You may have noticed that the color plum is everywhere at the moment. From lips to nails, it seems like everyone has jumped on board with this trend! Plum hair color is a great choice if you want to make a statement without going too far. It’s bold but still versatile enough that it can be worn in many different ways.
You can dye your whole head this sultry shade, or just add some highlights and lowlights to give yourself an ombre effect. The possibilities are endless!
If you’re thinking of trying out this shade of purple, we’ve got everything you need right here. From all the best ideas and inspiration to what shade will suit you.
Read on!
Table of Contents
- 1 What is plum hair color?
- 2 Is plum a natural hair color?
- 3 What is burgundy hair color?
- 4 What skin tone suits plum hair?
- 5 Is plum cool or warm?
- 6 Which hair colors suit me?
- 7 What hairstyle suits plum hair?
- 8 How do you get purple plum hair?
- 9 Best plum hair dyes at a glance.
- 10 Watch and learn: How to dye your hair plum at home.
- 11 How does Plum hair fade?
- 12 How do you maintain plum hair?
- 13 Parting words
- 14 Author
What is plum hair color?
Plum hair is an autumn hue that falls between red and purple color. It can lean towards pink or red depending on how it’s mixed with other colors.
It’s a rich, deep purple and red color that’s warmer than burgundy and less brown than mahogany and really brings out the color in blue, green and hazel eyes.
But there are so many different shades of this sultry hair color out there! From deep grape-purple to light lilac-lavender shades. Plum tones also look great on long hair and short hair styles alike.
If this shade takes your fancy, there’ll be a hue to suit you. Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.
Is plum a natural hair color?
The truth is it’s not a natural shade in the sense that it can’t be found within the hair without using hair dye.
It’s a shade that exists between red and blue. It’s probably one of the only hair colors where it doesn’t have a natural tone to it.
This can be difficult to pull off if you’re going for a more natural look, but it’s perfect when you want something with a little more oomph!
If you have dark brown hair, it’ll look more natural on you.
What is burgundy hair color?
Both of these hair colors are deep, dark, autumnal shades.
The main difference is that you’ll get more of a vampy feel with plum color hair (like gothic makeup). Plum isn’t reddish like burgundy, but it does have similar undertones.
Plum is more purple and tends to look better on cooler skin tones whereas warm skin will suit the warmth and depth of burgundy better.
It’s also worth noting that both colors will fade faster than lighter pastel hues (like pink). But if this shade is calling out to you, there’ll be a perfect hue for your skin tone!
What skin tone suits plum hair?
This shade will look amazing against any skin tone purple color palettes bringing out the best features in anyone who wears it.
It’s especially flattering for those that have pink undertones.
This shade of purple is actually quite versatile so it will work for many different skin tones, but if you have a lighter tone try keeping your color more towards the red/berry spectrum so that you don’t look washed out.
Eggplant plum and blue-purple tones like violet are better suited to darker or olive skin tones.
Whether you have cool or warm undertones, there’ll be a shade of plum for you.
Is plum cool or warm?
Before going for perfect plum hues, it’s good to determine what tone you want in your hair.
If you have a cool skin tone choose a dark shade of purple, if you have a warm skin tone go for something warmer with more red.
If you’re not sure if you have cool or warm skin tones, just use our handy checklist below!
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You blush easily!
- Jewel and pastel colors are so your thing.
- The color yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
- You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
- Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
- You might have freckles.
- You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades better.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you
Which hair colors suit me?
You can also find out which purple hair color will suit you by taking our quick quiz! Just click on the image below!
Try on some virtual colors with these hair color apps!
What hairstyle suits plum hair?
If you’re thinking of trying out this hot on-trend hair color, start by looking at your current coloring. You don’t need to dye your whole head a plum shade, in fact adding just a few touches will make a huge change in freshening up your look.
Here are our fave styles and haircuts to rock the look right now!
1.Ombré
A good way to get a natural fade is by using an ombré effect.
Give dimension and depth to your hair using different tones to get the gorgeous, dark to light look. You can use your natural hair as a base with an amethyst twist, or dye your hair complementary purple shades to get a more dramatic effect.
It may seem like it’s too much of a change but lightening up the ends of your hair can make all the difference!
2.Balayage
A less drastic approach to getting this color is by adding in balayage hints of purple-red plum.
This is perfect for when you don’t want to completely change your look or are still experimenting with your preferred style of dye.
If you have dark hair, you can add in some deep plum and violet accents around the face for a pop of dark plum hair color without going too far.
3.Dipped ends
If you’re really feeling adventurous and want to try something a little more stand out, dip dyed ends can add a pop of color.
We particularly love this look on a light hair base like strawberry blonde and ash blonde. Go for a tint of vibrant dark cherry, hot magenta or lavender pastel shade to really made the contrast shine.
4.Hair streaks
Plum hair streaks are a fun way to change up your look.
Originally popularized by the likes of Cara Delevingne, they’re easy to do and can be easily done at home with the right hair dye and effort.
You can use plum hair dye to create chunky streaks or face-framing strands.
Don’t worry about looking like you have roots or that it’s too drastic, plum hair streaks are perfect for any occasion!
5.Highlights
Purple highlights can be a great way to add some color and dimension to your hair without going for an all over dye job.
Blend in aubergine, merlot wine or plum highlights on a dark colored base like chocolate or ash brown. This is a technique best left to a professional!
6.Peekaboo hair
Peekaboo hair is a new color trend that has everyone talking. It’s when you dye the underside of your hair at the nape of your neck a bright, vibrant color to make heads turn!
It’s fun way to make a statement and it’s easy to do at home. We love the look on light hair colors and other on-trend shades like silver or even copper.
7. All over
The all-over dye job is classic plum and a classy way to wear this shade.
It’s such a flattering tone and makes your skin look even more radiant than before. Go for a blackberry shade or even black plum hair color and it’ll make it appear thicker, glossier and healthier too!
How do you get purple plum hair?
The good news is, this is an easy color to get at home thanks to our friends the box dyes. There are a load of purple-hued hair dyes you can buy to get the look at home.
To get an even fade between colors and avoid any variations of tone consider using semi-permanent dye that will wash out after about 20 washes. This won’t damage your hair and is perfect for dipping our toes into something new before fully committing.
Here are the best hair dyes you’ll find out there today!
Best plum hair dyes at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'Oréal Paris Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Dye, Magnetic Plum |   | Bright plum hues | |
| Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color, Deepest Intense Burgundy |   | Subtle colour for darker hair | |
| Plum Permanent Hair Dye, Smart Beauty |   | Warm red tones | |
| Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet |   | Violet tones | |
| Schwarzkopf Color Expert, Deep Amethyst Hair Dye |   | Cool purple tones | |
| Schwarzkopf LIVE Intense Colour Permanent, Plum Perfection. |   | Intense burgundy plum |
Watch and learn: How to dye your hair plum at home.
How does Plum hair fade?
While this shade may seem like a fun way to stand out, keep in mind that it can be difficult to maintain.
Typically it lasts anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on how well you look after your hair and whether you use any heat tools such as straighteners or curlers.
More often than not the lighter the base of your hair, the shorter amount of time this shade will remain in tact. So if you have brunette or dark hair, it’ll last longer for you.
If you decide to take on the challenge, make sure you know what products work best for your individual needs.
How do you maintain plum hair?
Maintaining this shade is relatively easy because it doesn’t fade too fast.
It does fade quickly if you use hot appliances (so no curling tongs!) But it’s still fairly long lasting compared to pastel hues like pink and blue-grey.
Just remember not to wash your hair too often or use sulphate shampoos. This will keep the color looking vibrant for longer.
To keep your hair vibrant for as long as possible, make sure you only use sulphate free shampoos and color-safe conditioners.
Once a week, use a hair mask to moisturise and nourish your locks.
And as always, make sure you follow the best advice in How to look after colored hair and keep it luscious for longer.
Parting words
Plum color hair is a great way to make your statement without going too far. It’s bold but still versatile enough that it can be worn in many different ways.
Whether you go for an ombré style or cover your whole head in it, this bold hue will add some fun to any look.
You don’t have to go all-out with this trend when it comes to hair color – there are plenty of options out there for any taste. We hope we’ve helped you to find the perfect one for you! Good luck!
