Brass happens. One day you're walking out of the salon with a crisp, cool-toned ash blonde that makes you feel like a Scandinavian influencer, and two weeks later, you’re looking in the mirror at something that resembles a rusted penny or a very old banana peel. It’s annoying. It's expensive to fix. And honestly, most purple shampoos are just way too drying for hair that’s already been through the chemical ringer.
That is exactly why ogx purple toning drops started trending. Instead of committing to a whole new bottle of shampoo that might leave your hair feeling like straw, you basically just DIY your own toning treatment using the products you already like.
What Actually Are These Drops?
The concept is simple. It’s a highly concentrated violet liquid—think of it like a "booster"—infused with things like keratin, purple fig, and iris. Because purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, it cancels out those warm, brassy tones on contact.
You’ve probably seen these little 4-ounce bottles at Target or on Amazon. The vibe is very "customizable." You aren't stuck with one level of pigment; you decide how much "purple power" you're adding to your routine based on how much yellow you're trying to kill.
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Why not just use purple shampoo?
Traditional purple shampoos are notorious for being stripping. They usually have a high pH to open the hair cuticle so the pigment can get in, but that often leaves the hair feeling rough. With the ogx purple toning drops, you can mix the pigment into a super-hydrating hair mask or a sulfate-free conditioner. You get the tone without the "crunch."
How to Use OGX Purple Toning Drops (The Right Way)
If you just squirt this stuff directly onto your head, you’re going to have a bad time. You'll end up with purple splotches and a very uneven result.
- The In-Hand Mix: Squeeze your usual amount of shampoo or conditioner into your palm. Add 3 to 10 drops of the purple concentrate. Use a finger to swirl it around until it’s a uniform lavender or deep grape color.
- The Application: Apply it to wet hair. Make sure you’re hitting the areas that get the brassiest—usually the ends and the sections around your face.
- The Wait: If you’re mixing it with shampoo, you can usually rinse it out pretty quick. If it’s in a conditioner or mask, letting it sit for 2 to 5 minutes gives the keratin and iris extract time to actually do something for your hair texture.
- The Rinse: Rinse until the water runs clear.
The Keratin Factor: More Than Just Color
A lot of toners are just ink and water. But ogx actually put hydrolyzed keratin in this formula. For those of us with bleached hair, our protein bonds are usually pretty shot. While these drops aren't a full-blown bond builder like Olaplex, the inclusion of keratin helps smooth the cuticle down.
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When the cuticle is smooth, hair reflects light better. When hair reflects light better, it looks "brighter" regardless of the pigment. It's a nice double-whammy of color correction and surface repair.
Does it work on silver or grey hair?
Yes. In fact, people with natural silver or "salt and pepper" hair often find these drops more effective than blondes do. Grey hair is notoriously porous and can pick up yellowing from hard water, smoke, or sun. A few drops of the ogx purple toning drops in a daily conditioner keeps silver hair looking crisp and "expensive" rather than dull and dingy.
Common Mistakes: Don't Turn Your Hair Lilac
Can you overdo it? Absolutely.
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If you use too many drops or leave it on for 20 minutes, you might see a slight lavender tint. Some people actually like this look, but if you’re trying to stay a "clean" blonde, it can be a shock. If this happens, don't panic. Just wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo or a strong dandruff shampoo (like Head & Shoulders), and the purple tint will usually slide right off in one or two washes.
Also, be careful with your bathroom tiles. This stuff is pigmented. If you drop it on white grout and leave it there, it might leave a stain. Just rinse the shower floor while you’re waiting for the toner to set.
Who Is This Product Actually For?
- The Budget-Conscious: You don't have to buy a $40 salon-brand purple set.
- The Fragile-Haired: If your hair breaks easily, you need to be mixing your toner with a heavy-duty deep conditioner.
- The Travelers: A 4oz bottle of drops is way easier to pack than a giant bottle of purple shampoo that might leak all over your suitcase.
- The "Natural" Blondes: If you have sun-kissed highlights that are just a little too gold, a weak mix of these drops (maybe 2-3) can cool them down without making them look fake.
Putting It Into Practice
If you're ready to try ogx purple toning drops, start slow. For your first time, only use 3 drops in your favorite conditioner. It’s always easier to add more pigment next time than it is to scrub out a purple mistake. Use it once a week—maybe twice if you live in a place with really "hard" mineral-heavy water.
Check the label for the most recent ingredient list, as formulations can shift. Usually, you're looking at a base of glycerin and water, followed by the violet dyes and the botanical extracts like fig and iris. It's a solid, middle-of-the-road chemical formula that prioritizes ease of use over complex salon chemistry.
Keep the bottle tightly capped and stored away from direct sunlight to prevent the pigment from breaking down over time. With a 4oz bottle, you'll likely get months of use, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to maintain a blonde or silver mane between salon appointments.