Purple may not seem like the most obvious pick when it comes to choosing hair color. Even so, when you think about the full spectrum of shades that fall under the purple family – lavender, amethyst, lilac, etc. – you quickly realize that it’s one of the most versatile hues out there.
Choosing a suitable hair color goes beyond its aesthetic appeal – although we’d be lying if we said it didn’t play a huge role. You also need to consider how it fades over time, what color it fades into, and how long it takes before it starts fading.
Purple hair dye fades notoriously fast compared to natural shades. The good news is that there’s something you can do about it to slow down the process. Here’s everything you need to know about how to keep purple hair color from fading.
Why Does Purple Hair Dye Fade So Fast
Purple fading depends on the dye type, porosity, washing and care. It is not universally faster for every purple formula or brand. Follow the chosen dye’s aftercare directions, including any advice for avoiding transfer.
Most vibrant purple dyes are semi-permanent direct dyes. Unlike permanent colors that use a developer to penetrate and lock inside the hair cortex, direct dyes primarily stain the outside of the hair cuticle, causing them to wash out much faster.
Of course, other factors may affect its longevity, like insufficient processing time or damaged hair. However, the fact that most purple shades are direct dyes that sit on the outside of the cuticle is a main reason purple hair dye fades so quickly.
How to Keep Purple Hair Color From Fading
Purple dyes may have a penchant for fading fast, but there are several things you can do to slow down the process and keep your hue looking vibrant for longer. Below are 7 tips that work.
1. Prep Before You Color
Deep purple, vivid purple and pastel purple can need different starting bases. A pale-blonde base is not universal; the exact product, target shade, starting pigment and hair condition determine whether lightening is needed.
Damaged hair generally has high porosity. This affects how well it absorbs oils, moisture, and pigment. On the other hand, medium to low porosity hair means your hair cuticle retains moisture and color exceptionally well.
It is, therefore, important to take extra care of your hair in the weeks leading up to your coloring session. Doing this gives your strands the best chance of holding on to the purple pigment once you dye your hair.
Prepare for purple color according to the exact dye or lightener’s directions. A 48-to-72-hour period without washing is not a universal requirement, and any conditioning preparation should be compatible with that system.
2. Wait a Few Days Before Your First Wash
Follow the purple dye’s aftercare directions and your scalp’s washing needs. A five-day delay before the first wash is not a universal requirement for long-lasting color.
Choose a washing schedule that suits the dye’s aftercare directions and your scalp and hair needs. Once-or-twice-weekly washing is not a rule for every person with purple hair.
You also want to avoid heat styling your hair during this period. Heat styling, in general, fades hair color. Doing this immediately after coloring your hair accelerates the process.
3. Not All Shampoos Are Created Equal
Use sulfate-free shampoos on your purple hair. Sulfates are the detergents responsible for producing the rich lather that leaves your hair feeling squeaky clean.
Unfortunately, these powerful cleaning agents cannot differentiate between dirt, grime, and color pigment. As a result, they strip the hair of everything, which is why you shouldn’t use them on color-treated hair. Reach for keratin-rich, color-protecting shampoos instead.
4. Try Using Cleansing Cream
The secret to long-lasting color lies in keeping your hair cuticle closed. This locks in the color pigment, preventing hair dye from fading and leaching out.
To keep your purple hair color looking vibrant for longer, try alternating your regular sulfate-free shampoo with a cleansing cream to help preserve color while ensuring your scalp stays clean. Not only does it keep your hair cuticle sealed, but it is also moisturizing, which is great for maintaining a purple shade.
5. Always Deep Condition
A deep conditioner treatment can infuse your hair with moisture, which doesn’t just make it more receptive to color; it leaves it looking sleek, shiny, and lustrous. Do a deep conditioning treatment every time you wash your colored hair. Once you rinse and towel-dry it, apply a lightweight color-safe leave-in conditioner or a few drops of argan oil to lock in moisture and color and keep frizz and flyaways under control.
6. Sunscreen Isn’t Just for Your Skin
UV rays from the sun cause photodegradation, a term that refers to color fading. The rays react with the purple color pigment, causing it to oxidize. To protect your color-treated hair from the bleaching effects of the sun, always use hair care products formulated with UV filters or UV protectants.
7. Heat Is Your Enemy
Minimize your use of heat styling tools like a curling iron, hair straightener, and blow dryer to help maintain healthy hair. These have a drying effect on colored hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage. If you must use them, set them to the lowest effective temperature for your hair texture so you don’t have to repeatedly pass over the same section, and spray heat protectant beforehand. This is especially important for an easy-fade color like purple.
We also recommend skipping the hot oil treatments. You can use an oil-based treatment; just make sure the oil is at room temperature before application.
If you need to give your color-treated hair a little boost of color, try adding a teeny bit of purple dye to your conditioner to make a weekly color mask. Remember to wear gloves to avoid staining your hands and shower!
Do you have any tips on how to keep purple hair color from fading? Let us know in the comments section below.
In the meantime, if you’re thinking of dyeing your orange hair purple, you might want to read this before you do.
