The 7 Best Purple Hair Dyes for Dark Hair (2023)

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So you’re thinking of taking the plunge and dyeing your hair purple? If you’re on the hunt for the perfect purple hue to rock on your dark locks, you’re in the right place.

We know that finding the best purple hair dye that truly pops on darker hair can be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, we’ve got your back.

In this guide, we’ll be sharing some of the best purple hair dyes designed to work their magic on dark hair, creating a gorgeous, vibrant color that’ll turn heads.

So read on to explore these options to help you achieve your dream purple mane.

What to Consider Before Dyeing Your Hair Purple

Check the Condition of Your Hair

First things first, assess your hair’s health. Dyeing, especially with pre-lightened or bleached hair, can stress out your locks.

If your hair is dry, damaged, or prone to breakage, it’s best to give it some TLC before diving into the purple pool. Try deep conditioning treatments or even hold off on dyeing for a bit to let your hair recover.

Hair Color

Now, let’s talk about your hair color. If you want a vibrant purple color, you need to bleach your hair first.

Decide if you want to DIY or go to a salon to have it done by a professional. You might need several sessions to get the lightest color, if that’s what you’re after. You should also wait at least a week between bleaching and dyeing your hair to minimize damage.

But if you’re after a deep purple hue, you can leave your hair as it is, as long as you choose a dye that can penetrate dark hair.

Test for Skin Sensitivity and Reactions

While you could be excited on getting your new purple dye and slathering it all over your head, make sure your skin won’t have a fit. Some hair dyes contain ammonia, peroxide, and other harsh chemicals that can cause reactions.

You can always opt for vegan and organic hair dye options, but some ingredients in their formula may cause reactions as well.

Always do a test for skin sensitivity by applying a small amount of dye behind your ear or on the inside of your elbow. Wait for 48 hours, and if you don’t experience any redness, itching, or other reactions, perform a strand test next.

A strand test is when you test the hair color on a small section of your hair before you dye your whole hair. But why do this? This is so you’ll know if the color is right and if it suits your taste.

You don’t want to skip this test because coloring your whole head of hair right away is a big commitment!

Aftercare and Maintenance

Before you start dyeing, it’s important to note that some purple dyes can stain clothing or beddings, so you’ll need to be cautious with what you wear and where you sleep.

Purple hair also requires aftercare, and you’ll need to be prepared to make regular touch-ups to maintain the color.

Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to avoid stripping your color. Also, opt for deep-conditioning treatments to help your hair recover from the dyeing process.

To keep your purple hair looking vibrant, minimize exposure to the sun, chlorine, and heat-styling tools. And when you do use heat, apply a heat protectant spray to reduce damage.

Remember that even with proper care, your purple will eventually fade. If you want the vibrant hue for longer, schedule regular touch-ups or invest in a color-depositing conditioner for an at-home refresh.

Semi-permanent or Permanent Hair Dye

Permanent hair colors have the longest lasting power. But they use harsh ingredients like ammonia that can damage and thin the hair.

When it comes to hair color, semi-permanent dyes are your best option since they provide vibrant results while avoiding ingredients that might damage hair or create skin discomfort

If you’re open to trying new colors and are interested in purple as a possible choice, this is a good way to go.

Choose the Right Shade

The best dye for purple hair should make you look and feel good. The color wheel is a great tool for picking out complementary colors that complement your skin tone.

Go for pastel purple if you have fair skin with cool undertones. If you have olive skin, shades of plum purple are ideal. And if you have warm undertones, go for a purplish burgundy color.

If you know how to wear the appropriate makeup and accessories to complement your chosen shade of purple, you can pull off whatever you choose!

Can I Dye My Hair Purple at Home?

Yes. You can dye your hair at home. But you need a bit of patience and the right tools to pull it off.

If you’ve been dyeing your hair at home for a long time, go ahead and transform your hair into that purple shade you want with your techniques.

However, if it’s your first time dyeing your hair in purple, leave it to the experts and get it professionally done in a salon. You can also show them a picture of the shade you want, and you can achieve results with minimal risks.

7 Best Hair Dye Brands for Purple Hair

Arctic Fox is all about keeping things natural, so you won’t find any drying alcohols, PPDs, or harsh chemicals in their products. The color is crazy vibrant, and it’s designed to bleed less and not stain everything in sight.

To get that deep, long-lasting color, you’ll need to leave the dye in your hair for a good while. It’ll rinse out a bit each time you wash your hair, but don’t worry!

The first few showers might have you feeling like a purple waterfall, but the color won’t fade that much. Plus, it smells amazing!

Pony, Lime Crime’s electric violet-purple shade, is like a dream come true. It even has a citrus vanilla scent that makes the whole experience even sweeter.

Although it works best on pre-lightened platinum to medium blonde hair, it can add a subtle tint to light-brown hair and dark-brown hair.

The best part? This vegan hair dye is totally damage-free and packed with nourishing ingredients like fatty acids and vitamins, so your hair will feel moisturized and super shiny.

Plus, there’s no need to worry about any nasty chemicals like PPD, peroxide, or ammonia — Lime Crime’s formula is free of all that stuff!

Now there’s a tiny downside: this dye doesn’t come with all the tools you’ll need (like gloves, a coloring bowl, or an applicator brush). Still, it’s easy to apply, smells amazing, and leaves your hair super soft.

This instant hair color gel comes in handy squeeze tubes and dries in minutes, giving you a strong hold and letting you style your hair however you want.

It also works on all hair types and colors, from light to dark, so you’re good to go no matter your hair type. Mix up different colors for streaks and tips, use them as a root touch-up, or even go all out and color your whole head.

Just keep in mind that on unbleached hair, the color might not last as long. But hey, that’s the beauty of temporary hair color — you can switch it up as often as you want without any commitment!

Lunar Tides features vivid and intense pigments, so the color lasts and stays fresh for ages. It gives you that deep, dark, and luscious purple without having to pre-lighten your hair.

Applying this dye is a breeze, and it leaves your hair feeling super soft and looking vibrant. There’s also a lot of product in the container, so you can use them for touch-ups later on.

The ION Intensive Shine Liqui-Creme Hair Color Kit in Plum is specially formulated to give you that maximum shine we all crave.

It’s got this special blend of Morocco argan oil, Tahitian tamanu oil, camellia oil, and coconut oil to take your hair from weak and dull to silky and shiny. Plus, the color stays vibrant even after washing!

The color looks like a glossy plum shade, and it lasts for months! This hair dye not only nourishes your hair with its natural oils, but it also comes with a kit for pro-level results right at home.

This dye can last anywhere from six to eight weeks, so you can enjoy your new hair longer. Plus, it’s got you covered with 100% fade-resistant gray coverage.

This hair dye is a stunning dark purple shade with some seriously intense violet tones. It comes in two boxes, and it’s designed to adapt to all hair textures and provide long-lasting, bold color.

It features Color Boost Technology that infuses intense dyes deep into your hair’s fibers. The brand claims it’s suitable for all hair colors, but it’s ideal for those with natural hair ranging from light brown to the darkest brown.

And don’t worry about your hair feeling dry. It comes with an after-color mask infused with triple oils to lock in moisture and color, leaving your hair protected against dryness.

It not only nourishes your hair; it also keeps the color vibrant for up to eight weeks, even on dark hair!

Feria is all about bold shades inspired by fashion and the latest trends, offering multitonal colors in bold shades. It features a nourishing formula that seals and smooths your hair, making sure it never looks dull or flat.

The kit comes with everything you need, including a shimmer serum that you mix in with the developer and color cream. This serum is also packed with sunflower seed oil and coconut oil, so you get maximum shine and stunning color.

With Feria, you’ll get shiny, head-turning shades without even needing to make an appointment at the salon.

FAQs for the Best Purple Dyes

What is the best purple hair dye?

Knowing what purple hair dye is the best for you is really dependent on your personal tastes and the type of hair you have. Always think about your hair’s natural color, texture, and type before picking out a hair dye.

If you want to achieve the best possible outcome, talk to a hairstylist or do a strand test.

Is purple hair dye damaging?

Dyeing your hair purple isn’t damaging, but the process of lightening your hair before applying the dye can be.

If you want purple hair but don’t want to risk damage, don’t bleach your hair. When dyeing your hair, use a product that is gentle on your hair and has conditioning components.

How long will purple hair dye last?

The longevity of purple hair dye depends on the type of dye you use and your hair care routine. Semi-permanent dyes generally last anywhere from four to eight weeks, while permanent dyes can last even longer.

Unleash Your Inner Royal with the Best Purple Hair Dyes for Dark Hair

Dyeing your hair purple can be a fun and exciting way to switch up your look, but it’s important to choose the right products so you’ll be happy with the results.

You can’t go wrong with any of the options on our list of best purple hair dye brands listed above. So go ahead and choose one that suits your needs!

Want to discover more hair color trends?

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• 9 Best Ginger Hair Dyes To Try This Year
• 11 Best Ash Brown Hair Dyes You Need To Try
• 9 Best Orange Hair Dyes To Make A Statement This Year