Top 5 Permanent Purple Hair Dyes: A Buying Guide

Ever dreamt of hair the vibrant color of amethyst or the deep shade of twilight? Many people want that stunning, lasting purple. But choosing the right permanent purple hair dye can feel like navigating a maze. You worry about fading too fast, harsh chemicals, or getting a shade that looks nothing like the box.

Finding that perfect, rich purple that actually stays put is a common struggle. You want commitment, not a color that washes out after just a few shampoos. We understand the frustration of wasting money on dyes that don’t deliver the results you crave.

This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore the best permanent purple dyes on the market, explain what ingredients to look for, and give you tips for achieving a truly spectacular, long-lasting violet. Get ready to unlock the secret to your dream hair color!

Top Permanent Purple Hair Dye Recommendations

No. 1
Amethyst Purple Hair Dye Permanent with Anti-Breakage Plex Hair Care, Vegan Hair Dye & Cruelty-Free,...
  • Transform dark blonde or brown hair to a striking new look with our permanent purple hair dye coloring kit, with a plex hair care that protects, rebuilds, and restores your hair's structure
  • Darkest purple permanent hair dye; for a full head of color, covers grey, root touch-up, balayage, undertones, lowlights. For all hair types, including chemically treated, Afro, Asian, men, women
  • Vegan, cruelty-free purple hair dye. Using UK and European approved cosmetic standard ingredients blended into a smooth cream for home use. Part of award-winning Smart Beauty hair color collection
  • Mess-free application. Mix the purple color cream and developer in the provided bottle, evenly apply with the precision nozzle and work through with gloved hands for a non-drip coloring experience
No. 2
Ion Permanent Brights Creme Hair Color Radiant Orchid, Vegan, Cruelty Free, PPD Free, 100% Gray...
  • Extensive shade range with beautiful brunettes, believable blondes, high lift blondes, richest reds and intense reds
  • 100% gray coverage
  • Ionic wheat germ protein, nourishing botanical extracts and low ammonia
  • Vegan and cruelty free (not tested on animals)
SaleNo. 3
Ion Permanent Brights Creme Hair Color Purple, Vegan, Cruelty Free, PPD Free, 100% Gray Coverage,...
  • Extensive shade range with beautiful brunettes, believable blondes, high lift blondes, richest reds and intense reds
  • 100% gray coverage
  • Ionic wheat germ protein, nourishing botanical extracts and low ammonia
  • Vegan and cruelty free (not tested on animals)
No. 4
Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Ammonia-Free, Conditioning, Long Lasting,...
  • VIBRANT PURPLE SHADE: Purple AF delivers a deep, true purple color that looks bold on lightened hair and adds rich tints to darker shades. Great for covering faded colors and creating unique styles.
  • CUSTOM COLOR MIXING: Easily blend Purple AF with other shades to create custom hues. Mix with Wrath for burgundy or Poseidon for deep indigo. Perfect for creative hair color transformations.
  • VEGAN INGREDIENTS ONLY: Made with 100 percent vegan ingredients and no animal by-products. Free from harsh chemicals that can damage hair, ensuring a gentle and safe coloring experience.
  • CONDITIONS WHILE COLORING: This semi-permanent hair dye is gentle enough for frequent use and conditions hair as it restores vibrancy. Leaves hair feeling soft and looking healthy.
SaleNo. 5
Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual...
  • Rich Color That Pops: Our Dark and Lovely Hair Dye is expertly made permanent hair color for textured hair that pops on dark hair for up to 8 weeks with up to 2.5 levels of lift. This hair dye formula works for all curls, coils and hair textures
  • After Color Care: Our hair dye kit includes a new 97% natural derived Moisture Mask. Our conditioner hair mask features Shea Butter, Sunflower oil and Vitamin E for expert curl care. Nourish and detangle for smooth, vibrant, muti-dimensional hair
  • No Drip Formula for Easy Application: Prepare by putting on gloves then conduct strand test. Mix developer and color, apply mixture on to dry hair and smooth out. Wait 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly, then condition
  • Perfect For 4C Hair: Dark and Lovely Hair Color is the number 1 hair color for African American women with the largest shade palette to complement a range of skin tones. Our vegan hair dye is paraben and silicone free
No. 6
got2b Metallics Permanent Hair Dye, Amethyst Chrome M69, Hair Color for Women & Men, Formulated with...
  • Multi-Dimensional Metallic Look: Don't just stand out, shine! Show off a bold, shimmering hair color shade that pops with a head-turning radiance. Formulated with a metallic-shine booster to create cool tones and a bold look from root to tip
  • Multi-Dimensional Metallic Look: Don't just stand out, shine! Show off a bold, shimmering hair color shade that pops with a head-turning radiance. Formulated with a metallic-shine booster to create cool tones and a bold look from root to tip
  • Bold Radiance That Lasts: This permanent hair dye is designed to go the distance—delivering vibrant color with anti-fading technology that helps lock in intensity and shine for longer-lasting results you’ll love. Lasts up to 30 washes
  • Versatile For All Hair Types: got2b Metallics works on all hair textures—from curly to straight and coily. Use it on natural hair, wigs, or extensions to show off your personal style and bold individuality
No. 7
Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, V3 Intense Passion Plum Hair Color, Pack of 1
  • UNSTOPPABLE VIBRANCY TrueColorSeal Technology locks in color to help protect against water-fading, mazimizing vibrancy.
  • MOISTURIZING SHINE HydraShine Conditioner moisturizes + smoothens hair.
  • INTENSE COLOR Need a boost of color? The Color Boost Glaze amplifies your color anytime.
  • Shade: Intense Passion Plum, with vivid purple hues that create a spark
No. 8
Milano Care Milano Colore – Nourishing Hair Coloring Treatment – Permanent Hair Dye – Hair...
  • MILANO COLORE: From bold hair colors to grey coverage and natural looking tones, Milano Colore hair color cream offers intense hair dyes to create perfect looks and maintain healthy hair
  • JUST ADD PEROXIDE: Our Colore hair color cream should be mixed with Milano Care Peroxide Cream which guarantees consistent color application; Peroxide Cream is sold separately
  • INTENSELY NOURISHING: Inca Inchi Oil, Argan Oil and Oat Extract in this nourishing hair dye protect, repair and hydrate your hair as you apply the cream color care formula, reducing breakage
  • LONGER LASTING RESULTS: Our permanent or semi permanent hair color cream is formulated to increase the retention of coloring pigments for bold hair color and lasting results

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Achieving Your Dream Permanent Purple Hair

Ready to go bold with permanent purple hair? Choosing the right dye makes all the difference. This guide helps you pick the best product for vibrant, lasting color.

1. Key Features to Look For

Good permanent purple dye has several important features. Look closely at the box or product description.

  • Longevity: Permanent means the color lasts until your hair grows out. Check if the brand promises fade resistance.
  • Color Range: Purple isn’t just one color! Do you want deep violet, bright amethyst, or a soft lavender? Select a dye that matches your target shade.
  • Conditioning Agents: Dyeing can dry out hair. Look for ingredients like natural oils or proteins that keep your hair soft.
  • Coverage: If you have grey hairs, ensure the dye explicitly states it offers 100% grey coverage.
2. Important Materials: What’s in the Box?

Permanent hair dye usually comes in two main parts that you must mix together. These are the color developer and the color cream.

  • Developer (Peroxide): This chemical opens up your hair cuticles so the color can go inside. Higher volume developers lift color better, but can be harsher.
  • Color Cream/Gel: This holds the actual purple pigment. Natural ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter in the cream help protect your hair during processing.
  • Included Tools: Most kits include gloves and a small applicator bottle. Quality kits often include a deep conditioning treatment for after you rinse.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

The quality of the dye impacts how long the color lasts and how healthy your hair stays.

Factors That Improve Quality:
  • Ammonia-Free Formulas: These are gentler on your scalp and hair structure. They often provide rich color without extreme damage.
  • High Pigment Concentration: Dyes packed with pigment create a deeper, more noticeable purple that resists fading longer.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
  • Low-Quality Chemicals: Cheap dyes might use harsh ingredients that cause rapid fading or leave your hair feeling brittle.
  • Inconsistent Batching: If the color mixture is not precise, you might end up with uneven purple patches, especially if you are dyeing large sections.
4. User Experience and Use Cases

Think about your current hair color and how much effort you want to put in. This affects your user experience.

Use Cases:
  • Going From Dark to Light Purple: If your hair is dark brown or black, you *must* use a bleach kit first. Permanent purple dye cannot lift very dark hair on its own. Expect a longer, multi-step process.
  • Refreshing Existing Purple: If your hair is already lightened and purple, you can often use a semi-permanent toner or a lower-volume developer mixture for a quick color boost without full re-dyeing.
  • First-Time DIY Dyeing: Choose a kit that includes an easy-to-use applicator bottle and clear, step-by-step instructions. Look for brands reviewers say are beginner-friendly.

Always perform a strand test first! This ensures you like the final purple shade and checks for any allergic reactions.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Permanent Purple Hair Dye

Q: How long does permanent purple hair dye actually last?

A: Permanent dye lasts until the colored hair grows out from your roots or you cut it off. It does not wash out like temporary colors, though it will subtly fade over several months.

Q: Do I need to bleach my hair before applying purple dye?

A: Yes, usually. If your natural hair is dark (medium brown or darker), you must lighten it to a pale yellow or white base for the purple color to show up brightly.

Q: Will the purple dye stain my skin or shower?

A: Yes, most vibrant dyes can stain. Apply petroleum jelly around your hairline before dyeing. Rinse the tub immediately after rinsing your hair to minimize staining.

Q: What is the difference between permanent and demi-permanent purple?

A: Permanent dye uses ammonia or a substitute to open the hair cuticle fully, locking the color inside. Demi-permanent dye only coats the outer layer slightly; it washes out gradually over 4 to 12 weeks.

Q: What level of developer should I use for maximum color deposit?

A: For most at-home applications on pre-lightened hair, a 20 Volume developer works well. It lifts slightly while depositing the purple pigment deeply.

Q: Why does my permanent purple look muddy instead of bright?

A: This usually happens because your hair was not lightened enough. If you dye purple over yellow-toned hair, the blue and red pigments mix to create a duller, muddy tone.

Q: How can I stop my purple hair from fading quickly?

A: Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos. Wash your hair less often, and use cool or lukewarm water instead of hot water when you do wash.

Q: Can I mix two different shades of permanent purple together?

A: Yes, you can mix them! It is a great way to customize a unique shade, like mixing a deep violet with a splash of bright magenta.

Q: Is permanent purple dye safe for damaged or previously dyed hair?

A: It is riskier. Damaged hair absorbs color unevenly, leading to patchy results. If your hair is heavily damaged, consider using a gentler demi-permanent color instead.

Q: What essential aftercare products do I need?

A: Invest in a deep moisturizing conditioner or hair mask. Also, use a UV protectant spray if you spend a lot of time in the sun, as UV rays cause fast color fading.