Yes, brown hair can absolutely be dyed purple. Purple is a fun, bold hair color that looks great on brunettes. Going from brown to purple requires pre-lightening the hair first to create a blank canvas for the purple dye. How light the brown has to be pre-lightened depends on the original shade of brown and the depth of purple that is desired. With the right hair dye and proper pre-lightening, brunettes can successfully achieve a vibrant purple hue.
What is the process for dyeing brown hair purple?
Dyeing brown hair purple requires more steps compared to dyeing lighter blonde hair. Here is an overview of the process:
| Step 1 | Pre-lighten the brown hair to pale yellow |
| Step 2 | Tone the hair to remove brassiness |
| Step 3 | Apply purple hair dye |
| Step 4 | Maintain the color with purple shampoo/conditioner |
The first crucial step is to pre-lighten the brown hair to create a blank canvas for the purple. Browns need to be lightened to pale yellow before depositing the purple. The level of pale yellow required depends on the original brown shade and the depth of purple desired.
Dark brown hair may need to be pre-lightened to a level 9 or 10 pale yellow to allow for a vibrant purple. Medium brown hair can be pre-lightened to a level 8 pale yellow. Light brown hair may only need to be pre-lightened to a level 7.
Pre-lightening is best done gradually over multiple sessions by a professional hair colorist. This minimizes damage to the hair.
How light does brown hair need to be for purple dye?
Here are some guidelines on how light brown hair needs to be pre-lightened for different purple shades:
| Purple Shade | Recommended Pre-lightening Level for Brown Hair |
|---|---|
| Pastel Purple | Lightest pale yellow (level 9 or 10) |
| Light Purple | Pale yellow (level 8 or lighter) |
| Medium Purple | Light pale yellow (level 7 or lighter) |
| Dark Purple | Yellow (level 6 or lighter) |
The lighter the purple hue, the lighter the brown base needs to be pre-lightened. Pastel purple needs the lightest base, nearly platinum blonde. Darker purples can work on lighter pale yellows down to yellow.
It is best to do a strand test to see if the brown hair has been pre-lightened enough to achieve the desired purple result. Hair that hasn’t been lightened enough will result in a muted muddy purple.
How to pre-lighten brown hair for purple dye
Pre-lightening brown hair should always be done gradually over multiple sessions by a professional colorist. There are a few methods and products that can be used:
Bleach
Bleach is the most aggressive pre-lightener. It can lighten up to 3-4 levels in one session. Bleach allows precision in reaching pale yellow tones but can damage hair if not done properly. It’s best for darker brown hair.
Color remover
Color removers can strip away artificial brunette dye to reveal lighter hair underneath. This avoids damage from bleach. But color removers work best on fresh dye, not natural brown hair.
High lift hair color
Ammonia-based high lift hair color can lighten up to 3 levels in one use. The ammonia swells the cuticle to deeply deposit lightener. High lift color produces more gradual and natural looking pre-lightening.
Lightener with developer
Lightener mixed with low volume developer (10 or 20 vol) can gently lighten brown hair 1-2 levels per session. Repeated uses over time minimizes damage. This is ideal for pre-lightening medium to light brown shades that don’t need drastic lightening.
How to tone pre-lightened brown hair before purple dye
After pre-lightening, brown hair should be toned to cancel out any unwanted warm, brassy yellow tones. This provides the ideal neutral canvas for the purple shade.
Here are some suggested toners to use:
| Base Color | Recommended Toner |
|---|---|
| Pale yellow | Violet toner |
| Gold yellow | Blue toner |
| Orange yellow | Blue + violet toner |
Apply toner following the instructions until any visible yellow, gold, or brassiness is fully neutralized. Rinse once the desired undertone is reached. The hair should be an even pale silver, beige, or white canvas ready for purple dye.
Best purple hair dyes for brown hair
Once the brown hair is pre-lightened to the appropriate level, choosing the right purple hair dye is key. Here are some top purple dye options:
| Purple Dye | Features |
|---|---|
| Manic Panic Ultraviolet | – Vibrant medium purple – Deposits well on lightened hair – Long lasting color |
| Punky Violet | – Deep dark purple – Works on light or medium brown hair – Ammonia & peroxide-free |
| Ion Color Brilliance Brights Purple | – Nice range of purple tones – Conditions hair while coloring – Long lasting results |
| Overtone Purple Coloring Conditioner | – Gentle moisturizing formula – Great for purple pastel tones – Can mix with other Overtone colors |
| Arctic Fox Purple Rain | – Vibrant semi-permanent purple – Free of harsh chemicals – Cruelty free; vegan-friendly |
Look for purple dyes specifically formulated for color treated or bleached hair. Always do a patch test first. Apply the purple dye following the instructions to freshly pre-lightened and toned brown hair. Expect the purple to fade after 4-8 weeks as the hair grows out.
How to maintain purple hair on brown hair
To keep pre-lightened brown hair looking vibrant purple as it grows out, maintenance is required. Here are some tips:
– Use a color depositing purple shampoo and conditioner weekly. This helps refreshen the purple color.
– Avoid washing hair more than 2-3 times per week. Excessive washing fades purple hair faster.
– Rinse hair with cool water instead of hot to preserve the cuticle and color.
– Apply a weekly purple hair mask to infuse color pigments into the hair.
– Get a color refresh/touch up every 4-6 weeks at the salon to boost the purple color.
– Use heat protectant when heat styling to minimize fading.
Proper at-home care and regular touch ups will keep pre-lightened brown hair looking freshly dyed purple.
Does brown hair turn orange when bleaching for purple?
It’s common for brown hair to develop orange, brassy tones when pre-lightened with bleach. This happens because the underlying warm pigments in brown hair are exposed.
To avoid orange hair when lightening brown hair for purple:
– Lighten slowly over multiple sessions
– Use a violet-based toner immediately after lightening
– Adjust the bleaching strength and timing based on how the hair is lifting
– If orange appears, reapply toner until neutralized
– Do a strand test first to assess how your hair lightens
With careful application and toning, orange brassiness can be avoided during the brown to blonde lightening process.
What are the risks of dyeing brown hair purple?
While dyeing brown hair purple can be done successfully, there are some risks and downsides to be aware of:
– Pre-lightening brown hair requires bleaching which can damage and dry out hair over time.
– Over-processing with too much lightener can cause breakage.
– If hair isn’t lightened enough, the purple may fade quickly or turn muddy.
– Purple has to be refreshed frequently on regrowth.
– Removing purple dye requires re-coloring the hair.
To minimize risks, have pre-lightening and purple coloring done professionally. Use conditioning treatments to keep hair strong. Make sure you are committed to maintaining the purple look.
Does purple fade well on brown hair?
How well purple fades on pre-lightened brown hair depends on the original tone and depth of purple:
– Paler purple pastel shades tend to fade gracefully into a lighter lavender.
– Vibrant medium purples fade nicely back into the lightened brown base.
– Dark purples fade less evenly, resulting in a subtle uneven discoloration.
To help purples fade smoothly:
– Use a color-sealing treatment after dyeing
– Rinse with cool water
– Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
– Avoid over-washing the hair
– Do not re-dye the roots as it grows out
With proper maintenance, pre-lightened brown hair should allow most purple shades to fade gracefully over time.
Conclusion
Brown hair can successfully be transformed into vibrant purple locks. The keys are proper gradual pre-lightening of the brown base to a suitable pale yellow or blonde level, applying a toner to cancel brassiness, and selecting the right purple hair dye for the lightened hair. Maintenance is required to keep the purple looking fresh as the hair grows out. When done correctly by a skilled colorist, dyeing brown hair purple can create a fun, beautiful look.
