Purple shampoo reboot: k18's foam formula turns back time on color

Let’s be honest: my blonde phase was a disaster. A spectacularly yellow disaster, courtesy of well water and a small-town American reality I’d rather forget. But K18’s new TripleBright Oxidation Defense Purple Shampoo Foam is a godsend, proving that even a past Beauty blunder can be expertly rectified.

The unexpected foam factor

I assumed purple shampoo was a relic of my overly-blonde days. Now that I'm rocking a rich red, I figured I’d moved on. Turns out, I was wrong. Celebrity colorist Rachel Bodt, who’s worked with Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, swears this isn’t your average purple deposit – it’s a clarifying foam designed to tackle brassiness across all hair colours, from platinum to grey.

Bodt explained the key difference: “This shampoo isn’t just depositing color to counter yellow tones. With other purple shampoos, it just deposits so it can leave the all-over colour looking really muddy and a lot darker than where you started.”

Instead, K18’s formula actively ‘clears’ hair, banishing metal and mineral buildup that causes colour to dull and become brittle. It’s particularly effective for grey hair, where dryness is a major concern. The addition of chelating ingredients specifically binds to these metallic impurities, preventing further damage. It’s a surprisingly sophisticated approach, and frankly, a welcome departure from the sticky, staining formulas of the past.

But the real game-changer? The foam consistency. Forget rubbing – this stuff is ready to pump. Bodt insists this even distribution ensures an uniform tone, eliminating the dreaded splotchy results you get with pigmented shampoos. “I think we are all guilty of using a very pigmented purple shampoo, and it turns out splotchy or super pigmented in areas of your hair.”

Redheads, rejoice! Bodt used the foam to subtly mute my vibrancy, dialing it back to a luscious strawberry shade. Since my colour appointment, I’ve applied it sparingly, once a month, to maintain that perfect, even tone. Brunettes, this is your secret weapon for erasing brassy roots. Just be mindful – a monthly application is plenty. Overdoing it can result in a muted, less-vibrant result.

I’ve been testing it alongside K18’s Hair Mask, and the combination is transformative. My hair feels clean, moisturized, and remarkably healthy, even after a recent dye job. It’s an investment, certainly, but one that delivers tangible results – and a seriously satisfying shower experience.

Forget everything you thought you knew about purple shampoo. K18's TripleBright Oxidation Defense Purple Shampoo Foam isn’t just a trend; it’s a reset button for your colour. And frankly, my teenage self would have given anything for this.