Brown hair may be common, but it's anything but basic. In fact, brown hair colors are so dynamic that they can be tough to maintain, even if you're painstakingly choosing all the right hair glosses, hair oils, and shampoos and conditioners. In other words, whether you've never dyed your hair or have just decided to go brunette, you still need to maintain your color so that it remains vibrant. Luckily, a blue shampoo can do just the trick, just as purple shampoos work to maintain blonde hair.
"Blue shampoo is a gentle cleansing shampoo designed to help neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones in blonde and gray hair," explains celebrity stylist and HairBoss CEO Jamie Wiley. "It is formulated with blue pigments that help to counteract the yellow tones, leaving hair looking brighter and more vibrant."
Who Should Use a Blue Shampoo?
Simply put, Wiley says that blue shampoo "is ideal for anyone with dark blonde, gray hair, [or] brunette hair." This applies whether your brown color is natural or not, but if it's not, she adds that blue shampoo is ideal "to maintain the color of hair after a salon appointment."
Hairstylist Jennifer Korab agrees, adding, "As the weeks progress, it’s common for color-treated hair to become brassy regardless of color tone. Blue shampoo can counterbalance the brassy pigment and extend the life of the hair between salon visits."
And how, exactly, does this work? Wiley explains: "Blue shampoo helps prevent brassiness by depositing blue pigments onto the hair to neutralize the yellow and orange tones that can occur due to sun exposure and other environmental factors. The blue shampoo also helps to seal in color, while adding moisture and shine."
So, how do you know it's time to break out the blue shampoo? "If someone struggles with fading to an unwanted yellow/orange brassy tone midway point between visits to the salon, they are a good candidate for blue shampoo," Wiley says.
What To Look For in A Blue Shampoo
When shopping for a blue shampoo, both Wiley and Korab agree that customers should avoid products with sulfates. Korab adds that you should also steer clear of parabens and silicones.
Wiley also lists a number of other qualities that make a blue shampoo great, including, "UV filters to protect hair from sun damage; a mild, low-pH formula to help maintain color and prevent brassiness; plant-based, color-enhancing ingredients like blueberry extract and blue-violet pigments; moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and panthenol to protect and repair hair; and, finally, Vitamin B5 to help strengthen hair strands."
How To Use Blue Shampoo
There are plenty of everyday hair products out there, but not every formula is suited for everyday use. Just as clarifying shampoos and hair growth shampoos are often best used as-needed, your blue shampoo may come with specific instructions, especially in terms of frequency and methodology.
Korab walks us through the process. "Blue shampoo should be used on brunette hair that has been lightened or highlighted by applying blue tone pigment into the hair to help tone down brassy tones," she instructs. "For virgin hair or slightly processed hair, it is beneficial to use once a week to make hair appear healthier and shinier and keep brassy tones from coming through."
And again, it's important to assess both the instructions on the bottle and the needs of your hair in the moment so that you can find the best routine for you. Your brown hair will be glowing in no time.
The Best Blue Shampoos
- Best Blue Shampoo for Natural Hair: DevaCurl No-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Toning Cleanser
- Best Blue Shampoo for Natural Brunettes: L'ange Brunette Boost Blue Toning Shampoo
- Best Blue Shampoo for Damaged Hair: Oligo Professionnel Blue Shampoo
- Best Fast-Acting Blue Shampoo: John Frieda Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Shampoo
- Best Blue Shampoo Overall: Bondi Boost Brunette Booster Shampoo
Korab highly recommends this option, explaining that it's "gentle enough, yet cleanses without making hair dry." She also says that it "smells great."
Pros: sulfate-free; stylist-approved; gentle; volumizing
Cons: expensive; messy
John Frieda was one of the first brands to bring tone-correcting shampoos to the masses, and according to reviewers, the brand is still killing the game. Users just warn that you be prepared to tidy up after you wash—the product can turn your shower or tub blue.
Pros: quick, effective results; evens out color
Cons: messy; contains sulfates
Korab also swears by this option from Matrix, attesting that it "gently cleanses and extends length between visits." Reviewers add that the formula tones down frizz and enhances shine.
Pros: fast, noticeable results; reduces frizz
Cons: contains sulfates
Work this affordable option into your weekly routine and let the formula's blue tansy oil restore much-needed luster and color intensity to your hair.
Pros: cruelty-free; free of parabens and sulfates; works on all hair types
Cons: small bottle
The blue in this shampoo comes from nutrient-rich blue tansy and spirulina, while juniper berry adds antioxidant protection. Users with thick, dehydrated hair also love how nourishing this product is.
Pros: cruelty-free; vegan; free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates; clean
Cons: thick, so may not be as suitable for those with thin hair; strong smell; messy
With a formula that neutralizes brassiness and orange tones, this shampoo isn’t just great for dyed hair, but also natural brunettes and redheads. Customers report that the formula works quickly, reducing brassiness after a single use, and that the cleanup process is fast and easy.
Pros: easy clean-up; quick results; vegan; clean; cruelty-free
Cons: none reported
The pigment in this foamy cream, which contains strengthening silk proteins, is excellent for lighter-tone brunettes and even for dirty-blondes looking to preserve their low-lights. Deeper toned brunettes, however, may want to opt for a stronger alternative, according to reviews.
Pros: cleans thoroughly; works on light and in-between tones; lathers well
Cons: some users report the formula is drying
Incorporate this creamy lather into your cleansing routine once or twice a week, and expect pitch-perfect color for at least 12 weeks. However, reviewers warn that this deep-cleaning option can be drying, so proceed with moderation in mind!
Pros: shine-enhancing; great for light brunettes and in-between shades; long-lasting results
Cons: expensive; contains sulfates; can be drying
If you're experiencing dryness, dullness, or damage from dying and/or heat-treating your hair, check out this sulfate-free option from Oligo Professionnel. Customers report salon quality results, but caution that the thick formula can be difficult to fully wash out.
Pros: free of sulfates and parabens
Cons: expensive
For those who prefer co-washing their hair rather than using traditional shampoo, consider this toning cleanser from DevaCurl. Reviewers rave about its fast results and about how soft their hair feels after each use.
Pros: vegan; cruelty-free; clean
Cons: not as clarifying as traditional shampoos
Let's say you're just getting on the blue-pigment train, and your hair is a brassy, orangey mess. This high-dose blue version does the very best to turn back time and cancel out russet tones nearly on impact. Plus, multiple customers say that the shampoo undid their tangles and knots!
Pros: affordable; effective; quick, noticeable results; detangling
Cons: contains sulfates; messy
While many of the pigments on this list are a deeper lapis tone, this particular version is a bright sky blue option, making it ideal for light brunettes or dirty blonde strands. The shampoo is formulated to work well on all brunettes, but natural brunettes especially love this formula and its gradual yet notable results. Reviewers advise that for best results, you use this shampoo in tandem with its matching conditioner.
Pros: cleanses deeply; great for natural brunettes
Cons: can be drying; contains sulfates
Meet the Experts
Jennifer Korab is a hairstylist specializing in color and and extensions. She owns the Renaissance Salon and Revival Barber Shop, both of which are located in New Jersey. She also serves as a haircare educator for Pureology.
