12 Best Gray-Hair Shampoos to Preserve That Gorge Silver-Platinum Color
TBH? Maintenance is harder than it looks.
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By now, there are about a million gray hair color ideas to try—from the lightest, Game of Thrones silver-blonde to deep charcoal. The hair color has been trending for a few years, but 2022 hair trends are all about health and shine, letting your natural radiance take over your head (and your Insta feed). It's important to have someone you trust do this expert-level color; celebrity colorist Richy Kandasamy previously told Cosmo that working with a professional is a must "because the color can change based on the natural color and texture of someone's hair."
Just as important as your new look is the upkeep between coloring sessions to protect your hair from the "unwanted warmth that may come through from being in the sun or washing with harsh water," says celebrity stylist Sophie Rose Gutterman.
Is there a shampoo for gray hair, specifically? I hear you asking. Yes! There are color-depositing shampoos tailored to silver-specific colors, as well as purple shampoos that will remove the yellow and "brassy" notes from gray, silver, and blonde hair; Bridget Kinney, senior stylist and colorist, thinks that purple shampoo is a must "once a week." It's worth noting, though, that purple shampoos can sometimes be too pigmented for very light hair, so we have options for different hues.
Our top picks for the best shampoo for gray hair in 2022:
best gray hair shampoo for platinum hair
Watercolors Intense Metallic Color Depositing Sulfate-Free Shampoo
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best gray hair shampoo for intense results
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Shampoo
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Even though it's been a while since I ~truly~ experimented with my hair, after reading this list, I might need to try the silver trend ASAP. Let these 12 products be your guide as you live your best hair life.
Watercolors Intense Metallic Color Depositing Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Watercolors Intense Metallic Color Depositing Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Pros
- formulated specifically for silver
Cons
- small size
This shampoo comes in a ~ton~ of color options if you dye your hair another color at some point in the future. The brand's silver option comes with a comb to ensure even distribution and really makes platinum "pop."
THE REVIEWS: "Works great at transforming yellow blonde into platinum silvery color. This product not only smells good it is gentle and moisturizing and very affordable!" writes one review.
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Shampoo
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Shampoo
Pros
- hydrating
Cons
- do not overuse
Kinney loves Olaplex products (they're a fave for a lot of pro stylists), and this purple shampoo is no exception. But with that rave recommendation comes a caveat–this product is *strong*, and you only need to use it sparingly for it to work.
THE REVIEWS: "My hair is naturally warm-toned, so when I went platinum brassiness was an extra concern. Not anymore! This shampoo returns the cool silver tones to my hair. I only leave it in for a minute or less, and it’s enough time to tone my platinum hair," one reviewer wrote.
Oribe Silverati Shampoo
Oribe Silverati Shampoo
Pros
- gentle but effective
Cons
- pricey
When in doubt, go with Oribe. Purple shampoos can sometimes be too pigmented for light silver and light gray hair. Opt instead for a shampoo that is ~specifically~ designed to brighten, remove yellow tones, and increase shine for dyed and naturally gray hair.
THE REVIEWS: "The day I received the order, I washed my hair. Used a small amount, lathered in my hands, and washed thru my hair. My silvery/white gray hair was back," according to one tester.
extreme silver Extreme Silver Daily Conditioner
extreme silver Extreme Silver Daily Conditioner
Pros
- vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- dense formula
This shampoo comes in three options: pastel, vibrant, and extreme silver. So you can pick the shade closest to your hair and use this specific color-depositing shampoo to maintain your hair while also giving it a gentle cleanse.
THE REVIEWS: "I get asked about my color almost every day. Even turned a few friends to my exact shades with Overtone so they can get their silver too!" one tester's review read.
Davines Alchemic Shampoo, Silver
Davines Alchemic Shampoo, Silver
Pros
- cleanses gently
Cons
- drying
I love Davines products, and their Alchemic purple conditioner paired with this shampoo is truly *chef's kiss*. But just know that the formula is intense—I use their products twice a week, tops, and it works perfectly to keep ashy tones ashy.
THE REVIEWS: "Great shampoo and conditioner that keeps my grey hair really white and bright. The trick is to let stay in and deposit for about 10 min. or longer. Then, proceed as normal," reads one review.
Matrix Total Results So Silver Color Depositing Purple Shampoo
Matrix Total Results So Silver Color Depositing Purple Shampoo
Pros
- hydrating
Cons
- not for greasy scalps
This removes brassiness without stripping your hair (and is often loved by hairstylists). There are a lot of buying options, too—bundle and save, or get a single bottle for $20.
THE REVIEWS: "I love that I can go around town and people ask who did my hair and I can share that this come from a shampoo bottle," writes one tester.
SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo
SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo
Pros
- cruelty-free
Cons
- not as moisturizing
This shampoo color-corrects, but it also offers UV protection and shine. The brand also has a shampoo for "normal" hair, which is to say that if it's color-treated and you want a shampoo that's not going to ruin it, use it on the days you're not using the Silver version.
THE REVIEWS: "I have tried many versions, and this is by far the best. If you used the old Bumble and Bumble Cool Blonde S + C that was discontinued, you will love this," one reviewer wrote.
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Shampoo
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Shampoo
Pros
- attacks dullness
Cons
- v fragrant
You get a lot out of this inexpensive-but-effective drugstore shampoo: It's free of sulfates, parabens, and petroleum, and it restores color without damage (and is particularly effective on thicker, curly hair).
THE REVIEWS: "This shampoo had rice water and it really grows your hair. I can't say enough about this product. It thickens and regrows edges. Just terrific for thinning hair," according to one tester.
milk_shake Silver Shine Light Purple Shampoo
milk_shake Silver Shine Light Purple Shampoo
Pros
- effective
Cons
- highly scented
According to people who use this, the results are impressive even after just one wash. Milk_shake also has an "icy blond" shampoo that's just for maintaining color-treated hair, which is a nice option to swap out when you're not ~actively treating~ it.
THE REVIEWS: "Holy grail for my bleached hair. Magic in a bottle. I will NEVER use another purple shampoo. This literally took ALL my brassy color out within one wash," one tester’s review reads.
Mounia Shampoo & Hair Rinse
Mounia Shampoo & Hair Rinse
Pros
- non-damaging
Cons
- basic
I use this reparative shampoo and conditioner when I just want a gentle, no-fuss, cleansing and conditioning experience. This shampoo uses aloe vera, clay, and rose extract to remove buildup without removing...anything else, including your color.
THE REVIEWS: "I have fine, straight, limp hair and have tried hundreds of shampoos over the years. I love this product. It leaves my hair clean and soft without weighing it down. It even improves body and texture!" writes one tester.
All About Curls Lo-Lather Cleanser
All About Curls Lo-Lather Cleanser
Pros
- great value
Cons
- has a small lather
This helps to soften and protect curly hair and thicker hair, and it's sulfate-, paraben-free, and color-protected, so it won't do anything wild to your hair in between treating it. Gutterman says she can use it every day without buildup and likes pairing it with Ultra Bond Synergy No. 2+ Deep Conditioner Treatment.
THE REVIEWS: "Try it! My curls have never felt so clean and respected! Follow up with the conditioner, mask and bouncy cream. I’m in love! Only took 34 years for me to find this solution," reads one review.
Kerastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
Kerastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
Pros
- highly effective
Cons
- drying
Kerastase products are routinely top-notch, including this purple shampoo. Kinney likes this one in addition to their purple masque to lock in color and hydration once you've cleansed the hair.
THE REVIEWS: "This shampoo truly got rid of any brass I had in my hair. It also didn't make my hair oily, which I appreciate since I already have enough grease problems," one reviewer wrote.
What does purple shampoo do to gray hair?
Using a purple shampoo on gray hair can help remove brassy yellow shades, leaving you with a flattering silver undertone. It does this by depositing purple pigment to neutralize warmer tones. While you may be (correctly) assuming that the tips of your hair need the most attention and hydration, your roots need love, too. Because you use shampoo on the roots of your hair, which erodes color over time, using a shampoo that's specifically protective of your color will prevent discoloration and dulling at the base of your hair follicle.
How can I make my gray hair soft and shiny?
Using the right products is the key to shiny, beautiful gray hair:
Alternate between color-depositing and sulfate-free shampoo
Depending on how often you shampoo your hair, you may want to use a color-depositing shampoo as often as twice a week. The rest of the days you use shampoo, use something that doesn't cause buildup or strip the hair (like the ones on this list!).
Use a purple conditioner, too
When you shampoo, you focus on the scalp and roots of your hair. Conditioner treats the rest of your hair on your head, so make sure you use a color-depositing one up to twice a week. As your roots grow out, you may not need to treat your natural hair color. But generally speaking, if you're ~committing~ to gray hair, you'll probably need to get it re-colored regularly. Instead of a conditioner, you could use a purple hair mask, says Kinney, for hydration and color correction on the rest of your hair (instead of just at the root).
Try a hair gloss
"When people transition to gray, it's important to remember that even though the roots are gray, the ends still need regular maintenance, so [they should] come in for a hair glaze every four weeks as it grows out," says Kinney. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable, use one at home.
How often can you use purple shampoo on gray hair?
As for how often to use it? Sorry to say, there's no specific schedule to follow. If you use a purple shampoo too often, it might *turn your hair purple*, so make sure you're not overdoing it—start out once a week, and see if you need to bump it up to two times a week (which is what I do). "Pay attention to how the hair changes as the time goes by," says Gutterman. "If you notice it’s getting a little brassy, use the shampoo. If the shampoo isn’t helping the problem, you may want to try a toner from your stylist."
What to look for in a gray hair shampoo
Here's what to pay attention to:
See what color(s) the shampoo actually is designed for.
Some of these shampoos are as specific as you can get—made for deep charcoal or silvery platinum. Some have a broader usage (like the Davines products) that include gray, silver, platinum, and blonde. You might need to experiment or ask your stylist because the treatment they've used will determine the product to use.
Identify your specific hair needs.
In addition to getting your gray hair shinier and less brassy, try to understand the other impacts of using shampoo. Do you need moisture? Don't get something drying. Do you need something light? Don't get the most intense formulation on here. Knowing your hair texture and porosity will help before you select anything.
Read the reviews.
We've done the hard work, but skimming through a product's common compliments and criticisms will give you a sense of what issues you might run into. A common complaint? If used too much, some of these shampoos give your hair a purple-y tint, so pay attention if your hair suffers from the same issue.
Meet the experts:
- Bridget Kinney is a senior stylist and colorist at the Patrice Vinci salon in Boston, MA.
- Richy Kandasamy is a celebrity colorist and R+Co Collective Member who's worked with artists like Llane and Erick Brian from CNCO.
- Sophie Rose Gutterman is a celebrity hairstylist who has 10 years of experience in hair and has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow, Karlie Kloss and Victoria Justice; She's based in Los Angeles, CA.
Why trust Cosmo?
Katherine J Igoe is a contributing editor at Cosmopolitan, and has eleven years of experience as a freelancer—with nearly five of those years writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, including leave-in conditioners and hair detanglers. Her shampoo for gray hair picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from experts.
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