Sian Victoria © - Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes purple shampoo

Silver Toners Guide: How to Get Rid of Brassy Blonde Hair

When dealing with brassy hair, either through natural occurrence or through a nightmare dye job that hasn’t exactly gone to plan, purple, blue, silver shampoo and white toners are here to save you. Created for people with blonde hair, although it can be used by brunettes with areas of lighter hair, the purple pigment in the bottle will help neutralise the yellow and brassy tones of your hair to restore it to a cooler, fresher ash tone.

While it is an ideal step in your hair care routine when seeking that perfect blonde colour, it shouldn’t replace your everyday shampoo. Due to its chemical components, everyday usage would begin implementing the purple hue into your hair and turning it into an undesirable shade. To avoid this, only use purple shampoo or toners once a week or whenever your colour needs a refresh.

I’ve been brightening my hair with purple shampoo 2-4 times a month for years, and for as long as I stay blonde, my hair care routine will never be without my trusted companion. Another reason to avoid using these kinds of shampoos too often is that most brands contain SLS ingredients, which can dry hair out and cause hair loss.

With hair maintenance and the expansive market for hair care products, the number of purple shampoos up for grabs is ever-growing. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best silver toners and purple shampoos you can use to restore the cool blonde tones and banish brassiness. If you’ve seen old posts of mine, you’ll know that most of the products are from brands I have been recommending and using for years.

Difference Between Purple, Blue, Silver and White Toners

Before we look at some of my recommended products for a brighter blonde hair colour, it’s essential to know how the different toners are formulated to address the diverse needs of various hair colours and undertones. Depending on your current shade and the shade you want to achieve, it all depends on which toner you use to get your desired look.

Here’s a guide on how to achieve a brighter hair colour:

Purple Hair Shampoo Toner:

Purple toners combat brassy or yellow tones in blondes and lightened hair, as purple is the opposite of yellow on the colour wheel. These toners contain purple pigments that balance warm hues and introduce cool undertones. Using a purple toner, you can maintain a cool and vibrant shade of blonde.

Blue Hair Shampoo Toner:

Blue toners target orange or brassy tones in dark hair but also work in blonde hair if you have more orange strands than yellow. So, if the purple shampoo isn’t working to remove orange brassy shades on blonde hair, then a blue toner may be the solution.

This is because blue is opposite to orange on the colour wheel and can therefore neutralise warm undertones, allowing for rich, luxurious shades. The blue pigments in these toners provide a harmonious equilibrium, free from unwanted warmth.

White Hair Shampoo Toner:

White toners are designed for platinum blondes and those with light hair. They eliminate yellow or brassy tones, creating an immaculate white shade if your hair is lifted to a very light shade. Regular use of a white toner results in a shimmery, icy blonde aesthetic.

Grey, Silver, and Ash Toners:

Purple and blue formulations can also come under silver, grey or ash toners. Grey toners neutralise yellow or brassy tones, creating an actual grey colour. Silver toners counteract yellow undertones, giving a shimmering silver hue. Ash toners like ‘fade to grey’ and ‘smoky shampoo’ eliminate warmth and brassiness for a cool, ashy finish.

Blonde Highlighting Shampoos:

A blonde highlighting shampoo with natural ingredients such as chamomile is specially formulated to improve and brighten blonde hair. Chamomile, known for its natural lightening properties, gently lightens the hair strands, giving them a sun-kissed, golden appearance. This shampoo adds depth and dimension to blonde hair, creating a vibrant and radiant look. So, using a blonde shampoo will refresh and brighten dull shades of blonde and create shimmering highlights but won’t give you silver tones.

Best Purple, Blue, Ash, Blonde and Silver Hair Toners and Shampoos

Purple hair toners are perfect for blondes who want to get rid of annoying yellow tones, and blue toners are great for tackling those stubborn brassy and orange shades on both blondes and brunettes.

If you're dealing with a hair colour crisis, check out my go-to products and their before-and-after photos so you can fix your colour and learn how to get silver hair at home.

1. Pro:Voke Touch Of Silver Strengthening Purple Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Before & after approx 5 washes of Touch of Silver shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Pro:Voke Touch Of Silver Strengthening Purple Shampoo

If you’ve seen my old review of how to get rid of brassy blonde using Pro:Voke, you’ll know I’ve been using this cheap go-to brand for years. This £4.99 miracle shampoo can save your yellowing blonde hair. I recommend using it every other wash, by massaging it into a lather on damp hair and rinsing it out after 5 minutes so you can brighten brassy blonde tones with refreshing, silver ash hues. Purple and blue pigments are effortlessly blended in the formula to ensure you’ll achieve the perfect blonde after one wash.

This sulphate and silicon-free product is 100% vegan and can be used with every confidence that this brand is one to trust. Pro:Voke’s ‘Aquaplex’ is a hydrating complex infused into the shampoo’s formula to guarantee a brighter blonde without drying out hair. UV filters and castor oil help restore damaged hair to wholly rejuvenate it and leave it feeling nourished, moisturised, and soft to the touch.

Pro:Voke’s Touch of Silver Strengthening Purple Shampoo is undoubtedly worth purchasing. When seeking a purple shampoo that ensures your hair will appear beautifully blonde with no brassiness to be seen while remaining healthy and revitalised, look no further than this phenomenal product.

An old formula of this was the very first purple shampoo I used, which was introduced to me by a friend’s mom in school. Although I’ve tried similar shampoos over the years, as you’ll see below, I always come back to Pro:Voke because of its fantastic price, results, and nostalgia for using it throughout my emo teens.

2. Lee Stafford Purple Toning Shampoo & Conditioner

Sian Victoria © - Before & After 1 wash of Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes purple shampoo

Celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford developed this award-winning haircare line with problem hair in mind. Each product formulated by the company has you covered to help you achieve your desired look, and the Bleach Blondes Purple Reign toning shampoo and toning conditioner are no exception. Both products couldn’t be more reasonably priced at just over £5 each and do precisely what they claim to do and more.

With the Lee Stafford purple toning shampoo, restore blonde hair to its ideal form by applying it to wet hair to neutralise those dreaded brassy tones through the product's infusion of violet pigments.

The active ingredients of moringa seed, chamomile extracts, and pro-vitamin B5 help ensure your hair's health is a priority by moisturising, hydrating, and nourishing your hair as soon as it's applied. Combine with the purple toning conditioner to maximise the final look. Give your hair the complete treatment to maintain its care through its protein-infused formula while continuing to colour correctly.

When using these products alone or together, your hair can look brighter and vibrant with cool blonde tones while, more importantly, remaining healthy. This cruelty-free hair brand allows you to have all this and more, and for an affordable price, it can’t be beaten.

3. Redken Color Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Before & After 2 uses of Redken Color Extend Blondage & Bleach London Fade to Grey Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Redken Color Extend Blondage & Bleach London Fade to Grey Shampoo

Founded in 1932, Redken is an award-winning company that produces innovative and ingenious haircare products that do exactly what they say on the bottle. Retailing on the market for just over £14.00, this delicately fragranced purple shampoo corrects unwanted brassy tones in blonde hair by utilising pure violet pigment. While crucially rejuvenating hair by hydrating and cleansing it, you’ll find that the product goes above and beyond this.

Infused with its key ingredient, salicylic acid, its formula strengthens breakages and restores damaged hair to its ideal form, leaving you looking like you’ve just left the salon.

You can feel confident using this sensational shampoo with the knowledge that the company is cruelty-free, that this product is made without testing on animals, and that it is entirely vegan through the usage of natural ingredients. Simply apply to wet hair and leave in for 3-5 minutes before rinsing out and saying goodbye to brassiness and hello to fresh, cool tones.

After using this shampoo, you’ll never look back. A fan-favourite among many blondes, the Redken Color Extend Blondage shampoo is suited to all hair types and textures and is very likely to perform exceptionally.

4. Bleach London White Toner Kit

Sian Victoria © - Bleach London White Toner Kit

Sian Victoria © - Before & After 1 use of Bleach London White Toner Kit

On the market for just £7.00, this semi-permanent white toner kit can be applied after bleaching hair or every 3 weeks to rejuvenate lustreless, brassy hair. It will refresh bleached hair with a nourishing influx of platinum, cool tones. The Bleach London White Toner Kit contains a colourant, the holy grail reincarnation mask, a developing lotion, and an instruction manual. It couldn’t be easier to achieve that ideal blonde look.

A rising name in the haircare industry, Bleach London has over 10 years of experience creating at-home high-quality hair dyes, with all their products being vegan, cruelty-free and manufactured with sustainability in mind. So, with that in mind, you get your money’s worth when buying this trendy product.

Eradicating brassiness to attain the ultimate beautiful blonde look couldn’t be easier when using this kit. It leaves your hair feeling soft and shiny, and with platinum tones – for such a small price, this kit does wonders. As you’ll see from this review of the Bleach London white toner, it is something I’ve been using for years, especially during the #grannyhair trend in 2015.

5. Infuse My Colour Platinum Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Infuse my Colour Platinum Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Before & After 1 wash using Infuse My Colour Platinum Shampoo

My. Haircare’ has specialised in formulating salon-trusted products for over 20 years that transform lifeless hair into a professional-looking dye job with just one wash. This moisturising and nourishing purple shampoo can be purchased for approximately £16, which is a little pricey, so be sure to use Sephora promo codes to save yourself from paying full price.

This beloved Infuse My Colour Platinum shampoo comes in a range of shades specifically crafted to rejuvenate your blonde hair, with the platinum product expertly subduing unwanted yellow and brassy tones and brightening hair with lovely, cool, icy tones through violet pigments.

The beautifully fruity-scented shampoo is suitable for any hair type, from normal to sensitive, and a little goes a long way, making the expense justifiable. Use once or twice a week by simply lathering into wet hair and rinsing after a few minutes to ensure perfect results.

It is made with absolutely zero parabens, zero sulphates, and zero silicones. To top it all off, the product is 100% vegan. What’s not to love? This shampoo will become a staple in your hair care routine and will leave you looking red carpet-ready with beautifully vibrant and healthy platinum hair with minimum traces of brassiness with continued use.

6. Bleach London Silver shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Before & After 1 wash of Touch of Silver shampoo & Crazy Color White Toner

Sian Victoria © - Crazy Color White Toner & Touch Of Silver Shampoo

Another incredible product from the in-demand haircare company Bleach London is this silver shampoo, which retails for £6.50 and tones brassy bleached hair to give you that flawless ashy silver hue. When using every other wash, the violet pigments infused in this cruelty-free, vegan formula neutralise yellow tones without damaging or drying out your hair. With vitamin B5 and proteins as added ingredients, this Bleach London Silver Shampoo prioritises hair quality, leaving it both beautiful looking and healthy at its core.

While the silver shampoo is ideal if you’re seeking cool, icy blonde tones, Bleach London has a variety of products in its purple shampoo range that cater to whatever you may desire. The £7.00 Bleach London Fade to Grey shampoo is an excellent choice if you fancy changing your bleached hair to a slate grey shade; use it on blonde hair to achieve a gorgeous darker ash tone that can be applied and washed out within a few washes.

When using Bleach London products, you’ll never be disappointed. With such luxury quality to be achieved at a small price, Bleach London silver shampoo will be your drugstore go-to for banishing that pesky brassiness. Equally as effective as the Bleach London silver shampoo is the Crazy Color Silver Hair Toner.

When using white toners, I first use a purple shampoo, then on the second wash a day or two later, I use an everyday nourishing shampoo with a deep conditioning mask, then when I come to wash it a third time, I use a white toner. This gives excellent results more quickly while being kind to my hair.

7. KLORANE Brightening Shampoo with Chamomile for Blonde Hair

Sian Victoria © - Before & After using Klorane Brightening Shampoo to correct an awful 'proffesional' root touch up

Sian Victoria © - Klorane Brightening Shampoo with Chamomile

Although this isn’t a traditional purple shampoo, the KLORANE Brightening Shampoo works brilliantly to gradually brighten the hair naturally without the purple hue and toner build-up that can often occur when using silver toning shampoos.

Perfect for any blondes and lighter shades of brown hair, this shampoo works best on bleached or virgin hair that you may want to lighten subtly and naturally over time. In my case, I purchased this brightening shampoo last summer to improve the look of some awful ‘professional’ highlights I had done at a Birmingham hair salon where they bleached my roots using much thicker strands of highlights and lifting the colour far too much brighter than the rest of my hair. So, I used this shampoo on the hair that hadn’t been newly bleached to try and match my new chunky very blonde roots to my subtle baby lights that weren’t as lifted.

This shampoo helped significantly as I felt very self-conscious throughout the summer. For this reason, to speed up the process, I did a quick home bleaching session using a very diluted formulation mixed with Bleach London Alex Plex to brush bleach through my hair below the roots. Then, I continued using the shampoo until the prominent border of colour from the root touch-up was blended.

Formulated with gentle chamomile extract that’s naturally rich in apigenin, giving it its lightening abilities, the sun-kissed ingredients within this shampoo help brighten the blonde colour and lift the shades. The plant-based extract means the shampoo doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals and will be as kind to the hair as possible, helping to detangle it. It is gentle enough to use on children from the age of 3.

Its ability to enhance the vibrancy of the blonde hue means you may want to use purple shampoos only 1-4 times a month and instead use this the rest of the time to avoid product build-up and any risk of giving yourself the purple hue that is often caused by one too many purple treatments. As this is a lot more natural, this may be an excellent option for those who find a purple shampoo too drying and want to alternate to benefit from both.

It can be used as a normal shampoo within your shower routine, and you’ll notice a gradual difference in your hair's lightness when using this natural, vegan product.

8. PRO:VOKE Advanced Brighten + Repair Intensive Purple Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - PRO:VOKE Advanced Brighten + Repair/Highlight Boost/Go Icy Shampoo

It’s no secret that PRO:VOKE has always been my first go-to choice. It’s a brand I always come back to after I’ve been tempted to buy other brands. This affordable, brassy hair solution has improved my blonde hair since my early teens. Nowadays, they have more than one purple shampoo to choose from. They all have similar results, but the formula varies, which always tempts me to buy, so I’ve bunched my collection together.

PRO:VOKE offers a variety of specialised shampoos to cater to the distinct needs of those with silver, grey, blonde or highlighted hair. Whether you're looking for tonal correction, enhancing highlights or achieving that cool icy look, these shampoos are ideal for adding to your blonde hair care routine.

The PRO:VOKE Touch of Silver Advanced Brighten + Repair Intensive Purple Shampoo is perfect if you are looking for a potent solution to combat yellow or brassy tones in silver, grey, or blonde hair. The intensive purple formula neutralises stubborn brassy or yellow undertones, restoring your hair to its cooler, more natural shade while offering repair and nourishment.

In addition to correcting tonal issues, this shampoo contains ingredients to nourish, repair and protect your hair, leaving it stronger and more vibrant. Despite its powerful toning properties, this shampoo is gentle on your locks. It's sulphate-free and shouldn’t strip away natural oils, keeping your hair soft and manageable.

9. PRO:VOKE Highlight Boost Shampoo

If you're looking to make the most of your blonde highlights, the PRO:VOKE Highlight Boost Shampoo may be the answer. This shampoo boasts highlight-enhancing capabilities, which include enhancing and brightening both natural and salon-applied highlights. When using this shampoo, your highlights will maintain their vibrancy and contrast, which is crucial for maintaining stunning, salon-quality highlights.

Not only does this shampoo work wonders for your highlights, but it also offers gentle cleansing. Like all PRO:VOKE products, when used right, your hair should remain healthy and shiny, as it deserves to be. Whether you rock a subtle blonde balayage or bold, chunky highlights, this shampoo will undoubtedly help you achieve a beautiful blonde.

10. PRO:VOKE Go Icy Shampoo

The PRO:VOKE Go Icy Shampoo is the go-to for anyone seeking an eye-catching silver or icy hair colour. Its formula is uniquely designed to enhance and maintain these shades by effectively neutralising warm or yellow undertones, leaving a cool and crisp finish.

Ideal for those with light or platinum blonde hair, this shampoo provides intensive toning that facilitates an icy transformation. To maintain your desired hue, incorporate this shampoo into your regular hair care routine and use it a few times a week or as needed.

11. Aussie SOS Brunette Hair Hydration Vegan Blue Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Aussie SOS Brunette Hair Hydration Vegan Blue Shampoo

While blue shampoo products are often marketed for those with brassy brown hair, they can also be a hidden gem in the hair care arsenal for blondes. For instance, if your blonde is extremely orange and brassy, and purple shampoo refuses to tone it to the desired level, blue toner might be your hair hero.

Incoming the help of Aussie SOS Brunette Hair Hydration Vegan Blue Shampoo. This hair care product has been expertly designed to cater specifically to the unique needs of brunette (or blonde) hair, ensuring that your locks stay hydrated and look their best.

With its blue formula, this vegan shampoo contains some natural ingredients that work to bring out the best in your hair. The blue pigment in the formula acts as a colour corrector, effectively neutralising any unwanted orange and red tones in your brunette hair. This helps your natural brown (or blonde!) hues to shine through, leaving your hair looking refreshed and vibrant.

Hair can often be prone to dryness and frizz, but this shampoo has been specifically formulated to provide deep hydration, leaving your locks feeling soft, manageable, and beautifully nourished. You'll likely notice an improvement in hair texture and moisture levels.

Not only does this shampoo improve the colour of your hair, but it also works to protect it from environmental stressors. Helping to extend the life of your shade, it reduces the fading effect that can occur due to UV exposure and other environmental factors.

This sulphate-free shampoo is gentle on your hair and scalp, effectively cleansing without stripping away your hair's natural oils. This ensures a healthy and comfortable experience, potentially free from skin and scalp irritation.

Whether your hair is a deep espresso brown, a light chestnut hue or blonde, the unique formula adapts to your specific colour needs, making it a versatile choice, especially for brondes!

12. Umberto Giannini Pure Blonde 93% Natural Tone Correcting Purple Shampoo

Sian Victoria © - Umberto Giannini Pure Blonde 93% Natural Tone Correcting Purple Shampoo

Achieving and maintaining the perfect shade of blonde can be tricky, especially when unsightly, brassy undertones begin to make their presence known. Fortunately, the Umberto Giannini Pure Blonde 93% Natural Tone Correcting Purple Shampoo can improve the appearance of yellow-orange shades. This vegan and cruelty-free hair care product is a great solution for those with blonde, silver, or grey hair, as it has been formulated to eliminate brassiness and keep your locks looking their absolute best.

The shampoo's key features are what set it apart from other products on the market. For starters, the formula contains 93% natural ingredients, making it an ideal choice for those who value clean and sustainable beauty products. Additionally, it is free from harsh chemicals, parabens, and sulphates, ensuring a gentle and nurturing cleanse for your hair.

The secret to the shampoo's effectiveness lies in its tone-correcting purple formula. Purple is the complementary colour to yellow on the colour wheel, which means that it effectively neutralises any unwanted yellow or brassy tones in blonde hair. The Pure Blonde shampoo features a carefully balanced purple pigment to bring your hair back to its cool, luminous best.

In addition to tonal correction, this shampoo also enhances the natural shine and lustre of your blonde locks. You'll notice a gradual improvement in the vibrancy and radiance of your hair, giving you salon-like haircare at home every day.

Furthermore, the formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients that strengthen and protect your hair from environmental stressors, ensuring its long-term health and vitality. The product is compatible with all shades of blonde, whether you have icy platinum locks, warm honey hues, or any shade in between. It's also suitable for silver and grey hair, making it a versatile choice.

This purple shampoo is a must-have for anyone looking to maintain their perfect blonde, silver, or grey hair colour while seeking a kinder haircare product. Its unique blend of natural ingredients, purple tonal correction, and overall hair-enhancing properties make it a standout product compared to most mainstream haircare brands that don’t really care about your scalp or animals due to their choice of ingredients.

13. Revolution Haircare Blonde Plex

Sian Victoria © - Revolution Haircare's Blonde Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment

Revolution Haircare has formulated the Blonde Plex Collection, which caters to the unique requirements of bleached hair, maintaining its vibrant hue and strength. Crafted with precision and care, this collection offers a perfect solution to blonde haircare with a focus on quality ingredients and advanced formulations. It provides a complete regime to maintain and improve blonde locks' health, shine, and style.

At the heart of this collection is the Plex Technology, which is specially designed to tackle the challenges faced by blonde hair. It strengthens and protects the hair's structural bonds, minimising damage during chemical processes and daily styling, ensuring that your hair remains strong, elastic, and radiant.

The collection also features tailor-made formulations enriched with violet pigments that neutralise unwanted yellow or brassy tones, leaving your blonde hair with a cool, luminous shine. Furthermore, the inclusion of hydrating and reparative elements ensures that your hair remains silky-smooth and resilient.

The Blonde Plex Collection comprises various products to cater to every aspect of your haircare routine, providing complete care for maintaining the health and radiance of your blonde tresses. From revitalising shampoo and nourishing conditioners to targeted treatments like hair masks and serums, this collection has everything you need to take care of your blonde hair while being infused with a beautiful scent that combines floral and fruity notes.

Revolution Haircare's Blonde Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment has been my go-to product recently, enriched with three variants of plant protein designed to strengthen the hair. Besides retaining the cool blonde hue on my bleached hair, this pre-treatment saves me precious shower time that I used to spend waiting for purple shampoo and then bonding conditioner to take effect. This vegan and cruelty-free treatment gives me the added benefit of treating my hair all at once before showering.

How to See What You Look Like with a Different Hair Colour

Getting that ideal blonde or silver hair shade is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to perfecting your look. If you're curious about how your new hair colour will fit with your style before hitting the salon or deciding on which purple shampoo to go for, give Facetune a go. This nifty tool crafts top-notch, professional images, so you can see how various hair tones will highlight your features. Whether you're trying out icy platinum, silver tones, or softer blonde options, this clever AI tool lets you preview your makeover before taking the plunge.

To conclude

So, there we go! When incorporating any of these purple or blonde shampoos into your hair care routine, you can say goodbye to brassiness for good and bring life back into your hair.

If your hair remains brassy even after regular use of purple shampoo, the issue may not lie in the product's effectiveness. The quality of your shower water may be the culprit, especially if you live in an area with hard water with high levels of metals. To minimise the impact of hard water on your hair, I have composed a guide on how to minimise the effects of hard water on hair.

Let me know if these products work for you and if any new purple toners or shampoos are popping up on the market - if they stand up to their claims, they could be added to this list once I’ve tried them myself for at least 2 months.

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