Can You Dye Purple Over Blue Hair?

You’ve had blue hair for a while, and it was nice while it lasted, but you’re looking for a change. Is purple a good color to dye over blue hair?

Most of the time, the answer to this question is yes! Blue and purple are closely related colors, so it’s easy to go from one to the other. Luckily, it’s easier to go from blue to purple than purple to blue, and this guide will give you all the information you need to put purple dye over blue hair.

Can You Dye Purple Over Blue Hair?

Will purple dye work on blue hair?

Yes, you can dye purple over blue hair. The resulting color may vary depending on the shade of blue you have and the shade of purple you want to achieve. If your blue hair is light, you might get a more vibrant and true purple color. If your blue hair is dark, the purple dye may result in a darker, more muted purple or even a purplish-blue hue.

To increase the chances of getting the desired purple shade, you may want to lighten your blue hair first, especially if it’s a dark shade. Use a color remover or bleach to lift the blue color, but be cautious and follow the product instructions to avoid damage.

While purple is one of the easiest colors to cover blue hair, there are still some things you should consider before dying your blue-dyed hair purple.

If just dyed your hair, the shade of blue might not complement the purple and the purple could have undertones that clash with the blue.

Things to Consider Before Dyeing Purple Over Blue Hair

Here are a few things to watch out for when dying purple over blue hair.  

Fading

If your hair is newly blue, you should wait a bit before dying your hair purple. Firstly, frequently dying your hair can cause damage to it. Harsh chemicals in hair dye damage the protective outer layer of your hair shaft and irritate your hair cuticles. Just because purple and blue are close together does not mean you’re damaging your hair any less.

Second, the new hair dye will be harder to go over than if the color had already begun to leech from the hair. Because blue and purple are so closely related, you might be able to manage anyway, but, likely, the purple won’t be even.

The Shade of Blue You Have

If the shade of blue you have has green undertones or has faded to green, you should use a purple dye with red undertones to cancel out some of the green. This will help make your hair a more genuine purple and less bluish-purple.

The Shade of Purple You Want

As mentioned in the section above, red and green cancel each other out. While this means most people will want to use a violet-purple dye on greenish-blue hair.

If you want a vibrant bluish purple, you should not use a purple with a red undertone, but instead, use a neutral purple to keep some of the bluish tints from your prior hair color.

Other Options for Blue Hair

While purple is an excellent choice for blue hair, it isn’t the only option. Below are some alternative ways to handle blue hair.

Prep Hair for Any Color

If your blue hair has faded sufficiently, you can use a copper-toned blonde dye to prepare your hair for any color. The copper neutralizes some of the blue while the blonde lightens your hair; this leaves your hair a blank slate for new dyes.

Don’t forget to condition your hair frequently and wait between lightening and coloring to lessen hair damage.

Let Blue Hair Fade Naturally to a Pastel Green

Most blue hair dyes contain a green-based pigment, meaning that as blue hair fades, it turns to a greenish, aquamarine color.

While the color doesn’t look as good when it’s faded, purposefully refreshing your hair with a green or aquamarine dye is an easy way to have effortless, vibrant hair.

More often than not, dying purple over blue hair is an easy and straightforward way to change the shades of your hair.

However, you should wait for your blue hair to fade before dying it purple to avoid chemical damage and ensure you get a beautiful purple color. 

FAQs

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about dying hair from blue to purple.

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