Plum Hair Perfection: 8 Exclusive Hair Color Styles & Care Tips.

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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!

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It’s all about 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.

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 over on our Plum Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.

plum color hair pinterest board
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7 Juicy Ways To Wear Plum Hair.

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 jazzing up your look.

Here are our fave styles and haircuts to rock the look right now, for every base color.

#1 Plum & magenta 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. Plum & mauve 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 mauve accents around the face for a pop of dark plum hair color without going too far.

#3 Blonde hair with 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.Black & plum 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 Plum 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.Blonde peekaboo plum

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 deep plum

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!

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?

what's the difference between plum hair and burgundy hair comparison
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Both of these hair colors are deep, dark, autumnal shades.

The main difference is that plum isn’t reddish like burgundy, but it does have similar undertones.You’ll get more of a vampy feel with plum.

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.

Choosing the right plum shade for your skin tone.

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
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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!

Which Hair Color Suits Me?

Try on some virtual colors with these hair color apps!

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 dyeLooks likeBest forBuy it now
L'Oréal Paris Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Dye, Magnetic Plum
L'Oreal Paris Colorista Metallic Semi Permanent Hair Color Kit for Light Blonde or Bleached Hair, Metallic Orchid Purple
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Bright plum hues
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color, Deepest Intense Burgundy
Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Ultra Color Nourishing Creme, BR1 Deepest Intense Burgundy (Acai Berry) Red Permanent Hair Dye, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)
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Subtle colour for darker hair
Plum Permanent Hair Dye, Smart Beauty
Smart Beauty Plum Hair Dye Permanent with Plex Hair Anti-breakage Technology that Protects Rebuilds Restores Hair Structure, Permanent Hair Colour, Plum Hair Colour, Vegan, PPD Cruelty Free
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Warm red tones
Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Violet
Garnier Olia Deep Violet Permanent Hair Dye, No Ammonia for A Pleasant Scent, Up To 100% Grey Hair Coverage, Maximum Colour Performance, 60% Oils - 3.16 Deep Violet
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Violet tones
Schwarzkopf Color Expert, Deep Amethyst Hair Dye
Schwarzkopf Got2b Metallics Permanent Hair Color, M69 Amethyst Chrome
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Cool purple tones
Schwarzkopf LIVE Intense Colour Permanent, Plum Perfection.
Schwarzkopf LIVE Color XXL Ultra Brights 94 Purple Punk
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Intense burgundy plum

Watch and learn: How to dye your hair plum at home.

Here’s a great video tutorial that guides you through how to dye your hair this sultry shade of dark plum at home.

Does plum hair fade fast?

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 plum hair challenge, make sure you know what products work best for you.

How to care for perfect plum hair.

To keep that vibrant plum shade for as long as possible, follow these care tips:

By following these steps, you’ll help ensure your plum hair stays as luscious and vibrant as possible.

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!


This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
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    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!