Calling all Blondes. Purple shampoo: why and how it works!

Sorry my non-blonde beauties, but you'll have to sit this post out.   Hugs and let's reconvene tomorrow?

Friends shouldn't let friends let their blonde get brassy, so today we explore the brilliance that is Purple Shampoo.  If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about then you are probably wondering two things:

I used purple shampoo in high school, forgot about it during college and started using it again about two years ago when I came back to my senses.  In between highlights my locks inevitably loose their luster, so to breathe life back into my hair, I use a purple shampoo a few times a week (do not overuse purple shampoo. A few times a week is ideal.).  I was curious how and what purple shampoo actually was so I asked my stylist the last time I was in the salon.  Here's what I learned.

Hard water, air pollution, too much sun and clorine are some of the culprits that will turn your blonde a brassy or yellow color.  Purple shampoo revives brassy tones in your hair between a fresh color sesh and below is how.    

Two words: color science.  The general theory is that opposing colors on the color wheel neutralize each other out.  Exhibit A:

As you can see above, purple and yellow are directly across from each other on the color wheel.  Thus, the purple color in a purple shampoo/conditioner will effectively neutralize all the yellow tones in your hair.

Any questions class? Maybe you don't know where to find purple shampoo?

Go to your local Ulta.  Don't have an Ulta? Try Target or Sally's Beauty Supply.

Want my personal recs?

Currently I'm using AG Sterling Silver Toning Shampoo (33.8 oz size = $40).  

Don't freak.  I did not spend $40 on shampoo.  I purchased it during an Ulta promo when it was on sale for $12.99. I also had a $3.50 off $10 coupon I used, so my bottle was less than $10.  btw - I only remember this because I blogged about it. 

I  go through conditioner faster than shampoo, and I recently ran out of my AG purple conditioner. I wasn't about to spend $40, so I picked up the budget friendly John Frieda Sheer Blonde Color Renew Tone Restoring Conditioner ($5.99).  That's a mouth full.  

Now go forth, buy some purple shampoo and say see ya later to your yucky brassy blonde.  I promise that after about 3 uses, you and those around you are going to notice a difference.  Bargain Blonde out. 

Does your blonde get brassy?

It's been almost 7 months since my last highlight and my blonde is really starting to lose it's luster. My natural color is about a medium blonde, so fortunately for me (and my checking account), I'm able to wait this long between highlights. However, my natural color is certainly not as platinum as it used to be. Meet platinum me:
What I would give for hair that blonde. Sigh.

For a period of time during my senior year of high school, I started using ARTec White Violet Shampoo, which claimed to neutralize yellow and maintain brightness of pale blonde highlighted hair. I swear to you, every time I used the shampoo at least one person would ask me, "Did you just dye your hair?" I didn't really notice, but others always did. The ARTec was awesome in terms of getting rid of the brassiness that builds up on blondes overtime.

It dawned on me I should start using it again (not sure why I ever stopped), so off I went to Ulta to purchase this miracle in a bottle. I was scouring the hair care aisle when sadly I found out that they no longer carry it. Womp, womp. (After all, I guess that was 8 years ago.) I was able to find it online, but when I get it in my head that "I have to have it", I want it now.

A sales woman at Ulta recommended AG Hair Cosmetic's Sterling Silver Toning Shampoo:

The lady said it does the same exact thing as the ARTec. I side-eyed her and said, "Are you sure?" She promised me it would and added, "It's on sale for 12.99." Normally $36, I couldn't really pass this deal up. On top of the price slash, I had an Ulta $3.50 off any $10 purchase coupon, so my grand total for the 33.8 oz bottle was less than $10 before tax. Not bad.

It is yet to be known if this stuff actually works, but all the reviews online seem to be positive. I'll have to let you know how I like it after a couple washes. Wish me luck!

Background on Blondie

Well, my first attempt in the blog-o-sphere failed miserably. I quickly found out how uninteresting I was when I had absolutely nothing in my life to blog about. I'm not a mom, a wife and sadly, I really have no definable hobbies. So, this time around, I'm going to see if a "theme" will increase my chances of success. Cue "The Bargain Blonde" aka yours truly.

Believe it or not, there is one thing I'm passionate about besides reality TV. And that my friends, is finding a steal. I don't know what it is. Maybe I inherited it from my mother, or maybe it became a matter of survival when I found out how expensive toilet paper, razors (GASP) and my beloved cable boxes + 2 DVRS was post-college. Yes, 2 DVRs and I live alone. It's very necessary. There are areas in my life I obviously splurge and my cable package is definitely one of them. Bachelor Pad ... check.

You can call me cheap. I, however, prefer frugal. I just can't bring myself to pay full price. Why would I spend $280 on a pair of designer jeans when I can go to TJMaxx and score some for $60? It just doesn't make sense. Do I care if the pair of Citizens I bought at TJMaxx are last year's style? No. Do a lot of girls my age? Probably. Am in over my head in credit card debt? No. Are they?? Most likely.

I'll stick to my discount stores if that means I don't end up like Teresa "Prostitution WHORE-UH" and Juicy Joe Guidice. I mean, $11 million in debt? No thanks. Maybe if she spent a little less time at Posh and took a hint from my home girl NeNe (fellow Maxxinista), she wouldn't have to be in the hot seat explaining her Bankruptcy petition to Andy Cohen and the rest of American. Just sayin.

So now I begin my bargain blogging journey. Stick with me my friends, you may just realize cheap doesn't mean crappy. There are so many finds out there if you just have some patience and exercise a little resourcefulness.

Linds ♥