What Is the Best Purple Hair Dye for Dark Hair?

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There are so many different shades of purple to choose from for your hair. Whether you opt for amethyst, violet, or eggplant, the results can be absolutely stunning. 

It can be hard to get the look you want on dark hair, but it is possible to dye dark hair purple without ruining your tresses and we know just how to do it. 

In this guide, we’ll tell you the different types of dyes that you can choose from, how to get the best results from a purple home dye kit and how to look after your purple locks.

Top Picks 

Best Value
  • 4.5
  • $11.00
Best for Really Dark Hair
  • 4.0
  • $11.97
Best Semi-Permanent
  • 4.5
  • $18.49 ($2.31 / Fl Oz)
Best Value
4.5
$11.00

This dye is a good value but you'll need 2 boxes for longer hair.

Best for Really Dark Hair
4.0
$11.97

This is a great choice if you want a very dark purple or have really dark hair.

Best Semi-Permanent
4.5
$18.49 ($2.31 / Fl Oz)

This semi permanent option is ammonia-free, PPD-free, vegan, and cruelty-free and gives more subtle results.

03/10/2024 09:22 pm GMT

What Are the Different Types of Hair Dyes?

How long your hair color lasts depends on the type of hair dye you choose. There are generally three types to choose from: permanent dyes, semi permanent dyes, and temporary hair colors.

Permanent hair colors use bleach or ammonia to lighten your hair, but semi permanent and temporary hair dyes don’t have any ammonia or bleach. If your hair is brown or black, you might find it hard to achieve a dramatic color change without using bleach.

Permanent Hair Dyes

Permanent hair color usually contains some ammonia which lightens the hair strands but can also dry and damage them. Ammonia won’t lighten your hair as much as bleaching but it does mean that you can opt for a brighter shade of purple.

For a really dramatic color change, you will need to bleach brunette hair before applying permanent hair color.

Permanent hair dye lasts longer than the other types but the color will still fade in time. How long it lasts will depend on your hair maintenance routine but it should look good for 6-8 weeks.

Semi Permanent Hair Dyes

If you want to try out purple hair color on dark hair but don’t want to use bleach, you could try a semi permanent hair dye.

Semi permanent hair color contains little or no ammonia so it will damage your hair less than permanent dyes. They only partially penetrate the hair shaft and won’t lighten dark hair, so a semi permanent hair color is a less harsh option than permanent color. 

A semi permanent hair color won’t dye your dark hair purple permanently. Your new hair color will generally wash out within 6-8 washes but may last longer, depending on your hair’s condition.

Temporary Hair Colors

A temporary hair color is ideal if you just want to make your brunette hair purple for a day or two, maybe for a party or for Halloween. Color spray, hair chalks, and coloring shampoos can create a very vibrant color even on darker hair colors but will wash out easily as they only sit on the outside of the hair shaft.

woman with long curly dark hair smiling at camera

Purple Box Dye Vs. Professional Dye

The choice between using a purple hair box dye at home or having your dark hair dyed purple in a professional hair salon is a very personal decision. Each of the options has advantages and disadvantages, so here are some of the factors to consider:

Dyeing dark hair purple at home is less expensive than visiting a salon and there is a massive range of colors to choose from these days. You can also color your hair at any time of day that suits you.

However, it can be difficult to get an even color across your hair, and the process can be very messy!

Visiting a professional salon for your purple hair color will cost more than using a box dye, and it will also mean spending several hours in the salon during the day. But you will probably get a better finish to your hair color with more even coverage, and a professional hair colorist will know how to reduce the risk of dry and damaged hair.

At-home hair color kits are much easier to use these days, but you might prefer to go and get pampered by your favorite hair salon. The choice is yours!

woman with Purple Hair Dye on Dark Hair looking up and smiling

Choosing the Best Shade of Purple

There are so many different shades of purple to choose from. Your natural hair shade is a good starting point, as the results you get will vary depending on how dark your natural hair color is.

Light and bright purples will generally work better on blonde or light brown hair but if you have dark brown hair or black hair, you can still get stunning results.

You also need to consider how the shade of purple will look against your skin tone. Warm purples have a reddish undertone and go well with warm-toned skin. Cool purples have a blue undertone which looks better against cool-toned skin.

Here are some purple shades that look great on dark brown hair and black hair:

Bright Purple Hair Dyes

  • Magenta is a bright pinkish purple shade
  • Amethyst is a jewel-toned purple shade

Deep Purple Hair Dyes

  • Plum is a deep purple shade with blue undertones
  • Burgundy is a reddish-brown purple shade
  • Eggplant has both red and blue undertones so it suits most skin tones
stylist applying purple hair dye to dark hair in a salon

Dying Your Dark Hair Purple Without Bleach

Home box dyes are easier to use these days and you can get really good results from purple dyes if you follow a few simple steps.

1. Prep Your Hair Beforehand

Make sure that you condition your hair well in the days before you use your home box dye. If you’re using a permanent hair dye, it’s a good idea to use a deep conditioning hair mask a week or so before.

Using a clarifying shampoo the day before you apply your dye will remove any residue of styling products. However, these can be quite harsh so you might want to skip this step if your hair is already dry.

2. Figure Out Your Natural Hair Shade

Most home dye boxes have a chart to help you know how the dye will react to your hair. Dark brown or black hair will get a different result from light brown or blonde hair.

So work out which of the shades on the chart is closest to your natural hair color and compare the results to make sure it will give the look that you want.

3. Perform a Patch Test

It’s really important to perform a patch test by putting a small amount of the dye on the skin behind your ear or on your inner elbow. This is because most hair dyes contain an ingredient called paraphenylenediamine or PPD which can cause a serious allergic reaction.

You should do the patch test 24 hours before you dye your hair, and experts recommend that you test every time you dye your hair as you can become allergic to PPD at any time.

4. Perform a strand test

A strand test will let you see the exact result that you can expect from this shade so you only need to do this the first time that you use a new hair dye.

Cut a few strands from underneath your hair and apply a small amount of hair dye. Leave it on for the time recommended in the instructions and then rinse off the dye. If you like the purple color that you see, it’s time to go ahead and dye your hair.

5. Gather your accessories

Make sure you have everything you need before you start dying your hair. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained and have some old towels handy as well. You may also need a brush or comb, hair clips for long hair, and a pair of gloves if the box dye doesn’t supply them. 

6. Use the Right Supplies

Make sure that you have color-safe shampoos and conditioners to use in the days and weeks after you’ve used your purple hair dye. This will help your color to last for as long as possible.

Look for shampoos that are mild and ammonia-free, and avoid any parabens as these can fade the purple color.

7. Follow the box instructions

Follow the box dye instructions carefully, covering every inch of your hair and massaging it well to get an even result. If your hair is long, you can use hair clips to fasten it up so you don’t get hair dye down your back.

Leave the dye on for as long as the instructions say and then wash it out according to the instructions. Using a rich conditioner afterwards will help to make your hair soft and shiny.

The Best Purple Hair Dye for Dark Hair Without Bleach

There are lots of different hair dyes for dark hair that don’t need you to bleach your hair first. Here are some of the best purple hair dyes to look out for.

Garnier

Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Dye In Violet is an affordable dye that you can find in a lot of stores. It gives a fantastic rich color and contains 60% oils so it will leave your hair feeling nourished and healthy.

This dye doesn’t contain ammonia and has a pleasant fragrance. You might need two boxes for long hair and the color tends to fade after 4-6 weeks but because this dye is good value, it won’t cost much to touch up your color.

Top Pick
Olia by Garnier Deep Violet 3.16
$11.00

This dye is a good value but you'll need 2 boxes for longer hair.

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03/10/2024 09:22 pm GMT

L’Oreal Paris 

L’Oreal Paris Feria Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in shade V28 Midnight Violet is a fabulous deep purple hair dye for dark hair. It is an affordable dye that gives reliable results even when you’re dying black hair purple. But Midnight Violet is a very dark purple so won’t work well if you want bright, vibrant purple hair.

L'Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet)
$11.97

This is a great choice if you want a very dark purple or have really dark hair.

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03/10/2024 09:17 pm GMT

Arctic Fox Purple

Arctic Fox Purple AF dye is ammonia-free, PPD-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Purple AF, formerly Purple Rain, is a gentle semi permanent hair color that is full of high-quality ingredients and delivers fabulous vibrant color. 

The results will be more dramatic on light brown or dark blonde hair. On dark brown or black hair, this deep purple tint gives more subtle tones which might not be the look that you want.

ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (8 Fl Oz, PURPLE AF)
$18.49 ($2.31 / Fl Oz)

This semi permanent option is ammonia-free, PPD-free, vegan, and cruelty-free and gives more subtle results.

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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/10/2024 09:02 pm GMT

Manic Panic Purple

Manic Panic is a really popular vegan hair dye brand that delivers bright colors in a variety of eye-catching shades. Ultra Violet, Purple Haze and Electric Amethyst shades give you plenty of purple hair options and they’re fantastic value as well.

Manic Panic semi permanent hair dyes are vegan, cruelty-free, and ammonia-free. The results should last up to 6 weeks which is great for a semi permanent hair dye.

MANIC PANIC Ultra Violet Hair Dye Semi Permanent Cool, Blue-toned Violet Hair Color
$14.99 ($3.75 / Fl Oz)

This popular hair dye lasts about 6 weeks but I find I have to leave it on for much longer than the directions say to have some color show.

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03/10/2024 09:07 pm GMT

L’Oreal Paris Hair Temporary Makeup

L’Oreal makes two options for temporary hair makeup: a gel and a spray. Both are ammonia and peroxide free and are washable, making them great options for a one day style.

I’ve used both on my daughter’s long brown curly hair and while the color looks similar, the spray is a little easier to use. However, it dries out her hair and can only be applied to dry hair.

Best for Straight Hair
Best for Textured Hair
4.0
4.0
$8.97
$5.68

This spray version is easy to apply but can leave hair feeling dry and brittle.

This is a cream/gel formula that is better for applying to textured hair.

Best for Straight Hair
4.0
$8.97

This spray version is easy to apply but can leave hair feeling dry and brittle.

Best for Textured Hair
4.0
$5.68

This is a cream/gel formula that is better for applying to textured hair.

03/10/2024 08:12 pm GMT
woman shampooing her dark hair in the shower

Maintaining Purple Dyed Hair on Dark Hair

Whether you choose a permanent or semi permanent hair dye, you want your hair color to look fantastic for as long as possible. Your hair care routine will have a big impact on this, so here are some important steps for looking after purple-dyed hair.

Use The Right Shampoo

Avoid using traditional shampoos as the sulfates in them can strip your hair color. Use gentle sulfate-free shampoos to pamper your hair and keep your hair purple for longer.

Use Color Protecting Hair Products

Color-protecting hair products are gentle on your locks and will keep your hair color looking great for longer. Color-depositing shampoos and conditions give your hair a boost every time you use them, so these are also worth trying out.

No Daily Washes

Washing your hair every day will make your hair color fade quicker so go at least one day between washes or longer if you can manage it. You can use dry shampoo in between washes to freshen up your locks if they look like they need it.

Wash With Lukewarm Water

Hot water opens up the cuticles on your hair and lets the hair dye leak out which makes your color fade faster. So always use lukewarm or cooler water to wash your hair. If you can handle it, a final rinse with cold water will seal your hair’s cuticles to give your hair extra shine.

Avoid Heat Styling

Regular use of heat styling tools can dry and damage your hair, and if you have colored hair the effects will be even stronger. So let your purple hair dry naturally wherever possible and use a heat protectant product whenever you use your blow dryer or hot styling tools.

Avoid Chlorine

Chlorine and hair dye don’t mix well, and regular exposure to chlorine can make your hair color fade faster or even change the color completely. So if you’re a keen swimmer, make sure you wear a swim cap when you go for a dip.

Apply Hair Masks Regularly

Colored hair always looks better if it’s in fabulous condition, so give your purple hair color a boost by using deep conditioners and hair masks at least once a week. Look out for hair masks and conditioners that contain rich, nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil.

Leave-in conditioners are also a great way to boost the moisture in your hair, and you can find color-friendly conditioners online.

woman with long dark purple hair holding a purple flower against her face

Purple Hair Dye for Dark Hair FAQs

If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and dying your dark hair purple, here are the answers to some of your most important questions about how to dye dark hair purple:

How Long Does Purple-Dyed Hair Last?

Purple shades will last between a few days and 6-8 weeks, depending on whether you chose a permanent dye, semi permanent dye, or temporary hair dye. How long it stays looking good depends on your hair care routine and how well you look after your locks.

How Do You Keep Purple Hair Dye Vibrant?

As well as avoiding daily hair washing, harsh chemicals like chlorine, and heated styling tools, it’s also important to protect your purple locks from UV rays. 

Sunlight makes your hair color fade faster, so look out for UV-protective powders and sprays, or shampoos that contain UV protection.

Is Purple Hair Hard to Maintain?

Fashion hair colors like purple hues may fade faster than more traditional colors like brown, so you will need to take good care of your hair if you decide to dye it purple.

And if you decide to lighten your hair with bleach before dying it purple, you will need to work on putting moisture back into your hair to avoid it looking dry and frizzy.

How Do You Make Purple Dye Brighter on Dark Hair?

If you want to use a light or bright purple on darker hair, you won’t be able to get a vibrant result on unbleached hair. 

However, wash-out temporary dyes like hair chalk, colored hair waxes and sprays can give quite bright hair color even on black hair.

Should I Tone My Hair Before Dying It Purple?

A hair toner neutralizes the brassy tones that can show through after you have dyed or bleached your hair. So it’s important to wait until after you have dyed your hair purple before you use a hair toner. 

For best results, wait until you have washed your hair three or four times before using the toner. This gives the dye time to settle properly within your hair strands so you can see where you need to use the toner.

Should I Wash My Hair After Dying It Purple?

Don’t wash your hair for 72 hours after you have dyed it purple, as this will give the color a chance to lock into your hair strands. If you wash it too soon, you will probably just be washing the dye straight out of your hair.

You will probably still see some purple color in the water when you wash it the first few times, but using gentle color-protective shampoos will minimize this.

The Bottom Line 

Now you know the best shades of purple hair dye for dark hair, how to apply hair dye at home and how to look after purple hair. All you need to do now is decide which shade to try first and get ready to look fabulous!


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what is the best hair dye for purple hair? text over image of purple and brown hair

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