Brunette and haven’t heard of using blue shampoo before? Me neither, until I found out it’s about time we brunette ladies took note. Using the best blue shampoo can help you get the most out of your dyed or natural colour when washing. (Did you know there’s a way to properly wash your hair (opens in new tab)?!) Yes, really. Although definitely the lesser well known of the two, blue shampoo is to brunette hair what the best purple shampoo is to cool-girl blonde.
Most people associate brassiness or unwanted warm tones with bottle blondes. But the truth is that brunettes may experience some unwanted orange or reddish hues when a cool brown is preferable. Intrigued? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know on how blue shampoo works, and the best blue shampoo on the market right now.
Why do brunettes need blue shampoo?
Left the salon with a fresh gloss, feeling fabulous, for the copper you were trying to shake start coming through after a few weeks? A good blue shampoo may be the hair saviour you’re looking for.
“Although it appears not to be as widely known, brunettes also find that they are left with unwanted brassy tones coming through if they lighten their hair and/or have balayage,” says legendary hairdresser and colourist Josh Wood.
Thought it was only bleach blondes that had this issue? Think again. “This can happen as a result of the sun, product they may use and pollution. Meanwhile brunettes with virgin hair will often find that they have unwanted warmer tones too.”
Brunette hair has more melanin than blonde strands, when it’s lightened (in the salon or by the sun) the pigment is removed, resulting in a warmer or copper tone. Which may be perfect for the summer months but if copper isn’t what you are going for, then a blue shampoo may be your answer.
Of course, a toner can help with this, but pigments from the toner fade over time too which can leave your locks with a brassy undertone. That’s where blue shampoo comes in…
What is blue shampoo?
The term blue shampoo is pretty self-explanatory—the shampoo formula is enriched with blue pigments that infuse into the hair. Won’t that turn my hair blue, we hear you ask? Not quite, as the process is a little bit more scientific than that.
How does blue shampoo for brown hair work?
If you think about the colour wheel, blue is opposite orange and therefore has the ability to ‘cool down’ these tones in your hair. The blue works to counteract the orange or coppery tones.
“Blue shampoo is a neutralising shampoo that will reduce and neutralise orange and brassy tones in the hair,” Josh explains. “Redken Brownlights Shampoo (opens in new tab) is a great way to tone your hair; the blue pigments work quickly and give incredible, cool results.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
How to use blue shampoo?
Leave your formula on the hair for a few minutes to really get the most out of those blue pigments, and most formulas advise using gloves so as not to stain your hands blue.
Emilie Venturini (opens in new tab), Artistic Colourist at Gielly Green (opens in new tab) shares her expert advice on how to get the most out of your new blue shampoo. “I would say use blue shampoo no more than once a week focusing on the scalp but ensuring you are working through the ends to evenly distribute the tone.” She explains. “You should see results from the first use however the blue tone does build up in the hair shaft so the more you use it the less orange/ red tones you will see in the hair.”
Ready to take away that brassiness from your brown hair? Shop some of the best blue shampoo formulas on the market right now in our round-up below.
6 of the best blue shampoo formulas for brunettes
1. Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo
(Image credit: Redken)
Redken wowed us with the results of their Blondage range, now they’re doing the same for brunettes. Brownlights Ultra Blue Shampoo really gets to work on those yellow or orange hues to revitalise your colour. For best results, use gloves when applying and leave on your hair for 3-5 minutes.
2. Fudge Professional Cool Brunette Blue Toning Shampoo
(Image credit: Fudge)
One of the more affordable options on our list, Fudge’s shampoo promises to colour correct those orange and red hues along with their repairing ‘opti-plex’ technolgoy to support your hair’s health.
3. Aveda Blue Malva Colour Enhancing Shampoo
(Image credit: Aveda)
This is suitable for any hair colour that’s prone to a little brassiness, be it blonde or brunette, so it’s a good all-rounder. As the name suggests, it’s blended with sustainably-gathered blue malva, which helps to balance your hair and scalp. Bonus: it’ll also add a silvery brightness to grey hair, too.
4. John Frieda Blue Crush Intensive Blue Shampoo
(Image credit: John Frieda )
The crushed blue pigments are said to get rid of brassiness in just one wash. The combination of blue, purple and teal banishes copper tones. Leave for a few minutes before rinsing. There is the option of leaving it on for five minutes if your strands are particularly brassy. Just remember to wash your hands after and follow with the John Frieda blue conditioner.
5. Charles Worthington ColourPlex Toning Blue Shampoo
(Image credit: Boots)
Enriched with blueberry, this blue shampoo works instantly to banish red tones, creating deeper brunette locks and extra shine. The best part? It helps repair colour damage at the same time and is said to reduce breakage by 90%.
6. Matrix Total Results Brass Off Brunette Neutralising Blue Shampoo
(Image credit: Boots)
7. Color Wow Color Control Toning and Styling Foam
(Image credit: Boots)
Okay, so it’s technically not a blue shampoo but its main aim is to counteract brassy and red tones—so the end result is the same. The formula adds depth to your colour while making styling easier too. It can be used on damp or dry hair, whenever your strands need some love.