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Seeking a new colorful twist for your next hairdo? Black and purple hair combinations are super popular and for good reason. Read on to see our guide to this stunning color combo, including real-life examples of the look.
Considering Getting Black and Purple Hair?
Black and purple hair. It seems like a simple combination, but there are so many options with just these two colors. Depending on the exact colors you use and the way you dye your hair, you can get all kinds of results ranging from dramatic two-toned looks to subtly specked styles.
The combination works so well because of the contrast. The colors pop against each other, so whether you have more black or more purple, there will always be a color that stands out.
There are so many shades of purple to choose from, too. Do you want a bright and saturated royal purple or a more low-key lavender? There are more color choices than ever before, so you can really make sure you get the exact right color you want.
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Black and Purple Hairstyles That Slay
We’ve selected 10 great black and purple hairstyles to give you some inspiration if you’re considering this color combo. Whether you want something loud and colorful or simple and expressive, we’ve got you covered.
1. Purple Waves
Color can do an excellent job of highlighting the hair’s texture, and that’s obvious with this wavy purple style. The black on top blends into the purple as it descends, which makes the waves even more striking. There’s even a little color variation on the tips of the hair for a fun finishing touch.
2. Black & Purple Blend
This silky smooth mixture of black and purple is nothing short of elegant. The colors are mixed in slightly different proportions throughout the hair, which creates some nice visual differences like the pinwheel above the bun. The hair ends in a vivid magenta that adds more brightness to the look.
3. Smoky Amethyst
This unique take on black and purple hair takes the dreamy color of amethyst and adds a base of black for a a fantastic result. Subtle variations of darkness in the purple create the gem-like look.
And the black used is a lighter tone that contributes to the gentle elegance of the style. The waves also add a lot since they allow you to see all the different colors and tones.
4. Black & Purple Bob
The bob haircut is an absolute classic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be updated. This chic style looks great when colored. You don’t see black and purple bobs too often.
But it’s a severely underrated combination. The bright purple and lighter black provide a ton of contrast, and the shortness of the hair helps that contrast to really pop.
5. Dusky Shadows
Here’s a darker, moodier way to do black and purple hair. The deep black paired with the dark lavender makes for a nocturnal result that looks like the last bit of light before darkness falls completely.
The fact that the purple is so dark but also contrasts so much with the black makes this style truly unique. The hair also features shadow roots for an extra touch of nighttime.
6. Purple Sides
For a more dramatic look, you can separate the colors instead of having them mixed together. One way to do that is to dye the sides purple while coloring the bulk of the hair black.
This has a very different appearance from a blended style and showcases the individual colors more. And, of course, you can set waves into your hair for extra texture and vibrance.
7. Tousled Lavender Undercut
This is a one-of-a-kind hairstyle that’s perfect for a more punk aesthetic. We’re going short this time with a long undercut that’s extra long on top and features a natural side part.
The hair underneath is dyed black while the top is dyed purple. Notice how the purple gets lighter as it moves from root to tip—that’s an important element that gives this style a ton of dimensionality.
8. Purple Tips
If you’re looking for something way more subtle—or a way to ease into the world of black and purple hair—consider getting dyed tips. You don’t need a lot of color, just some strategic dyeing (which a professional colorist will be able to help you with).
Only a little of the hair is dyed here, so the black will still be your base, but you get some nice pops of color without having to commit to a whole-head dye.
9. Purple Curtains
Curtain hairstyles look great when colored because there’s so much surface area to work with. Here, the black and purple dyes are blended throughout. Like the blend above, this style features magenta tips as well as two subtle magenta locks in front to frame the face.
10. Lilac Bun
Here’s something different: a dyed bun. Black lowlights are paired with a medium purple that’s only applied to the sides of the hair. This creates the weaving stripes that go in and out of the bun. And, of course, it also looks great when the hair is let down, so this is two black and purple styles in one.
Things to Consider
While black and purple hairstyles are fairly simple, they depend on a few important elements. If, for instance, you color your hair at home using cheaper dyes, it won’t turn out as well as if you had gone to a professional.
So before you commit to getting any of these black and purple hairstyles, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind that will help ensure you get the best results.
- Make sure you know the colors you want. If you know the specific hair dye you want to use, that’s great! But if you don’t, you at least want to know the exact color. This can be as simple as finding photos that capture the colors you want and showing those pics to your stylist.
- Get help from a professional colorist. Colored hair can look brilliant and lush when done by a professional. They will also be able to tell you how to take care of your hair so that it retains its vibrancy.
- Choose the right kind of black. It seems like black is the easiest color to get right, but there are many tones of black to choose from. Do you want a lighter stone-like black or a deep inky black? Again, consulting a professional is a good idea here.
- A little goes a long way. Black and purple is a powerful combination, and it doesn’t take a lot of color for the hair to pop out. That’s especially true for purple. Unless you want a super saturated look, it’s best to go easy on the color. (You know what comes next—just consult a professional!)
What’s Your Favorite Black and Purple Hairstyle?
Black and purple hair is still a little under the radar right now, but it’s popping up more and more, and you can see why. It’s a fun and underrated color pairing with tons of possibilities.
If you like coloring your hair but want something a little different, black and purple hair could be right for you. It’s a fresh take on two-toned hair that you can get really creative with. If you haven’t considered it yet, maybe you should!