It is notoriously difficult to dye dark hair but if you’re wanting to go purple, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. In this post, I’ll show you just how to use purple hair dye for dark hair without bleach so you can get that vibrant color you’re looking for. Show
I’ll also be sharing the best permanent and semi-permanent products to buy. This post contains affiliate links and we may earn if you click on them (at no extra cost to you). Please read our full disclosure policy here.
Yes, it is entirely possible to dye your hair purple without using bleach as long as you use the right product and the correct shade of purple suitable for your hair. A few things to keep in mind though: Be Realistic About The ResultUnfortunately, you can’t expect to get a light purple shade on the base of black hair without bleaching it first. It’s just not possible. Instead, opt for deeper shades like indigo or burgundy purple. It is, however, possible to get some surprisingly bright purple shades from wash-out dyes. These include sprays, waxes, and hair chalk. Which Purple Shade To ChooseYou need to decide what purple shade you’d like on your hair. If you’re starting with a dark base like black or very dark brown, you should go for deeper shades like amethyst, burgundy, and indigo. These will work much better than a bright purple dye that’s meant for blonde hair. If you have light brown hair or you’re planning to lighten your locks before dyeing it, try one of these purple hair dyes instead. Type of Hair DyeYou can choose between permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary hair dye. Permanent colorPermanent color is just that: permanent. It lasts forever in theory but will still fade over time. Permanent dye is the longest-lasting option of the three choices but you will still have to do some maintenance to keep your hair color looking its best. With permanent color, you can opt for a purple shade that is close to your own natural hair color for the best results. Most shades of permanent hair color do contain some level of ammonia which will lighten your hair color a little but not nearly as much as bleaching. Semi PermanentIf you want to try a new purple hair dye for your dark hair without using bleach, there’s always the option of semi-permanent hair dye. Semi-permanent hair dyes do not permanently change your hair color but will wash out after a while. Usually, they last between 8 to 6 washes but this depends on the brand and your hair type and condition. Temporary Hair ColorIf you just want to temporarily change your hair color for a certain event – say for Halloween, a party, or for a concert, there are temporary options including color sprays, coloring shampoos, hair chalk, or hair waxes. These can create surprisingly vivid, eye-catching tones, even on dark hair. The Best Dyes To Color Dark Hair PurpleThe products below were chosen based on the following criteria:
All of the hair dyes below are suitable for anyone with dark hair and have the ability to give you a deep, rich, and vibrant purple color. BEST OVERALL1. Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Dye In VioletPrice
Range: $$$$$ What I liked: Very affordable, rich color, and feels nourishing What I Didn’t Like: May need two boxes for very long hair This oil-based hair dye from Garnier is my TOP PICK. Not only is the color a beautiful, rich purple shade but the formula containing 60% oils helps to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and in beautiful condition. The dye contains no ammonia so smells more pleasant than many permanent hair dyes with a delicate floral fragrance. Finally, this hair color is super cheap so even if the color does fade after 4-6 weeks, you won’t break the bank when it comes to touching up your roots. BEST SEMI-PERMANENT DYE3. Manic Panic High Voltage Classic Hair Dye In Ultra VioletPrice Range:
$$$$$ What I liked: This dye is cruelty-free and vegan What I Didn’t Like: The product will stain if not careful Manic Panic is a popular brand to choose from if you’re looking for bold color. This semi-permanent formulation is quite a bluish-purple, but could easily be mixed with their Electric Amethyst shade to create your own custom shade of purple. Manic Panic hair dyes are easy to use and very handily come in a resealable tub so they are long-lasting. All of their hair dyes are free from harsh chemicals and are vegan and cruelty-free. The high-quality ingredients help to condition your hair as well as dye it. This brand also has a very long-lasting color result for a semi-permanent dye, lasting up to 6 weeks. Amazing! This means you can keep your purple shade for a good while, without having to expose your hair to a more damaging permanent dye. BEST FOR PURPLE SHINE4. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Hicolor Permanent Hair Color, True VioletPrice Range:
$$$$$ What I liked: The color blends in very well with natural hair What I Didn’t Like: Not the best for dark redheads The Excellence HiColor in True Violet was specifically made for toning and coloring dark bases of hair. The unique formula ensures that dark hair will be lifted several shades and with no brassiness. This color is vibrant and long-lasting and you can choose which developer to mix for best results. Ideally, you should use a volume 30 for naturally dark hair or volume 40 for colored dark hair. BEST FOR VIOLET TONES5. Smart Beauty – Amethyst Purple Hair DyePrice Range: $$$$$ What I liked: Vegan and cruelty free. What I Didn’t Like: The color requires proper maintenance since it fades after a couple of washes. The Nio-Active technology in this stunning shade of Smart Beauty’s Amethyst Purple Hair Color helps in enriching and repairing the micro-bond fiber structure, giving the hair a better and smoother look. This long-lasting hair dye is excellent for unbleached black hair, giving you rich, smooth, and lustrous purple hair without harming it. Amethyst Purple Hair Dye is the best pick for you if you are seeking a deep purple shade that will last for a very long time. What I Didn’t Like: Can stain but that is to be expected BEST AMMONIA-FREE6. Arctic Fox Vegan Semi Permanent Hair Dye (Purple AF)Price Range: $$$$$ What I liked: Gives a beautiful burgundy color and is free from peroxide, ammonia, and PPD. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan so what’s not to love? What I Didn’t Like: It does have a thicker consistancy than most dyes This vegan hair dye comes in a perfect purple color that goes well on hair ranging from blonde to dark unbleached black hair, adding rich and beautiful purple tones to darker hair while shining brightly on bleached hair. Its incredibly conditioning formula helps deposit super vibrant colors into your hair while also leaving it wonderfully smooth. If you’re looking for a rich purple shade to experiment with your black hair without risking damage from bleach, Purple AF is the one for you. BEST TEMPORARY COLOR7. Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary Brunette Hair Color In Violet PurpleThis temporary hair color is specially designed for darker shades of hair. This is ideal if you’re just looking for a temporary color for an event and want to wash out the color afterwards. Great for festival and summer hair looks, it can be mixed with other colors from the range to create your own custom shade. Perfect for purple highlights or brighter undertones. BEST FOR VIBRANCY8. Rebellious Colours Semi-Permanent Hair Dye In Purple FuryPrice Range: $$$$$ What I liked: Provides a more vibrant color than most other semi-permanent dyes What I Didn’t Like: Turns a bit more blue-ish as it begins to fade Brit-based brand Rebellious Colours is 100% vegan with a gentle formula that conditions your hair. It is also suitable for frequent use. It is free from harmful chemicals, peroxide, ammonia, and PPD. When the Purple Fury shade is applied to black or dark brown hair you will get an amazingly deep, rich purple color. It lasts 4-8 washes so is ideal if you’re experimenting and don’t want to commit to a color. BEST WAX DYE9. Mofajang Hair Color Wax In PurplePrice
Range: $$$$$ What I liked: Very easy to use and works great on dark hair What I Didn’t Like: Can be a bit messy Here’s another option if you’re just looking for a temporary hair color that washes out. Since it’s a wax, it combines purple color with styling. It’s made with natural ingredients, is easy to shape, easy to wash out, and causes no damage to the hair, unlike permanent hair dyes. Ideal for one-off events like Halloween, parties, and cosplay. 10. BEST DARK PURPLEL’Oréal Paris Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Dye In Dark PurplePrice Range: $$$$$ What I liked: Super affordable, fantastic coverage and nourishes the hair What I Didn’t Like: Too many colors to choose from! The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Dye in Dark Purple is another great shade. It is ideal for dying black hair purple without bleach. It will leave your dark hair with beautiful deep purple, shiny tones. The gel formula comes with an easy applicator and is suitable for all hair types. It also comes with a deep conditioning mask, works in just 20 minutes and gives extra shine to your hair. 11. BEST PASTEL COLORAdore Semi Permanent Hair Color Purple RagePrice Range: $$$$$ What I liked: The fading process is slow, and it feels very soft on hair What I Didn’t Like: The formula is pretty liquidy which makes it a little harder to apply The Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color in shade Purple Rage helps create an absolutely gorgeous deep purple hair color with just one application. This hair dye is packed with moisturizing properties and does not consist of any harmful ingredients like Alcohol, Peroxide, Or Ammonia. This vegan hair dye gives your hair a stunning purple shade that smells and feels incredibly amazing. If you’re looking for a purple dye that won’t stain your body or hands, you’ve found your match. 12. BEST FOR DAMAGED HAIRPunky Plum Semi Permanent Conditioning Hair ColorPrice Range: $$$$$ What I liked: The hair color softens the hair and smells fantastic What I Didn’t Like: The dye can be a bit difficult to wash out The Punky Plum Semi Permanent hair color is super nourishing and provides a deep purple color that is suitable for all hair types. Its paraben and ammonia-free formula strengthen hair while avoiding splitting and damage, resulting in velvety smooth and healthier hair. It also contains a plant-based Keratin color-enhancing ingredient for an even more vibrant, beautiful color that stays longer. Punky Plum Semi Permanent hair color is a perfect choice if you want to give your unbleached hair a purple makeover. 13. bEST FRAGRANCE-FREEColor X-Change Semi-Permanent Hair Color In Plushy PurplePrice Range: $$$$$ What I liked: It does not contain any fragrance and is cruelty-free What I Didn’t Like: The hair color turns blue after a couple of washes The Color X-Change Semi-Permanent hair color in the shade Plushy Purple is created with a rich blend of vivid hues to help you achieve a spectacular hairstyle and is appropriate for hair varying from platinum white to black hair. This moisturizing hair color has no PPD, ammonia, peroxide, or parabens and will give your hair the desired purple color. If you are looking for bright, vivid colors that will make your hair stand out, you have found your perfect match. The Benefits of Avoiding BleachBleach enables you to lift your hair color by several shades and is ideal for going from a dark base color to a lighter blonde or a much lighter pastel shade. However, it can’t be denied that bleaching does take its toll on the hair. Even if you are bleaching healthy, virgin hair that has not been bleached or colored before. This is because bleach opens up your hair’s cuticles and breaks apart the proteins in your hair to remove the color. This will leave hair significantly lighter in shade but also much dryer and weaker. Bleached hair may also feel frizzy, straw-like, and break easily. It is more open to environmental stresses like the sun, heat styling, and chlorine. Bleached hair, therefore, needs a lot of special care. Use a deep conditioner to mitigate this damage or try a keratin treatment after bleaching or dyeing your hair. How To Dye Your Hair Purple if you have dark hairPreparation
Instructions Step 1. Prepare all your tools such as the dye, a towel, a mixing bowl if needed, and the gloves Step 2. Put on the gloves and mix together the dye Step 3. Section your hair and put on an old towel or plastic wrap Step 4. Begin dyeing your hair from the roots downwards, making sure you cover every inch of your crown. Step 5. Once you’ve finished dyeing your hair, make sure it won’t fall down onto your back. The dye will stain very badly if your hair is not held in place. Step 6. Leave the dye in for as long as intended. Step 7. Wash out the dye and style as per usual. How To Take Care Of purple Dyed HairOnce you’ve taken the plunge and dyed your dark hair purple with a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, you’ll want to take care of the color to keep your locks looking their best. So here are some tips on how best to maintain your color: Don’t Wash Your Hair Too FrequentlyTry not to wash your hair too frequently to help preserve the color better. Instead, make dry shampoo your new best friend! When you do shampoo, you’ll probably see some of the purple color going down the drain the first couple of times. This is normal, but you’ll find that using sulfate-free shampoos or co-wash with gentle ingredients will help maintain your color. If you’ve dyed your hair with a semi-permanent shade and still have some dye left over, you can always add a small amount to your conditioner each wash day to help top up your shade. Be aware that this only works with semi-permanent dye, however, as leftover permanent dye must be thrown away due to the oxidizing effects of the developer. Wash Your Hair With Cool WaterWashing your hair with cool or lukewarm water will help to maintain your color, as hot water opens up your hair’s cuticles, causing the color to fade faster. Finishing off with a cool rinse (as cold as you dare) will seal your hair’s cuticles again, creating less frizz, more shine, and better preservation of your purple shade. Use Color Protecting Hair ProductsColor-protecting shampoos, conditioners, and styling products help to preserve your luscious purple locks for as long as possible. Look for color-safe formulas that are specially designed for dyed hair. Deep Condition Your Hair RegularlyDyeing is tough on the hair. Regular deep conditioning helps your hair to retain moisture and smooths down the hair’s cuticles to stop color from escaping. Aim to deep condition your hair with a mask or coconut oil at least once a week to help keep your hair in its best condition. Protect Your Hair From The SunThe UV rays of the sun will fade your lovely bright purple color, and may even change its hue entirely with prolonged exposure. For this reason, it’s best to cover your head before going out in the sun or invest in a UV protection spray for your hair. Avoid Heat StylingHeat styling is another culprit for color fading. Try to avoid heat styling altogether and let your hair dry naturally after washing. Or, if you’re addicted to blow-drying and hair straighteners, use a heat-styling spray to protect your hair from heat damage. Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here. How can I dye my dark hair without bleach semi permanent?The first option for coloring dark hair without bleach is to use temporary hair color that's made to work with a dark base color. These hair dyes are specifically formulated to be vibrant and true without having to lighten your dark strands prior. They're also super convenient for experimenting since they wash out.
What semi permanent hair color is best for dark hair?7 Semi-Permanent Dyes That Work Great For Black Hair. Clairol Professional Jazzing Temporary Hair Color. ... . Dark and Lovely Go Intense Color Sprays. ... . Jerome Russell Temp'ry Hair Color. ... . L'Oreal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup. ... . Pravana Chroma Silk Vivids XL. ... . Wella Color Charm Demi-Permanent Hair Color.. Can you dye your hair with semi permanent dye without bleach?If your hair is a light color, you may be fine trying out a dark or vibrant demi permanent or semi permanent hair dye at home without any lightening. You can use professional dye or box dye, but we usually recommend professional dye if you're looking to avoid damaging your hair.
Will semi permanent color show up on dark hair?The darker the base color the less intense the color with all semipermanent hair color and some shades may not show up well on black hair without pre-lightening.
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