How To Dye Your Dark Hair Purple Without Bleaching It

Have you considered a bold and refreshing hair transformation with a purple hair color? All shades of purple, be it pastel balayage or a deep and dusty shade, can make your hair look just great. But can you do so without bleaching? Yes! You can dye your dark hair purple without bleaching it. You can color your locks in any purple shade without using bleaches and lighteners. Dying your dark hair purple without bleach is a great way to achieve a vibrant color without sacrificing your hair’s health. This method helps maintain your hair’s natural strength and prevents the dryness and damage that often comes with bleaching. You can enjoy a bold new look while keeping your hair looking its best. In this article, we have listed some pro hair tips that can help you in this process. Just a bit of mindfulness and you will not need to make that trip to the hair salon. Take a look!

In this article, we have listed some pro tips that can help you use purple hair dye for dark hair the right way! Take a look!

Can Dark Hair Be Dyed Purple Without Bleaching?

Yes. Dark hair can be dyed purple without bleaching. Hair dyeing works through a chemical process where the dye molecules penetrate the hair and react with natural pigments (like melanin) to form a new color (1) (2). The main steps involve oxidation (using hydrogen peroxide) and a coupling reaction between the dye ingredients.

Certain hair dye products use ingredients like monoethanolamine (MEA). This ingredient helps the dye react and change color without needing to remove the hair’s natural pigment (melanin). Instead of lightening the hair first, these dyes simply modify the existing color by adding new shades, making them suitable for dark hair without the need for bleach.

Several brands manufacture hair colors that do not require bleaching for a good color payoff.  You also need to follow the right coloring method to achieve that perfect purple hair without bleach. If you are determined to add a splash of purple to your strands, find out what you need to get that in the next section.

Getting Purple Hair Without Bleaching

Firstly, you will need the right hair color. There are three types of hair colors to choose from:

1. Permanent Hair Colors: These colors contain ammonia that lightens or bleaches the hair for the dye to work. But, in some cases, ammonia can dry out your hair and damage the strands. Moreover, permanent color will only lighten the hair up to 2-3 levels. On dark hair, the “canvas” underneath the newly added pigment is red/brown, red/orange, or orange.
2. Semi-permanent Hair Colors: These penetrate the hair partially. Semi-permanent dyes do not lighten dark hair, contain little to no ammonia, and are not as harsh. However, due to their less permeability, they do not stay for long. A semi-permanent dye will only last for 3-6 shampoo washes. However, the longevity of this type of color also depends on your hair porosity. High-porosity hair loses color faster than low-porosity hair. This is an ideal, less damaging option if you want to try different shades of purple on dark hair without bleaching.
3. Demi-permanent Hair Colors: These colors do not contain ammonia, an ingredient that can lighten dark brown hair without bleach. Instead, they contain an alkaline agent. They also require a developer that helps the color penetrate the hair shafts. Since they do not lighten the natural hair color, you get a more uniform finish. Demi-permanent hair colors last longer than semi-permanent colors (20-28 shampoo washes) with minimum damage.

You can choose either semi or demi-permanent hair colors for dyeing your dark hair. However, note that these colors won’t lighten your hair, so you can only achieve colors that are the same level or darker than your hair. Here are the things you may need for hair coloring.

Things You Need To Dye Dark Hair Purple Without Bleach

For Prepping Your Hair

• Clarifying Shampoo: This will rid the hair of any stubborn styling products or scalp build-up.
• Hydrating Conditioner: Clarifying shampoo can be too harsh. Follow up with a hydrating conditioner to nourish the hair strands.

For The Color

• Your choice of product: Choose from semi-permanent or demi-permanent colors.
• Hair clips: You will need a handful of them to part your hair.
• Gloves: A disposable pair of gloves will prevent staining your fingers.
• Shower cap or plastic bag: To cover colored hair.
• An old tee: This will prevent staining your clothes.
• Timer: Any device with which you can keep track of the time.

For The Aftercare

• Conditioner: Choose a conditioner that is suited for colored hair.
• Heat protectant: If you plan on heat-styling the hair, don’t forget to use a heat protectant.

Assemble all these and follow the steps mentioned in the next section to color your hair.

Steps To Dye Dark Hair Purple Without Bleach

1. Pick A Shade Of Purple: Pick a shade that complements your skin tone. This may range from a deep sangria to plum hair color.
2. Prep Your Hair: Wash your hair thoroughly a few days before coloring. Avoid washing it just before coloring to prevent stripping the natural oils. This will ensure less damage.
3. Part The Hair: Part your hair into four sections with the clips. The more sections, the easier it is to handle. Don’t forget to wear an old tee.
4. Mix The Product: Follow the instructions on the package and mix the color solution in the given ratio. If it is for direct application, take the product out in a bowl.
5. Apply It To The Hair Sections: Ensure that all the strands are well coated. If you plan to cover the whole head, take tiny sections to ensure no strand is left out. Use multiple mirrors to check all sides of your head. If you prefer purple ombre hairstyles, simply dye your hair mid-way down.
6. Set The Time: After applying the product, cover the head with a plastic cover or a shower cap. Set the waiting time as recommended by the manufacturer. Usually, it takes a minimum of 20-30 minutes for the color to set.
7. Wash The Product Off: Wash the color off with regular water. Do not shampoo. Instead, apply a conditioner to protect the color.
8. Dry The Hair: Let your hair dry. Do not use heat immediately. Apply a heat protectant if you must style it.

Mimi, a blogger, shares her adventurous decision to dye her hair purple, driven by the changing season and a desire to revitalize her hair. The blog includes before and after photos, capturing the transformation. She adds, “The dying process was easy, but it’s very important to make sure you put product on every single bit of your hair to ensure an even application (i).” Here are a few dos and don’ts and hair maintenance tips to ensure longevity of the color.

Pro Tips While Coloring Dark Hair Purple Without Bleach

• Do A Patch Test: Always do a patch test to prevent any allergic reactions. This will also give an idea of how much time you have to keep the product on for achieving the perfect shade.
• Pre-Condition Your Hair: Even if the product claims to protect the hair from damage, it is best to pamper it with a deep conditioning treatment a few days before the dye session. This makes up for any moisture loss or damage.
• Use Color-Protecting Hair Products: Be it a shampoo, conditioner, styling gel, or spray, invest in a color-safe formula to maintain the color for longer.
• Avoid Frequent Hair Washes: If you want the color to stay for as long as possible, avoid washing the hair too often or going swimming. Do not use light-colored towels or clothes as well, at least for a few days after dyeing.
• Apply Petroleum Jelly To The Skin: Apply petroleum jelly around your neck and ears to prevent staining.
• Avoid The Sun: The UV rays can fade your gorgeous purple hair color. So, cover your head before stepping out in the sun.

Quick Tip

You can add leftover semi-permanent dye to your conditioner and use it after shampooing to help your purple color last longer.

Potential Risks Or Limitations Of Dyeing Without Bleaching

• Hair Damage: While using products without bleach is gentler than bleaching, the chemicals in some dye formulations can still cause dryness, breakage, or frizz. Be sure to apply a deep conditioner before and after the process to help nourish your hair.
• Uneven Application: If not applied carefully, certain areas of your hair might absorb the dye unevenly, resulting in a patchy color. Take your time to ensure that every strand is evenly and thoroughly coated.
• Color Results: If you have dark hair, some purple shades might not show as vividly without pre-lightening. In some cases, you might not achieve the vibrant shade you are expecting, especially if your hair is very dark.
• Fading: Purple colors can fade quickly, especially if your hair is washed frequently. It is important to use color-safe shampoos and avoid hot water when washing your hair.

When it comes to hair dying, many side-effects can be credited to harmful chemicals. A way around that is using natural and organic colors. Here’s how they wrok.

Organic Colors To Dye Your Dark Hair Purple Without Bleaching

Natural dyes are temporary or semi-permanent hair dyes that stick to the outer layer (cuticle) and sometimes the inner part (cortex) of the hair to give it color. These dyes come from different parts of plants like fruits, flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots. For example, products containing purple carrot juice or beetroot extract are emerging in the natural hair care market and can be used to add a natural purple tint. For those looking for a chemical-free and organic alternative to purple hair dye, anthocyanins from plants like blackcurrant or mulberry are great natural options that provide a rich, purple hue (3). While these natural dyes may require some trial and error to find the perfect shade, they offer a safer, gentler alternative to traditional chemical-based hair dyes, and many of them can be used without the need for bleaching. Such formulas are considered gentle, less likely to cause allergies, and better for the environment. These products can work well on dark hair with less intensity than synthetic dyes but still provide a vibrant, healthy finish. Also, using iron or vinegar can help set the dye and ensure longer-lasting results.

Infographic: Aftercare For Purple-Dyed Hair

Dyeing your hair purple makes for a vibrant look. However, purple hair dye tends to fade out more quickly than other hair colors, and you need proper aftercare to maintain it longer.

The following infographic gives information about the aftercare tips for purple-dyed hair. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What colors can brunettes dye their hair without bleach?

Purple hair ideas like deep violet, ruby, and indigo give you a rich and good color payoff without having to bleach brunette hair.

How do I maintain unbleached purple hair?

Avoid frequent washes, use color-safe products, and go for frequent touch-ups to maintain the color. Try using a color-depositing conditioner if you see your color is fading quickly. These conditioners can help refresh your color between dye jobs and keep it looking vibrant for longer.

What shade of purple works best with dark hair?

It is best to find a shade that complements your skin tone. Subtle deep berry hues, warm plum, neon purple, deep sangria tint, and saturated purple shades will look good on dark hair.

Is purple hair hard to maintain?

Purple hair requires frequent touch-ups and careful maintenance if you want to make it last longer.

What other dye colors can I use with purple for my dark hair?

Blue and burgundy shades will look good with purple on dark hair. You can also try black and purple hair. However, you may choose the color based on how warm or cool the purple in your hair is.

Which skin undertone goes well with purple?

Different shades of purple go well with different skin undertones. For example, bluish-purples and ashy lilacs go well on deep and cool skin tones while violet magenta and orchid look good on warm skin tones.

Why is dark hair so hard to dye?

Dark hair is hard to dye as it requires bleaching. The natural pigment of the hair should be removed to make the new color look good and shiny.

Illustration: How To Dye Your Dark Hair Purple Without Bleaching?

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to dye your dark hair purple without bleach! Follow the step-by-step tutorial in the video below to get beautiful hair.

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Jessica NoonanHairstylist

     

Jessica Noonan is the owner of Friseur NYC, a zero waste, sustainable mobile hair service. She has 35 years of experience behind the chair and a passion for education. She specializes in edgy haircuts emphasizing natural texture and high impact minimalist color.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam. With over three years of experience writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle, she is also a certified skin care coach.

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