Are you feeling inspired to try something new with your hair this year? If so, purple might be the perfect hue for you.
Purple has been a popular shade recently and there is no better way to express yourself than through bold colors.
Not only that, but it’s a great way to make a statement and add some excitement to your look.
Whether you’re looking for full-on purple or just something subtle, we’ve got the 6 best purple hair dyes that will take your style up a notch!
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Table of Contents
- TOP PICK!
- Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet.
- Is purple hair on trend right now?
- What are the best purple hair dyes?
- #1 Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Brights Cool Pastel Lilac Hair Dye.
- #2 Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Lavender
- #3 Schwarzkopf LIVE Permanent Lightener+Twist, Mauve Kiss.
- #4 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Dark Burgundy Brown.
- #5 Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet.
- #6 Schwarzkopf LIVE Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL Luminance Ultra Violet
- TOP PICK!
- Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet.
- Best purple hair dyes at a glance.
- Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the right purple hair dye for you.
- How to dye your hair at home.
- How do I care for my purple hair?
- Best purple hair dye FAQs
- Can I dye my hair purple at home?
- Which purple hair dye lasts the longest?
- What color purple looks good on dark hair?
- Does purple hair dye work on brown hair?
- Parting words.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet.
Best for: All over even violet.
Unlike other hair dyes on the list, this came with a good amount of creme that was easy to apply and had an ingenious design that means the box can hold the bottle.
The colour is fab – our light brown hair now has all over pinky-purple tones that gives a lustrous, even colour. This is the best all-rounder for us.
Pros
- Covers greys effectively.
- Great coverage – no uneven patches.
- Smells amazing during application.
- Leaves hair feeling smooth and nourished.
- Provides a smooth color transition.
- Easy to apply with a clever bottle design.
- Has a fab color – lustrous pinky-purple tones!
Cons
- Messy application
Is purple hair on trend right now?
Few hair colors are as versatile as purple right now. From violet to lilac, lavender to burgundy, ash purple and amethyst, there’s a color to suit every mood.
Add balayage, dipped ends, ombre and highlights to the mix and it’s no wonder celebs and the rest of the hair dye loving world are getting super passionate about it.
Purple is a mix of blue and red tones of varying degrees to create a huge choice of shades and colors.
Since this hue contains both warm and cool undertones, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll find a shade to complement your skin tone.
It will instantly gives you a boost of confidence, however you wear it.
Check out the latest purple hair looks for ideas and inspiration.
What are the best purple hair dyes?
Without further ado! Here are the best hair dyes to get the perfect look at home!
#1 Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Brights Cool Pastel Lilac Hair Dye.
Features & ingredients:
- Express your color creativity.
- Full-head, ombre or highlights.
- Creates a soft pastel hue.
- Dark hair? Pre-lighten with LIVE intense lightener for a soft pastel result.
Reviewers say:
“I tried this on my medium length, pre-lightened blonde hair and I love the result, it’s a beautiful soft lilac color. My hair feels lovely too.”
“I purchased two kits as I’ve used this range before and know that they are smaller tubes than normal. I put loads on to make sure it’s all over but the color is amazing just what I wanted pastel lilac vibes.”
“I have used the Live colors for years so was excited to use the Lilac!
I bought 2 boxes and left it on for 20 minutes. My hair is a mid blonde and is also really porous and takes color well and this turned out a lovely pastel shade!”
Our experience:
For this one we had blonde, pre-lightened hair ready to go for an all over look. We bought two boxes as the reviews said we’d need it but if you’re just going for dipped ends or touches one will be enough.
We applied to dry hair to ensure it really took and left it on for 25 minutes (they recommend 2 – 15 minutes). The result was an even, lilac wash of silvery-purple hair that was soft to touch.
Best for: Subtle pastel wash.
#2 Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Lavender
Features & ingredients:
- Flaunt your fearless with bright colors and bold results.
- Lasts 15+ washes.
- Visible on any hair type, so your look isn’t limited by your locks.
- The lighter your hair, the longer your wear.
Reviewers say:
“This hair dye was easy to use and the color came out great. Personally I may have needed to saturate some strands a little better, but I still love the color that came out.”
“Not exactly the color on the box if you have bleached hair but they have a little chart at the back. On bleached hair, it’s more like indigo but should wash out nicely.”
“I have dark brown hair and I was worried that this would not show up or work on my hair. It honestly worked so well! I love it. Showed up such a pretty color!”
Our experience:
This is a great Lavender color that’s easy to apply and the creme is lovely and thick so you don’t splash it everywhere and dye your bathroom lavender too.
We tried it on mid-blonde hair and left it in for 30 minutes to really penetrate.
The results were a lustrous, vibrant color that lifted our hair. After 5 washes, it’s on its way out so it won’t last the 15+ washes it promises but the color is so gorgeous that we’ll forgive them.
Best for: Purple vibrance for blonde hair.
#3 Schwarzkopf LIVE Permanent Lightener+Twist, Mauve Kiss.
Features & ingredients:
- Take your blonde to the next level in just one step.
- A 2 in 1 formula with pre-mixed pastel pigments.
- Give your hair a permanent mauve pastel twist.
- Up to 4 levels of lift.
Reviewers say:
“Easy to apply and it gave me a lovely mauve tone to my dark blond hair, it does fade quickly leaving me with a pinky blond color which I really loved.”
“I used this on dark hair just to see what would happen (the box makes it very clear not to do this!). My hair is now a chocolatey mauve and doesn’t look too bright in natural light.”
“I used this on my blonde hair and it turned a nice dark mauve color. After a few washes, it’s now a beautiful muted mauve color. I’ve had it on for 3 weeks and hasn’t faded much at all.”
Our experience:
Like the review above, we tried this on light brown hair rather than blonde as recommended! For this reason, we left it in longer to let the color really soak in.
The result was a deep, dark mauve with brown undertones that’s not as vibrant as the box color but a gorgeous, rich muted shade.
The reviews say it didn’t last long but we’ve found it holding better than other dyes. Maybe because our hair was darker to begin with.
Best for: Longer lasting mauve.
#4 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Dark Burgundy Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- A natural looking permanent home hair color.
- A blend of 3 tones and highlights and conditioners at every step.
- Gentle on hair and scalp due to its oil infused color.
- Soft and shiny results.
Reviewers say:
“My hair is soft and shiny and the burgundy tone is really nice and rich, I love it! My hair is soft and shiny and it got rid of those pesky greys that I now seem to have since I turned 35!”
“It was (Nice and!) easy to use and the instructions are easy to follow. Application is simple and there were no drips at all. I love how my hair feels after using this hair dye, it feels so soft. It also has a healthy shine.”
“The finished color was lush and the conditioner added a great gloss and shine and smelled great when I was putting it on and afterwards too.”
Our experience:
This is dark burgundy brown so we tried it on mid-brown, dyed hair without lightening. Nice n easy dyes are easy to put on and feel like their conditioning your hair while they get to work on your head.
The color result was a subtle, reddish-purple hue that was super warm and rich. Most of all, our hair felt amazingly soft and in good condition. This makes our best list just for that.
Best for: Burgundy softness and shine.
#5 Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet.
Features & ingredients:
- Discover the first oil powered and ammonia free permanent home hair color.
- For maximum color performance.
- And a visible improvement of hair quality.
Reviewers say:
“This is a brilliant hair dye, I use it every four weeks to cover my greys. I love my purple hair.”
“I was unsure at first but the result was perfectly, PERFECTLY how I wanted it!! No uneven patches, a dark purple with a rich and shiny tone!! And it smells amaaaazing!!”
“It’s taken to my hair really well and has covered up the pink/red color to make it a deep purple with a pink shine. I love how it looks and my hair feels really smooth.”
Our experience:
Unlike other hair dyes on the list, this came with a good amount of creme that was easy to apply and had an ingenious design that means the box can hold the bottle.
The color is fab – our light brown hair now has all over pinky-purple tones that gives a lustrous, even color. This is the best all-rounder for us.
Best for: All over even violet.
#6 Schwarzkopf LIVE Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL Luminance Ultra Violet
Features & ingredients:
- Maximum color depth & radiance
- Built-in Vibrancy Serum with vitamins & oils
- Stunning shine
- Suitable for up to 50% grey hair
Reviewers say:
“Excellent hair dye, one of the best I’ve ever used for ease of use and end result. I have very dark, long, thick hair but 1 pack of this covers grey hairs easily and the finished color is gorgeous.”
“I love this color and I get so many compliments when I use it. It lasts for around 4 weeks in my case, before those pesky greys start showing through again.”
We say:
We tried this color on warm brown hair with red undertones and the result was shimmering deep plum-purple tresses of joy.
It was a little messy to apply but the formula was generous and the end color was the most rich and intense deep purple.
It may wash out to red but it’s still going strong after 5 washes so all good.
Best for: Deep purple perfection.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet.
Best for: All over even violet.
Unlike other hair dyes on the list, this came with a good amount of creme that was easy to apply and had an ingenious design that means the box can hold the bottle.
The color is fab – our light brown hair now has all over pinky-purple tones that gives a lustrous, even color. This is the best all-rounder for us.
Best purple hair dyes at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Brights Pretty Pastel Lilac Hair Dye. | Subtle pastel wash. | ||
| Clairol Colour Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Lavender | Purple vibrance for blonde hair. | ||
| Schwarzkopf LIVE Permanent Lightener+Twist, Mauve Kiss. | Longer lasting mauve. | ||
| Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Dark Burgundy Brown. | Burgundy softness and shine. | ||
| Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet. | All over even violet. | ||
| Schwarzkopf LIVE Intense Colour Permanent, Ultra Violet | Deep purple perfection. |
Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the right purple hair dye for you.
From subtle lavender to vivid violet, there’s a shade of purple for everyone.
But before you dive into the world of purple hair dye, it’s essential to choose the right one that suits your hair type, skin tone, and preferences.
Here’s how to choose the perfect purple hair dye for you.
#1 Hair type & texture
Matching your hair type and texture with the right hair dye is a must if you want all over, even color.
Porous hair, for instance, requires a dye that penetrates deeply to guarantee vibrant color saturation.
When it comes to purple hair dye, you’ll want to choose one with a lot of pigment if you have dark hair, so the color shows up correctly.
For naturally light hair, you can go for a less pigmented dye.
If you have fine hair, choose a gentle formula that won’t damage or dry out your locks.
#2 Skin tone
Another vital factor to consider when choosing purple hair dye is your skin tone.
The wrong shade of purple can clash with your complexion and make you look washed out.
Warm-toned people should go for purples with red and orange undertones, while cooler skin tones can opt for purple dye with blue and violet undertones.
If you’re unsure which shade of purple complements your skin tone, test a swatch of dye on a strand of hair to see how it looks.
#3 Semi-permanent or permanent hair dye?
The next decision you’ll need to make is whether to opt for semi-permanent or permanent purple hair dye.
Semi-permanent hair dye washes out quickly, making it an excellent choice if you only want to try a temporary purple hair look.
Permanent hair dye is more long-lasting, but it can also be more damaging to your hair.
However, it provides a richer, more vibrant color than semi-permanent dye, and you won’t have to worry about touch-ups for several weeks.
#4 Strand test
After you’ve chosen a purple hair dye that matches your hair type, skin tone, and desired level of commitment, it’s time to perform a strand test!
A strand test is like a preview of how the color will turn out on your hair.
It’s essential, especially if you’re applying color for the first time, to avoid any surprises.
To do a strand test, apply a small amount of dye to a hidden section of hair and leave it on for the recommended time.
If the color doesn’t turn out how you expected, you can adjust the formula or choose a different shade of purple hair dye!
How to dye your hair at home.
How do I care for my purple hair?
Now you know how to dye your hair at home, you’ll need to look after your new gorgeous color with specially formulated products.
This color is like red in that it will fade fast. So you need to do all you can to care for your color.
Confusingly, purple shampoo is not what you’re looking for. This is made for blonde hair and will strip your color.
Color-safe shampoos and conditioners that are kind to colored hair contain no nasties like sulphates.
Once a week, treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment to restore its moisture and help to lock the colour in.
And as always, make sure you follow the best advice in How to look after colored hair and keep it luscious for longer.
Best purple hair dye FAQs
Can I dye my hair purple at home?
This is an easy color to achieve using an off the shelf box dye at home.
You’ll need to take the base color your hair is now into consideration to achieve the best results.
Oh, and watch out for splashes as this color makes a mess!
If you have blonde or light hair:
You have a great base to start with.
Although you will need to lighten your hair base color for pastel hair dye shades like lilac, lavender and even mauve if it floats your boat.
If you have dark hair:
You have options. Lighten your hair with a lightening or bleach kit and the sky’s the limit.
Or you can stay deep and dark and go for rich shades like on-trend plum, red and purple, burgundy, mahogany and violet for a gorgeous statement look.
Which purple hair dye lasts the longest?
When it comes to longevity, there are a few brands that stand out.
Arctic Fox and Manic Panic are both known for their long-lasting dyes that keep their vibrancy for weeks on end.
If you’re looking for a purple hair dye that lasts a long time, these brands are a great place to start.
What color purple looks good on dark hair?
Dark hair can be challenging to dye, especially if you want a vibrant color like purple.
But there are a few shades that work well on darker hair.
Deep purples like eggplant and plum can look stunning on brunettes, and they tend to last longer than lighter shades of purple.
If you want to go for a lighter purple, consider getting some purple highlights before dying your hair completely.
Does purple hair dye work on brown hair?
While purple dye can be a bit tricky on brown hair, it is possible to get a fabulous result if you follow the right process.
The key is to lighten your hair before applying the dye.
This can be done by bleaching your hair or using a hair lightener.
Once your hair is light enough, you can apply the purple dye.
Keep in mind that the color may not be as vibrant as it would on blonde hair, but it can still look great!
Parting words.
With so many options to choose from, the best purple hair dyes are bound to be just right for you.
Whether you’re looking for something natural-looking or edgy and bold, there’s a colour out there that will fit your style perfectly.
Take the time to find one of these great products today!
