Can You Put Purple Dye on Dark Brown Hair?
Purple hair dye can look amazing on dark brown hair, but it does require some special considerations. The existing melanin in dark brown hair can make it more difficult for vibrant fashion colors like purple to show up. However, with the right hair dye and application techniques, you can absolutely rock beautiful purple locks on your dark brown hair.
How Hair Dye Works
To understand how to put purple dye on dark brown hair, it helps to understand how hair dye works in general. Permanent hair dye contains developer, which opens up the cuticle layer to allow the color molecules to deposit inside the hair shaft. Demi-permanent or semi-permanent dyes coat the outside of the hair with color that washes out over time.
For any dye to show up properly on brown hair, the underlying pigment needs to be lightened first so the new color can take hold. Otherwise, the brown tones will mute or mix with the purple tones and make it appear darker or muddier.
Pre-Lightening Dark Brown Hair
The easiest way to prep dark brown hair for purple dye is to pre-lighten it first. This removes some of the brown pigment so the purple color will show through brighter. Bleach is the most effective lightener, but here are some gentler options:
| Method | How It Works |
| Clarifying shampoo | Removes buildup to expose lighter tones underneath |
| Color remover | Extracts some underlying pigment from the hair |
| Vitamin C treatment | Oxidizes melanin in the hair to lighten it |
Doing a test strand is recommended to see how much pre-lightening is needed. Lift the brown base to a medium golden brown level to allow purples to show their true vibrancy.
Choosing the Right Purple Hair Dye
With pre-lightened brown hair, you’ll have the canvas you need to choose from any vivid purple hair dye. Here are some good options:
| Dye Type | Benefits |
| Semi-permanent purple | Less commitment; fades out over weeks |
| Demi-permanent purple | Longer lasting than semi; fades slowly |
| Permanent purple | Most dramatic results; lasts 4-6 weeks |
| Purple toner | Boosts vibrancy of pre-lightened hair |
Look for purple dyes labeled for use on light brown to dark blonde hair. Avoid box dyes with warm mixes like red or magenta tints. Stick to straight purple tones for best results on brown hair.
Application Tips for Purple Hair Dye
Follow these pro tips when applying purple dye to pre-lightened brown hair:
– Work in 1/4″ sections for thorough saturation
– Wear gloves to avoid staining hands
– Brush through hair methodically from roots to ends
– Add heat for deeper penetration of color
– Leave on for full processing time
– Rinse with cool water to lock in color
Maintaining Your Purple Hair
To keep your new purple hair looking vibrant:
– Wash less frequently, using sulfate-free shampoo
– Rinse with cold water to prevent fading
– Use purple toning shampoo or conditioner weekly
– Avoid chlorine and salt water that can strip color
– Use heat protectant before hot tools to maintain integrity
– Get a gloss or touch-up as needed to refresh color
Toning Down Overly Bright Purple
If your purple hair dye turns out brighter than expected on your brown hair, you can tone it down a bit. Here are some easy ways to make purple hair more subtle:
| Method | How It Works |
| Mix conditioner into dye | Dilutes the vibrancy of the color |
| Rinse earlier | Cut processing time to deposit less dye |
| Use a toner | Applies a sheer layer to soften color |
| Try a color-depositing mask | Neutralizes brassiness for a more muted effect |
Going a shade darker like violet can also tone down the brightness. And washing a few times will start to fade the purple hair as well.
Removing Purple Dye from Brown Hair
If you need to go back to your dark brown hair after purple dyeing, a color remover is the safest bet. Bleach is too harsh and can damage your hair. Here are some good purple color stripping options:
| Method | Process |
| Color remover | Washes dye molecules from hair gently |
| Clarifying shampoo | Fades over several washes |
| Baking soda wash | Lifts stain from cuticle over time |
| Vitamin C treatment | Oxidizes artificial pigments away |
Going to a salon is another smart option – a pro colorist can remove the purple efficiently. Be patient, as it may take a few sessions to completely reverse vivid purple hair dye.
Bottom Line
It is completely possible to achieve beautiful, vibrant purple hair even if you start with dark brown locks. The key is proper pre-lightening to create the perfect base. Choose a purple dye made for light brown hair and apply carefully for full saturation. Maintain it well and enjoy your head-turning purple mane!
