The best purple hair dye for perfect violet locks

Find the perfect purple for you with our selection of both permanent and semi-permanent purple hair dye.

Best purple hair dyes on lilac background

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

From Katy Perry to Kylie Jenner, it seems like almost everyone goes through a purple hair dye stage. If it's something temporary you want to try out or a new permanent change you're braving, we're all for it and want to help you get the violet locks of your dreams by using the best hair dye.

Finding the right purple is essential, with endless shades and tones on offer, it's easy to get lost in it all. Whether you're after a light purple hair dye like a lavender hair dye for a silver-tone lilac or a dark purple dye for a bright and fiery shade, there really is a box dye for it all.

olivia o'brien with purple hair
©erosmua on Instagram

Closer's best purple hair dye at a glance to snap up

Best purple hair dye for dark hair: Schwarzkopf Live Colour + Lift Ultra Violet, Permanent Colour, £4.75 - Buy on Amazon

Best permanent purple hair dye: Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Colour Permanent Purple Hair Dye, £7.99 - Buy on Amazon

Best purple hair dye for getting creative: Adore Shining Semi Permanent Hair Colour, £4.95 - Buy on Amazon

Craving a hair colour change? We've found the best purple hair dyes, semi-permanent hair dye or permanent, from lilacs to ultraviolets, to help you find your perfect purple that guarantees luscious and healthy locks.

Remember: Always do a patch test before using a hair dye.

SHOP: The best purple hair dyes to purchase online (UK 2023)

Best purple hair dye for dark hair

Schwarzkopf Live Colour + Lift Ultra Violet, Permanent ColourAMAZON
Price: £18.89
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=c84bfba7fb9057c609599595b4f5e218&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=C0xAEhVYThgRFU4eQlYPW1FLQRdaWlQaC0RJZgZaRgJKTgkJEgcaKgtPVRh%2BDUJVV0ZcFHlQUgpAA1sAQBwzXUYPBwwEWRJPcVFcRU5ySVwYeFtGVlkXQAMYNV5QF1FaFwtPUQcnTQ0BDQNVAQEJAw%3D%3D&x=v1

Specially developed for dark hair, this Schwarzkopf Live Colour + Lift Ultra Violet purple hair dye gives you the purple you want without any harsh bleaching. With one-step lightening and colour, vibrant and permanent purple hair has never been easier.

Amazon review: "I have been using this colour for a couple of years and it never lets me down. I have natural dark auburn/brown hair, and this covers wonderfully. I redo it every 6-8 weeks to cover my couple of 'glitter' strands and to do the roots. Overall lasts really well and really shines in the sun."

Pros

  • Specially developed for dark hair
  • No harsh bleaching
  • One-step lightening
  • Vibrant

Cons

  • Thicker and longer locks will require at least two boxes for even coverage
  • Not for those looking for a soft and pastel purple

Best permanent purple hair dye

Bold colour for eight weeks? Yes, please. Long-lasting hair colour has never been easier thanks to Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Colour Permanent Purple Hair Dye's colour boost technology and intense dyes.

Amazon review: "I bought this in the week to have a drastic change from medium brown and I'm amazed. The vibrant purple tones that have come out are fantastic it has left my hair feeling in great condition silky smooth and shiny. I have never died my own hair before the instructions were super clear and easy to follow."

Pros

  • Comes with gloves and applicator bottle
  • Five oils conditioner after-care treatment provided
  • Intense colour for up to eight weeks

Cons

  • Red undertone - will fade to a red shade that not everyone may like
  • Moisturise forehead and ears to avoid staining the skin

Best semi-permanent purple hair dye

Adore Shining Semi Permanent Hair Colour, 114 Violet Gem
Price: £6.36
Alternative retailers
Walmart$6.53View offer

This Adore Shining Semi Permanent Hair Colour will give you the most gorgeous berry tone, and leave your hair feeling smooth and silky thanks to the magical ingredient aloe vera.

Amazon review: "This colour is absolutely gorgeous! I love it! I bought it thinking it would be more purple than pink, but it turned out a rich berry pink (think crushed blackberries/blackcurrants) in my pre-bleached hair! I totally recommend it!"

Pros

  • Vivid colour in a few simple steps
  • Lasts up to six weeks
  • Free from ammonia and peroxide

Cons

  • Product is quite runny
  • May stain hands

Best for getting creative

Shrine Purple Hair Dye – Drop It Kit, semi-permanent SHRINE

Create any shade of purple with these colour hair drops from Shrine. Simply add your desired amount of drops into any conditioner and apply to your hair, the more drops you add, the darker the results. The Shrine Purple Hair Dye drop kit allows you to experiment with colours to find your favourite shades, so you can unleash your inner artist at home.

Shrine review: "I bought these drops being very sceptical as to whether they would work and oh my gosh my hair went from being blonde to a gorgeous vibrant purple, that I have been trying to achieve for years. Thank you Shrine I love my purchase and can't wait to get more."

Pros

  • Up to thirty full head colours in one bottle
  • able to achieve any shade of purple
  • Vegan, cruelty-free and plastic-reducing
  • Includes silicone mixing bowl and mixing tool

Cons

  • Washes out quickly, so great for a temporary colour change

Best dark purple hair dye

Formulated for all hair types, this L'Oreal Paris Colorista dark purple dye offers high-intensity and long-lasting colour for any hair type and colour.

Amazon review: "I loved this colour and hair dye!! One of the best I have used. I have very dark hair brown/black hair and this colour came out beautifully. Usually, other hair dyes don't come out this bright. Also, it made my hair so shiny and soft."

Pros

  • Includes a post-Bold Colour Mask
  • Works for all hair types
  • Perfect for achieving a dark purple on light brown to dark brown/black natural hair

Cons

  • Comes with small gloves that risk breaking while in use, so have an extra pair handy just in case

Best light purple hair dye

Schwarzkopf Live Lightener + Twist Hair Dye, Permanent Colour - 104 Cool LilacAMAZON

Looking for a purple with a cool undertone that's almost silver? This Schwarzkopf Live Lightener + Twist Hair Dye subtle lilac gives your blonde a pastel twist whilst lightening at the same time. In just one step you can lighten your hair by up to four levels and create the cool lilac you've been dreaming of.

Sephora review: "Love this range, have used the cool lilac a few times, tried the cool rose really nice pink result, please be aware though to use these shades your hair must be pre-lightened or bleached. The whiter the better and these shades will fade with washes, that's the point of pastel hair."

Pros

  • Two-in-one formula
  • can lighten your hair by up to four levels
  • Leaves hair moisturised, soft and shiny

Cons

  • Thicker and longer hair will require at least two bottles or more
  • Fades quickly as it is a light pastel tone

Best ammonia-free purple hair dye

Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye Permanent

Rrp: £11.49

Price: £9.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$14.52View offer

A hair dye that visibly improves the quality of your hair, while leaving you with beautiful, cool-toned violet locks. Thanks to the lack of ammonia in this Garnier Olia Violet Hair Dye, you also don't have to worry about eye-stinging or unpleasant smells - thank us later.

Amazon review: "I was worried sick about colouring my own hair but this product is fabulous. Easy to use, easy to rinse off your hair and skin. No mess and it lasts longer than the one my hairdressers use. "

Pros

  • Ammonia-free
  • Rich colour
  • Leaves hair feeling soft and shiny

Cons

  • Thick consistency, which might make application tricky

Best for a vibrant outcome

Renbow Crazy Color Semi Permanent Hair Color

Rrp: £18.99

Price: £18.49
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=c84bfba7fb9057c609599595b4f5e218&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=C0xAEhVYThgRFU4eQlYPW1FLQRdaWlQaC0RJdhdTSxoVdw0KDRMaNQdUWRhnBkRdWFtcV0EUfQNdFBghS1ROCQRSCw5MYQ8NVVVBQwYZAQ4NCwENCA1bBw%3D%3D&x=v1

If you're looking for intense results, this Renbow Crazy Color Semi Permanent Hair Color hair dye will deliver. Purple-based with a hearty blue, the formula will saturate each hair strand to provide a high-definition tone and silky soft finish.

Amazon review: "I don't usually write reviews but I just had to give Crazy Color some credit here! I tried every purple you can think of that would show up bright on my bleached dip dye. This is the only colour that has shown up and with a bang! I absolutely love it!!!! I also tried arctic fox purple rain but it just made my hair so dark where this colour is so pigmented it shows up noticeably."

Pros

  • Intense, vibrant results
  • Easy to apply

Cons

  • Turns blue when fading

What to look out for when dyeing hair

Semi-permanent hair colours are usually more vibrant artificial colours that wash out with time, typically 2-8 weeks depending on the brand/product. Permanent colours, such as black hair dye and auburn hair dye, however, do not wash out - they alter your hair's pigment permanently, but they may fade over time.

Semi-permanent colours are great if you know you want to try a few colours and want to change up and dye your hair frequently. This makes semi-permanent colours great for people scared of commitment.

Permanent purple hair dye colours offer 100% grey coverage and a longer-lasting vibrant colour, meaning root touch-up powder won't make an appearance on your shopping list. They also provide rich colours that don't fade as quickly as semi-permanent, so make sure you're ready to commit before you take the plunge.

What's the best purple hair dye colour?

There's a perfect purple hair colour out there for everyone. You've just got to find the right one to compliment your skin tone and undertone.

Fairer skin tends to suit a pastel lilac or lavender hair dye, almost a purple-silver hair colour, as it's light and has cool blue undertones that complement the skin. Whereas a deeper medium skin tone would suit a plum purple with red undertones beautifully, as it compliments the warmth of the skin.

What's inside home dyeing kits?

Dying your own hair at home can be daunting, therefore finding the right box dye that guarantees great results is a must. Here's what you should look for in a box dye:

• Easy-to-use applicator bottles

• High-quality gloves are a must – box dye gloves can be thin and prone to breaking so make sure you have some spare disposable gloves at hand

• An after-care treatment/conditioner – after-care is crucial to maintain soft, silky and healthy hair

• Easy to follow instructions - this is pretty self-explanatory, but every brand's dyes are slightly different so following clear instructions is crucial

Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women's lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.

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