The 7 Best Blue Shampoos According to Our Beauty Editor

There’s no better feeling than returning from the salon with a fresh cut and color. But, in about six to eight weeks, that confidence will fade like your color. Touch-ups can be inconvenient and expensive, whether it’s to keep up with your roots or a quick toning.

I’m sure you’ve heard of purple shampoos and how they help blonds stay toned from session to session, saving them an appointment at the salon. What if I told you there was a solution from brunettes too?

Our brown-haired girls who lightened up for the summer should be using blue shampoo, and we found 7 that do wonders for any type of hair!

Our top 3 picks

Matrix Total Results Brass Off Blue Shampoo
Matrix Total Results Brass Off shampoo balances out all uneven and unwanted colors left behind from bleach and lighteners.
Aveda by Aveda: Blue Malva Color Shampoo
Blue Malva Color Shampoo by Aveda is a gentle shampoo that cleanses your hair and scalp without stripping the moisture.
Oligo Professionnel Blacklight Blue Shampoo
Oligo Professional Blacklight Blue Shampoo is formulated for highlighted, bleached, white, or naturally blonde hair.
Redken Color Extend Brownlights
Redken Color Extend for Brownlights targets brassiness on color-treated and natural brunettes.
Fanola No Orange Shampoo is a great color-correcting hair toning treatment for all kinds of colored hair.
Fanola No Orange Shampoo is a great color-correcting hair toning treatment for all kinds of colored hair.
Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo
Joico Color Balance Shampoo is a true-blue formula that instantly color-corrects on contact.
John Frieda Blue Crush Shampoo and Conditioner
John Frieda’s an iconic hair care brand that knows a lot about taking care of color-treated hair.

Top 7 Blue Shampoos - Approved by Our Beauty Editor!

1. Matrix Total Results Brass Off Blue Shampoo

Where to buy
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Matrix Total Results Brass Off Blue Shampoo
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Matrix Total Results Brass Off shampoo balances out all uneven and unwanted colors left behind from bleach and lighteners.

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It works on color-treated and natural hair, delivering a cooler and brighter result. This shampoo should be applied using gloves to avoid staining.

Leave the product on your hair for three to four minutes before rinsing well.

Where to buy

2. Aveda by Aveda: Blue Malva Color Shampoo

$$$
Aveda by Aveda: Blue Malva Color Shampoo
Amazon Link

Blue Malva Color Shampoo by Aveda is a gentle shampoo that cleanses your hair and scalp without stripping the moisture.

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Aveda is a plant-based haircare brand that uses pure plant and flower essences. This blue shampoo can be used by anyone with color-treated hair whether you’re icy blonde or have a caramel balayage.

The blue pigment will neutralize any brass tones present in all shades for an overall brighter color.

3. Oligo Professionnel Blacklight Blue Shampoo

Where to buy
$$$
Oligo Professionnel Blacklight Blue Shampoo
Amazon Link

Oligo Professional Blacklight Blue Shampoo is formulated for highlighted, bleached, white, or naturally blonde hair.

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It’s 100% vegan as well as sulfate, salt, and paraben-free. Not only is this shampoo packed with blue pigments to wash away any and all brass tones, but it’s enriched will 11 amino acids and argan oil to improve overall hair health.

This shampoo will help you maintain your color outside of the salon while also repairing surface damage, enhancing hair strength, improving hair elasticity, and protecting your hair against harsh UV rays.

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4. Redken Color Extend Brownlights

Where to buy
$
Redken Color Extend Brownlights
Amazon Link

Redken Color Extend for Brownlights targets brassiness on color-treated and natural brunettes.

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It color corrects by depositing sulfate-free, blue pigments that neutralize any unwanted warm, orange tones. The directions to apply this shampoo are slightly different from others.

They recommend leaving the shampoo to sit on wet hair for up to ten minutes before rinsing well. This ensures ultimate pigment penetration so you can have a brighter color in just one wash.

Where to buy

5. Fanola No Orange Shampoo

Where to buy
$
Fanola No Orange Shampoo is a great color-correcting hair toning treatment for all kinds of colored hair.
Amazon Link

Fanola No Orange Shampoo is a great color-correcting hair toning treatment for all kinds of colored hair.

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From icy blonde to rich brunette, this shampoo removes any unwanted orange and brass tones to reveal an even, brilliant color between salon visits. It’s formulated with coconut oil for shine and hydration, preventing breakage and split ends that can come from bleaching.

It’s enriched with hypoallergenic Tiare flower that will nourish and seal hair cuticles for healthier looking hair. This all-in-one shampoo helps with color, hair texture, and shine.

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6. Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo

Joico Color Balance Shampoo is a true-blue formula that instantly color-corrects on contact.

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It banishes overly warm tones in color-treated hair, revealing a more vibrant, rejuvenated color. The shampoo is meant for color-treated hair as it preserves 89% of hair color for up to eight weeks.

This can save you a trip to the salon and a few extra bucks! It will allow you to keep that salon-quality color for longer.

Where to buy

7. John Frieda Blue Crush Shampoo and Conditioner

John Frieda’s an iconic hair care brand that knows a lot about taking care of color-treated hair.

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The Blue Crush Shampoo is made with crushed blue pigments to neutralize every strand of brassy hair. It simultaneously cleanses, tones, and nourishes for a softer feeling and brighter color.

This shampoo is also formulated to minimize skin penetration for minimal staining. No fuss, no gloves, and no blue bathroom floor!

Where to buy

FAQs

q: We answered the most common questions related to blue shampoos!

a:

Blue Shampoo VS Purple Shampoo

Toning washes are reserved for blonds only. Brunettes lighten their hair too, and when they do, they’re faced with a copper tone rather than the yellowish hue blonds will experience after bleaching.

blue shampoo vs purple shampoo

Purple is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel which is why we use purple shampoos and washes to neutralize yellow tones on bleach-treated hair. But, the opposite of orange on the color wheel is blue.

All those deep, brass tones that will come from lightening naturally brown hair can also be toned like blond hair is. All you need is a blue shampoo to work its magic.

What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

Essentially, blue shampoos deposit blue pigment over your lightened hair in small doses to neutralize that unwanted, warm tone. It will cool down the color of your balayage or highlights while removing any bleach-treated brassiness that’s peeking through your dye.

Not all blue shampoos are a bright, cobalt blue like you’d expect. Most blue shampoos are indigo and sometimes border on violet. This doesn’t mean that it’s not meant for brunettes.

The blue tones in the pigments of these shampoos will do their job, even if they have a slight purple tint.

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