Are you looking for the best blue shampoo available in the UK? Blue shampoos evolved from purple shampoos which were originally designed to take yellow tones out of blonde hair.
Blue shampoos work in the same way as purple shampoos, but since blue is opposite to orange on the colour wheel, blue pigments help to neutralise orange or brassy tones in the hair, and are ideal for brunettes!
Blue Shampoos work by leaving blue pigment on the hair. This makes brown coloured hair look brighter and cooler. With regular use, any ginger or orange tones are neutralised, and the hair looks less brassy.
In the colour wheel below you can see that blue is opposite to orange. This means it has the ability to neutralise orange colours, and can be used as a colour correcting toner for the hair.
Purple is opposite yellow in the colour wheel which is why purple shampoo is good for removing any warm yellow or orange tones from blonde hair.
Both purple and blue shampoo work well on grey or white hair to keep it cool and bright.
When researching blue shampoos for this post I tested out over ten different products. In the end I selected nine blue shampoos to review.
This post lists the top nine blue shampoos that I tested with what I liked about them, and who I recommend them for. At the end of the post I have put my favourites side by side in a comparison table to help you pick the right shampoo for you.
The blue shampoos that made it into my top nine can be used either on dyed or natural hair to soften any unwanted shades of orange or red. If you have dyed your hair however, you should wait at least 72 hours before you start using blue shampoo.
This post is all about the best blue shampoo
Best Blue Shampoo
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I try to make my reviews as helpful as possible for my readers. You can view my product selection and review process here.
1. PRO:VOKE Illuminex Touch of Brunette Blue Toning Shampoo
Buy from: Superdrug | Ocado | Amazon
This blue shampoo is SLS and sulphate free and contains UV filters. It comes as a pair with a matching blue conditioner.
This product is perfect for brown, balayage or ombre hair, and can also be used on blondes. It is a deep sapphire colour and removes orange, brassy tones from the hair. Your hair is left a deeper, richer brunette colour.
The product is enriched with Aquaplex which contains castor oil. This nourishes the hair and provides hydration leaving it looking healthy, shiny and hydrated. The toning effect is enhanced with every wash as the shampoo deposits more pigment onto the hair.
In time, all orange and red brassy tones are neutralised and the hair looks glossy and smooth. This is one of the best toners to take out brassy orange.
How to Use: Apply to wet hair and leave for 3-5 minutes before washing out. Use either once a week or every other wash. Another reason why I love this particular blue shampoo is that it also perfumes your hair.
What I Liked
The first thing I noticed when I tested out the PRO:VOKE Blue Toning Shampoo is the lovely smell! It was a delight to wash my hair with this shampoo, and I was pleased that it didn’t leave any blue stain on my hands.
This is also a very affordable blue shampoo which comes as a package with a matching conditioner. Overall I found that it did remove some orange tones from my hair, but the difference was very subtle. My biggest complaint with this product is that is dried my hair out very quickly.
Who it’s For
This shampoo is very drying so I would only recommend it for people with very oily and greasy hair. It does remove brassy tones from the hair, but the difference is only slight.
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2. Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo
Buy from: AllBeauty | Fragrance Direct | Ulta
The Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo not only reduces any ginger tones but also prevents your color from fading, and makes hair shinier and less frizzy.
This is a great choice for correcting overly warm, orange or brassy tones in ombre hair or naturally dark brown hair. You will get smooth glistening hair with cool undertones. The blue pigments colour corrects after one use without drying out the hair. It preserves 89% of your hair colour and prevents it fading for up to 8 weeks.
This is one of my favourite toning shampoos because you get quick results and it also works well to moisturise the hair. It also has a lovely fragrance!
How to Use: Apply to wet hair and allow to absorb for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. Use 2-3 times per week.
What I Liked
This shampoo is very deeply pigmented, so it works well as neutralising any brassy or orange hair strands. It has a nice fragrance which is very subtle.
As with the PRO:VOKE shampoo, I found the Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo was very harsh on my hair and dried it out quickly. If you have dry hair like me I wouldn’t use this shampoo more than once a week. You also need to wear gloves with this shampoo because it does stain your hands.
Who it’s For
This shampoo is drying so I would recommend it for anyone with very greasy and oily hair. Since it is so pigmented, I would recommend it for anyone struggling to remove ginger tones. It’s excellent at changing warm brown hair to a cool ash colour – but remember to wear gloves!
- A color-balancing shampoo for light brown hair
- There's a true-blue formula for color-correcting on contact
- Contains multi-spectrum defense complex to protect color against fading
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Fanola Official No Orange Shampoo
The Fanola Blue Shampoo can be used on gray hair as well as dyed brown hair and natural brunettes. It contains vibrant blue-violet pigments which effectively neutralise any undesired copper or red reflections. It also has coconut oil which helps to smooth the hair cuticle and make the hair shinier and more hydrated.
The product can be used on all hair types and is supposed to bring noticeable results in just 3 washes.
How to Use: Wash your hair before applying the No Orange Shampoo by Fanola to damp hair. Leave for 3-4 minutes before rinsing out. Use twice a week.
What I Liked
I think most blue shampoos are quite drying, but the Fanola Official No Orange Shampoo was one of the least drying ones that I tested out. The results aren’t spectacular, but it does seem to neutralise brass tones, and any orangey tones in the hair.
I tested this on natural hair that had become slightly ginger due to hard water. I’ve seen other beauty bloggers online saying that this product doesn’t work well on hair that has developed red undertones from bleach.
Who it’s For
If you have dry hair like me, this blue shampoo is less drying than others! I would say it works well on natural hair that has developed a copper tone from sun exposure, or washing in hard water.
- NO ORANGE CARE: No Orange is the Fanola professional treatment formulated with a special,...
- FOR DARK TONES: Fanola No Orange Shampoo is a professional treatment for dark colored hair that...
- HOW TO USE: Apply on damp hair, massage gently and then rinse off. Try it in combination with the no...
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. REDKEN Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Shampoo
Buy from: Look Fantastic | FeelUnique | Sally Beauty
The Redken Blue shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo and a gentle formula that will protect the hair shaft. It removes unwanted brassiness in brunette hair caused by either a dye job or sun exposure. The blue pigment neutralises any orange undertones and makes the hair appear cooler.
This shampoo works well for either natural or highlighted brunettes. It contains citric acid and vegetable protein to cleanse the hair without stripping the colour, and deposits blue pigment onto the hair with every wash to keep away any brassy orange tones.
How to Use: Apply to wet hair and leave for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. It is gentle enough for daily use. You should use the blue toning shampoo immediately after dying the hair to prevent unwanted orange undertones.
What I Liked
This shampoo definitely works at making your hair color look cool. It does leave a blue stain in the shower – but this washed off easily!
The formula was a little bit more gentle than the other blue shampoos I tested, so I found it was less drying for my hair.
It is a slightly more expensive option compared to others on my list, but I kept it in my list of best blue shampoos since it does do an excellent job at removing brassy tones!
Who it’s For
If you have dry hair like me, this shampoo has a more gentle formula compared to others. I think it would work well both on natural and dyed hair. Like all blue shampoos, I wouldn’t use it too often if you have dry hair.
I think this product is best suited to medium greasy hair types with red tones. It does dry the hair out if used too often, but it’s good at reducing brass and adding cool tones.
- Anti-brass colour protecting Shampoo for highlighted and naturally Brown hair
- The gentle, sulfate-free formula cleanses the hair without stripping hair colour
- Features blue pigment to counteract brassy and orange undertones in Brown hair
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Fudge Professional Blue Toning Shampoo
Buy from: Fudge | Look Fantastic | AllBeauty
The product is sulphate free and suitable for vegans. It removes orange and red tones from brunette hair and at the same time makes hair silkier and smoother. This blue shampoo also perfumes the hair for 24 hours!
The formula uses Opti-PLEX™ technology to reconstruct any hair bonds that were broken during the dying process. This means the shampoo not only removes unwanted brassy tones but also makes the hair shaft much stronger.
How to Use: Apply to wet hair and leave for 3-5 minutes. Rinse out. Use 2-3 times per week.
What I Liked
This was one of my favourite blue shampoos out of everything I tested. It’s sulphate free and has a formula that works to strengthen the hair. You need to wear gloves with this one as it’s very pigmented, but it does leave the hair a beautiful cool colour. It also has an amazing smell!
Who it’s For
I think this shampoo would work for any hair type. My hair is dry and I found it worked better for me than any other blue shampoo I tested. This also comes in a travel size so might be a good choice for anyone who travels regularly.
- A sulfate-free blue toning shampoo in a travel size 50 ml bottle that instantly removes orange and...
- The formulation contains Opti-PLEX technology that makes hair 85 percent stronger and smoother
- For brunette hair that needs cleanning, refreshing and strength restoring
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
Buy from: FeelUnique | Look Fantastic | AllBeauty
The Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo can be used on brunette, blonde or red hair. It neutralises brassy tones and is good for brunettes who lighten their hair. Copper and golden shades will be reduced and the hair will be left strong and moisturised.
Unlike with other blue shampoos, Matrix Total Results can be used as a regular shampoo and will still work without needing to wait for the product to absorb. For the best results it is recommended that you leave the shampoo for 3-5 minutes however it is not necessary as it will still neutralise unwanted warm tones if you rinse it straight out.
The shampoo contains blue-violet pigments which are deposited onto the hair leaving cool tones in brunette locks.
How to Use: Apply to wet hair, lather well and rinse. (For best results leave for 3-5 minutes) Start using 2-3 weeks after dying your hair and use 2-3 times a week.
What I Liked
This shampoo did remove the orange tint from my hair. I found the shampoo to be very drying for my hair but it did neutralise the warm tones in my brunette hair.
When it came out of the bottle I noticed it had more of a purple tinge compared to other blue shampoos I’ve tried, but it creates a blue lather when mixed with water.
Who it’s For
This shampoo is definitely only for people with very greasy hair, as it’s really drying. The color is a mixture of purple and blue, so I would say it works better for hair that has a mixture of yellow, orange and brassy tones.
- Neutralises copper and golden shades
- Refreshes hair colour
- Defines cool tones
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
Buy from: Aveda | Look Fantastic | FeelUnique
The Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo contains pigments derived from the blue and violet flowers of the French Mallow plant. Blue Malva makes grey or silver hair look brighter, and neutralises any orange colors in chemically treated hair of all shades.
This formula contains conflower which intensifies hair colour along with aloe vera juice and sweet almond to condition and hydrate the hair. Aveda is one of the most popular trusted salon brands, and their blue shampoo.
How to Use: Massage onto wet hair, lather and rinse.
What I Liked
I’m aware this shampoo is very expensive, but it’s definitely worth every penny. This was by far my favourite out of all the blue shampoos I tested. Although it’s expensive, it does come in a large bottle which will last you a long time, so I think it’s good value for money.
The shampoo left my hair looking bright and fresh without drying it out, or staining my bath tub! It reduced all the orange and ginger tones and left my hair a beautiful ash tone.
Who it’s For
I think this shampoo would work well on all hair types including blonde, brown or grey hair! If you can afford the extra cash, I would say definitely go for this one before anything else!
- Beauty products
- Shampoos
- Products by Aveda
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. John Frieda Blue Crush for Brunettes
Buy from: Boots | FeelUnique | Ocado
John Frieda’s Blue Crush shampoo is a rich formula containing crushed blue pigments. It helps to cancel out any orange, red or brassy tones in the hair, and leave it a cool ash colour. This shampoo was formulated for lightened brunette hair or highlights. It can also be used on natural brunette or dark hair that’s developed orange tones.
How to Use: Massage onto wet hair, lather and rinse. For the best results follow with the matching conditioner.
What I Liked
The shampoo has a nice smell and comes with a matching conditioner. I found that this one, unlike others, did not leave a stain on my hands! It does remove warm orange tones, but the results were subtle.
Who it’s For
This was one of the more affordable blue shampoos that I tested, so this might be a good option if you are on a budget. I didn’t find it too drying, so I think it would work for both greasy and drier hair types.
- Knocks out stubborn orange tones in 1 Use for cooler, ashy brunette
- With crushed blue pigments
- For highlighted, balisage, ombre or lightened brunette hair
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Charles Worthington ColourPlex Toning Blue Shampoo
Buy from: Superdrug | Boots | Amazon
The Charles Worthington ColourPlex Blue Shampoo helps to repair any damage caused by colouring whilst reducing any warm tones at the same time. The formula contains blueberry which helps to remove unwanted tones of red and orange from the hair.
This shampoo helps to strengthen the hair and reduce breakage. It’s the best shampoo if you have dry hair or split ends caused from chemical treatments. It also works well on balayage hair or black hair, and still produces noticeable results on darker hair colours.
How to Use: Massage into wet hair, lather and rinse thoroughly. If possible use gloves as the shampoo can stain your hands.
What I Liked
It leaves your hair a nice cool colour. It stains your hands slightly but the blue colour washes off easily. It’s not too drying as long as you don’t leave it on your hair for too long! The price is also really affordable.
Who it’s For
This is another affordable option which might work for anyone on a budget. I think it would work well on both blond and brunette hair. I tested it on dark brunette hair and it left me with a cooler tone after about 3 washes.
- 100 Percent vegan-friendly
- ColourPlex Toning Blue Shampoo: Banish warm, red tone and deepen brown hair, while reducing breakage...
- Nourishing shampoo made with blueberry to effectively remove organge tone, while reducing the damage...
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Review of the Charles Worthington Blue Shampoo from British Beauty Blogger
Comparison Table
I found that most blue shampoos do dry the hair out. My absolutely favourite out of everything I tested was the Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo, but I’m aware this option may be too expensive for my readers. I have put my top four blue shampoos in a comparison table below so you can see the difference in price.
I think it’s important to be aware that blue shampoos can only tone the hair and remove an orange tint. Most of them had results which were quite subtle, and the results will obviously be different for different hair types. Please leave me a comment below to let me know if you try one of these and how it worked for you.
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Articles Related to Blue Shampoo
I hope this post helped you to choose the right blue shampoo for you. I have selected some other articles that you may find helpful which are listed below.
- How to Tone Brown Hair to Ash
- Everything You Need to Know About Using Hair Toners
- 8 Ways to Correct and Avoid Brassy Hair
- Brassy Hair – Why it Happens and How to Prevent it
FAQs on Blue Shampoo
What does blue shampoo do to blonde hair?
Blue shampoo can be used on blonde hair however there is a risk that it will make blonde hair green. To achieve an icy-hue, blondes should use purple shampoo.
What does blue shampoo do to brown hair?
Blue shampoo deposits blue pigment onto brown hair leaving it looking cooler and fresher. Any brassy orange or copper tones will be reduced
Which blue shampoo is best?
The PRO:VOKE Illuminex Touch of Brunette Blue Toning Shampoo is the best to take out brassy orange.
What happens if you leave blue shampoo on too long?
It may dry your hair out if you leave it too long, but it won’t dye your hands or scalp blue.
Can you use blue shampoo on natural hair?
Yes. Blue shampoo is usually recommended for colour treated hair, however natural brunettes can also benefit from it. Natural brunettes often find their hair turns a brassy tone due to sunlight. Blue shampoo is perfect to correct this.
Will blue shampoo darken my highlights?
Yes it’s possible if you use the shampoo too frequently or use too much it may turn your hair darker. Shampooing your hair once a week with blue shampoo should be enough.
This post was about the Best Blue Shampoo for Brunettes Living in the UK
Thank you for reading my post on the best blue shampoo in the UK. If you have tried any of the products I have recommended then please leave me a comment below and let me know how you got on. Blue or violet-hued shampoos are great for removing brassy undertones from brunette hair. Use the color wheel to determine your unwanted tone to decide whether you need a shampoo with blue or purple pigments.
- 1. PRO:VOKE Illuminex Touch of Brunette Blue Toning Shampoo
- 2. Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo
- 3. Fanola Official No Orange Shampoo
- 4. REDKEN Color Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Shampoo
- 5. Fudge Professional Blue Toning Shampoo
- 6. Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
- 7. Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
- 8. John Frieda Blue Crush for Brunettes
- 9. Charles Worthington ColourPlex Toning Blue Shampoo
- Comparison Table