12 Best Blue Shampoos, According to Hair Stylists 2024

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12 Best Blue Shampoos, According to Hair Stylists and DermatologistsGet rid of orange and brassy tones with these expert-approved picks.

Courtesy of brands / Gabrielle Langdon

If you have brown hair, getting rid of unwanted red and orange tones can be taken care of by adding one of the best blue shampoos. Brunettes often see their rich color diminishing taking on a more brassy finish with every shampoo wash. Luckily, similar to how purple shampoo counteracts yellow tones from blonde hair, blue shampoo is a type of toning product that can help maintain natural or highlighted brown hair. According to Rogerio Cavalcante, hair stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon New York, the brassiness might be from minerals and chemicals in water, oxidation, hard water, and the sun, so it’s useful to add a blue shampoo to your hair care routine.

We spoke with numerous hair experts and dermatologists to help you find the right one for your hair type.

The best blue shampoos, at a glanceBest Overall: Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo, $43Best for Brassy Tones: Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo for Brunettes, $40Best for Orange Tones: Fanola No Orange Shampoo, $24Best Budget: John Frieda Blue Crush Shampoo, $11Best for Sensitive Scalps: dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo, $28Best for Blondes: Davines Heart of Glass Silkening Shampoo, $38All your blue shampoo questions, answeredDoes blue shampoo actually work?What is the difference between blue and purple shampoo?How often should you shampoo with blue shampoo?How do you use blue shampoo?All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Overall: Joico Color Balance Blue ShampooCourtesy of brand

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Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo

This Joico shampoo is our top pick for best blue shampoo because it was continuously cited as being the most effective by hair experts. This unanimous favorite not only neutralizes brassiness and orange tones but also helps strengthen strands. “Joico’s formula stands out because it includes both blue pigments and nourishing components, making it excellent for regular use without damaging the hair,” says Rachel Voss, a Dallas-based hairstylist and salon owner. She recommends applying it to wet hair, leaving it on for 3-5 minutes, and then rinsing thoroughly.

Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, arginine, keratinSize: 10.1 & 33.8 ozWhat we love: Available in 2 sizes, cruelty-free, boosts shine, controls staticWhat we don’t like: Not for those with any yellow tonesBest for Brassy Tones: Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo for BrunettesCourtesy of brand

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Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo for Brunettes

Another popular pick that was recommended by several of our experts, this blue shampoo is the one to go for if you’re a brunette that lightens or highlights your hair. Both New York-based hairstylist Valery Joseph and Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD a board-certified dermatologists in Miami, tout its ability to tackle unwanted brassy tones. Joseph says it’s ideal for “removing brassiness while also keeping strands hydrated.” While Dr. Chacon loves its “professional-grade ingredients that neutralize brassy tones and enhance cool tones.”

Key Ingredients: Blue-violet pigments, coco-betaine, glycol distearateSize: 10.1 & 33.8 ozWhat we love: Neutralizes brassy tones, works for brunette and dark blonde hairWhat we don’t like: No so easy to latherBest for Orange Tones: Fanola No Orange ShampooCourtesy of brand

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Fanola No Orange Shampoo

There’s nothing worse than when your new dye job starts to turn orange after a couple of washes. Keep that perfect shade intact for longer with this shampoo from Fanola, designed especially to reduce orange and red tones. “It’s renowned for its strong pigmentation and effectiveness in neutralizing orange tones,” says Dr. Chacon. Yoram Harth, MD, a board-certified dermatologist echoes this statement: “The highly-pigmented formula neutralizes orange and red tones, making it ideal for both dark and light brown hair with highlights.”

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, tiare flowerSize: 11.83 & 33.8 ozWhat we love: Citrus scent, neutralizes copper and red tones, adds shineWhat we don’t like: Stains hands slightlyBest for Sensitive Scalps: dpHUE Cool Brunette ShampooCourtesy of brand

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dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo

“I love that this shampoo is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and silicones as it provides a gentle cleanse that also neutralizes extra warmth,” says Cavalcante. If you have sensitive skin or find that a lot of shampoos tend to irritate your scalp, this could be the pick for you as it provides a deep clean without any harsh ingredients. The blue pigments are safe to use on both natural and dyed hair and deal well with red, orange, and brassy tones.

Key Ingredients: Sabdariffa flower extract, silk amino acids, hydrolyzed silkSize: 8.5 ozWhat we love: Color-safe, cruelty-free, gently cleansesWhat we don’t like: Not everyone may like the scent