An easy guide to colour correcting shampoos

Colour correcting shampoos come in a variety of tones. But should you be using lavender, blue or something else entirely? We've got you covered with our easy guide.

Colour correcting shampoos can look a little scary. But when you understand them, they can be a great addition to your hair care collection, especially when you decide to go it alone with the hair dye. But it's not just DIY-ers who can benefit from using colour correcting shampoos. They're also useful for keeping colour fresh in between salon visits. Or simply keeping your own natural hair looking healthy and shiny.

Here's our easy guide to choosing the best colour correcting shampoo for your hair colour.

Lavender/Silver

Lavender and silver shampoos are ideal for those who like their blonde hair to have an icy touch á la Gwen Stefani. Ashy and cool tones can start to turn brassy over time. To keep them looking like you've just left the salon, use a cool purple to neutralise the yellow tones before they have a chance to develop.

Indigo

The dreaded orange tinge is something every blonde has battled with over the years. We've all been there at some point or another, whether that's because of a home dye job or some disaster in the salon chair. The warm, orange tone can come about for a variety of different reasons, but when it comes to combatting it, a deep indigo colour corrector is your best hope.

You might be thinking, surely it will make you look like Great Aunt Irma? If you use all the bottle in one go... maybe, but used according to instructions, it will help tone down the Tango to a more palatable honey.

Blue

Ah now, I've got to be kidding. An actual blue rinse? Yes! I promise I'm not going crazy. A bright cobalt blue colour correcting shampoo is ideal for light to medium brunettes. It helps to keep brunette tones cool rather than warm. And not only that, but it works well on natural/uncoloured hair to keep it looking naturally healthy.

Red/Chocolate

Colour correctors also come in varieties for warm and darker brunettes as well as redheads too. Unlike the blue/silver/indigo versions these are a bit more self-explanatory. They're particularly good for adding shine thanks to the red undertones in them.

Do you ever use colour correcting hair care?