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Purple has become one of the most popular options for hair dye. But how long does purple hair dye last, and how can you make it last longer once you have it?
There are various purple hues to choose from, from pale lavender to deep violet, but it also works great with other hair colors. Keep reading to find out how long purple hair dye lasts.
How Long Does Purple Hair Dye Last?
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Unlike more natural tones, purple hair dye fades quickly and requires a fair bit of upkeep. Well-looked-after purple hair dye should last at least a month.
If you’re planning to dye your hair purple, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that the color lasts as long as possible. These steps include:
- Dye your hair purple.
- Don’t wash your hair right away.
- Use the right products when washing your hair.
- Treat your hair well.
- Schedule a touchup.
If you’re interested to see what’s involved in following these steps, then keep reading to keep that purple hair lasting as long as possible.
How to Make Purple Hair Dye Last in 5 Steps
Here are the five steps involved in making purple hair dye last as long as possible.
1. Dye Your Hair Purple
Whether you put in subtle highlights or a full head of purple, this will always be your first step. Depending on the vibrancy you’re going for, your hairdresser may need to lighten your hair before adding purple.
For example, using purple hair dye on dark hair, such as brown or black, will create a purple tint to your hair, but it won’t be overly obvious. Adding purple to lightened or naturally blond hair will create vivid purple hues.
To get the best results, always go to a professional hairdresser, especially if you’ve got frail or dry hair. They’re experienced in handling dyes and hydrogen peroxide bleaches. Dying your hair comes with several risks, such as:
- Allergic reactions
- Rashes
- Skin irritation
- Damaged hair
So it’s essential to take care when changing your hair color. If you’re adamant about dyeing your hair by yourself, ensure you follow all the instructions carefully.
2. Don’t Wash Your Hair Right Away
It’s a widely accepted rule of dying your hair not to wash it that day or even the next day. This rule is particularly true for vivid colors that tend to fade faster than more natural tones.
It’s generally recommended to wait a few days before that first wash to give the color more time to penetrate the hair.
After that, try not to wash your hair every day. You can use products such as dry shampoo to keep your hair looking fresh in between washes.
3. Use the Right Products When Washing Your Hair
It’s no secret that no two shampoos are created equal. When washing your hair after you dye it purple, the right products can keep it looking vivid for longer.
To start, ensure you’re using a shampoo created for colored hair. This practice will keep you from stripping out the color every time you wash it.
Secondly, use a color depositing conditioner. These conditioners have a small amount of dye worked into the formula so that a little bit of purple is left behind every time you wash your hair. This conditioner will help keep that purple looking as though it was dyed yesterday.
If you can’t find any purple depositing conditioner, it’s easy to make some at home. Add a little purple dye to your favorite conditioner and mix it well.
4. Treat Your Hair Well
The day-to-day care will keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy for as long as possible. This care comes down to several factors, from the environment to styling.
When it comes to styling, always use some kind of heat protectant if you’re going to use heated tools, such as:
- A flat iron
- A curling iron
- A hairdryer
Excess heat will make your hair fade faster.
When going outside, applying a UV protectant to your hair is a good idea. There are protective sprays you can get that act like sunscreen for your hair. On super sunny days, you could also wear a hat to protect your hair.
If you’re going swimming, you need to protect your dyed hair from the effects of chlorine. Chlorine will bleach and discolor vivid dyes. A couple of options to avoid this is to use a swimming cap while swimming or use a chlorine protectant on your hair.
You can ask your hairdresser for recommendations on specific products. Otherwise, you’ll easily be able to find these products at the store.
5. Schedule a Touchup
How long does purple hair dye last? Well, it usually lasts around a month. No matter how well you take care of your hair, that purple is going to fade. In most cases, purple hair will last about four weeks before it starts showing signs of major fading.
If you want to keep purple for a long time, then your best bet is to schedule a touchup for anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks. To achieve the same shade as the initial dye, it’s recommended that you have your touchup done at the same hairdresser that did the initial coloring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Whether you just got your hair dyed or are thinking about changing your color, we gathered some of the most common questions that people ask about purple hair.
What do I need to know before I dye my hair purple?
There are a few things to take into consideration before you dye your hair purple. For one, you need to be prepared for the very real possibility that you will need to bleach your hair to get the vibrancy you’re looking for.
Bleach will damage your hair, but with some care, it can bounce back in no time. If you’re just looking for a purple tint, then you may not need to bleach it.
You’ll also want to think about the shade of purple you want to achieve. Find a shade that goes with your skin tone for the best results. Your stylist may be able to help you pick something that will suit you best.
What color does purple hair fade to?
Purple will generally fade to a lighter version of the purple you used. For example, a vibrant lilac may fade to an ashy, almost grey version.
In some cases, you may find some red or blue hues coming through as the purple fades. This fading is due to the blue and red undertones used to create purple.
Is purple hair hard to maintain?
Unfortunately, purple is one of the colors that takes a lot of work to maintain. As with most vivids, the color itself will fade rather quickly.
To maintain purple hair, you’ll need to touch it up every few weeks and follow the tips outlined above to keep it looking fresh in between appointments.
How can I protect my purple hair?
Once your hair is dyed, there are many ways that you can project it. The most important thing is not to wash it every day. Washing it will strip the color out faster. Instead, try to wait for every other day, using dry shampoo in between wash days.
Outside of the shower, you can protect your hair by using products that will protect it from the elements, such as heat, UV rays, and chlorine.
If your hair is damaged from dyes and bleach, consider giving your hair a chance to regenerate before dyeing it again.
Is there a semi-permanent purple hair dye?
Yes! If you don’t mind your purple fading a little faster, and like to switch up colors pretty frequently, then semi-permanent is a great option for you. Arctic Fox, for example, makes a semi-permanent purple. Manic Panic is another beloved brand that makes vibrant semi-permanent dyes.
If you choose to go with a semi-permanent over a permanent dye, then please keep in mind that the color will wash out much faster.
But, if you follow the same rules as outlined above, you should expect to have great color for a few weeks. After that, you’ll need to reapply your color or swap to something else.
So, How Do You Make Purple Hair Dye Last?
You’ve made it to the end of this article, and you still want to dye your hair purple? We say go for it! There’s nothing like a striking purple color to spruce up your look.
You should stock up on everything you need to protect it and keep that hair looking vibrant for the long haul. This preparation could mean buying a color depositing conditioner and a heat protectant spray for when you go to style your hair.
To keep your newly dyed hair vibrant, remember to book your next stylist appointment for a touchup in 4 to 6 weeks.