Is Silvina London Really That Amazing? I Tested It for 4 Weeks

Can a purple shampoo really be gentle enough for daily use? My honest take on Silvina London.

When Silvina Neder, a well-known gray-hair model, knocks on your (virtual) door and asks you if you’d be willing to test her gray-friendly everyday shampoo and conditioner, what do you do? 

Well, if you’re anything like me, you enthusiastically shout “YES!”… and then spend the next few days stalking the mailbox, waiting for the package to arrive.

To answer that, let’s start with the woman behind the brand: Silvina Neder.

Full disclosure: This is not a sponsored blog post, but the products were gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own and not influenced by any outside party. 

Please note that this article may contain affiliate links.  You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Who Is Silvina Neder, the Woman Behind Silvina London?

Silvina was born in Argentina and enjoyed a 25-year career as a market researcher.

At age 50, she made a decision that changed the course of her life:  She stopped dyeing her hair and propelled herself into an exciting new career as a popular gray-hair model, actress, and pro-aging advocate. 

Like many of us, Silvina found that many big-brand hair products didn’t consider gray hair’s unique needs.  So she set out to create her own line of products using naturally-derived ingredients, and that’s how Silvina London was born.

And the ingredients reveal why it stands apart.

Key Ingredients 

When it comes to haircare, ingredients matter, especially for those of us with naturally silver hair that is prone to dryness and yellowing. 

You can find the full list of ingredients here. And below is a closer look at what stood out to me in the ingredients list:

The Good Stuff

• Hydrating Oils & Extracts: Both the shampoo and conditioner include nourishing ingredients such as coconut oil, babassu oil, oat oil, and aloe. These help soften and moisturize gray hair, which can sometimes need a little extra TLC.
  
• Panthenol & Glycerin: Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and glycerin are humectants, which means they help draw moisture into the hair shaft. This is one reason my hair felt soft instead of straw-like after repeated use.
  
• Botanical Extras: Gardenia extract, lecithin, and maltodextrin are included for conditioning and shine.
  

The Cleanser

• Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate: Don’t let the long name scare you. This isn’t a sulfate (technically), but it works similarly as a strong cleanser. In other shampoos, this ingredient can sometimes feel harsh, but here it’s balanced with so many hydrators that my hair didn’t feel stripped bare, even with daily use.
  

The Watchouts

• Fragrance: The products are lightly scented, but the scent dissipates fairly quickly. It didn’t give me an allergic reaction, but if you’re extra-sensitive to fragrance, it’s something to note.
  
• Dyes (CI 77891 & CI 60730): The shampoo is purple thanks to added pigments (including titanium dioxide and Acid Violet 43). Unlike with some other purple shampoos, I did not experience any staining on my hands, hairline, or bathroom tiles. 

Note: if you’re sensitive to dyes, you’ll want to do a strand test before using these products.

Bottom Line on Ingredients

This isn’t a bare-bones “clean beauty” formula, but it’s also not overloaded with heavy silicones or drying alcohols, unlike most big-brand products. 

The balance of cleansers and moisturizers is what makes this shampoo feel so different from the usual purple shampoos, and gentle enough for frequent use without sacrificing effectiveness.

Of course, ingredients are one thing — but how did it actually perform on my gray hair?

My Experience Using Silvina London

After a month of testing this shampoo and conditioner, I can honestly say I was impressed. From the very first wash, my hair felt soft and smooth.

And the best part? The toning effect was exactly what I like: subtle. 

My gray hair (which has a tendency to yellow, despite my best efforts) looked brighter and more silver, but not unnaturally so. 

Instead of that overly cool, sometimes dull pewter look that stronger purple shampoos cause, Silvina London gave my hair a refreshed glow.

One of the things that cemented my admiration for this line happened completely by accident on a recent trip to Idaho.

We were getting ready to go out for the day, and I stopped my husband as he walked through our Airbnb to tell him how gorgeous and shiny his hair looked. He laughed and confessed, “Oh, I forgot my own shampoo at home, so I used that blue bottle of yours in the bathroom.” 

He’d used my Silvina London Grey Hair Glow Duo, and it turned his blonde-gray hair into the most beautiful mix:  the silver strands looked shiny and bright, and the blonde strands looked soft and healthy. 

If it works this well on his hair, I think that says a lot! And it also made me realize something: I had never suggested to my own husband that he should try gray-hair products.  (Oops!)

The scent is another highlight: It’s lightly floral but not overpowering, so it feels pleasant and fresh without lingering too strongly.

The only minor drawback lies in the gorgeous packaging: the bottles are a bit stiff, which makes them a wee bit hard to squeeze.

That being said, it’s a small inconvenience compared to how much I’ve enjoyed the products themselves.  And unless you have arthritis or crippling hand pain, you should be able to squeeze the bottles with no problem.

The Price

Now let’s talk about the one area where Silvina London might give you pause: the price. 

This is definitely a luxury product, priced higher than the average purple shampoo you’ll find at the drugstore. If you’re used to spending just a few dollars on haircare, the cost of this line may feel like a splurge.

That said, I believe it’s worth the investment. 

For me, the results spoke for themselves: hair that stayed soft and manageable even with daily use, a subtle toning effect that enhanced my gray without overdoing it, and a formula that felt nourishing instead of harsh. 

I’ve tested a lot of purple shampoos, and it’s rare to find one that checks all of those boxes.

​​Who Should Try Silvina London?

Silvina London is ideal if you:

• Wash your hair frequently and want a gentle, everyday shampoo that won’t leave your silver feeling dry.
• Love the brightening benefits of purple shampoos, but dislike how harsh they usually are.
• Enjoy luxury haircare and don’t mind spending more for products that actually deliver.
• Swim, exercise, or spend time outdoors, and need a shampoo that can keep up with your routine without dulling your gray.
• Live in the UK or elsewhere in Europe and want access to a high-quality gray hair line that ships locally.

On the other hand, you may want to skip it if you:

• Prefer fragrance-free products (the light floral scent might not be for everyone).
• Are sensitive to dyes.
• Are sticking to a tight budget and don’t want to invest in higher-end haircare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Video: Finally! A Purple Shampoo You Can Use Daily

Final Thoughts

For me, Silvina London struck the perfect balance: a purple-toned shampoo and conditioner that brightened my silver hair without any of the drawbacks I’ve experienced from other brands. 

If you’re looking for something gentle, effective, and designed with gray hair in mind, this line is worth considering.

And if you’re not sure this is the right fit, don’t worry: I’ve also reviewed a fantastic alternative you might prefer. 

Let me know in the comments if you have tried this product – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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