Purple is one of those colors that always seem to cycle back into hair color trends no matter what era. It’s a versatile color that can be striking and bold, soft pastel, or deep and subtle, depending on how you want it.
It also comes in lots of different beautiful hues to suit just about any skin tone. There are warmer reddish purples, cool blue-toned shades, and even just pure vibrant purple.
Being such a trendy color, it helps to have a few go-to’s up your sleeve for the times you want to keep up with the color of the season.
Our Top 10 Picks: Best Purple Hair Dye
From dark purple hair dyes to pastels, there’s such a huge array out there. Each one has its own unique formula and shade range. You’re bound to find one perfect for you.
So, to help you out, here’s a list of surefire best purple hair dye brands.
1. ARCTIC FOX Purple Rain Semi Permanent Hair Color
Best semi permanent purple hair dye
Arctic Fox has become a cult classic over the years and that’s with good reason. This semi-permanent dye coats each strand with vibrant color. The purple shows up as a true bright purple on lightened hair. But even on unbleached virgin hair, it gives it a deep, rich tint.
The pigment in the Arctic Fox dye is so strong it even shows on brown hair.
For more unique and dimensional looks, it mixes in seamlessly with other colors from the line. Additionally, Arctic Fox is known for its quality vegan products that not only protect animals but also you from harmful chemical damage.
This formula is a champ without unnecessary peroxide, PPD, alcohol, ammonia, and other common irritants.
Pros:
- Vibrant colors
- Vegan formula
- Less chemical damage
Cons:
- Not as effective on very dark unbleached hair
2. Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Bold Violet Nourishing Color Creme
Best purple hair dye for unbleached hair
The Garnier Nutrisse Color Creme formula is a staple in drugstores. Its signature blend of fruit oils including avocado oil, olive oil, and shea ensures a nourishing treatment as you dye your hair. For old colors like purple, this works wonders making it look more vibrant and healthier, letting the color really shine through.
This is a great option especially for those who want to do their own hair at home because its permanent formula lasts longer in between retouches.
It’s also really convenient to use as the box comes with a complete kit. The creme consistency of the formula also prevents any of that intense purple from dripping onto your skin.
This dye also has color boost technology that gives bold color payoff to even dark unbleached hair.
Pros:
- Longer lasting formula
- Contains nourishing oils
- Works on dark hair
Cons:
- Permanent hair color formulas may be more damaging
3. Adore Purple Rage Semi-Permanent Hair color
Best drugstore purple hair dye
One of the most affordable options out there is the Adore Semi-permanent hair color. But don’t let the price tag steer you away. It’s a potent, old option that gets the purple shade popping without much of the damage.
It’s also a relatively safer option, even being at a fraction of the usual price. It contains no ammonia, alcohol, or peroxide, freeing your hair from harmful chemical damage.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Vibrant
- Ammonia, alcohol, and peroxide-free
Cons:
- Washes away easier than other dyes
4. Punky Purple Semi Permanent Conditioning Hair Color
Best pastel purple hair dye
If you’re not feeling a true royal purple, then the Punky line will have something for you. They have at least two other purples that can match whatever mood you’re feeling.
When pastels are more your thing, and softer looks are what you’re going for, then this might be a great option. It lasts longer than other semi-permanent dyes, so you don’t have to worry about that light pastel fading into nothing in no time.
It also has a nourishing formula that doesn’t need any pesky, dehydrating peroxide developer.
Pros:
- Wide color range
- Lasts long for a semi-permanent color
Cons:
- Can be very messy to use
5. Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Pony Fantasy Hair Color
Best purple hair dye for dark hair without bleach
Lime Crime is one of those brands associated with fun, bright colors. So it’s not a shocker that they have a vibrant purple with intense, saturated pigment that packs a punch.
This electric purple is so intense you won’t even need bleach to see some good results. Of course, colored dyes are always better on lightened, blonde hair, but at least with this one, the purple tint it delivers to dark hair cannot be beaten.
It’s also a nourishing formula with conditioning built-in. It doesn’t have the intense sharp smell of typical dyes too.
Aside from being bleach-free, you don’t have to worry about ammonia or peroxide with this one either. Plus, it’s one of the good vegan, cruelty-free options.
Pros:
- Intense colors
- Bleach, ammonia, and peroxide-free formula
Cons:
- Washes out easily
READ NEXT: Best Bleach for Dark Hair
6. Manic Panic Purple Haze Hair Dye
Best purple hair dye for dark hair
Much like Lime Crime, Manic Panic is a favorite of people who love wearing loud colors. Manic Panic’s color pay off very seldom leaves anyone wanting.
Purple Haze is a deeper shade of purple that would compliment dark hair very well if you’re going for a more subtle violet sheen. Even on unbleached, virgin hair, the purple tone it delivers is loud and proud and shows even better when hit by the light.
Manic Panic also has safer vegan and cruelty-free formulas. It’s also packed with color without any ammonia, parabens, and other harmful chemical additives.
If the deep dark purple isn’t your thing, Manic Panic also has a wide range of colors from pastels to purple-blacks.
Pros:
- Intense color
- The tint is noticeable even on dark hair
- Less chemical damage
Cons:
- Color tends to bleed
7. Pravana Chromasilk Vivids Long Lasting Vibrant Colors
Best purple hair dye for brunettes
The Pravana Chromasilk is a pretty straightforward formula. Without the need for a developer, you can just use it out of the tube, making it ideal for home use.
It also lives up to its name of being a vivid, intense color. The violet shade is an intense warm electric shade that can look good even on dark hair as a purple sheen.
It lasts almost as long as typical permanent dyes without the harmful chemicals that permanent ones often need.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Bright colors
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Tends to bleed and stain
8. L’Oreal Paris Feria Power Violet Shimmering Permanent Hair Color
Best permanent purple hair dye
The L’oreal Ferial is the color to do for those who want a subtler shade of purple. This is a more burgundy-based purple and will make people do a double-take to notice the shade.
It’s a more “wearable” shade than electric purples and intense blue-based violets. This line is also known for the shine it adds to your hair. It’s not called “shimmering” for nothing.
Being a permanent dye, this formula will definitely last longer on your hair and won’t have the tendency to bleed, unlike semi-permanent ones.
However, that also comes with the disadvantage of some harsher chemicals included in the formula.
Pros:
- More everyday shade
- Lasts longer than semi-permanent dyes
Cons:
- More prone to causing chemical damage if used too often
9. Schwarzkopf got2b Metallics Amethyst Chrome Permanent Color
Best at home purple hair dye
If you’re looking for an at-home color that looks like it came from the salon, the Schwarzkopf got2b Metallics line is one to check out. With vibrant purple comes a multi-tonal effect that gives you so much more dimension to the look.
With a metallic-shine booster, this formula gives your hair a nice shimmer while also being a longer-lasting formula too.
Pros:
- Bright colors
- Multi-tonal effect
Cons:
- More prone to chemical damage if used too often
10. Joico Vero K-PAK Color Intensity Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Best temporary purple hair dye
Joico is a semi-permanent formula that’s a lot more gentle on the hair. You can work a colorful look using this dye without any developer and chemical bonding to your hair.
It also has conditioner packed into the formula that keeps hair glossy and smooth even after coloring. This brand is for someone who prefers a more temporary change, or for someone who likes cycling through different colors pretty frequently.
Pros:
- Gentle formula
- Easy to use at home
Cons:
- Washes out more easily
- Not as potent on darker hair
Things to consider when getting purple hair dye
Not all dyes are created equal which is good news for you because no matter what you personally consider important, there’s likely going to be a product that fits your needs!
All you have to do is to figure out what these are.
There are a lot of factors you can take into consideration, while others you might not really care about at all. These include:
How long a formula lasts
Your needs are going to vary depending on how often you like to dye your hair. For someone who’d like a color to stay on longer between retouches, then a permanent dye would be better. This also matters if you’re concerned about how quickly it fades the color.
If you prefer changing colors more often, or want a more temporary change, then semi-permanent formulas would be better for you.
How Intense you want a color to be
Do you prefer pastels?
Maybe you’re going for a more everyday look with a deeper brown tone.
Or perhaps the look you want to achieve is a bolder electric purple. This goes without saying that your color preference will definitely play a huge factor in what a “good” purple dye is for you.
Your current hair health and color
Your hair health should be your top priority.
So even if permanent dyes offer longer-lasting effects, you should always look into whether or not your hair can take the damage that the chemicals in permanent dyes can bring about.
The same goes for color!
Your current color, and where you want it to go determines what kind of dye you use and whether or not you should pair it up with bleach to get your desired results.
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How to dye your hair purple
- First, determine the shade you want to achieve and research whether or not you have to lighten your hair to achieve that color.
Typically, for pastels and bolder more true purples, you’ll need to have a blonde base, to begin with. - Bleach your hair if needed, taking 2 or more sessions if you have very dark hair to prevent too much damage.
- Once your hair is at the recommended lightness depending on the color you want to end up with, you can start applying the dye, working in sections until you have it completely colored in your desired style.
- Color your roots last as they take on color much quicker and are more easily damaged by dye.
- Leave the color on as recommended by the specific dye you use. This usually takes anywhere between half an hour to 2 hours.
- Wash out the excess dye with cold water, no shampoo and uses any aftercare products your dye kit might include.
- Avoid washing your hair with shampoo for the next 3-7 days to lock in the color.
FAQs:
So, what is the best purple hair dye brand?
Only you can tell depending on the color you want, the care you want to take for your locks, and also what you want the dye to do for you in terms of vibrance, longevity, and dimension.