If you’re looking for a fresh change, hair coloring is the way to go. While there are many colors to choose from, purple hair dye is a great option if you want to transform your hair. It looks classy, elegant, and royal.
You might be tempted to go to a hair specialist to process your hair, but a single visit can cost you anywhere between $60 to $500+. So why not take the DIY approach? All you need is the best purple hair dye and you’re good to go.
But selecting the right hair dye can be quite challenging. Most products don’t live up to their hype. Some can cause irritations especially if you have sensitive skin. Then there are products that don’t last as long as one would expect.
That being said, there are still a lot of options to choose from. And you can get salon-like results from the comfort of your home.
Top Purple Hair Dyes in 2020 Reviewed
Selecting the right product is a time-consuming task. You need to compare prices, read reviews, weigh out the pros and cons, etc. To save you the hassle, we have reviewed the best purple hair dyes for vibrant hair.
1. Manic Panic Purple Haze
Manic Panic Purple Haze is a semi-permanent hair dye that will last you 4 to 6 weeks. If your scalp gets irritated when you apply something on it, this product is exactly what you need.
The formula is paired with conditioners that add moisture to your hair and it doesn’t penetrate the hair cortex.
It offers even coverage and leaves your hair with a dark purple hue. Additionally, it doesn’t contain ammonia, parabens, phthalates, or other toxic ingredients. Your hair will look soft and shinier after usage.
What’s more, it combines the power of aloe vera and citric acid that improve overall hair texture. Moreover, the moisturizing formula conditions your hair while coloring. For the highest level of effectiveness, make sure to bleach your hair as it works great on blonde hair.
Lastly, it features vegan ingredients and is animal cruelty-free. You get a vibrant shade at an affordable price.
2. Joico Intensity Semi-Permanent Hair Color
If you’re worried about damaging your hair, Joico Intensity hair color is the best pick for you. It is infused with hydrolyzed keratin and borage seed oil that battles scalp irritations and improves circulation.
In addition, it contains kukui nut oil that adds strength to hair. The concentrated pigments give you a radiant purple hue. The results are long-lasting with a single application lasting you up to 15 shampoos.
It has a non-drip formula, so the application is not messy at all. On top of that, it adds a luminous shine to your hair. Unlike many other hair dyes, this one doesn’t smell bad.
Moreover, it won’t leave any streaks or patchiness. You can expect consistent results. If you want a vivid purple shade, we advise you to bleach your hair first. That way you’ll get maximum results.
The only problem we found is that the product is a little thick. You might want to add a conditioner for optimum results and a smooth application. Other than that, you’ll love every bit of the product.
3. Garnier Olia Bold Ammonia Free Permanent Hair Color
Formulated with 60% natural oils, Olia gives you a brilliant color while adding shine to your hair. It has an ammonia-free formula, so it’s suitable for you even if you have a sensitive scalp. The natural flower oils help with roughness, dullness, and improves texture.
Also, it will make your hair healthier and hydrated. Olia has a nice fragrance as it doesn’t have that awful ammonia smell. The highlight of the product has to be its effective formula that works great even if you have dark bases. Expect a beautiful purple vibrancy and bouncy hair.
The hair color does a fine job of covering the grays. And if you’re planning to go all the way, Garnier Olia is what you need.
Since it’s a permanent hair color, you can expect the color to last at least 28 shampoos. Make sure to buy a sulfate-free shampoo to make the color last even longer.
The kit also includes an after-color conditioner to nourish your hair.
4. Adore Creative Image Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Adobe Creative Image Hair Color doesn’t contain controversial ingredients such as parabens, ammonia, alcohol, etc. It gives your hair a healthy shine and deposits gorgeous-looking purple color on your hair.
Enriched with natural ingredients, it adds moisture to your hair and they won’t feel like straw. Moreover, it gives a salon-like finish so you can expect professional results at home.
Coloring your hair at home can be challenging especially for beginners. Thankfully, that’s not the case with this hair color. It has a non-drip formula and the application is so easy.
Each strand of your hair will be a boasting luminous shine. Additionally, it conditions your hair while coloring. The staying power is absolutely amazing.
Thanks to its anti-fade formula, your color will last for several weeks. And when the color does fade, it fades beautifully. Your hair color will look utterly amazing even throughout that change.
More importantly, it doesn’t damage or dry out your hair. The price is also great.
5. Special Effects SFX Hair Color, Deep Purple
Please allow us to introduce a vegan-friendly purple hair dye that delivers professional results. Made in the USA, Special Effects SFX is a semi-permanent hair color as well that lasts 3 to 6 weeks depending on various factors.
What’s exciting about this product is that you’ll get great results even with dark hair. However, for the best possible results, hair bleaching can be quite helpful. Not only does it paint your hair with your dream color, but it also makes them strong, smooth, and silky.
On top of that, it fades nicely. You’ll love the faded color as much as the deep purple hue. It has conditioning properties, so your strands are safe.
Thanks to its advanced formula, it deposits the color evenly and makes your hair look absolutely stunning. Make sure to rinse your hair well after dyeing to get rid of the excess color. Also, you would want to use your old pillowcases the day you color the hair.
6. Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
If you’re someone who loves vegan-friendly products, Arctic Fox hair dye is for you. It’s a really effective hair dye that works well on dark as well light bases. You can expect an even and saturated coverage with Arctic Fox.
The hair color is also suitable for frequent use. Your hair would stay in perfect health even when you’re processing them. It doesn’t contain alcohol, ammonia, peroxide, so it’s safe for everyone regardless of hair type.
Thanks to glycerine, the color will also attract moisture and keep your hair moist, silky, and smooth. You can rest assured that your hair will stay conditioned even during the dyeing process. Plus, it contains hydrolyzed soy protein that mends and strengthens your hair.
If you like to experiment with your hair, you can create a custom shade by mixing colors. Love animals? Great. Arctic Fox helps stop animal-cruelty by donating 15% of all their profits to animal charities.
7. L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color
For someone who doesn’t want a bright, vivid shade, you should go with L’Oreal Paris Colorista. The hair dye in question doesn’t contain irritants and has an ammonia-free formula. Not only does it give you rich tones, but it also leaves your hair shinier and healthier than before.
The dye only lasts 4 to 8 shampoos. If you want to color your hair crazy only for a while, this product is a go.
The non-drip formula won’t stain your clothes or floor. The hair dye is the best fit for light brown or blonde hair. If you have darker hair, this might not be the right product for you. Therefore, you should consider bleaching your hair bleaching if you select this product.
Leave the stuff on your hair for about 30 minutes for the best results. It doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. However, allergic reactions are still possible. Therefore, a patch test is recommended.
8. Punky Purple Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color
Want a royal look when on a budget? Try Punky Purple Conditioning hair color that boasts a 100% vegan formula. It doesn’t contain acid dyes. Thus, you don’t have to worry about scalp staining.
If you’re allergic to hair care products, this is your best bet. The formula doesn’t include parabens, PPDs, ammonia, or GMOs. You can do a lot of things with this product.
The dye is loaded with color-enhancing keratin complex for long-lasting results.
Whether it’s root touch-ups, highlighting, or all-over color, this hair dye is a perfect fit for everything. If you want to crank things up a notch, you can try mixing shades to get custom colors for your needs. Sounds darn exciting, right?
Get ready to turn heads with this semi-permanent hair dye. Above all, it smells like grape candy. The application is easy thanks to its thick texture.
Although it’ll work for all hair colors, bleaching is recommended for a really vibrant finish. The only letdown is that it does bleed a little on clothing, towels, pillowcases, etc. So, be wary of that before application.
9. Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Nourishing Permanent Hair Color Cream
Enriched with avocado oil, shea butter, and olive oil, Garnier Nutrisse is a permanent hair color that nourishes your hair while coloring. Thanks to natural fruit oils, it will strengthen your hair, prevent breakage, and add hydration.
In addition, it is loaded with the goodness of grape seed that restores the hair’s vibrancy and shine. It also seals the moisture in the hair follicle. The color boost technology ensures that you get a vivid purple hue.
The kit also includes a creamy after-color conditioner. Using the conditioner, your hair will get soft, silky, shiny, and healthy. Nutrisse Ultra Color has a non-drip formula. The product spreads evenly and smoothly.
You won’t have to worry about blotchiness. What’s more, it works great on almost everyone no matter the hair color. Interestingly, it fades to a very beautiful light purple shade. You will fall in love with your hair even more when you use Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color.
10. Pravana Vivids Locked in Purple
If you’ve just taken the DIY route and have no experience whatsoever, Pravana Vivids Locked in Purple hair dye is a great choice for you. It is very easy to apply, doesn’t contain harsh smells, and formulated without toxic ingredients.
People with sensitive skin don’t have to worry about burning their scalp as the formula is very gentle. It will leave your hair looking healthy, bouncy, strong, and silky. Plus, it conditions your hair thanks to its moisturizing ingredients.
For someone who doesn’t like very bright, vivid colors, this hair dye is perfect for you. The results are long-lasting. You can expect the color to hold for at least 4 weeks. The formula also enhances shine and vibrancy. It will also help you get rid of hair dullness.
The coverage is also excellent. If you have grays, you can forget about them for good. Remember that this hair dye will work if you have pre-lightened hair. Consider bleaching your hair if you have a dark base.
How to Choose the Best Purple Hair Dye?
There are many shades of purple available out there and you can pick the one that best suits your needs. Here are a few things to look out for when buying a purple hair color:
Ammonia-Free
Ammonia can damage your hair cuticles. As a result, your hair becomes dry, brittle, rough, and looks unhealthy. It can also cause hair thinning. Therefore, when looking for hair color, go with an ammonia-free formula. You should also avoid other ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, alcohol, PPD, etc. With an ammonia-free formula, you can rest assured that your hair won’t be damaged during the coloring process.
Consider Your Hair Color
It’s important to consider the color of your hair before you purchase anything. Some of the products are designed specifically for light or pre-bleached hair while there are others that work great on dark bases. If you have dark hair, some of the colors won’t work for you. Therefore, you’ll have to bleach your hair. It’s important that you make an informed decision.
Temporary or Permanent?
So, what hair color should you choose? Semi-permanent or permanent? Well, that totally depends on you. A semi-permanent will last you 4 to 6 weeks while a permanent one can last up to 8 weeks. On the other hand, a temporary color will only last a few washes.
Selecting the Right Shade
There are several shades of purple. Some are bright and vivid while others are subtle. What shade you want is a matter of personal preference. Make sure to check out the shade before buying anything. Some products allow you to get a custom shade by mixing colors. You can do that and find the right shade for you.
Ingredients
Make sure to scan the ingredients before selecting a hair dye. If you find some problematic ingredients, feel free to skip that product. Also, look for the colors with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera, etc. If the dye doesn’t contain those ingredients, make sure that the kit includes a hair conditioner.
Price
For most people, the whole point of taking the DIY approach is to save a few bucks. You don’t want something insanely expensive as that will defeat the whole purpose. Make sure to compare the prices before the purchase.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re just starting out, we’re sure that you have tons of questions. We have answered a few FAQs below.
Is there a permanent purple hair dye?
That depends on what you mean by permanent. If you’re thinking of a dye that will last forever, then no!
A permanent purple hair dye will last you 10 weeks at most. However, that depends on several factors such as your hair health, the shampoo you use, the hair dye you used, etc.
Is purple a good hair color?
Yes. Purple hair color looks really flattering, royal, and elegant. If you’re looking for ways to transform your tresses, a purple hair color would be perfect for you.
Should I bleach my hair before dyeing it purple?
If you have dark hair, then yes. For the highest level of effectiveness, bleaching is recommended. If you have light brown hair or you’re blonde, bleaching is not required. Make sure to use the best hair bleach to avoid hair damage.
Can I dye my dark brown hair purple without bleaching?
Yes, you can get a dark purple shade if you’re brunette. But you won’t be able to achieve lighter shades of purple. If your hair is black, then you’ll only be able to get a few warm shades of purple.
Will purple hair dye work in conditioner?
Yes, it does! In fact, it will ensure long-lasting results. On top of that, it is also good for hair health. Just make sure to use a hair dye that doesn’t need a developer.
Conclusion
Coloring your hair purple is a sure-shot way of becoming the center of attraction. The purple hair dyes we have reviewed above will help you achieve a beautiful purple hue. They will last long and won’t damage your hair. Everyone will compliment you for your beautiful hair.
It’s also important that you do your due diligence. At the end of the day, you know your hair better than anyone else.
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Sheryll is a lifestyle editor with over 7 years of experience in beauty. She is obsessed with Korean skincare, and she mostly covers the Beauty and Skincare space at Skin Seas.