Yellowing or brassy hair? Here’s how purple shampoo could help

You leave the salon loving your bright, blonde highlights, only to look in the mirror a few weeks later and wonder where that yellow or brassy tint came from. The same frustrating shift can happen as white or gray hair begins to lose its crisp, silvery tone.

If either situation feels familiar to you, purple shampoo may be the answer you're looking for. Used correctly, it can tone down these unwanted changes and bring back a fresher, cooler appearance without having to change your hair color. It’s also possible to have too much of a good thing, as overusing the product can leave your strands dry, dull or even faintly lavender.

Here’s how purple shampoo works, whether it’s right for your hair and how to use it without going overboard.

Purple shampoo is a cleansing product made with violet pigments that temporarily neutralize unwanted yellow or brassy tones in light-colored hair. Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City, explains the idea comes from basic color theory as purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so violet pigment can visually counteract yellow tones when deposited on the hair.

Because of this, “purple shampoos can provide both…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/