Didn’t like your hair color? Want to go from brunette to blonde? Try these top lightening shampoos to help lighten hair gradually without damage.
As a hairstylist I have seen a lot of people regret their hair color. But some of the hair treatments like coloring involve the usage of a lot of harsh chemicals so it is not a good idea to redo it again and subject your hair to more damage.
So your safest bet is a hair lightener shampoo. Hair lightening shampoos are formulated to gradually remove and lighten the artificial color of your hair as it lightens the color by neutralizing the pigments and reducing yellowish and brassy tones from your hair.
| Best Lightening Shampoos | Best For | Top Ingredients |
| John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo | Honey Blonde Hair | Citrus, Chamomile |
| Manzanilla Grisi Vitagloss Shampoo | Dull, Limp Hair | Chamomile Flower Extract, |
| John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Subtle Lightening Shampoo | Brunette Hair | Green Tea Extract, Calendula |
| Noughty Blondie Blonde Enhancing Shampoo | Dry, Blonde Hair | Chamomile, Lemon |
| Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo | Platinum Blonde Hair | Purple Pigment, Vitamin B5 |
| Intrea Blonde Shampoo | Oily Hair | Chamomile |
I think the best best hair lightening shampoo out there is the John Frieda Blonder Lightening Shampoo as it helps remove the brassy (reddish) tones in blonde hair leaving it less darker and more cooler in shade. It also adds shine to hair, making tresses look more lighter and giving it a soft sheen.
Top lightening shampoos 2024
John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo - (best lightening shampoo 2024)
I was looking for a shampoo to lighten dyed hair that would stretch my color appointments while making my hair color look fresh and vibrant.
This product definitely saves a lot of time and money since I do not have to retouch my hair as often as I used to do.
What I liked most about this shampoo is that it's lightening powers come from chamomile extracts which are proven to be natural lightening agents. (Srivastava, Janmejai K et al. “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.” Molecular medicine reports vol. 3,6 (2010): 895-901. doi:10.3892/mmr.2010.377). So you don't have to worry about hair damage
It gave such a fresh look to my hair and I only use it every few weeks. If you feel like your hair looks too yellow or brassy after using this product, you can use the John Frieda purple shampoo to get rid of it.
Also, it has a very refreshing smell that stays on your hair. I have also noticed that my hair feels much softer after using this.
If you are worried about damaging your hair because of harsh ingredients, I have good news.
I really liked that the product is free of ammonia and peroxide. The ingredients list also includes silk proteins which make your hair look healthy and shiny.
Pros:
- Contains chamomile that lightens hair color naturally
- Contains citrus that cleanses hair without being harsh
- Ammonia free and peroxide free shampoo that is gentle on hair
- Pocket friendly prices
Cons:
- Contains sulfates that can leave hair dry
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power - 4/5
- Gentleness - 3/5
- Shine Enhancement - 4/5
Who It’s For - Yellow/Honey Blonde Hair
Manzanilla Grisi Vitagloss shampoo
This lightening shampoo is a high-quality product that gave me great results. It removed all build-up from the hair and made it squeaky clean. This is probably one of the only "bleaching shampoo" on this list. Not in the sense it contains actual bleach, but it actually lightens hair and doesn't just already bleached and light blonde hair.
Although I did expect some level of dryness after using this product, I was surprised to find my hair smooth and shiny. It gives that perfect sun kissed shine to the hair.
I did find the fragrance a little harsh but it helped in lightening and brightening my hair. If you are sensitive to strong scents, I would suggest you stay away from this product.
The ingredients include chamomile extract that helps in enriching your hair color and making it more vibrant.
This is a great option for people with dandruff since it helps in reducing it. It is also suitable for people with damaged hair.
Pros:
- Contains chamomile-extract that naturally lightens hair
- Suitable for damaged hair as it's sulfate free
- Relieves dandruff thanks to the citrus formula
- Lightweight formula helps add volume to hair
Cons:
- Strong fragrance from added perfumes, so it can trigger sensitivities
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power - 4.5/5
- Gentleness - 3/5
- Shine Enhancement - 4/5
Who It’s For - Oily Scalps and Dandruff-Prone Hair
- Related: Clay Lighteners For Balayage
John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Subtle Lightening Shampoo
If you have naturally brunette hair or if you just got brunette hair color, this lightening shampoo and conditioner duo will work well for you.
This really helped in stretching the dark color on my hair. My dyed brunette hair would often get darker reddish tones, so using this shampoo really helped bring out the cooler tones and leave my tresses a gorgeous ash brown color.
If you have issues with brassy tones, this shampoo to lighten hair will help in minimizing that as well. I found that the shampoo conditioner duo works perfectly well to maintain my brunette color.
But I did experience some amount of drying, even after using the conditioner. So I would recommend using a hair mask or a moisturizing serum after using the shampoo.
And before you ask no there are no sulfates here. But it does contains milder surfactants that might remove moisture from hair.
Pros:
- Makes hair shiny as it contains crushed pearl extracts
- Suitable for daily use as there are no sulfates
- Contains sweet almond oil that controls frizz and adds softness
Cons:
- Dries out your hair in the longer run
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power - 3.5/5
- Gentleness - 3.5/5
- Shine Enhancement - 4.5/5
Who It’s For - Brunette Hair
Noughty Blondie Blonde Enhancing Shampoo
My favorite part about this blonde-enhancing shampoo is that it is vegan and 97% natural.
Although the shampoo did not lather much, it definitely cleansed my hair thoroughly.
A little goes a long way with this product so make sure to not use excess shampoo and dry out your scalp.
It has a soothing scent and makes my hair super soft and smooth.
This shampoo is slightly on the pricier side but it definitely does what it says and it has a lot of safe and clean ingredients.
It is free of harmful ingredients like sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, and silicones. So extra points from me!
Pros:
- Vegan and 97% natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free, paraben-free, petrochemical free, and silicone free formula
Cons:
- The scent might be unappealing for some
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power - 4/5
- Gentleness - 4/5
- Shine Enhancement - 4/5
Who It’s For - Dry Hair
Bold Uniq Purple shampoo
If you are struggling with brassy or yellow tones on your colored hair, a purple shampoo is a necessity.
This is very common among people with light hair colors. This shampoo gave me incredible results on my blonde hair.
I only had to leave it on for about five minutes and I could witness the drastic results.
I didn't even have to use a toner or additional dye to get these results. It gave natural-looking highlights to my hair.
If you are looking for instant results, I would absolutely recommend this product.
The main ingredient is vitamin b5 which makes your hair moisturized and smooth.
Also, the best part about this shampoo is that it is sulfate, SLS, mineral oil, phthalates, formaldehyde, and paraben-free.
So you can use it if you have damaged hair and sensitive scalp and if you have dyed your hair blonde and do not want the color to wash off easily
Pros:
- Cruelty-free formula and ethically sourced ingredients
- Sulfate-free formula suitable for sensitive scalps
- Recyclable packaging that's eco-friendly
- Suitable for light hair colours as it removes brassy, reddish tones
- Extends time between salon visits as it makes hair color last longer
Cons:
- Might dry out your hair as it contains alcohol and added perfumes
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power - 3.5/5
- Gentleness - 4/5
- Shine Enhancement - 4/5
Who It’s For - Platinum Blonde Hair
Intea Blonde Shampoo
Chamomile is an ingredient that acts as a lightening agent. When you lighten your hair chemically using bleach, it tends to cause damage.
If you are looking for a safe and natural alternative, you can choose lightening shampoos with chamomile.
This gave me a very vibrant and natural-looking blonde shade. My hair did dry up a little after using this so I would recommend you follow up with a hydrating mask or a conditioner.
This product is cruelty-free and contains active ingredients extracted from chamomile flowers. It is also free of harsh ingredients like ammonia, silicones, and parabens.
Pros:
- Ammonia free and alcohol-free formula that is safe on sensitive scalp skin
- Pleasant scent that isn't overwhelming
- Cruelty-free formula that is eco-friendly
- Silicone free and paraben-free so it doesn't cause buildup or irritation
- Strong clarifying formula that helps remove excess oil and dirt from hair
Cons:
- Contains sulfates so it might not be suited for dyed hair or dry, sensitive scalps
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power - 4.5/5
- Gentleness - 3/5
- Shine Enhancement - 4/5
Who It’s For - Blonde Hair
How To Choose The Best Lightening Shampoos For Your Hair
When buying a color lightening shampoo you should require hair type, goals, and preferences. Also consider:
Hair Type: Consider your hair type—whether it's fine, thick, curly, straight, or damaged. Look for a lightening shampoo that caters to your specific hair needs to avoid potential damage or unwanted results.
Ingredients: Check the shampoo's ingredients to ensure they are gentle and effective. Look for natural ingredients like chamomile, lemon, or honey, which can help lighten hair gradually without causing excessive dryness or damage.
Lightening Strength: Determine the level of lightening you desire. Some shampoos provide subtle highlights, while others offer more significant lightening effects. Choose the one that aligns with your vision for your hair.
Sulfate-Free Formula: Opt for a sulfate-free shampoo to prevent unnecessary stripping of natural oils from your hair, as this can lead to dryness and frizz.
UV Protection: If you plan to spend time in the sun, consider a lightening shampoo with UV protection to shield your hair from sun damage and maintain the desired color.
Hydration and Nourishment: Look for a lightening shampoo that also provides hydration and nourishment to keep your hair healthy and shiny throughout the lightening process.
Why You Should Use A Lightening Shampoo
Lightening shampoos can act differently on various hair colors and textures. It is not “one size fits for all” so you cannot expect the same results for everyone. They are also formulated with various ingredients.
Many of you might find these shampoos a bit harsh because of the presence of certain ingredients.
If you want a shampoo that does not contain too many harsh ingredients, you can find lightening shampoos that are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, etc.
Some of the best advantages of using lightening shampoos are:
Acts as a booster shot- Lightening shampoos are not only for people who want to lighten their hair color.
It can also be useful for people who have gone lighter and wants to brighten their hair a little bit. Also, is really helpful for those with light hair colors like blonde and light brown hair. A lightening shampoo really helps in making your color look brighter and vibrant.
Removes yellow and brassy tones- When your colored hair comes to contact with sunlight, hard water, or chlorine, you might notice your hair turning brassy or yellow.
This can also be caused when your hairdresser doesn't get rid of the underlying pigment when bleaching your hair.
With the help of lightening shampoos, you can get rid of these annoying yellowish and brassy tones from your hair.
Enhanced highlights- It can be annoying to maintain your hair in between salon visits, especially if you have highlights.
When your highlights start adding and losing their vibrancy, you can use a lightening shampoo to extend their lifespan. These shampoos can also make your look naturally sun lightened by accentuating your natural highlights.
Reduces the darkness of virgin hair- This is a major issue faced by people who have done global hair color.
A few weeks down the line of coloring your hair, you will notice your virgin hair growing and your natural hair color blocking the artificial color.
Conclusion
Lightening shampoos help in reducing the brightness of your natural hair color and help in blending in the shade with your colored hair.
So if you have color-treated hair and dread those never-ending visits to the salon, these shampoos are the perfect solution for you.
With these lightening shampoos, you can maintain your hair in between touch-ups and prevent any brassy undertones or fading of hair color.
I love coloring my hair, but I’ve learnt that maintaining color-treated hair is essential. So I hope this list of my reviews helps you get the right product for your hair.
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