silver shampoo

Four Silver Shampoos that Will Neutralize Yellow Tones in Blonde Hair

What’s a Silver Shampoo?

In today’s post, we will explain the benefits of having a silver shampoo in your bathroom cabinet and what it can do for your hair. But, first, let’s break down why your blonde hair may turn yellow:

  1. Sunlight, chlorine, and minerals in hard water can strip away your beautiful color from salon-blonde hair. In turn, golden tones may start to play peek-a-boo soon after coloring.
  2. Chemical treatments and harsh shampoos tend to speed up color dulling and reveal warm undertones in bleached hair.
  3. Natural gray hair can also turn yellow and lose its shine from exposure to sun and air pollutants.
seductive young woman with icy blonde hair

How Silver Shampoos Can Help?

Silver, platinum, and gray hair require a special color toning shampoo known as silver shampoo. Silver shampoo is the way to go if you want to neutralize yellow tones in dyed blonde hair and bring out a nice icy color. This color-balancing shampoo also keeps silver hair color cool and beautiful. Finally, if you’re planning to go gray, make sure to add silver shampoo to your shower lineup. Silver shampoo helps to restore the strength and softness of aging hair.

What Do Silver Shampoo and Purple Shampoo Have in Common?

The terms purple and silver shampoos are often used interchangeably as both types are purple-colored. Each of these toning shampoos is designed based on the color wheel theory to counteract any unwanted tones that may appear in bleached or graying hair.  How’s for a rainbow connection?

Differences Between Silver and Purple Shampoos?

1. The pigments they contain:

Purple shampoos contain deeper shades of purple pigments to counteract unwanted brassiness while silver shampoos deliver lighter violet/blue pigments to preserve the clarity of cool shades.

Some silver shampoos such as Oribe Silverati Shampoo aren’t purple-colored. The Oribe shampoo contains a blend of bluish and silver pigments that brighten grey and silver hair. It’s a good choice if you don’t want that “elderly blue-haired lady” look.

2. Hair colors they are formulated for:

Purple shampoos perform best on blonde hair that needs to get rid of brassy tones. These also help make gray hair brighter without turning white strands silvery.

Silver shampoos are the best choice for silver, gray, and platinum hair. They add a lovely silvery shine to white and gray hair. Silver shampoos can also take the yellow out of blonde hair and pull more cool ashy tones. It’s okay to be shady, ladies!

3. Conditioning properties:

The primary task of purple shampoos is to remove brassy tones from hair. Most of these shampoos don’t contain conditioning ingredients and can leave your hair dry and brittle if used in place of your regular shampoo. For best results use the purple shampoo once a week or mix it with your daily shampoo. Sulfate-free formulas (listed below) are gentler on hair that’s already dry and brittle from frequent bleaching.

Silver shampoos have more softening and smoothing ingredients to address the needs of coarse gray hair. They’re beneficial if you want to go gray and keep your locks looking beautiful.

Attractive young woman with curly blonde hair sitting in bed

Mellow That Yellow: The Best Silver Shampoo Brands

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If you want to add a little silver to your life, get yourself some of the shampoos below!

Sweet Treat: 1. milk_shake Silver Shampoo

Who doesn’t love a milkshake, right? Well, your hair color also has a sweet tooth! Unlike many other brands, it doesn’t leave your hair dry. Its purple tint is very strong and can fix brassy hair in just one wash.

Benefits

  1. Immediately brightens hair and keeps nasty yellow tones out of blonde, grey, and white hair
  2. Transforms brassiness in blonde hair in nice ashy tones with repetitive use
  3. Gives gray hair softness and a hint of cool, silvery color
  4. It smells like grapes and makes your locks feel soft and healthy

Suggested use

Apply the product to damp hair and leave it on for 3 minutes to help process the yellow color back to a cooler shade. The pigments are very intense, so make sure to wear gloves. For best results, use it once a week. To get a lavender hue, wait longer before rinsing it. If you overdo it, the purple hint will fade after a few regular shampoos. Indulge in this sweet treat!

fashion blonde girl surrounded by lights

Bright Right: 2. L’ANZA Healing Colorcare Silver Brightening Shampoo

This sulfate-free purple pigmented shampoo has a thick consistency and a subtle pleasant scent. It works great for ash blonde, platinum, silver, gray, and highlighted hair. It’s bright right for you right now!

Benefits

  1. Keeps blonde hair cool-toned and reduces yellowing
  2. Prevents white/gray hair from yellowing and brings it back to life
  3. Enhances silver hair and makes it sparkle
  4. Gives brightness to highlighted hair that tends to get brassy and yellow
  5. Protects hair color from fading and adds extraordinary shine

Suggested use

Apply this shampoo to damp hair and work it into a rich lather. Leave it in for up to 3 minutes. Allowing it to sit for a prolonged period will give your hair a purple/blue hue. Using this product once a week is enough to prevent unwanted discoloration. Make your color bright right?

Attractive young woman in denim shirt with icy blonde hair

Sheer and Clear: 3. Maria Nila Sheer Silver Shampoo

This vegan silver shampoo doesn’t contain sulfates or any harmful chemicals. It isn’t as drying as other brightening shampoos tend to be. The product is vegan, cruelty-free, and made in Sweden.

It works best for light blonde and gray hair. Shine sheer and clear!

Benefits

  1. Eliminates the brassiness and leaves cool tones in blonde hair
  2. Restores softness and adds a beautiful shine to hair
  3. Provides UV protection to prevent color fading
  4. It is mild and suitable for daily use.
beautiful young woman with icy blonde hair

Magical and Mindful: 4. Davines Alchemic Shampoo – Silver

This silver toning shampoo is made to protect the color vibrancy of silver, platinum, and cool blonde hair.

Benefits

  1. Prevents brassy tones in blonde hair and keeps it icy white
  2. Protects gray hair from yellowing and adds a healthy shine
  3. Maintains clarity of platinum blonde hair
  4. Enhances bright tones in highlighted hair
  5. Leaves hair smelling amazing
  6. This sulfate-free shampoo doesn’t dry out hair and can be used regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Let your color radiate with magical and mindful vibes today!

attractive young woman with platinum hair

How to Keep Gray Hair Soft and Shiny

When your first gray strands appear, you have two choices: You can either accept and embrace your natural looks, or you can cover your gray hair and commit to regular coloring sessions.

Why are so many women dying their gray hair?

  1. Some women may feel they look less attractive because gray doesn’t look good with their skin tone.
  2. Gray hair can make you look older than you feel. For many years, gray hair has been considered an unpleasant sign of aging, so many women decide to cover up gray because they want to regain a youthful look.
Gray haired woman looking at the morror

5 Reasons to Love Your Gray Locks

  1. Women with gray hair can look fashionable. Right now, silver hair hues are a hot trend among celebrities and young, fashionable individuals. More and more young women are visiting hair salons to request gray dye color services. This new, trendy fashion has inspired a growing number of elder women to quit coloring and wear their natural gray hair color confidently.
  2. With the right hairstyle and proper maintenance, your gray locks can look cool and appealing.
  3. Wearing your naturally gray hair can be a sign of self-confidence.
  4. You will reduce the number of harmful chemicals that you apply to the skin.
  5. You will save time and money by eliminating professional color services and stopping the endless gray root battle.

Why Does Your Hair Turn Gray?

Graying hair is generally caused by the normal aging process. On the other hand, premature graying can be caused by a variety of factors including hereditary predisposition, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiency (especially B12), smoking, and stress.

Graying occurs when the amount of melanin pigment that is generated by pigment-forming cells in hair follicles starts decreasing. For some people, graying begins around 25 years of age, while other people may discover their first gray hair in their 40s. Going gray is inevitable and, regardless of age, the process cannot be reversed.

attractive woman with gray hair

5 Problems Associated with Graying Hair

  1. Dryness: Going gray changes the texture of the hair. Gray hair is drier than pigmented hair because sebaceous oil glands become less active as you get older. Gray hair also has a rough texture and can be more prone to frizz and difficult to manage.
  2. Discoloration: The cuticle layer of gray hair is very porous. Gray hair attracts pigments from the environment more readily than pigmented hair and can easily turn brassy.
  3. Stubborn texture and dull appearance: Unpigmented hair lacks shine due to its uneven texture and lack of natural oils.
  4. Brittleness: Gray hair is weaker and less smooth than pigmented hair, resulting in an increased risk of breakage.
  5. Commitment: Gray hair is less responsive to coloring than pigmented hair, so it may be a bit harder to get good coverage. For most women who choose to hide their gray, this means frequent visits to the salon for touch-ups, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Proper Care for Your Gray Locks

You can’t stop the graying process, but you can do your best to keep your gray hair healthy, soft, and manageable. Getting a modern cut and using the right products makes it easier to go gray gracefully. 

To keep gray hair healthy, use a shampoo and conditioner designed to moisturize dry hair. Eliminate all sulfate-containing shampoos as they can lead to dryness.

How to Soften Coarse Gray Hair

Softening Shampoos

A quality softening shampoo with moisturizing ingredients can be the answer to concerns about the dryness and roughness of gray hair. Moisturizing and smoothing shampoos help make gray hair smooth, soft, and manageable.

  • Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo is a wonderful softener that restores moisture and leaves your hair feeling smooth and bouncy.
  • Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo is a gentle, sulfate & sodium chloride-free formula that moisturizes hair, combats frizziness, and provides smoothness and shine.
beautiful greyhaired woman having video call on the phone

How to Keep Gray Hair Bright

Unpigmented hair is prone to discoloration from the sun, chlorine, or hard water. The easiest way to keep gray hair bright is by using a violet-pigmented shampoo and conditioner. Purple toning products are designed to take the yellow (brassiness) out of gray, as well as blonde and white hair.

Assian business woman with gray hair

Silver/Purple Shampoos

Purple toning shampoos deposit violet pigments onto the hair shaft to neutralize the unwanted brassiness that gray hair can develop. These purple pigments give gray hair a cooler look and add extra shine. You can start using a purple shampoo during the salt and pepper stage of your hair.

For best results, use a purple shampoo once or twice a week in place of your regular, sulfate-free shampoo. Always follow with a regular conditioner to keep your hair moisturized. Apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week to restore smoothness and shine.

Related article

woman with short gray hair walking in the sun

Styling Gray Hair

To maintain the integrity of your strands, avoid excessive heat styling and any harsh chemical treatments such as perming and straightening.

Be careful using heavy styling products such as waxes, pomades, and oily serums as they can build up on your hair and make it look dull.

Gray hair tends to look dry and lifeless. To add shine and smoothness to your gray locks, apply a clear hair gloss or glaze occasionally.

To prevent damage and the appearance of brassiness, stay out of direct sunlight, and use hair sunscreen when you are going out in the sun.

Styling gels for gray hair help prevent white strands from developing a yellowish tinge and give your locks extra body and manageability.

  • RUSK Deepshine PlatinumX Gel is formulated to provide hold and control to people with platinum, silver, gray or blonde hair. It contains violet pigments that help neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones while boosting brightness and shine.

Carefully selected styling mousse can provide softness and manageability and add volume to your gray locks.

Leave-in sprays for gray hair are formulated to add moisture, smoothness, and shine to blonde, silver, and gray hair.

  • Pure Blonde Violet Leave-In Toning Spray by Surface Hair nourishes the strands, enhances brightness, and adds shine to blonde and gray hair.

Ask your stylist to help you find a stylish haircut that flatters your face shape.

How to Transition to Gray Hair?

If you have been dying your hair, there will be a transitional period until your color grows out. During the first few weeks, covering your roots with a root touch-up spray or powder can fix the problem.

Let your colorist help you during the grow-out phase. The transition will be smooth if you’re a natural blonde. For darker shades, a colorist may suggest going lighter, as a first step in the transitional process to make the demarcation line between regrowth and dyed hair less noticeable.

A gray-haired woman working in the garden

Six Purple Toning Shampoos for Gray Hair

Why Does Hair Turn Gray?

The main reason behind hair graying is a lack of melanin production. Melanin is the pigment responsible for hair color. It is produced in melanocytes – special cells found in the hair follicle. Melanocytes decline in numbers with aging. Consequently, the amount of melanin produced in hair follicles gradually decreases, causing hair to lose its original color.

Graying hair is a blend of normally pigmented strands and hair strands without pigment. White hair has no natural pigment at all.

The age at which graying begins is determined mainly by genetic factors. Some people spot the first white hairs on their heads at age 20 (premature graying), while others retain their natural hair color until old age. Hair graying is progressive and permanent, and there’s not much you can do to slow down the process.

attractive woman with graying hair

How to Stop Gray Hair from Turning Yellow

When you’re looking for a shampoo for gray hair, pick up a product that is specifically formulated for gray or white hair.

To counteract the brassy or yellow tones that gray hair can develop, stylists recommend using silver or purple shampoos. This type of hair shampoo contains blue/violet pigments that adhere to the hair shaft and neutralize the yellowish tinge in gray hair. A good toning shampoo for gray hair is supposed to gently clean the hair, leaving it brighter, more manageable, and softer.

Best Violet Shampoos for Gray Hair

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1. Framesi Color Lover Dynamic Blonde Violet Shampoo

This is an intensely pigmented purple shampoo formulated to eliminate yellow and brassy tones from blonde, gray, or white hair in just one wash. The formula is free of sulfates and sodium chloride which is a plus for fragile, colored hair.

Should you use it?  If your gray hair easily gets brassy from hard water or sun exposure, this shampoo is a good choice to get rid of unwanted tones. It works exceptionally well for blonde shades but it is also a great choice for anyone who has platinum or silver hair.

Benefits:

  • Removes yellow tones from gray hair
  • Keeps blonde color fresh and vibrant
  • Maintains cool highlights

Suggested use: Massage the shampoo evenly through wet hair and leave it to sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. Make sure to control your hair to get the results you want. It can turn light-colored hair purple if left for too long. It can be hard to create rich leather. Add a bit of your favorite shampoo to help with foaming.

Make sure to use a conditioner. Use this violet shampoo weekly and alternate it with your regular shampoo.

2. Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo

This purple shampoo is formulated with blue Malva, to add moisture and brighten gray strands. The formula includes echinacea or coneflower, which increases blood circulation in the scalp area to strengthen the hair follicles and prevent premature hair loss.  

This shampoo gently cleanses hair and scalp and eliminates yellowish and brassy tones. It adds a beautiful silvery hue to gray hair. Blue Malva keeps your gray hair in good condition, leaving it soft, shiny, and easy to style. This product won’t dry out your hair like some other purple shampoos. Despite being purple/blue, it creates white foam and does not stain your skin.

This shampoo also works great for preventing the discoloration of blonde hair caused by hard water. It prevents blonde-dyed or highlighted hair from turning yellow or dull.

3. PRAVANA THE PERFECT BLONDE Purple Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo

If you are looking for a sulfate-free shampoo and at the same time want a shampoo that tones down brassiness, The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo by Pravana is the right choice.

This shampoo with accompanying conditioner is the first step of the recently launched THE PERFECT BLONDE Purple Toning regimen, which also includes Toning Masque and Seal & Protect Leave-In Mist.

THE PERFECT BLONDE Purple Toning Sulfate-Free Shampoo uses special pigments to enhance radiance and neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones in blonde, gray, or highlighted hair. This shampoo refreshes the look of your hair when the color starts to fade. It can also be of great help to anyone who is attempting to embrace natural grays.

The color of the Pravana shampoo is a deep dark purple. Unlike some other chemical-smelling violet shampoos, it has a light and pleasant grape scent. It cleans hair gently and effectively. Purple stains can be easily washed away from the skin with water and soap.

Apply a quarter-sized amount and massage to wet your hair. Suds up and allow it to sit for a few minutes. The process can be repeated if additional toning is desired. It can leave a purplish hue if left in the hair for a longer time.

4. Schwarzkopf BC Color Freeze pH 4.5 Silver Shampoo

This silver shampoo helps to enhance bright and silver tones in the hair. It is enriched with violet color pigments that neutralize yellow tones in gray and white hair.

Schwarzkopf BC Color Freeze pH 4.5 Silver Shampoo helps restore hair’s elasticity and strength while keeping your color on the icy side.

To remove yellow tones, massage the shampoo into your wet hair and rinse thoroughly after 1-3 minutes. The violet/purple pigments are strong, but they wash out easily. You can also mix it with your regular shampoo and use it for each wash.

5. ORIBE Silverati Shampoo

This silver shampoo is developed to combat dullness and yellow tones in gray and white hair. Blue and silver pigments help to eliminate yellow tones relieving brightness and restoring the shine of dull lifeless hair. Mild cleansing agents derived from coconut and corn gently cleanse the hair without stripping natural oils.

This shampoo boosts hair strength and elasticity and improves the manageability of grey strands. It also protects vulnerable gray hair from sun damage and other environmental aggressors. This beautifully scented shampoo leaves hair feeling soft and silky.

6. Jhirmack Silver Plus Ageless Shampoo

This inexpensive alternative to salon-grade purple shampoos works well for canceling out and preventing yellowing in gray, blonde, bleached, or highlighted hair. It neutralizes brassiness without leaving any residue while improving hair’s strength and elasticity. It also softens coarse gray hair and keeps it silky and shiny.

Green tea extract and folic acid help healthy hair growth and promote a glossy shine. Co-enzyme Q10 helps protect color from fading and prevents damage from styling tools. Macadamia nut oil prevents dryness, tames frizz, and increases shine.

What Causes the Yellow Tinge in Gray Hair?

The porosity and lack of pigment make your hair vulnerable to sun damage and more susceptible to absorbing traces of pigment from the environment. Gray hair is prone to turn yellow mostly due to product residue, heat styling, and environmental pollutants.  Other common factors that can cause yellow tones in the hair are hard water, chlorine, excess sunlight, and smoking.

If you decide to let your hair go gray, you will need to add a new product to your hair care regimen. To keep your hair looking shiny and healthy, you need a shampoo that is designed to enhance brightness and give a healthy shine to gray hair.

A gray-haired woman in the garden

Caring for Gray Hair

Gray hair differs in texture from pigmented hair. Gray strands are often more prone to frizz and harder to manage than pigmented hair. Gray hair can’t reflect light and as a result, it loses its natural luster.

Gray hair requires tender care to retain softness and manageability. Fortunately, with the right care and modern cut, graying and white hair can look beautiful and elegant.

Wash your graying hair with a shampoo designed for dry hair and follow with a good hydrating conditioner to prevent your gray hair from looking dull and frizzy.

To keep your gray locks healthy, apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week, and also do hot-oil treatments occasionally. Use a leave-in conditioning spray to help smooth unruly strands.

Set your styling tools to low or cool settings to minimize heat damage.

Your gray hair should be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks, as it can look unruly if it’s not trimmed regularly.

Before entering a swimming pool, soak your hair with a conditioner. This will minimize the absorption of pool chemicals that can damage and discolor gray hair.

If discoloration happens, don’t worry. Just make sure you have a purple shampoo in your bathroom cabinet and let the magic happen.

Thoughtful gray-haired woman holding eyeglasses