Call it the Margot Robbie-effect but Barbie blonde is having a moment, with more and more of us trading in our darker shade for something fresh, light, and bright. But whilst blondes apparently have more fun, trying to keep brassiness at bay is somewhat less enjoyable. Whether you’re a natural blonde looking for an ashy hue, a platinum queen craving all-over ice or your sun-kissed balayage has lost its cool, a toning shampoofor blonde hair is exactly what your haircare routine needs right now.
But while there are tons of products designed for this purpose, choose the wrong one or leave it on for too long and you can end up with dry, straw-like – and sometimes purple – hair. For example, if you’ve got white hair, go for a silver shampoo instead, as this will keep the colour looking cool, whilst those with a warmer hue can benefit from the brass-busting powers of the purple option. Still lost? Allow Michelle Billington, Hair Pro at Jerome Russell Bblonde to explain.
“When hair is lightened using bleach, the result of the base colour is often a slightly yellow tone until a post-blonding toner is applied. Bleached hair is also prone to turning brassy over time due to lifestyle factors, such as chlorine or sun exposure. For this reason, purple shampoos can be an effective way to achieve and restore the desired blonde tone; this is because a purple pigment will effectively cancel out yellow tones."
She continues: "These tone-correcting pigments are not only restorative but help to protect the colour from fading. Certain purple shampoos can also enhance lustre and reduce frizz. Hair that hasn’t been chemically lightened can also benefit from a purple shampoo occasionally.”
heat's best shampoo for blonde hair, at a glance:
In a hurry? Shop our top three shampoos for blonde hair.
Best overall shampoo for blonde hair: Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo, £22.50 at LookFantastic
Best budget shampoo for blonde hair: PRO
Best bond-building shampoo for blonde hair: Jerome Russell Bblonde JPLEX 2 Bond Shampoo, £6.66 at Superdrug
As you can see, you don't have to break the bank to boost your blonde locks. If you're not ready to splurge on high-end products, you can try these purse-friendly picks first. Then, if you're feeling adventurous, why not introduce some toning drops into your routine? "Toners help to transform brassy-looking tresses and add a longer-lasting lift to your colour that can last up to 16 washes," says Michelle. In the meantime, shop our pick of the best shampoos.
SHOP: The best shampoo for bleached hair
Best overall shampoo for blonde hair
www.lookfantastic.com
If you're happy to spend a little more, Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo is well worth the investment. Unlike many purple shampoos, this doesn't dry your hair out and won't stain your hair – or your hands. It turns brassy into blonde, and although it's not the biggest bottle on the market, you only need a small amount. It lathers up perfectly!
Review: "Best shampoo for taking away brassiness. Tried many others but this is by far the best. Only need to use it once a week. Can’t beat it!"
Pros
- Doesn't dry hair out
- Won't stain your hands
- Doesn't leave a purple hue behind
Cons
- Not the biggest bottle
Best budget shampoo for blonde hair
www.boots.com
All seasoned blondies will recognise this bargain beauty. It's one of the most popular formulas on the market – and not just because it's cheap as chips: it also does a solid job at banishing brassy tones too. It's not overly nourishing, so don't use it every day. We'd recommend using it before a big event when your blonde is in need of a boost – or if you've just bleached your hair at home and need a quick fix. This will get rid of unwanted yellow tones right away!
Review: "My hair is naturally dark brunette but I’ve gone bleach blonde. I’m seven weeks into my last colour so it needs doing however I’m sick of the yellow brassy tones in it. I read all the reviews on this product and decided to give it a go as it’s so cheap! The results after one wash are amazing! Give it a try!"
Pros
- Super affordable
- Brightens blonde hair
- Fixes brassy tones
Cons
- Can make hair feel dry
- Can't use it every day
Best bond-building shampoo for blonde hair
www.superdrug.com
When it comes to blonde hair, especially hair that's been lightened, it's important to address any damage, as well as brightening and toning. JPlex Bond Building Shampoo gently cleanses the hair while also repairing it, using Bond Building Technology to reinforce the hair's natural structure. See our review of the entire range here.
Review: "If you're looking for an affordable treatment in between salon visits, I'd absolutely recommend Jerome Russell's JPLEX system. Not only is it easy to apply, but it smells great, takes no time at all and leaves hair feeling soft and manageable. The treatment made blow-drying a dream, and my hair looked shinier, not as dull, and smooth."
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types and colours
- Super nourishing
- Repairs damage
Cons
- Doesn't tone the hair
Best high-end pick
www.lookfantastic.com
Restoring gloss and shine while brightening blonde hues, Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet Shampoo also prevents further unwanted tones from appearing, with hyaluronic acid working to boost hair hydration and edelweiss flower melting away dirt and excess oil. Think squeaky clean hair with a sun-lifted effect!
Review: "This shampoo is non-drying like other purple shampoos. It instantly brightens my hair and knocks out the brassy tones. It might be more expensive than other purple shampoos but it’s well worth it. I love it!"
Pros
- Gives the hair a glossy look
- Boosts hair hydration
- Doesn't stain hands or hair
- Smells fresh
Cons
- Can be slightly drying (follow with conditioner)
Best for between appointments
www.lookfantastic.com
To keep your blonde in good condition between appointments, try this multi-benefit shampoo. Infused with violet-coloured pigments and an anti-fade complex, the product will keep your colour looking fresher for longer, while effectively cleansing for clean and soft strands. It's vegan too!
Review: "I colour my hair every 6 weeks, in between I use this shampoo which helps keeps brassy tones at bay. You only need a little, highly concentrated. Keeps my colour neutralised until I next colour. Will buy again."
Pros
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Highly concentrated for 80 + washes
Cons
- Doesn't have the best lather
Best for silver-seeking blondes
www.lookfantastic.com
Not everyone wants a creamy or white-blonde look. If it's silver you're after, this Bleach London Silver Shampoo should be in your basket. Using ash-toned pigments, it strips away any yellow, leaving behind a silver-grey hue.
Review: "Great shampoo for keeping hair looking blonde and getting rid of yellow tones. I always avoid using this too close to my scalp as it is quite strong and irritated my sensitive skin, I do also find it a little drying so always follow up with a nourishing hair mask. Best blonde shampoo I have tried though!"
Pros
- Bigger bottle
- Good for ashy tones, silver and grey
Cons
- Not suitable for creamy blondes
Best for natural blondes
www.superdrug.com
If you were born with blonde hair (lucky you) and you'd like to brighten the existing tones, use this neutralising shampoo by John Freida. It's peroxide and ammonia-free, so is safe for use on both natural and colour-treated blonde hair. Not to mention, it smells amazing! You only need a tiny amount, as it lathers up well.
Review: "I recently bought this product and I love it! Every time I use it, all of my friends ask me ''did you dyed your hair?'' 'it's so shiny and silver'' yes because of this product!! A perfect purple shampoo to get rid of yellow brassy tones. Works every time and doesn't cause any damage or dryness for my hair!! I highly recommend this product!"
Pros
- Works on natural and colour-treated blondes
- Peroxide and ammonia-free
Cons
- Not suitable for those who prefer fragrance-free formulas
Best for glossy blonde hair
www.lookfantastic.com
When we think of blonde hair, 'healthy' isn't what springs to mind. That being said, this salon-standard shampoo harnesses the powers of polyphenol from açai berry extract to nourish and smooth damaged strands, while working to replenish moisture, giving the hair a glossy, natural shine. It's great for using between purple shampoo days!
Review: "I’ve been using L’Oreal Professionnel for about 6 months (recommended by my hairdresser) and it’s made a huge difference in my hair…. Glossy, soft, smooth and much healthier looking….. would recommend 110%"
Pros
- Promotes healthy hair
- Gives a gorgeous shine
Cons
- Doesn't tone, but brightens
How to care for blonde hair
Whilst natural blonde hair doesn't suffer from the same extent of damage as bleached blonde locks, it still needs a routine to maintain its vibrancy. "Using a moisturising condition to keep hair healthy, protecting it from sun damage and limiting heat styling will help," says Dr Catherine Leray, Head of Research and Development at THG LABS. To protect against pollution, heat damage and UV stress, she recommends Grow Gorgeous Defence Anti-Pollution Leave-in Spray, £12, which shields the strands, hydrates and detangles hair, while preventing colour fade.
How to stop blonde hair from going brassy
Georgina Hamilton, Colour Director at Hadley Yates Salon notes: "Many elements can make your hair brassy; copper pipes, chamomile shampoos, smoking and general pollution can all cause it." To combat this, she recommends using a detox shampoo once a week, as "this will get rid of impurities – as well as a blue or purple shampoo to keep your blonde hair bright." For bleached hair, find our go-to guide on what shampoos to buy, plus haircare tips here.
Emma is a Style Writer at Bauer Media UK covering fashion and beauty. Her team label her "the hair guru," as there isn't a hairstyle or colour she hasn't tried and tested, including blue-dip dye, a micro fringe, pink extensions as well as a full-head bleach – some more successful than others. Her other loves? Sparkly eyeshadows and Harry Potter.