17 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair to Keep Brassy Strands at Bay

There's a myriad of hair products dedicated to concealing gray hair, but what about those of us who want to keep our grays or dye our hair to get the silver-toned look prematurely? Silver hair, natural or not, is similar to blonde in the fact that it needs a bit more TLC than darker hair tones to look its brightest and shiniest. Whether you naturally have icy-white hair or sat in the salon chair to get the look, the best shampoos for gray hair are essential for creating a dullness-defying hair-care routine that your cool-toned hair color will benefit from.

Yes, counteracting yellow tones to minimize brassiness is one concern for those with gray hair, but New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that gray hair can also change and become thinner, coarser, and drier since your oil glands produce less sebum as you get older, leading to drier hair follicles. "It is unclear why, but the biological process that affects the color of the hair likely also affects the structure of the hair being produced as well," he said. Therefore, finding a shampoo that not only neutralizes brassy tones but also replenishes moisture is key to keeping gray hair in tip-top shape.

Ready to embrace your silver-fox era? Below, take a look at a few hairstylist-approved shampoos that will make going gray a total breeze.

$29.00, Amazon

$40.00, Amazon

Made especially for graying and maturing hair types, the Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo is a must-have to reveal your most silver strands yet. This purple-tinted shampoo reduces yellowing and cleanses hair as antioxidant-rich bamboo extract provides much-needed moisture.

Want luxury hair care? Then try out Kérastase's Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo, a prestige best-seller that's known for its brass-busting abilities, thanks to its indigo hue. It's also worth mentioning that this formulation is spiked with hydrating hyaluronic acid to bind water into the hair cuticle, making it shinier and softer in the process.

$34.00, Saks Fifth Avenue

$31.00, Amazon

Dullness be damned because the Philip Kingsley Pure Blonde/Silver Brightening Daily Shampoo will boost glossiness and shine in as little as one wash. This gentle yet effective formula can be used daily to tone hair as ethylhexylglycerin, a derivative of hydrating glycerin, replenishes moisture for high shine and smoothness.

Softer hair and brighter shine are just a bottle of Unite Hair's Blonda Daily Shampoo. Its purple-colored formula is packed with ingredients like scalp-soothing oat kernel flour and moisturizing bisabolol extract to enhance the look and feel of your hair from root to tip.

$12.00, Amazon

$35.00, Amazon

New York City-based hairstylist Valerie Vanessa calls Clairol's Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo a drugstore classic for its brass-busting formulation. This under-$15 shampoo balances cool undertones with purple pigments to diminish brassiness while its protein-rich formula also strengthens delicate hair and protects it against breakage.

Pureology's Strength Cure Sulfate-Free Shampoo formula impressed the entire Allure team so much that it won a 2022 Best of Beauty Award, so trust us when we say it's great for damaged or color-treated hair. As it washes away excess oil and product buildup, the antioxidant-fueled shampoo moisturizes hair and protects hair from environmental damage.

$30.00, Amazon

$40.00, Neiman Marcus

We're major fans of Olaplex's Bond Maintenance No. 4 Shampoo, and so is Los Angeles-based hairstylist Glenn Ellis. This Allure Best of Beauty-winning formula got our seal of approval for its protein bond-repairing properties that instantly strengthen hair, reduce frizz, and boost shine, making it a great choice for those with fragile, thinning hair. Ellis adds that this sulfate-free option is one of his favorite shampoos for just about anyone with color-treated hair because it makes his clients' color treatments last longer.

Another one of Ellis's favorite shampoos for gray hair is Iles Formula's Shampoo, which is free of silicones and sulfates in order to wash hair without compromising color fade. This cleanser is also spiked with antioxidant vitamin B5 to retain moisture for a silkier, softer feel before you even reach for your conditioner.

$31.00, Amazon

$9.00, Target

Sachajuan's ultraviolet Silver Shampoo is such a deep aubergine purple that it almost looks black, and there's a reason for that. Its dark violet pigment was developed specifically for white, gray, and silver hair colors to counteract brassiness for an icy-cool, vibrant finish. It's also worth mentioning that this shampoo is also formulated with Sachajuan's proprietary ocean silk technology, which is a combination of different algae that improve shine and malleability.

We at Allure always believe that a proper beauty routine can be executed with a slew of affordable picks, like L'Oréal Paris's EverPure Purple Shampoo. This under-$10 shampoo is sulfate- and paraben-free and utilizes hibiscus extract to act as a conditioning ingredient and a brass-counteracting dye.

$32.00, Amazon

$49.00, Sephora

The magic of René Furterer's Okara Silver Toning Shampoo comes from two ingredients: violet pigments, which neutralizes yellow undertones for a cool-toned finish, and the shampoo's signature okara extract. This extract is rich in amino acids, a molecular compound that strengthens and fortifies hair.

Ellis says the Shu Uemura Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo is one of his favorite recommendations for gray hair types because it's a luxurious formula that instantly neutralizes brassy tones. On top of its purple pigment, Shu Uemura's formulation also contains white peony extract, which is rich in free-radical-fighting antioxidants that prevent damage and breakage.

$59.00, Amazon

$20.00, Amazon

If your main focus is less on color-toning and more on damage control, allow us to introduce you to R+Co Bleu's De Luxe Reparative Shampoo. It's one of Ellis's go-to's for damaged hair since it's infused with a blend of moisture-retaining tananu, marajuca, and argan oils to intensively condition damaged and brittle hair for a smoother, softer, and shinier finish after every wash. "It's super moisturizing for gray hair and helps restore hydration while tackling dullness," says Ellis, making it an excellent choice for dry hair.

The Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo has a neon-purple hue that looks like paint but works like brass-blasting sorcery on yellow tones. Its vibrant color not only cuts down brass but also brightens hair color for a fresher-looking tint.

$65.00, Nordstrom

$28.00, Ulta Beauty

$22.00, Ulta Beauty

Not only will Aveda's Blue Malva Shampoo take care of unwanted yellow tones for gray and blonde hair, but it also works on brunettes. It subs purple pigments for blue malva powder, which gives it a deep blue tint that neutralizes both yellow- and orange-toned brassiness.

Vanessa says that though Fekkai's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo doesn't contain any pigments, it still brightens and balances the tone of gray hair with total ease. "This shampoo has a pH of 2 to 3, which is mildly acidic and removes pollutants while sealing the cuticle to keep them out," she says.

Banish brass for good with Klorane's Anti-Yellowing Shampoo, an ultra-purple formula that tones while cleansing hair of buildup and excess oil. The beauty of this shampoo is that it not only neutralizes brassy tones in gray, silver, and blonde hair but its buildup-removing formula is also gentle enough to use daily without drying out your hair or scalp.

Gray and silver hair types, these are the tried-and-true shampoo formulas you need to nourish your hair and keep brass at bay. Now, go on and get to washing for the brightest, shiniest, and coolest hair of your life.

Read more about our favorite, Allure staff-approved hair care products:

Why Everyone Is So Obsessed With K18

These Detangler Sprays Will Help You Through Your Toughest Knots

A $15 Hair Gloss Is Going TikTok-Viral for the Miracles It Works on Natural Redheads

Now, watch the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars try nine things they haven't done before:

Follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.

Originally Appeared on Allure