Maintaining a beautiful, cool-toned shade of brown hair can sometimes be a challenge. Over time, factors like sun exposure, hard water, and the natural fading of hair colour can reveal unwanted warm, coppery, or orange tones. This can be particularly noticeable in lightened brown hair, such as with balayage or highlights. Fortunately, there is an effective and simple at-home solution to help manage this brassiness: blue shampoo. Incorporating this specialised product into your hair care routine can make all the difference in preserving your desired cool, rich brunette colour.
What Is Blue Shampoo and How Does It Work?
To understand how blue shampoo works, it's helpful to think about the principles of colour theory. On the colour wheel, blue sits directly opposite orange. This means that blue and orange are complementary colours, and when mixed, they effectively cancel each other out, resulting in a more neutral tone. Blue shampoo is formulated with blue-violet pigments that are deposited onto the hair shaft during washing. These pigments counteract and neutralise the unwanted orange and coppery tones, restoring a cooler, more balanced shade to your brown hair.
Blue vs. Purple Shampoo: What's the Difference?
It's common to confuse blue and purple shampoos, but they serve different purposes based on the same colour theory principle. While blue shampoo neutralises orange tones, purple shampoo is designed to combat yellow tones. On the colour wheel, purple is opposite yellow. Therefore, purple shampoo is the go-to product for blondes or those with grey or silver hair who want to eliminate yellowing and maintain a bright, cool finish. For brunettes struggling with orange brassiness, blue shampoo is the correct choice.
Who Can Benefit from Using Blue Shampoo?
Blue shampoo is specifically designed for individuals with brown hair, whether natural or colour-treated, who are experiencing unwanted orange or red-orange tones. It is particularly effective for:
- Brunettes with Highlights or Balayage: Lightening sections of brown hair can often expose underlying orange pigments. Blue shampoo is perfect for toning these lightened pieces and keeping them from looking brassy.
- Natural Brunettes: Some natural brunettes find their hair develops coppery undertones, especially after spending time in the sun. A blue shampoo can help cool down their natural colour.
- Colour-Treated Brunettes: Those who dye their hair brown may notice the colour becoming warmer and more orange as it fades. Using a blue shampoo can help prolong the life of the cool-toned colour from the salon.
- Dark Blondes: In some cases, individuals with darker blonde hair might find their hair pulls more orange than yellow. In this situation, a blue shampoo could be more effective than a purple one.
How to Correctly Use Blue Shampoo in Your Routine
For the best results, it's important to use blue shampoo correctly. It is a toning product, not just a cleansing one, so the application method matters. Overuse can sometimes lead to a slight blueish tint or cause hair to become dry, so moderation is key.
A Step-by-Step Guide
- Start with Wet Hair: Thoroughly wet your hair with lukewarm water, just as you would for a regular wash. Squeeze out any excess water.
- Apply the Shampoo: It is advisable to wear gloves to prevent the pigments from staining your hands and nails. Apply a generous amount of blue shampoo, concentrating on the areas where the orange tones are most prominent.
- Lather and Wait: Massage the shampoo into a lather and ensure it is distributed evenly. This is the most crucial step: leave the shampoo on your hair for about 3-5 minutes. This waiting period allows the blue pigments to be deposited onto the hair and do their toning work. You can adjust the time based on the intensity of your brassiness and the product's instructions.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After the recommended time has passed, rinse your hair completely with cool water until the water runs clear. Rinsing with cool water helps to seal the hair cuticle.
- Condition Well: Toning shampoos can sometimes be slightly drying. It is essential to follow up with a deeply hydrating conditioner or hair mask to restore moisture, leaving your hair soft and healthy.
Start by using the blue shampoo once a week, and adjust the frequency as needed. If your hair is very brassy, you might use it twice a week initially, then reduce to once a week or every few weeks for maintenance.
