Here’s a guide on how to keep purple hair color from fading. Also I’ve listed out a few tips on how to dye hair purple at home.
A change in the season always leaves us craving something *new*. For a few of us, it means a wardrobe overhaul, while for others, it’s about heading to an unexplored destination.
For me, it means changing my hair color. From shades of deep red to blue and even parrot green (yes!), I’ve done it all. The latest color to catch my eye is purple.
Right now, my Instagram timeline looks like a color shade card for purple, and I am loving it. So what’s stopping me from indulging, you ask?
Purple hair color requires a TON of maintenance, and I don’t fancy bi-monthly trips to the salon to keep the color intact, which is why I’ve done my research and put together this hair care guide for maintaining purple hair.
Whether you are thinking of coloring your hair or already have a head full of lavender hues, here’s everything you need to know about maintaining that purple tone.
The color purple comes with both warm and cool undertones, which means that it compliments almost every skin tone. Plus, there’s something about the hue that adds an instant touch of ‘cool’ to your overall look, right?!
Before you head to the salon, remember to deep condition your hair. I add coconut oil to my haircare routine two weeks before I go for my hair transformation appointment.
Apply a generous amount of the oil to your scalp and leave it for two hours before your hair wash.
Post shampooing, spend at least five minutes conditioning your hair. Also, use a hair mask to lock in the moisture. This routine will ensure that the damage caused to your hair is at a minimum.
How to Keep Purple Hair Color from Fading
Maintaining this color requires a lot of care, but it becomes a breeze once you recognize the correct care routine.
Invest In A Conditioning Hair Dye
Color does damage your tresses, no matter which brand you opt for or which technique you use to apply it.
It’s a good idea to pick a dye with a deep-conditioning base to add moisture to your hair cuticles while also giving you a new look.
Look for products with the word ‘conditioning’ or ‘protects hair health’ on the packaging.
Related: What Will Purple Hair Color Look Like After Fading
Pick A Darker Shade Of Purple
Lighter shades of lavender have their charm, but since your color will lose its brightness eventually, you might as well start with a deeper, darker shade.
As the color fades, your hair will turn a brilliant tone of pastel purple, letting you enjoy the transformation for a more extended period.
Wait For Three Days Before The First Shampoo
You’ve colored your hair, probably gotten a blowdry, and now your tresses look like something that belongs in a shampoo ad.
Hold on to that look. It is a good idea to wait at least three days before you shampoo freshly-dyed hair.
This allows the color to settle in and causes less washout when you shampoo your hair.
- Related: How To Care For Color Treated Hair
- Related: Which Hair Colour Fades The Least?
Invest In Sulfate-Free Shampoo And Conditioner
Sulfate is an Enemy No. 1 when it comes to hair care. While caring for your colored tresses, make sure you pick a sulfate-free option that doesn’t dry out your hair or damage your cuticles and allows your hair to retain its moisture and hold on to the color for longer.
It’s also a good idea to get your hands on purple shampoo and conditioner so that each time you wash your hair, some color goes back in.
If you cannot find purple shampoo and conditioner around you, invest in a color-depositing product and use it every three weeks. Mix parts of it with your conditioner and let it sit on your hair for an added dose of purple.
Limit Your Hair Wash To Twice A Week
Overwashing your hair is never a good idea, and when you have some color added to the mix, you want to keep the washes to a minimum.
Washing your hair twice a week is a good haircare routine and will ensure that the color fades slowly. Also, infrequent hair washes ensure that natural oil stays on your scalp and hair for longer, thus leading to a healthy mane.
Who knew not washing your hair was actually a good decision!
PS: You have dry shampoo for days when your head feels greasy!
Cold Showers Are Your BFFs
Make the most out of wash day! Hot water opens your hair follicles, which is great when you use shampoo to get rid of any build-up. Cold water closes the follicle back up-make sure to lock in all that moisture! Color treated hair?-use cold water to rinse out both! pic.twitter.com/kjcoIdMicG
— Soapbox (@SoapboxCare) September 13, 2021
We’ve read enough articles on how a cold water rinse is excellent for your hair.
However, a 15-minute cold shower sounds like a highly uncomfortable idea, which is why I tend to break down my hair wash routine.
I use warm (never hot) water to shampoo my hair as the higher temperature allows the shampoo to work on each strand and then shift to a cold water rinse when I condition my hair.
The cold water helps lock up your hair’s cuticles, retaining the moisture and the color.
Minimize The Use Of Heat Styling Tools
You already have the ‘cool’ hair; trust me, you don’t need the damage that heat styling tools cause.
Avoid the use of blow dryers, straighteners, and curlers, not only to protect your hair but also to maintain the color.
If you cannot avoid it, use one on a low-temperature setting and make sure you use generous amounts of heat protectant spray. Let your hair air dry as much as possible.
Use a Color Depositing Shampoo To Keep Refresh Color
Invest In A Cap
Protect your hair from the harsh sun with a fashionable cap or a hat. If you have a pool party lined up, trust me, your purple hair needs to be protected at all costs.
The chlorine in the pool will only mess up your beautiful color, so ensure that you always wear a shower cap.
Once you are out of the pool, rinse your hair with water to eliminate any chemicals.
https://twitter.com/Ms5000Watts/status/1046928720366206977
Tips on How To Dye Your Hair Purple At Home
If you plan to dye your hair at home, here are some essential tips to bookmark.
- Don’t get taken in by the hair color of the model on the box. As a hair color enthusiast, trust me when I say that’s a scam. Instead, look at the color swatch on the side of the box to get a better idea of the shade.
- While it’s a good idea to pick a deeper shade of purple to ensure it lasts longer, if you are coloring at home, and especially if it’s your first time doing so, I’d say go with a lighter tone. If you mess up, you only have to hide it for a few weeks.
- If you have shoulder-length hair invest in two boxes of hair dye. It’s always a good idea to have an extra box versus running out of hair dye in the middle of a dyeing session!
- Your hair type does affect the way the color will eventually look. If your hair is coarse, curly, or frizzy, pick a warmer shade, and for fine and straight hair, pick cooler shades of purple.
- If you only wish to touch up your roots, consider using coconut oil or a hair mask on the rest of your tresses. That way, the rest of your hair doesn’t catch the color, and you can achieve the desired look.
- Stock up on hair clips that’ll let you section out your hair and distribute the color evenly.
- Don’t tie your hair up in a bun once it’s colored and you are waiting to rinse it. Trust me; it doesn’t work. Instead, leave your hair down, so the color is evenly spread. Don’t forget to put a towel around you to avoid spoiling your clothes.
- Right before you rinse the dye, sprinkle a little water on your head and give yourself a gentle head massage for a few seconds. This helps to emulsify the color.
- If you hate the color, here’s a little tip. Immediately apply a deep conditioner to your damp hair, and then cover your head with a hot, damp towel. Leave it for 20-30 minutes. Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair; don’t forget the conditioner. The color will look lighter, and if you are lucky, most of it will wash out soon. If you still hate it, head to a salon.
What is a good shampoo to maintain purple hair?
Maintaining vibrant purple hair requires a shampoo that is specifically formulated for colored or treated hair. Here are some good shampoos to help maintain your purple hair:
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo: This shampoo is specifically designed for color-treated hair, especially for those with cool-toned shades like purple. It helps to neutralize brassy or yellow tones, keeping your purple color vibrant.
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo: This shampoo is ideal for maintaining silver, gray, and purple hair colors. It helps to neutralize unwanted warmth and keep your purple shade looking fresh and vibrant.
Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo: Although targeted for blondes, this purple shampoo is effective for maintaining purple hair as well. It helps to combat brassiness and keep your purple shade vibrant and true to color.
Fanola No Yellow Shampoo: Another purple shampoo originally created for blondes, the Fanola No Yellow Shampoo is highly pigmented and can effectively neutralize unwanted yellow or brassy tones in purple hair.
L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Shampoo: This shampoo is specifically designed for blonde, white, or gray hair, but it can also work well for maintaining purple hair. It helps to neutralize unwanted warmth and enhance the vibrancy of your purple shade.
When using purple shampoos, it’s important to keep in mind that they can sometimes leave a slight purple tint on your hair, especially if it’s light or porous.
To avoid excessive purple tones, it’s recommended to use these shampoos in moderation or mix them with a regular shampoo to dilute the pigment.
Additionally, using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioning regularly can help maintain the overall health and vibrancy of your purple hair.
Remember to follow the instructions on the shampoo bottle and consult with your hairstylist for personalized recommendations based on your specific hair needs and the intensity of your purple color.
What does permanent purple hair dye fade to in a few washes?
The fade-out process of permanent purple hair dye can vary depending on several factors such as the brand and formulation of the dye, the porosity of your hair, and your hair care routine. Generally, permanent purple hair dye tends to fade to a lighter version of the original color or a pastel hue over time.
Here are a few possibilities of how permanent purple hair dye might fade in a few washes:
Lighter Purple: The vibrant purple color may gradually fade to a lighter shade of purple, losing some of its intensity and becoming more muted.
Lavender: With repeated washes, the purple color may transform into a soft lavender shade, which is a lighter and more pastel version of purple.
Pink: Some purple dyes may have underlying pink tones, so as the purple fades, it can transition into a pinkish hue. This is especially common if the purple dye has cooler undertones.
Blue or Gray: If the purple dye has blue undertones, it may fade to a bluish or grayish hue as the purple pigment dissipates.
It’s important to note that the exact fade-out result can be influenced by the specific dye used, the starting shade of your hair, and how well you maintain your color.
To prolong the vibrancy of your purple hair, consider using color-safe shampoos and conditioners, avoiding excessive heat styling, and minimizing exposure to sunlight and chlorine. Regular touch-ups and color refreshments can also help maintain the desired purple shade.
Final Thoughts on How To Take Care Of Purple Hair Color
Use the right shampoo and conditioner to avoid damaging your hair and keep the color on for longer.
Here are some expert-approved (fellow purple hair lovers) products you can invest in.
From dark amethyst to light lavender, you have a lot of choices when it comes to coloring your hair purple.
Bookmark these hair care tips, and be ready to take care of your mane before you plunge into that purple haze. I am convinced, and I hope you are too.
Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
Also Read:
How to make purple hair dye turn to lavender
How To Remove Purple Hue From Purple Shampoo Out Of Hair
How Long Does Pink Hair Dye Last
To Summarize
