If you’re eager to give your dark locks a vibrant purple hue without resorting to bleach, this guide has got you covered. We’ll dive into the world of permanent and semi-permanent dyes, revealing the secrets to achieving stunning shades of purple on dark hair.
The trend for purple hair first emerged in the 1970s, but recent sightings of celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Katy Perry, and Jessie J sporting bold, eggplant-inspired ‘dos have reignited the passion.
This time around, deep, rich purples are stealing the spotlight, making it easier than ever for those with naturally dark or black hair to join the purple party.
In days gone by, lilac hues were all the rage, but today’s fashionistas are opting for darker, more dramatic shades. As a result, we’ve curated the best purple hair dyes for dark hair, covering everything from regal purples to deep lilacs.
This comprehensive guide is dedicated to helping you achieve the perfect shade of purple on your dark locks.
How to Dye Dark Hair Purple
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Things to Consider Before Dying Your Hair
Carry Out a Patch Test
It’s essential to conduct a patch test with any permanent or semi-permanent hair dye before applying it to your locks, even if you’ve used the brand previously without issue. This simple yet crucial step can help identify potential allergic reactions to ingredients in the dye. To perform the test, apply a small amount of the solution to your inner elbow and allow it to dry according to the product’s instructions.
The outcome will reveal whether your skin is likely to react adversely to the dye, giving you a chance to avoid any unpleasantness or even serious complications by not using the product if an adverse reaction occurs.
Your Natural Hair Color Influences the Result
Without bleaching your locks, the resulting shade of purple will be influenced by your natural hair color. To give you a better idea of what to expect, here’s a breakdown of how different shades of brown and black hair will react:
Which Shade of Purple You Should Choose
When selecting a purple dye, it’s crucial to consider the intensity of the color you desire. For individuals with dark hair, achieving deeper shades like indigo, burgundy, and amethyst is relatively straightforward. I’ll demonstrate how to transform your locks into any of these rich hues using the chart below as reference. Furthermore, some of the products recommended in this post can be blended with other dyes to create unique, tailored shades.
Each product listed corresponds specifically to one of the various purple colors depicted in the accompanying chart.
Which Type of Dye You Should Use
When it comes to semi-permanent dyes, you can expect the color to last anywhere from 8 to 16 washes. However, this duration may vary depending on your hair type and condition. In contrast, permanent dyes tend to have a much longer lifespan, although they will still eventually fade over time. If you’re looking for a temporary solution, consider using a temporary dye that can last for just one to three washes – perfect for special occasions or events where you want a quick color change.
The Best Dyes to Colour Dark Hair Purple
Rebellious Colours Semi Permanent Hair Dye
Best purple hair dye for frequent colouring
The Rebellious Colours Purple Fury Hair Dye stands out as a vegan and UK-made option that boasts a gentle formula free from harsh chemicals, peroxide, or ammonia. This innovative dye not only colours the hair but also conditions it, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently colour their locks while seeking to avoid the damage caused by chemical-based dyes. According to its manufacturer, this product is extremely easy to apply and works in as little as 15-30 minutes.
When applied to dark brown or black hair, it produces a deep, rich purple shade. Moreover, if one’s hair is in good condition, the colour can last for 4-8 washes.
Schwarzkopf Live Semi-Permanent Colour
Best to Dye Dark Hair Bright Purple
Schwarzkopf’s LIVE Ultra Bright Pastel Purple is a game-changer for those seeking vibrant hues. This semi-permanent colour formula contains potent pigments that can transform darker locks into a stunning shade of purple. The secret to its success lies in its ability to intensely saturate each hair strand, resulting in a truly electrifying finish. If you’re after colours that pop, this product is an excellent choice. With its ultra-bright pigments, it’s perfect for making a statement.
However, those with longer or thicker locks may need to use two packets to achieve even coverage, ensuring the colour looks as brilliant as intended.
Stargazer Violet Semi Permanent Hair Dye
The Stargazer Violet Conditioning Semi Permanent Hair Dye has remained a fan favorite for over 25 years, its enduring popularity stemming from the fact that its stunning purple hue complements an impressive range of skin tones. This semi-permanent dye also boasts impressive staying power, with a lifespan of up to 15 washes without fading significantly. Notably, this product’s formula has remained unchanged throughout its long history, a testament to its effectiveness and user loyalty.
What’s more, the Stargazer Violet Conditioning Semi Permanent Hair Dye is formulated with gentle, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free ingredients that prioritize hair health over harsh chemicals. The absence of ammonia and peroxide ensures that your locks are protected from potential damage, making it an attractive option for those seeking a safer, yet still vibrant, hair dye experience.
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Permanent Hair Dye
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Permanent Hair Dye is an impressive product that delivers results on all hair textures, including dark brown locks, without the need for bleach. Its formula allows for visible color even on darker hair tones. To achieve optimal results, users should leave the mixture on their hair for 25-35 minutes before rinsing with cool water until the water runs clear.
This comprehensive kit includes a nourishing conditioner that contains five rejuvenating oils, leaving the hair looking healthy and robust. For those seeking a vibrant purple hue, this permanent dye is an excellent option to transform dark hair into a bright, bold shade.
L’Oréal Paris Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Dye
The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Dye is a standout product that yields stunning results on dark hair, leaving it with rich, deep purple tones. Suitable for all hair types, the gel formula features an easy-to-use applicator system for seamless application. With its 20-minute development time, users can achieve dramatic, dark purple shades on black, brunette, and dark brown locks.
Furthermore, this innovative product comes with a nourishing deep conditioning mask to revitalize hair after treatment, ensuring long-lasting color that shines for up to eight weeks.
Manic Panic Electric Amethyst
Manic Panic’s Electric Amethyst Classic Creme is a standout product in their extensive range of vibrant hair dyes. For those seeking a dark purple hue or wanting to add a pop of color to black locks, this semi-permanent formula delivers. Unlike traditional bleaching methods, it provides a rich, bold color without the need for harsh chemicals. As an added bonus, this vegan and cruelty-free option is easy to use.
Simply start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo, skipping conditioner, and then apply the dye, combing through to ensure even coverage. Next, pop on a shower cap and let it work its magic for 30-45 minutes before rinsing with cool water. Note that caution should be exercised when handling this dye, as it can stain surfaces if not properly protected. With proper application, you’ll be rocking your new purple locks in no time.
Renbow Crazy Color Semi Permanent Hair Dye
For a hassle-free first-time dyeing experience, consider the Renbow Crazy Color Semi Permanent Hair Dye. This user-friendly product boasts a gentle formula devoid of harsh chemicals that can harm your locks or strip them of their natural moisture. If you’re searching for a deep, rich purple hue, this color is an excellent choice. When applied to black or brown hair, the Hot Purple shade produces a stunning dark violet tint that lasts for 4-8 washes.
This vibrant color boasts a robust blue base, intensely saturating each strand to leave your locks with a luscious violet tone. With its roots dating back to 1977’s punk rock era, the Crazy Color range has stood the test of time and remains popular today. Its hot purple variant is particularly effective when used to create unique, special effects by coloring specific sections of hair using a tint brush.
Arctic Fox Vegan Color in Purple Rain
Best Purple Hair Dye for Mixing
For those seeking vegan and cruelty-free semi-permanent hair color options, Arctic Fox is an excellent choice. This brand offers a range of purple shades, including violet and lilac, but their Purple Rain formula is particularly well-suited for dark hair and remains one of their most popular colors. When applied to darker locks, this dye produces deep, rich tones of purple that can be further customized by mixing with other Arctic Fox formulas.
Mixing Purple Rain with Wrath yields a beautiful burgundy hue, while combining it with Poseidon results in a stunning indigo color. A standout feature of this semi-permanent dye is its gentle, conditioning formula, free from harsh chemicals like peroxide and ammonia. This makes it an excellent option for those looking to dye their hair frequently without causing damage.
With its ability to restore vibrancy to the hair, Arctic Fox Purple Rain is a great choice for anyone seeking a low-maintenance, yet highly effective, semi-permanent hair color solution.
Manic Panic Ultra Violet
While there may not be any specific products listed, another popular option for hair dye is Manic Panic’s Ultra Violet formula. This product is easily used at home and comes in a convenient resealable tub. The cream-based dye is infused with high-quality ingredients that deeply condition the hair while also imparting its vibrant color.
Notably, the Ultra Violet shade has a slightly bluer undertone compared to Manic Panic’s Electric Amethyst hue, but the two can be blended together to achieve a custom purple shade. As for longevity, the color produced by this dye should remain intact for approximately six weeks after application. For those seeking bold and vibrant colors, Manic Panic is an excellent brand choice, boasting a range of products that are free from harsh chemicals, allergens, and other undesirable additives.
All their formulas are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and suitable for sensitive scalps.
