What Does Blue Shampoo Actually Do?

You may have heard of purple shampoo, or walked past it on the shelves at your local drugstore, but have you heard of blue shampoo? According to cosmetics giant L'Oréal Paris, the new formula is said to be a godsend for brunette color-treated hair, working in a very similar way to purple shampoo.

"In the same way that blonde hair can turn brassy, brunette hair is also prone to oxidizing which can bring out orange or red tones," brand ambassador for Charles Worthington, Ken O' Rourke, explained to YOU Magazine. While the best way to avoid brassiness is to ensure that your hair colorist applies the hair dye correctly, blue-based shampoo can assist in maintaining the health of your hair, removing unwanted tones, neutralizing color, and keeping it looking cool in-between appointments. 

Not only does regular use of blue shampoo promise to keep your hair color looking fresh and free from brassiness, it also promises to add shine. "Hair tends to be affected by the elements, which is why a weekly use of the blue/purple and silver shampoo keeps the hair vibrant, brass-free and not dull," celebrity hair stylist Kieron Lavine told Huffington Post. Sign us up.

Both O'Rourke and Lavine recommend using blue shampoo no more than once a week, hinting that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing as they have been known to strip hair of moisture. Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of Hare & Bone, agrees. Speaking to Huffington Post, Burnett added, "Shampoos definitely help avoid brassiness but this is also so dependent on the individual's styling routine." If you spend a lot of time in the sun, shampoo every day, or blow dry your hair frequently, your color is likely to fade faster, causing brassiness to appear.