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The best blue shampoos for eliminating brassiness in brown hair
“I’ve had more compliments than ever since using this shampoo.”
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
You probably know that the best purple shampoos will help to remove brassy tones from natural blonde and dyed hair, but it isn't the only type of shampoo that can help neutralise unwanted tones and boost vibrancy.
Lightened or natural brunettes struggling with orange tones in their hair, caused by things like heat and sun damage, can reach for a blue shampoo for help. The concept is based on the colour wheel — colours opposite each other on the wheel cancel each other out, which is why blue helps neutralise orange.
So, if you want your brown to stay bright in between salon appointments, the best blue shampoo might be the answer. Whether you have naturally brunette hair, caramel highlights or are transitioning to grey, a blue shampoo can help keep your colour looking cool.
We put a range of market-leading anti-brass blue shampoos to the test in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab and with our panel at home to see how well they counteracted any orange tinge – you’ll find our winners in a handy list below. We also spoke to Jordanna Cobella, owner of Cobella Salon and colour ambassador for Wella Hair UK, about how to keep your brunette bright, not brassy. Read her tips below the full reviews.
The best blue shampoos
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Best nourishing blue shampoo
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Brunette Anti-Orange Low Shampoo
Read review - 3
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Looking to change up your shade? We’ve tried and tested the best blonde hair dyes and the best black hair dyes, and we’ve reviewed the best home hair colour kits.
How we test
With the help of over 300 panel members, the Good Housekeeping Institute put a range of market-leading blue shampoos to the test.
We asked our panel to use them over a period of three weeks before feeding back on the design of the packaging, ease of use, quality of instructions and, most importantly, performance. They also submitted images of their hair before and after using the anti-brass shampoo so our experts could assess any improvements in tone and brightness.
These are the best in test.
Pros
- Quick results
- Adds colour depth and neutralises brassiness effectively
Cons
- Slightly drying on hair without conditioner
Score: 84/100
The Chroma Créme is designed to neutralise unwanted orange tones in light to medium brown hair using primary colour pigments. The brand claims its formula provides instant colour correction, so it’s meant to be a quick fix. And most of our panel agreed that they saw a difference in their hair after the first use.
One tester with highlighted hair said they noticed “warmer, caramel tones with an extra added shine.” Another panel member reported visible improvements, telling us: “I’ve had more compliments than ever since I started using this shampoo!”
For some, it’s set to be a staple in their haircare routine. “I didn't know this kind of product existed, but I will now continue to use it,” said one impressed tester.
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Brunette Anti-Orange Low Shampoo
Pros
- Nourishing ingredients to counteract drying effects
- Adds cool tones to brunette hair
Cons
- Takes multiple applications to notice a difference
Score: 82/100
Though results weren’t as instantaneous as they were with our winner, you can expect to see cooler tones after a couple of washes with this shampoo. “The product delivers, but you have to be consistent and give it time,” were some wise words from one of our panel members.
The thick texture of this cream meant less mess for testers – it didn’t easily run off the hair and onto any nice white towels. The real plus point of this shampoo, though, is its nourishing after-effects, with one person telling us it left their hair “silky smooth”. The shampoo’s patented complex is full of antioxidants and contains a UV filter to protect your colour from fading. Our beauty experts recommend this one for people with drier and coarser highlighted hair.
Pros
- Lathers well
- Takes hair from copper to cool brown
- Leaves hair feeling soft
Cons
- Some found it awkward to dispense
Score: 81/100
This product uses a vibrant blue pigment to combat any unwanted warmth in light brown coloured hair – caused by factors such as heated tools, the sun’s UV rays and chlorine – and restore cooler tones. The formula also includes nourishing ingredients such as vitamin F, which contributes to stronger, healthier hair, as well as sunflower seed extract to help counteract any dryness and damage.
Our testers were delighted with how the product enriched their colour, with one noting the “huge difference” in the reduction of brassy tones. Not only did it score well for its toning skills, but our panel all agreed that it left their hair feeling nourished and looking shiny.
Pros
- Lathers well, leaving hair feeling extra clean
- Affordable
Cons
- It can stain hands, so we recommend wearing gloves
Score: 79/100
If you want to add some brilliance to your brunette without breaking the bank, try this more affordable shampoo from John Frieda. At under £10, it’s an absolute steal, which doesn’t skimp on colour correction. “It deepened my dark brunette shade,” said one tester – so it does exactly what it says on the tin.
Not only did it tackle brassiness, but it also left many of our panellists with softer, bouncy hair. The only quibble in feedback was that it did stain hands with the blue pigment. This isn’t uncommon with toners though, so it’s worth using a pair of gloves to avoid this.
Pros
- Adds softness to hair
- Provides subtle toning
Cons
- Runny consistency, which can make it quite messy
Score: 71/100
Stripey highlights may have fleetingly, and regrettably, had a moment during the ‘90s, but we prefer ours to look a little more natural. This is why it’s important to use a toner that blends into your natural shade.
This one is great for those with highlighted darker brown hair as it won’t brighten the blonde too much. One of our panellists told us they liked how it blended nicely into their hairline. It also earned extra brownie points with our testers for its refreshing, sweet orange scent.
What is blue shampoo?
Blue shampoos are at-home cleansers and toners that you use in place of your regular shampoo to refresh your colour between dyes. “Some brunette shades can fade to warmer, orange tones,” explains Cobella.
“Blue shampoo helps neutralise this kind of brassiness in dark hair, as its blue pigments counteract red/orangey tones.”
What causes brassiness?
Bottle brunettes will likely know the pain of the orange tinge creeping into their once cool-toned and freshly dyed brown hair. Even those who haven’t taken to the bottle yet aren’t safe, as a range of factors can cause this. UV rays, pollution, heat styling and hardwater are just some of the many factors that cause brassiness and unfortunately are pretty hard to avoid altogether. T
his is why a blue shampoo is the perfect antidote to those unwanted warmer undertones.
How often should I apply blue shampoo?
Like purple shampoos, the formulas can have a drying effect on the hair over time as the neutralising pigments can strip the hair of its natural oils, so they shouldn’t be overused. “Blue shampoo is only a temporary fix and should be used between salon toner or colour appointments,” says Cobella.
“It can be used every second shampoo, depending on how often you need to tone.” As a general guide, once a week should suffice.
Is blue or purple shampoo better for grey hair?
“As a lighter colour, grey hair often retains yellow pigments, and purple, being the opposite of yellow on the colour wheel, helps neutralise those tones,” Cobella explains.
“Blue shampoo, on the other hand, could be too strong for grey hair, and mixing blue and yellow can create a greenish tint.”
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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