The Best Purple Hair Masks for Blonde, Brassy or Gray Hair

It’s not easy being blonde. Sure, the classic hue has its perks, like bringing out your inner bombshell—think Marilyn Monroe, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and so many others. Unfortunately, it’s also notoriously high-maintenance. If you’ve ever dared to go blonde, you know exactly what I mean. Lightening your hair is a process that can also wreak havoc on it without the right products. Which is why investing in a good purple hair mask is essential. Not only do they help adjust the color and diminish unwanted brassiness, but they also infuse your strands with much-needed hydration, resulting in healthy and vibrant hair. You may already have a go-to shampoo and conditioner, but adding a purple hair mask to your routine has extra benefits. According to Kimberlee Blakley, hairstylist, trichologist and senior director of product development for MAV Beauty, the creamy, rich texture of a mask helps pigments deposit evenly and is often more manageable than a shampoo or conditioner alone. Keep reading to see the purple masks experts recommend for achieving softer, shinier and glossier color.

Featured experts

• Kimberlee Blakley is a hairstylist, trichologist and the senior director of product development for MAV Beauty
• Adrienne Dara is a hairstylist and hair educator

The benefits of purple hair masks

The color purple naturally counteracts yellowness. In color-correcting makeup products, the hue is used to neutralize yellowness and brighten the skin. The same ethos applies to purple-toned hair-care products. “After lightening, hair often develops unwanted yellow, orange or brassy tones over time due to oxidation, sun, heat and product buildup. Purple or blue pigments in these products work to cancel out those warm hues, restoring a brighter, more salon-fresh color,” says Blakley.

Purple hair masks, in particular, work double duty to provide deep hydration, that dyed hair desperately needs, in addition to toning. It’s no secret that coloring your hair makes it more prone to dryness—not to mention the chemicals in styling products, use of hot tools and the minerals commonly found in your shower’s water. In that vein, you need to take extra care to increase hydration, especially when washing. “Masks are packed with conditioning agents, so they not only tone out brass but also repair damage, smooth frizz and add moisture, says Blakley. While purple masks are recommended for color-treated blondes, she notes that their benefits also extend to natural blondes and those with highlights or gray hair.

Purple hair masks to try

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This ultra-pigmented purple mask features a powerful toning formula to correct and neutralize brazenness in under 10 minutes. It works on all shades of blonde, including highlights, but comes highly recommended by hair stylist and educator Adrienne Dara for maintaining soft blonde colors like mushroom and bronde.

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The blonding process can zap the moisture right out of your hair. This mask is formulated to hydrate your strands and strengthen them after coloring, thanks to a nourishing blend of plant butters and proteins. It works to repair as it tones, giving you a healthy and vibrant blonde.

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This purple hair mask covers all the bases for color-treated blondes. It counteracts yellow tones, boosts hydration and strengthens the weakened bonds deep within the follicle. Instead of an ashy color with brassiness, you’ll have intense shine plus the added benefit of bond protection.

 

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Verb’s toning purple mask is a versatile formula that works on any hair type. Whether you have straight hair, loose waves, naturally curly strands or gray hair, it can help brighten your color without stripping it bone dry. Its formula even includes acai extract as a potent antioxidant to combat environmental stress.

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According to TikTok, L’Oreal Paris’ EverPure line is chock full of formulas that deliver well above their price point. This purple mask is a great example. It’s deeply hydrating and made with highly concentrated purple pigments that target brassiness. Plus, it minimizes frizz and adds shine.

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If your blonde is in need of an uplifting boost, reach for this shade variation hair mask. It’s designed to mellow harsh tones on natural and color-treated strands, including hair that’s been bleached blonde. Apply it after washing and drying thoroughly to give your color a silky finish.