The Ultimate 2025 Review: 5 Shocking Secrets About Kristin Ess Purple Shampoo You Need To Know

As of December 2025, the Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo remains one of the most talked-about and accessible toning products on the market, consistently praised for its salon-quality results at a drugstore price point. Launched by celebrity stylist Kristin Ess, this sulfate-free formula promises to neutralize brassiness and yellow tones, leaving blonde, highlighted, and even gray hair with a cooler, more 'icy' finish. The key question for consumers, however, is whether this budget-friendly favorite holds up against professional competitors and if the recent mixed reviews—including some controversial claims—should make you reconsider your purchase. This in-depth, updated review cuts through the social media hype to deliver a comprehensive analysis of the Kristin Ess purple shampoo, examining its core ingredients, application methods, and a balanced look at its performance across different hair types. We’ll cover everything from its potent ultra-violet pigments to the rare but concerning reports of adverse effects, ensuring you have all the facts before adding it to your cart.

The Woman Behind the Brand: Kristin Ess's Career and Profile

Kristin Ess is not just a name on a bottle; she is one of the most influential and respected celebrity hairstylists in the industry, which is a major factor in the brand's instant credibility.

• Full Name: Kristin Ess
• Occupation: Celebrity Hairstylist, Entrepreneur, Author, and Brand Founder
• Career Start: Ess began her work with hair early, starting her career at the age of 15.
• Key Clients: Her extensive client roster includes high-profile figures such as actress Lucy Hale and her long-time collaborator, entrepreneur Lauren Conrad.
• Digital Influence: Ess co-founded the popular makeup and style website, The Beauty Department, establishing her as a go-to digital authority for hair and beauty tips long before her product line launched.
• Brand Philosophy: Her product line, Kristin Ess Hair, was created with the mission to provide high-quality, professional-level hair care that is accessible and affordable for the everyday consumer.
• Product Focus: She emphasizes the importance of a sulfate-free formula, which is a core feature of The One Purple Shampoo, aiming for a product that is both effective for toning and gentle on color-treated hair.

Her background in editorial work, education, and styling for major celebrities positions the Kristin Ess brand as a direct channel from a professional salon to your shower, lending significant weight to the performance claims of her products.

Deep Dive: How 'The One Purple Shampoo' Actually Works

The Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo is specifically formulated to combat "brassiness," which is the unwanted warm tone—usually yellow or orange—that appears in lightened hair over time due to mineral buildup, UV exposure, and heat styling.

The Science of Toning: Ultra-Violet Pigments

The shampoo works based on the color wheel principle: purple is directly opposite yellow.

By infusing the shampoo with ultra-violet pigments, the formula deposits a cool, purple tint onto the hair shaft. This purple neutralizes the yellow undertones, effectively canceling out the brassy warmth without the need for a separate toner or salon visit.

What sets the Kristin Ess formula apart, even from other budget options, is its claim to be sulfate-free. Sulfates can be harsh, stripping natural oils and accelerating color fade, so the absence of them makes this shampoo a gentler option for color maintenance.

Key Ingredients and Formulation Entities

The formula is designed to be moisturizing while toning, a balance many purple shampoos struggle to achieve, often leaving hair feeling dry or straw-like. Key entities and ingredients include:

• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate & Lauryl Glucoside: These are gentle, sulfate-free cleansing agents that create a lather without stripping color.
• Lactic Acid: An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to smooth the hair cuticle, adding shine and improving manageability.
• Algin: A marine-derived ingredient often used for its conditioning and thickening properties.
• Coconut Oil (in 1L version): Some larger versions of the product specifically mention the inclusion of Coconut Oil to help with moisturizing and restoring shine, making it suitable for drier hair types.
• Free-From List: The product is explicitly formulated to be free of Gluten, Nickel, Lanolin, Talc, Paraben, and Topical Antibiotics, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

Users often report that the shampoo is highly pigmented and acts fast, with many noting a visible difference after leaving it on for just 2-5 minutes. For those aiming for an 'icy blonde' or platinum look, this quick action is a significant advantage over weaker formulas.

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The Controversy: Addressing Hair Loss and Green Tint Claims

While the majority of reviews for the Kristin Ess Purple Shampoo are overwhelmingly positive, praising its effectiveness and value, a small but vocal minority of users have raised significant concerns that demand an honest discussion.

The 'Green Hair' Phenomenon

A rare, but documented, claim is that the shampoo can leave a greenish tint on the hair. This issue is not unique to the Kristin Ess brand and usually occurs for two main reasons:

1. Over-Toning on High Porosity Hair: Hair that is highly porous (often due to excessive bleaching or damage) absorbs pigment very quickly and unevenly. If the shampoo is left on for too long, the intense ultra-violet pigment can over-deposit, sometimes reacting with existing undertones or mineral buildup to create a subtle green cast.
2. Existing Blue/Green Undertones: If the hair already has a slight blue or green tint from a previous color or mineral deposit (like copper from hard water), adding purple can exacerbate the issue. Purple is red-blue, and a reaction with existing blue/green tones can pull the color in an unwanted direction.

The general consensus is to start with a very short contact time (30-60 seconds) and gradually increase it to avoid this over-toning risk.

The 'Hair Loss' and 'Shedding' Reports

Perhaps the most sensitive and concerning claims involve reports of increased hair shedding or even hair loss after using various Kristin Ess shampoos, including the purple one.

While these claims are widespread enough to be a prominent discussion point on forums like Reddit, it is crucial to note that the cause is not definitively proven. Hair shedding can be caused by a multitude of factors, including stress, diet, hormonal changes, or a reaction to a specific ingredient in the formula, such as a high concentration of fragrance or a mild irritant.

Some theories point to the brand's 'Zip-Up Technology' or certain surfactants, but no official recall or definitive scientific link has been established. For the vast majority of users, this is not an issue. However, if you have a sensitive scalp or are prone to shedding, monitor your hair closely after the first few uses. It is always recommended to perform a patch test.

The Final Verdict: Is It The Best Budget Purple Shampoo of 2025?

The Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo is positioned as a powerful, high-value alternative to premium salon brands. Available at major retailers like Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, and CVS, its accessibility makes it a clear winner in the budget category.

Key Takeaways (Pros and Cons)

Pros:

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• Sulfate-Free: Gentle on color and less drying than many competitors.
• Highly Pigmented: Delivers fast, noticeable toning, with users achieving an "icy blonde" finish quickly.
• Affordable and Accessible: Excellent value for money, often costing significantly less than professional formulas like Fanola or Redken.
• Versatile Toning: Effective on natural blonde, highlighted, platinum, and even gray hair.

Cons:

• Potential for Over-Toning: Can leave a slight purple or greenish tint if left on porous hair for too long.
• Controversial Claims: Reports of hair loss or increased shedding exist, requiring users to exercise caution.
• Mixed Results on Deep Brass: Some users find it less effective on deeply orange or yellow-orange brassiness compared to ultra-strong professional products.

Conclusion: For anyone seeking a high-performance, sulfate-free purple shampoo that is readily available and won't break the bank, the Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo is an outstanding choice in 2025. It is particularly effective for maintenance and achieving cool, platinum tones. The key to success is careful application: start by mixing it with your regular shampoo or leaving it on for a very short duration (1-2 minutes) to prevent any unwanted over-toning. The positive results for the vast majority of consumers continue to cement its status as a top-tier budget-friendly toning solution.