. You may not need to use it as frequently as bottle-blonde gals, as your hair won’t be prone to fading, but it’ll definitely give you that ‘elevated’ look by removing any unwanted yellow shades from your hair.
Should I Use Blonde Shampoo or Blonde Conditioner?
You’ve probably seen both blonde shampoos and conditioners floating around, so which one should you be using? The answer is either — it’s pretty much up to you, as long as you aren’t using both simultaneously in the same wash/condition cycle. A shampoo will cleanse hair, whereas a conditioner will nourish it, so often it’s best to just opt for whichever action your hair requires more, as you can be quite liberal with the amount you use.
How Do You Use It?
So, you’ve picked up a bottle or two of purple stuff…now what?! Before getting into it, there are a few things you should know about the process of toning your hair from home.
If you’re an all-over blonde, take a generous sized amount of your shampoo or conditioner and apply to your wet hair in the shower, massaging in as you would your regular shampoo. Of course, if you’ve opted for blonde conditioner, be sure to shampoo first to cleanse away excess oils.
It’s recommended you use your toning product every few days to begin with and evaluate based on results — if your locks are still too brassy for your liking, try every second day, or even every day if necessary. Beware, though — overuse could turn your hair (very temporarily) purple! If that’s the look you’re after, go for it. It’s always fun for festivals or just to switch things up a little!
When you’re in the shower, you won’t want to rinse your blonde shampoo or conditioner out straight away — it’s important to leave in for a few minutes to ensure the colour has time to neutralise those yellow sections. Give it anywhere between 2 to 10 minutes based on how toned you want your hair to look, and of course, what the specific product recommends.
Which One Should I Be Using?
If you aren’t already in possession of a quality blonde shampoo, it’s time to add one to the collection — it’s a blonde girl or guy’s secret weapon between salon visits. Not all were created equal, so make sure you’re opting for something professional quality to ensure the hair is well looked-after.
You’ve also got the option of less potent purples for a natural look, or intense brass-busters that will turn your locks a silvery shade. We’ve rounded up our favourites…
The Shampoos
Noughty Blondie Locks Shampoo – This inexpensive product delivers great results without costing you an arm and a leg!
NAK Blonde Plusshampoo – NAK are a salon brand known for their effective, professional products, so you can’t go wrong with this baby in your possession. The outcome is a gorgeous, clean blonde that lasts beautifully.
De Lorenzo NovaFusion Silver Shampoo – Want to transform your brassy blonde into a pale silver shade? This is definitely the shampoo for you, as it truly sucks all of the yellow out of your hair for an ice-queen look.
Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo – Cleanse and soften the hair while you counteract any brassy tones with this Paul Mitchell shampoo.
Wella Professionals Invigo Recharge Cool Blonde – A violet-toned shampoo that works to prevent natural or dyed blonde hair from yellowing.