If you’ve been dreaming of rocking a head-turning purple mane but don’t want to break the bank at a salon, you’ve come to the right place.
As someone who’s been there, done that, and got the purple-stained t-shirt to prove it, I’m here to spill all the tea on how to dye your hair purple at home.
Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a violet voyage!
Why Purple? Because It’s Fabulous, That’s Why!
First things first: let’s talk about why purple hair is having such a moment.
From lavender to deep plum, this versatile hue is like the chameleon of hair colors. It can be soft and dreamy or bold and badass. Plus, it looks amazing on literally everyone.
Yes, even you, Karen, who thinks you’re “too old” for fun hair colors. Newsflash: you’re not!
Check out the latest purple hair trends over on our Pinterest board.
Finding Your Perfect Purple is All About the Undertones
Let’s talk about finding your perfect shade.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about picking your favorite purple and slapping it on your head (though if that’s your vibe, you do you, boo).
“The key to nailing the perfect purple is understanding your skin’s undertones,” says our resident expert hairstylist and colorist, Enza Piazza. “It can make the difference between looking like a stunning violet vision or… well, let’s just say less than stellar.”
Not sure about your undertones? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Take our quick and easy “What’s Your Skin Undertone?” quiz to discover whether you’re cool, warm, or neutral.
Just click the link below, and we’ll help you find your perfect purple match faster than you can say “pass the hair dye”!
Once you know your undertones, here’s a quick guide:
- Cool undertones: Rock those blue-based purples like lavender, blue-violet, or deep plum.
- Warm undertones: Embrace red-based purples like magenta, orchid, or eggplant.
- Neutral undertones: Lucky you! You can pull off pretty much any purple under the sun.
Remember, these are just guidelines. As Enza likes to say, “Rules are made to be broken, especially in hair color. If a shade speaks to your soul, go for it!”
To Bleach or Not to Bleach: That is the Question
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: bleaching.
If you’re a natural blonde or have light hair, you might be able to skip this step. But for the rest of us mere mortals with darker locks, some level of lightening is usually necessary to get that vibrant purple pop.
Enza warns, “Bleaching is not for the faint of heart. It’s a serious process that can damage your hair if not done correctly. If you’re new to hair coloring or have very dark hair, I’d recommend leaving this step to the professionals.”
But if you’re determined to DIY (and hey, I respect that rebellious spirit), here are some pro tips from Enza:
- Do a strand test first. Always. No exceptions.
- Use a low-volume developer (20 volume max for at-home use).
- Don’t wash your hair for a few days before bleaching. Your natural oils will help protect your scalp.
- Apply coconut oil to your hair the night before for extra protection.
- Be prepared to do multiple sessions. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is platinum blonde hair.
Remember, if your hair has been previously colored or chemically treated, bleaching becomes even trickier. When in doubt, consult a professional. Your future purple locks will thank you.
Expert Insights
“If you’re not ready for all-over purple, try some purple highlights or a subtle ombre. It’s a great way to test the waters.”
-Enza Piazza, Hair Color Consultant
The Pre-Purple Prep
Okay, let’s get down to business. Here’s what you’ll need to dye your hair purple at home:
- A clarifying shampoo (to strip your hair of any product buildup)
- A hair dye kit (because you’re fancy like that)
- Vaseline or barrier cream (trust me, purple-stained ears are not a good look)
- Gloves (unless you want people to think you’ve been strangling Barney)
- An old towel or cape (RIP to all the light-colored towels I’ve ruined in my DIY dye adventures)
- A wide-toothed comb
- Your purple hair dye of choice
This can be permanent or semi-permanent. Here are our Top Picks. You can read more about each one in more detail in our Best purple hair dye reviews.
Best purple hair dyes at a glance.
Pro tip: Do a patch test 48 hours before you plan to dye your hair. I know it’s boring, but it’s better than ending up looking like a grape-flavored marshmallow because of an allergic reaction.
The Main Event: How to Dye Your Hair Purple
Put on your hairdresser’s cape to protect your clothes, crack out your hair dye kit and your chosen box of hair dye, cover any surface around you that might get dye on it and put newspapers on the floor.
YOU’RE READY!
Step one: Apply barrier cream.
Coat your hairline, ears and neck with your barrier cream before applying dye to your hair. Applying this coating will make and hair dye easier to rinse off and it won’t stain your skin.
Open up your hair dye and mix the colour and developer together as instructed. Pour the mixture into your hair dye bowl from your hair dye kit.
Step two: Section your hair.
Use your comb to separate your hair into 4-8 sections, depending on thickness. Clip each section using your clips from the hair dye kit.
Step three: Apply the hair dye.
Using your brush, work the hair dye into your hair depending on what you’re wanting to achieve:
- For previously dyed hair – work the dye into your roots first. Follow the guidance on your hair dye instructions.
- For hair that isn’t already dyed (virgin hair) – work the dye into the whole of your hair, starting at the roots and painting down to the tips, making sure the hair is totally saturated.
Step four: Let it develop.
Pop your hair up in a shower cap to prevent it from touching and staining anything. You can also wrap your hair in a towel to contain heat which will help the colour to process.
Leave the dye in for the amount of time specified on the box hair dye instructions.
If you have particularly stubborn greys to cover, you can leave the hair dye in 10 minutes longer to ensure it really takes.
If you feel any burning or itching – rinse it off straight away!
Step five: Rinse.
Once your time is up, rinse your hair with warm water in the shower or over the sink. Keep rinsing your hair until the water runs clear.
Don’t panic if you see a lot of colour rinsing out – it’s all part of the process!
Wash your hair twice and condition it with colour-safe products. Leave it in for 5 minutes to really set your colour.
When your hair is wet, the colour will appear darker at first. Time to dry it!
Step six: Style and dry!
Spritz your hair with a hair heat protection spray to protect your colour before using a hairdryer. Make sure you do this every time you dry your hair or use heated styling products from now on.
Dry your hair as usual and admire your new coloured locks!!
Expert Insights
“Don’t shampoo for at least 48 hours after dyeing. When you do, use sulfate-free products designed for color-treated hair.”
–Enza Piazza, Hair Color Consultant
Watch and learn. How the professionals do it.
The Aftermath: Caring for Your New Purple ‘Do
Congratulations! You’ve successfully dyed your hair purple. But the journey doesn’t end here, my colorful friend. To keep your purple looking punchy:
- Wash your hair less often. Dry shampoo is your new BFF.
- When you do wash, use cold water and color-safe products.
- Heat protectant is non-negotiable. Your straightener and your purple locks need a mediator.
- Touch up your roots every 4-6 weeks, or embrace the grown-out look. It’s very grunge chic.
Expert Insights
“Purple fades fast. To keep it vibrant, wash with cold water and use color-depositing conditioners.”
-Enza Piazza, Hair Color Consultant
The “Oops” Section
Let’s be real: sometimes DIY dye jobs go wrong. If you’ve ended up looking more “bruised fruit” than “beautiful violet,” don’t panic. Try a hair color-remover, or embrace it and tell everyone you’re cosplaying as Grimace from McDonald’s.
The Grand Finale
There you have it, folks – your foolproof guide on how to dye your hair purple at home. Remember, it’s just hair. It’ll grow back. So why not have some fun with it?
Now go forth and purple! And when people ask where you got your hair done, just wink and say, “I woke up like this.” They don’t need to know about the bathroom that looks like a crime scene or the fact that you’re still finding purple dye behind your ears three days later.
Happy dyeing, you magnificent purple-haired unicorn!
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
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