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.

Frequency of Use: Most blue shampoos are intended to be used two or three times a week, which is the case with Not Your Mother's Triple Threat Brunette Blue Treatment Shampoo, though weekly use is often plenty. Be sure to read the directions carefully to avoid overusing it, as the blue pigments could leave your hair with a purple tint. "Sometimes purple or blue toning shampoos can over-tone and cause the hair to look dingy," adds celebrity hair colorist Guy Tang. Shelly Aguirreof Chicago'sMaxine Salonis a professional stylist with 12 years of experience teaching at salons and tradeshows.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." While fair-haired folks often deal with a yellowing effect, brunettes often see an orangey hue. Blue shampoos are one way to combat this—they neutralize the coppery color by adding a cool-toned finish. Just bear in mind that "blue" is somewhat subjective. So while you'll find plenty of undeniably cobalt options, many lean toward indigo and even violet. For blonde hair experts recommend the Color Extend Blondagerange from Redken that contains a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner and mask, it’s the easiest and most effective way to keep your color where you want it and take control of your shade of blonde. This range contains ultra-violet pigment to tone blonde hair and neutralize unwanted shades of brassy yellow, and Triple Acid Protein Complex tones to strengthen and fortify the hair cuticle for less breakage. It leaves hair shinier, softer and easier to manage. 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 Theresa Holland has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, covering wellness, makeup, skincare, and haircare. For this story, she interviewed two stylists for product recommendations and insight into the science of color-depositing hair washes. Having tried a handful of blue/purple shampoos in the past, she's particularly fond of Fanola and Kevin Murphy. You can read more stories by Theresa on MyDomaine and The Spruce.

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 Think toning shampoo is only for blondes? Think again! For all the brunettes out there, if you’re not using blue shampoo, you’re missing out. We’re taking a look at blue shampoo and exactly why it needs a place in your shower.H elping natural brunettes gradually neutralize unwanted warm tones that arise after exposure to sunlight and environmental elements Begin with Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo, a toning haircare system with blue pigment, featuring an aromatic fragrance with notes of lime zest, waterlily and vanilla. This anti-brass shampoo was designed for both natural and highlighted brunettes. Apply to wet hair, lather and leave on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse. Made specifically for lightened brunette hair, this sulfate-free shampoo deposits blue-violet pigments to reduce brassiness and counteract unwanted warm tones.

Blue shampoo is an effective and easy way to counteract the brassiness in your hair and keep your brunette color looking healthy, vibrant and on point. When you lighten brown hair, whether it’s with highlights, balayage, ombre or full coverage, the process requires bleaching to remove the color. This can expose orange undertones and result in an unwanted brassy effect. Even if you go the other way, and darken your hair instead of lightening it, as the color fades, this can also leave behind orange undertones. To counteract this effect, your best option is using a color-depositing, toning range, designed specifically for brunettes: blue shampoo. By using blue pigment, toning shampoo and conditioner you can extend the life of your color significantly, while caring for your hair at the same time.

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 The term blue shampoo is pretty self-explanatory—the shampoo formula is enriched with blue pigments that infuse into the hair. Won't that turn my hair blue, we hear you ask? Not quite, as the process is a little bit more scientific than that. How does blue shampoo for brown hair work? Helping to maintain color-treated brunettes color and keep it true-to-tone, immediately after a trip to the salon 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."