Best Blue Shampoos for Brunettes to Neutralize Orange Tones
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Brunette might seem like the easiest hair color to maintain, but it’s actually trickier than it seems to keep brown hair rich, dimensional, and even-toned. In fact, brunette hair can start getting warm tones quickly—and the same goes for darker blonde highlights. If you’re in between salon visits but want to neutralize any orange tones cropping up in your hair, it might be time you tried a blue shampoo.
You may have heard of purple shampoos for blondes, and blue shampoos work similarly. It all goes back to the color wheel—yellow and purple are complementary colors, and orange and blue are complementary as well. “Blue shampoo is used to cool down unwanted warm tones in hair, similarly compared to purple shampoos cutting out the yellow,” says Lucille Javier, colorist at Mark Ryan Salon in New York. “Blue is stronger in tone and can combat orange tones.”
Blue shampoo is a fairly niche category, but it’s important to choose blue shampoo carefully. Ahead, our top picks for blue shampoos, hand-picked by celebrity colorists, ELLE editors, and rave reviews.
Brunette might seem like the easiest hair color to maintain, but it’s actually trickier than it seems to keep brown hair rich, dimensional, and even-toned. In fact, brunette hair can start getting warm tones quickly—and the same goes for darker blonde highlights or balayage hair. If you’re in between salon visits but want to neutralize any orange tones cropping up in your hair, it might be time you tried a blue shampoo.
You may have heard of purple shampoos for blondes, and blue shampoos work similarly. It all goes back to the color wheel—yellow and purple are complementary colors, and orange and blue are complementary as well. “Blue shampoo is used to cool down unwanted warm tones in hair, similarly compared to purple shampoos cutting out the yellow,” says Lucille Javier, colorist at Mark Ryan Salon in New York. “Blue is stronger in tone and can combat orange tones.”
While it’s a relatively niche category, it’s very important to choose a blue shampoo carefully. That’s why we consulted experts and even tested blue shampoos ourselves to give the best recommendations possible. Ahead, our top picks for blue shampoos, hand-picked by celebrity colorists, ELLE editors, and rave reviews.
Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
The neutralizing blue pigments in this shampoo help fight off unwanted orange tones, while vitamin E helps nourish the hair. “Matrix Brass Off Shampoo is great for keeping golden highlights fresh while also infusing the hair with moisture and shine,” says Matrix brand ambassador and celebrity colorist George Papanikolas.
Key ingredient: vitamin E
Size: 10.1 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.5/5
Our expert says: “I like the blue shampoo by Matrix. It’s hydrating and is suitable for both blondes and brunettes.” —Lucille Javier
Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
amazon.com
$20.00
Triple Threat Brunette Blue Treatment Shampoo
If you’re looking for a blue shampoo that isn’t harsh on hair, this one is gentle enough to be used daily. Formulated without sulfates or parabens, this formula relies on blue tansy oil to strengthen your hair while it helps neutralize unwanted pigments.
Key ingredients: Blue tansy oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Walmart review: 4.2/5
An ELLE editor says: “I’m a natural brunette, but I dyed my hair darker for years. This is a great shampoo to mix in when you’re in between salon visits and just want a slight boost to cool down your brunette.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Triple Threat Brunette Blue Treatment Shampoo
walmart.com
$17.99
Brass to Sass Brunette Shampoo
Eva NYC’s blue shampoo neutralizes orange tones and is incredibly nourishing. The shampoo is formulated with blue tansy to strengthen and condition and spirulina to impart essential nutrients, leaving your hair silky, shiny, and orange-free.
Key ingredients: Blue tansy, spirulina, juniper berry
Size: 8.8 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.1/5
An ELLE editor says: “This shampoo is great at neutralizing brassy tones in brunette hair. One thing I really like about it is that it doesn’t leave your hair feeling stripped or brittle—instead, it’s really hydrating. I also love that the bottle is completely recyclable.” —Katie Berohn
Brass to Sass Brunette Shampoo
amazon.com
$15.01
Blue Malva Color Shampoo
Aveda’s blue shampoo is a favorite among colorists. It’s formulated with blue malva, which helps balance the hair and scalp, and coneflower, which helps make hair color more vivid. It also works well on graying hair.
Key ingredients: Blue malva, coneflower
Size: 33.8 fl. oz.
Nordstrom review: 4.7/5
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I have tried several ‘blue’ shampoos for my silver hair. All made my scalp break out. One brand even said to use gloves. Blue Malva has not caused a reaction and it leaves my hair shiny silver. I love the earthy smell.”
Blue Malva Color Shampoo
nordstrom.com
$75.00
Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Shampoo
True to its name, John Frieda’s Blue Crush uses crushed blue pigments for the most intense effect. It’s also formulated with a specialized tri-dye blend that maximizes hair penetration while minimizing staining on the skin.
Key ingredient: Tri-dye blend
Size: 8.3 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.2/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “Lathers well and smells good! This is the first shampoo that really took the orange color out of my highlights.”
Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Shampoo
amazon.com
$10.99
No Orange Shampoo
Fanola is well-known for its neutralizing shampoos for a reason. They’re highly pigmented and work wonders for toning hair. Fanola No Orange is one of the strongest blue shampoos on the market to eliminate orange tones.
Key ingredients: Extra blue pigment, castor oil
Size: 11.8 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.4/5
An ELLE editor says: “Like the Fanola No Yellow Shampoo, the Fanola No Orange shampoo is something to keep on hand for true color emergencies. It’s a bit drying and might stain your hands, but it works wonders to neutralize orange tones in your hair.” —Katie Berohn
No Orange Shampoo
amazon.com
$19.98
Cool Brunette Shampoo
Color-treated hair needs gentle cleansers that won’t strip or dry out hair. This blue shampoo is meant to be gentle on your hair all while using blue pigments to target orange tones.
Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk, hibiscus
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Ulta review: 3.7/5
An ELLE editor says: “Not only does this blue shampoo smell really good, but it also adds tons of shine and helps even out my brunette.” —Katie Berohn
Cool Brunette Shampoo
ulta.com
$28.00
Color Balance Blue Shampoo
If your hair is prone to flyaways, this blue shampoo contains anti-static technology to keep hair in place. Not only does this shampoo neutralize orange tones in hair, but it’s also infused with green tea extract that helps prevent future damage to your color by imparting antioxidants.
Key ingredients: Green tea, blue pigments
Size: 10.1 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.3/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have very dark brown hair and get highlights throughout the year. I’ve never been able to get the color I desired without having to go through a very brassy stage. I’ve even had to go back to the salon for a fix. My hairdresser suggested using this shampoo after years of struggling with achieving my desired highlight shades. I am finally able to get the color I want.”
Color Balance Blue Shampoo
amazon.com
$23.00
No-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Toning Cleanser
Without the right products, color can wreak havoc on curly hair. This lather-free cleanser is ultra-gentle on hair and formulated specifically for curls. Made with a porosity-neutralizing complex, it works to help even out porosity for a more uniform toning effect.
Key ingredients: Smart Porosity Neutralizing Complex, tocopherol
Size: 12 fl. oz.
Devacurl review: 3.8/5
A Devacurl reviewer says: “This product is great. Not only does it tone the brass out, but it makes my hair so soft, even my husband noticed the softness. Great product with great results.”
No-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Toning Cleanser
dermstore.com
$34.00
Cold Brunette Shampoo
This blue shampoo will work for you no matter your shade of brunette hair. It helps tone out unwanted orange hues, regardless of what shade of brown your hair is. What really makes this product unique is the blend of milk proteins that strengthen and condition the hair.
Key ingredients: Milk proteins, moringa oil, quinoa proteins
Size: 10.1 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.1/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “Great product. It smells like cheesecake with blueberries and berries, and it has blue pigments but does not stain. My hairdresser recommended it to me to keep my brown as beautiful as possible, after having previous bleached locks then I had a balayage. I decided to go back to brown, so I need this shampoo to avoid orange shades.”
Cold Brunette Shampoo
amazon.com
$21.25
Goodbye Orange Neutralizing Wash Shampoo
With a pH of 4.5, this blue shampoo helps encourage hair to be in its naturally acidic state, leading to healthier hair. This shampoo isn’t just blue—it’s blue-ish green, which allows it to also target stubborn red hues. A bonding technology also helps strengthen the hair.
Key ingredients: Integrated bonding technology
Size: 10.1 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 3.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “My hair was so red-ginger it made me feel horrible. It looked bad in the sun, but after using this, my hair is completely brown, light brown (my natural is dark brown), but I’m glad it got it all out. Overall, it is an amazing product for darker hair.”
Goodbye Orange Neutralizing Wash Shampoo
amazon.com
$29.00
Shade Variation Mask in Ash Brown
If a blue shampoo isn’t cutting it, it might be time to mix in a hair mask that targets orange hues. This one is also infused with shea butter and sweet almond oil to ensure that hair stays silky and smooth.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, sweet almond oil
Size: 250 ml.
Christophe Robin review: 5/5
An ELLE Editor says: “Whenever I’ve dyed my hair quite a bit darker than my natural color, it tends to pull really orange. This mask is my go-to treatment whenever I really need to neutralize my color. I like that it works twofold as a toning treatment and a mask because it also makes my hair soft.” —Katie Berohn
Shade Variation Mask in Ash Brown
dermstore.com
$53.00
What should you look for in a blue shampoo?
Opt for moisture. Papanikolas and Javier both agree that when it comes to a blue shampoo, it’s important to choose a hydrating formula. “Use gentle, hydrating formulas that keep the cuticle tight,” says Papanikolas. “Anything volumizing will cause the cuticle to swell, and your color will fade faster.” Javier adds that blue shampoos tend to be drying, which makes keeping moisture in mind all the more important.
Make sure you’re using a shampoo made for your hair color in mind. “You don’t have to be brunette to use blue shampoo, but you definitely want to make sure that you are using one that is designed for brunettes,” says Javier. “Sometimes, if you use a blue shampoo made for blonde hair, it could have zero to little effects on brunette hair. And the same goes for using brunette shampoos on blonde hair. It could possibly overtone the hair.”
How do you use blue shampoo?
Keep in mind that these shampoos aren’t typically meant for daily use. Javier recommends using one once or twice a month, while Papanikolas says that with a gentle formula, you can use a blue shampoo up to twice a week. “I would suggest using the shampoo and lathering it for a couple of minutes before rinsing it out,” says Javier. “Making sure the product is well emulsified from roots to ends is very important to ensure a consistent tone.”
Meet the experts
Lucille Javier is a colorist at Mark Ryan Salon in New York.
George Papanikolas is a Matrix brand ambassador and celebrity colorist.
Why trust ELLE beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn interviewed colorists to find the best blue shampoos to neutralize orange tones in brunette hair.
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