Purple Shampoo vs Purple Hair Dye: What to Use for Toner at Home

So you've nailed the perfect shade of ashy blonde or metallic silver, but suddenly it's looking more brassy than classy? We get it. The good news? We've got the complete rundown on exactly what to do when your cool tones start warming up — and whether you should reach for purple shampoo, purple hair dye, or a toner. Let's break down what works best for keeping your blonde looking fresh at home.

What to Use for Hair Toner at Home

Here's the deal: purple shampoo works because of color theory magic. On the color wheel, purple sits directly opposite yellow, which means they cancel each other out. Keep reading for your best purple options for toning your hair at home.

Purple Shampoo/Conditioner: Your Weekly Maintenance BFF

When you use purple shampoo or conditioner, those violet pigments neutralize the warm, brassy yellow tones that creep into blonde, silver, and gray hair over time.

When to use it: Purple shampoo is your go-to for regular maintenance. According to Arctic Fox hair color specialists, it is beneficial to use purple shampoo 1–2 times per week to maintain tone without over-depositing pigment.

DIY Custom Purple Shampoo

Want to take your purple shampoo game to the next level? You can create your own custom toning shampoo or conditioner by mixing our semi-permanent hair dyes into your regular products. Try Girls Night, Periwinkle, or Purple AF mixed into your shampoo or conditioner until you hit that ideal shade of purple for your specific toning needs.

Pro tip: Start small, like, really small. Our dyes are highly pigmented, so unless you're actually going for purple hair, you'll want a much higher ratio of conditioner or shampoo than dye. We're talking a few drops max to start, then adjust from there.

Purple Hair Dye: For When You Need Heavy-Duty Toning

When purple shampoo isn't cutting it, and you need serious brass-busting power, that's when you turn to purple hair dye. But here's the thing, our dyes are super pigmented, so you'll need to dilute them generously with conditioner to tone without turning your blonde or silver straight-up purple.

Girls Night

Girls Night is a dreamy pastel lavender hair dye, and THE holy grail for achieving that ashy platinum look we all obsess over. This is your secret weapon for icy, cool-toned perfection.

How to use it: Dilute Girls Night with conditioner and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Arctic Fox experts recommend always starting with a highly diluted formula and adjusting gradually based on your hair level. Rinse and reveal that gorgeous ashy tone.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle is a soft pastel blue hair dye with lavender undertones, making it perfect for tackling those stubborn, darker yellow tones that lean orange. If your blonde is pulling more golden than you'd like, this blue-purple combo is your new best friend.

How to use it: Mix Periwinkle with conditioner (again, heavy on the conditioner) and leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. The blue tackles orange while the purple handles yellow, double-duty action!

Purple AF

Purple AF is a rich, true purple shade that's incredibly versatile across different hair levels, from platinum all the way to light brown. It delivers vibrant color on lighter hair and deep purple tints on darker shades, making it perfect to combat stubborn brassiness.

How to use it: For darker blondes or more brassy situations, mix just 1-2 drops of Purple AF with your regular conditioner for a gentle toning effect. Seriously, start with less than you think you need. You can always add more next time, but purple hair takes a minute to fade.

Toner: The Professional-Level Solution

Toner is a bit different from purple shampoo or diluted hair dye; it's specifically formulated to neutralize unwanted tones and create an even base for your color. Arctic Fox experts recommend using a dedicated toner when you want even, predictable results without experimenting with mixing ratios.

Arctic Toner

Arctic Toner is your secret weapon for neutralizing unwanted yellow and brassy tones, creating the ideal base for cool-toned hair colors. It's formulated to be foolproof, no mixing required, just apply and watch the brassiness disappear. Perfect for when you want consistent, reliable results every single time.

FAQ

Can I just use purple shampoo as a toner?

Purple shampoo can help tone brassy hair, but it works best as a maintenance product rather than a true toner. It gradually neutralizes yellow tones with regular use, while a dedicated toner or diluted purple hair dye delivers faster and more noticeable results. According to Arctic Fox experts, purple shampoo is ideal for weekly upkeep, not for initial toning. Think of it as your touch-up between stronger toning treatments.

What can I use as a substitute for hair toner?

If you don't have a dedicated toner, diluted purple hair dye mixed with conditioner is an excellent substitute. Arctic Fox Hair Color recommends using Girls Night, Periwinkle, or Purple AF! Just remember to dilute properly; our dyes are crazy pigmented, so a little goes a long way. Purple shampoo can also work in a pinch for mild toning, but expect more subtle results.

Why do hairdressers say not to use purple shampoo?

Most hairdressers do recommend purple shampoo, but they warn against overusing it. Using purple shampoo too often or leaving it on too long can cause a purple or grayish cast and may dry out your hair. According to Arctic Fox specialists, the key is moderation. Using it one to two times per week is enough to tone brassy hair without over-depositing pigment.

How to tone your hair with purple shampoo at home?

Easy! Wet your hair thoroughly, then apply purple shampoo like you would regular shampoo. Here's the trick: let it sit for 3-5 minutes. The longer you leave it, the more toning you'll get, but don't go overboard or you'll end up with purple hair. Rinse thoroughly, then follow up with conditioner. For best results, use it 1-2 times per week, and on your other wash days, stick with your regular shampoo.

Icy Platinum Hair Awaits

There you have it, everything you need to keep your cool-toned hair looking icy AF. Whether you're team purple shampoo for easy maintenance, team DIY toner for custom control, or team Arctic Toner for professional results, you've got options.

Ready to banish brass for good? Shop all of our DIY purple toning options at arcticfoxhaircolor.com and follow us @arcticfoxhaircolor for more hair color tips, tricks, and major inspo. Your ashy blonde dreams are waiting!