Grey and silver hair needs a special shampoo—here are the 12 best at every price point.
Words by Harper's Bazaar Staff
For a naturally occurring hair color, gray and silver shades are surprisingly high maintenance. Whether you've had your hair dyed pearly gray by a colorist or it's au naturel, a shampoo specifically formulated to keep the color bright and brass-free can save you a lot of trouble—and trips to the salon. Even better, the right shampoo can cut through discoloration and damage caused by heat styling, hard water, chlorine, and the environment. Ahead, the 12 best shampoos to help silver and gray hair stay ultra-shiny and clean, at every price point.
Everpure Brass Toning Purple Shampoo
L’Oréal Paris
At only $7.99 a bottle, there’s no reason not to stock up on L’Oréal’s sulfate-free and color-protecting purple shampoo. It deposits the perfect amount of purple dye to counteract brassiness while gently cleansing.
SHOP AT L'OREAL
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use purple shampoo every day?
Generally, no. Unless you're going for a purple-tinted hue, pigmented shampoos should be used as needed. Aim for once a week or whenever you start to see brassy or yellow tones begin to creep up.
Can purple shampoo stain my hair?
Yes, purple shampoo can absolutely stain white, silver, gray, or blonde hair, so it's important to follow the instructions closely. If you do find that you're left with a purplish cast, a follow-up wash with a clarifying shampoo can help remove the extra pigment.
How does purple shampoo make gray hair brighter?
The color theory you might have learned in middle school art class will come in handy here. It's simple: Purple cancels out yellow and orange tones on the color wheel. So when you apply it to your hair, the pigments help neutralize those yellow tones.
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This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com
