Beauty Best Sun Bum Purple Products: Top 3 Toning Picks Reviewed
Sun Bum built its name on beach-day sun care, but the brand's purple toning line for blondes has quietly become one of the most searched purple shampoo options on Amazon. The line uses Blue Spirulina and Violet Extract to neutralize brassy yellow tones in natural and color-treated blonde hair, while a moisturizing formula tries to solve the biggest complaint about purple shampoos: dryness. For shoppers who want cooler, brighter blonde without a salon toner appointment, the Sun Bum purple range is an affordable entry point.
There are two core products to understand. The Blonde Purple Shampoo is the workhorse: a 10-ounce toning shampoo meant to replace your regular shampoo once or twice a week. The Blonde Tone Enhancer is a 4-ounce purple leave-in treatment that you spray or smooth into towel-dried hair after washing, which keeps brass at bay between shampoo days and adds UV protection. A 2-pack of the Tone Enhancer exists for anyone who uses it daily and wants a lower per-bottle cost.
In this guide, we review all three buying options, explain how purple pigment actually neutralizes brass, and walk through the buying criteria that matter: toning strength, moisture level, how the formula handles color-treated hair, scent, and price per use. We also cover the number one beginner mistake with purple products, which is over-toning, and how to avoid the lavender tint that comes from leaving pigment on too long.
Whether you are a natural blonde fighting sun-induced brass, a highlighted brunette keeping dimension cool, or a silver-haired shopper maintaining brightness, one of these three picks will fit your routine. Read on for full reviews, the side-by-side comparison, and answers to the most common questions about Sun Bum purple products.
Key Takeaways
- Our top pick balances performance, gentleness, and value for most people.
- Match the formula to your specific needs using the buying criteria below.
- Read real verified reviews before buying, since marketing claims often overpromise.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
- Sun Bum Blonde Purple Shampoo, 10 oz Blue Spirulina and Violet Extract tone brass.
- Sun Bum Blonde Tone Enhancer, 4 oz Purple leave-in treatment for blondes.
- Sun Bum Blonde Tone Enhancer, 2-Pack Two 4 oz bottles of Tone Enhancer.
Full reviews and comparisons below.
On This Page
Our Top Picks
Best for: Weekly brass correction for blondes
#1 Best OverallSun Bum Blonde Purple Shampoo, 10 oz
- Blue Spirulina and Violet Extract tone brass
- Deep moisturizing formula prevents dryness
- For natural and color-treated blonde hair
- Vegan, gluten free, paraben free, cruelty free
Pros
- Gentle gradual toning, hard to overdo
- Less drying than most purple shampoos
- Great value at a fair price for 10 oz
Cons
- Tones slowly, needs several uses for severe brass
- Not strong enough for very orange tones
- Citrus scent is not for everyone
Best for: Daily brass maintenance and UV protection
Runner-UpSun Bum Blonde Tone Enhancer, 4 oz
- Purple leave-in treatment for blondes
- Neutralizes brass with Violet Extract and Blue Spirulina
- UV protecting formula slows color fading
- Controls frizz and adds shine
Pros
- Easy leave-in, no extra shower time
- Adds UV protection most purple lines lack
- Lightweight, will not weigh hair down
Cons
- Milder toning than the shampoo
- 4 oz runs out faster on long hair
- Needs daily use for best results
Best for: Daily users and long hair stocking up
Best ValueSun Bum Blonde Tone Enhancer, 2-Pack
- Two 4 oz bottles of Tone Enhancer
- Same purple leave-in toning formula
- Lower per-bottle cost than singles
- Vegan, paraben free, cruelty free
Pros
- Best unit price for regular users
- Never run out mid-routine
- Same proven formula as the single
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Only a deal if you finish both fresh
- No shampoo included, maintenance only
How purple pigment neutralizes brass
Purple shampoo works on simple color theory: purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so depositing violet pigment cancels the yellow and orange undertones that make blonde look brassy. Sun Bum uses Blue Spirulina and Violet Extract as its pigment sources, which is a gentler approach than the heavy synthetic violet dyes in some salon purple shampoos. That gentleness is a deliberate trade-off. It means the Sun Bum line tones gradually over several uses rather than transforming hair in one wash, which is actually good news for beginners, because gradual toning is far harder to overdo. The pigment needs contact time to deposit, so the instructions matter: lather, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. If your brass is severe, expect two to three weekly uses before you see a real shift, and pair the shampoo with the leave-in Tone Enhancer for faster cumulative results. Start with a two minute contact time and extend it only if brass remains after three washes, since patience prevents the lavender cast that rushing causes.
Toning strength: who each product suits
Not all brass is equal, and neither are these three products. The Blonde Purple Shampoo has the strongest toning effect of the three, because shampoo stays on the hair long enough for real pigment deposit and it is used on the full head. It suits anyone with visible yellow tones: bleached blondes between salon visits, highlighted hair that has gone warm, and silver or gray hair that looks dingy. The Blonde Tone Enhancer is milder per application but works continuously, which makes it ideal for maintenance once the shampoo has done the heavy lifting, or for fine hair that cannot handle strong pigment without going lavender. The 2-pack is simply the enhancer at a better unit price, so it suits daily users and long-haired shoppers who go through product quickly. Match the strength to your brass level, not to your enthusiasm. When in doubt, start with the shampoo alone for two weeks, since you can always add the enhancer once you know your baseline toning need.
Moisture and dryness: the real differentiator
The number one complaint about purple shampoos is that they dry hair out, because pigment formulas are often built on strong cleansing bases. Sun Bum positions moisture as a selling point here: the Blonde Purple Shampoo is described as a deep moisturizing formula with nutrients meant to prevent dryness and color fading from the sun. In practice, it is still a toning shampoo, so it will never condition like a dedicated hydrating shampoo, but it is noticeably less stripping than bargain purple shampoos. The Tone Enhancer adds genuine conditioning as a leave-in, which is why the shampoo-plus-enhancer combination works so well for dry or bleached hair. If your hair is very dry or damaged, use the purple shampoo once a week at most, always follow with a rich conditioner, and let the enhancer do the daily toning work instead. A weekly deep conditioning mask on non-purple wash days also helps bleached hair stay supple, since toning shampoos and bleach both ask a lot of the hair fiber.
Color-treated hair safety
A common fear is that purple shampoo will strip or alter salon color. Sun Bum's purple line is marketed as color friendly, and the formulas are sulfate-conscious and free of parabens, which is the right profile for color-treated hair. The violet pigment itself deposits on the surface rather than lifting color, so it does not fade dye the way clarifying shampoos can. That said, moderation is the whole game with color-treated blonde. Use the purple shampoo once a week, not every wash, because frequent pigment deposit can dull the exact tone your colorist created. The leave-in Tone Enhancer is the safer daily option for fresh color, since its pigment load is lighter and it adds UV protection that actually slows color fading from sun exposure. If you just got an expensive toner or gloss, wait a week before introducing any purple product. This waiting period also lets you see the true tone your colorist created before you start adjusting it at home.
Scent, texture, and the user experience
Sun Bum products are known for a beachy, citrus-leaning scent, and the purple line follows the house style with a citrus fragrance that reviewers generally find pleasant rather than perfumey. The shampoo lathers well and has a visible violet tint, which is reassuring: a purple shampoo with no color in the bottle is not going to tone anything. The Tone Enhancer is a light spray leave-in, not a heavy cream, so it does not weigh hair down or leave residue, which matters for fine hair. Both products are vegan, gluten free, paraben free, and cruelty free, which is a meaningful differentiator at this price point, since many drugstore purple shampoos cannot make those claims. The packaging is standard and functional, and the 10-ounce shampoo bottle lasts roughly two to three months of weekly use. Store the bottle upright in a cool spot, since heat and sunlight degrade violet pigment faster and weaken toning over time.
Price and value per use
The Blonde Purple Shampoo typically sells for around eleven dollars for 10 ounces, which puts it in the affordable tier for a branded purple shampoo. Used once or twice a week, a bottle stretches two to three months, so the per-use cost is well under a dollar. The Blonde Tone Enhancer runs around sixteen dollars for 4 ounces, and because it is a leave-in used in small amounts, it also lasts several weeks to a couple of months depending on hair length. The 2-pack brings the per-bottle cost down and is the smart buy for long hair or daily use, since running out of your maintenance product is what lets brass creep back. Compared with salon purple lines that charge twenty-five dollars and up for similar sizes, the Sun Bum line is genuinely good value, provided you accept that its toning is gradual rather than aggressive. Subscribe and Save can shave another ten to fifteen percent off for committed users.
Who should buy, and who should skip
Buy the Sun Bum purple line if you are a natural, highlighted, or silver blonde who wants gradual, beginner-friendly brass control with a moisture-conscious formula and clean credentials. It is especially good for people new to purple shampoo, because the gentle pigment makes over-toning hard to do by accident. Skip the line if you need aggressive one-wash toning for severely brassy hair, since a stronger salon purple shampoo will get you there faster, and skip it if you have very dark hair with no blonde pieces, because purple pigment has nothing to neutralize and will simply waste your money. Also skip the 2-pack unless you are committed to the enhancer as a daily product, since purple products lose potency sitting in a hot shower for a year. Start with the shampoo, add the enhancer if you love the routine. This staged approach keeps your upfront cost near eleven dollars while you learn what your hair actually needs.
How to Choose Within Your Budget
Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right sun bum purple product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.
How We Test and Rank Products
We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most blondes, once or twice a week is the sweet spot. Use it in place of your regular shampoo, lather, and let it sit for two to five minutes so the violet pigment can deposit before rinsing. If your hair is very brassy, you can use it twice weekly until the tone cools, then drop to once weekly for maintenance. Daily use is not recommended, since even a gentle purple shampoo builds up pigment over time and can leave a lavender cast, especially on porous or platinum hair. Pair it with the Tone Enhancer leave-in on non-shampoo days if you want continuous brass control without extra pigment load.
They can, but only if you overdo it. The most common cause is leaving the shampoo on far longer than the recommended few minutes, or using it every single wash on very light, porous hair. The violet pigment in the Sun Bum line is milder than salon-grade purple shampoos, so it is harder to over-tone by accident, but it is still pigment. If you do get a lavender tint, wash once with a clarifying shampoo and it will fade within a wash or two. To prevent it, start with short contact times of two minutes, check the tone in natural light, and increase gradually only if needed. Photograph your hair in daylight weekly so you can track tone changes objectively.
Yes, it is marketed as color friendly and the formula is paraben free, which suits color-treated hair. The violet pigment deposits on the hair surface rather than lifting or stripping dye. The main caution is frequency: using any purple shampoo too often can dull the specific tone your colorist created, so stick to once weekly once your brass is under control. If you have just had a toner or gloss service, wait about a week before introducing purple products so the fresh color can settle. The leave-in Tone Enhancer is the gentlest option for freshly colored hair. Patch test the shampoo on one hidden section first when your color is fresh, since fresh color is the most reactive.
The Blonde Purple Shampoo is a wash-out toning shampoo with the strongest pigment deposit of the line; you use it once or twice a week in the shower. The Blonde Tone Enhancer is a lightweight purple leave-in treatment you apply to towel-dried hair after washing; it tones more gently but works continuously, and it adds UV protection and frizz control. Think of the shampoo as the correction step and the enhancer as the maintenance step. Many blondes use both: shampoo weekly for real toning power, enhancer daily to keep brass from returning between washes. Think of the shampoo as the weekly correction step and the enhancer as the daily maintenance step in one simple system.
Purple pigment only neutralizes yellow and brassy tones, so it is useful only on lightened sections of hair. Brunettes with balayage, highlights, or ombre can use the purple shampoo on the lightened portions to keep them cool, but applying it to virgin dark hair does nothing except waste product. Redheads should skip purple shampoo entirely, since the violet pigment can muddy copper and auburn tones. If you are a brunette with highlights, focus the shampoo on the mid-lengths and ends where the lightness lives, and keep it off the dark roots. A strand test on one lightened section is the fastest way to confirm the effect before full application.
It is formulated to be less drying than typical purple shampoos, with moisturizing nutrients and a deep-moisturizing claim, plus it is free of parabens. Reviewers generally find it gentler than bargain purple options. That said, it is still a toning shampoo, not a deep conditioner, so bleached or very dry hair should always follow it with a proper conditioner or mask. The best dryness strategy is the combination routine: purple shampoo once weekly, rich conditioner every wash, and the Tone Enhancer leave-in for daily moisture and brass control. Very porous bleached hair may also benefit from a pre-shampoo oil on the ends before purple washing.