Purple Haircare

Purple Haircare 

I went blonde a few years ago and, like a lot of blondes, quickly discovered the world of purple haircare. I was curious about how it worked and whether I could make my own.

I've been making my own skincare and haircare products for years, but I assumed purple shampoo and conditioner would be some complicated formulation filled with ingredients I'd never heard of. However after a bit of research, I realised the toning effect is actually surprisingly simple.

Purple sits directly opposite yellow on the colour wheel, so purple pigments help visually neutralise yellow and brassy tones. Using purple shampoo and conditioner can help keep blonde hair looking brighter between salon appointments.

I've been a big fan of shampoo and conditioner bars for years as a way to reduce plastic waste, so creating a purple shampoo bar was an easy choice. At the same time, because my hair was a little drier after lightening it, I also wanted a rich conditioner that I could really slather on. (I still store mine in an empty coconut yoghurt jar, so there's no plastic bottle in my shower!)

This page includes recipes for both a Purple Conditioner and Purple Shampoo Bars. If you already have a favourite shampoo or conditioner recipe, you don't need to start from scratch—the important part is the purple pigment. Simply add Purple Mica to your existing recipe for the same effect.

Why these ingredients?

Some of these ingredients might be unfamiliar, so here's a quick explanation of what each one does.

SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) – A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that creates a rich, creamy lather without stripping the hair. It's ideal for both liquid shampoos and solid shampoo bars.

Conditioner Pellets (BTMS-25) – Derived from rapeseed and RSPO-certified palm oil, these pellets leave hair soft, smooth and easy to detangle. They're one of our favourite conditioning ingredients.

Decyl Glucoside – A gentle, plant-derived surfactant made from vegetable oils and sugars. It cleanses effectively while remaining kind to both hair and scalp.

Lactic Acid – Produced by fermenting corn, lactic acid helps create a harder, longer-lasting shampoo bar while also helping to balance the pH.

Hydrolysed Quinoa – A plant protein rich in amino acids that helps condition the hair, improve shine, strengthen the hair shaft and support colour retention.

Coco Caprylate – A lightweight, coconut-derived emollient that improves slip, softness and shine without leaving the hair feeling greasy.

Aloe Vera Gel – Adds moisture to the hair and scalp, helping to leave hair feeling softer, smoother and more manageable.

Coco Glucoside & Glyceryl Oleate – A naturally derived conditioning ingredient that replenishes some of the lipids removed during cleansing, helping to leave hair feeling softer and less dry.

Purple Mica – Provides the purple pigment that helps visually neutralise yellow and brassy tones. All of our micas are ethically sourced, vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic.

Microcare DB – A broad-spectrum preservative that helps protect your shampoo and conditioner from bacteria, yeast and mould, keeping your products safe and extending their shelf life.

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Purple Conditioner Formula 

This conditioner uses 0.5% Purple Mica, which we've found provides gentle toning without staining the hair or hands. If you'd like a stronger toning effect, you can experiment with slightly higher levels, but we recommend starting here first.

Ingredients

Makes 250g - Adjust batch volume with Go Native NZ’s  Batch Size Calculator

Phase A

• 84% | 210g water
  
• 5% | 12.5g Conditioner pellets
  

Phase B

• 3% | 7.5g Aloe vera gel
  
• 2% | 5g Hydrolysed quinoa
  
• 2% | 5g Coco caprylate
  
• 2% | 5g Coco glucoside & glyceryl oleate
  

Phase C

• 0.5% | 1.25g Purple mica
  
• 1% | 2.5g Microcare DB
  
• 0.5% | 1.25 Lavender Essential Oil
  

Method

1. Gently heat Phase A until the conditioner pellets have completely melted.
2. Remove from the heat and blend intermittently with a stick blender while the mixture cools and begins to thicken.
3. Add Phase B ingredients and blend until smooth.
4. Add Phase C ingredients and blend until fully incorporated.
5. Pour into containers and allow to cool completely before use.

Purple Shampoo Bars Formula 

These shampoo bars contain 0.5% Purple Mica, which we've found works well for helping to neutralise yellow and brassy tones while gently cleansing the hair.

Ingredients 

Makes 400g - makes 6 bars using our Guest square moulds - Adjust batch volume with Go Native NZ’s  Batch Size Calculator

Phase A

• 59.5% | 238g SCI sodium cocoyl isethionate
  
• 15% | 60g Decyl glucoside
  
• 10% | 40g Cetearyl alcohol
  
• 7% | 28g Conditioner pellets
  
• 2% | 8g Cocoa butter, certified organic, deodorised
  

Phase B

• 1% | 4g Hydrolysed wheat protein
  
• 1% | 4g Lactic acid
  
• 1% | 4g Coco caprylate
  
• 2% | 8g Lavender Essential Oil
  
• 0.5% | 2g Purple mica
  
• 1% | 4g Microcare DB
   

Method

(Work in a well-ventilated area and wear a dust mask while melting the SCI. Fine SCI particles can become airborne during handling and may irritate the respiratory tract.)

1. Combine all Phase A ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Heat gently until the SCI begins to soften.
3. Blend with a stick blender to help break down the SCI and create a smooth paste.
4. Continue heating and blending until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
5. Remove from the heat.
6. Add Phase B ingredients and mix thoroughly.
7. Spoon into moulds, smoothing the tops with a spatula or knife.
8. Refrigerate until firm before removing from the moulds.

Note

The video tutorial below contains an old formula. Our formula has been tweaked slightly since the making of this video. Please refer to ratios on this page rather than in the video.

Video Tutorial: Make Solid Shampoo Bars