Purple Hair Color: How to Find the Perfect Shade for Any Skin Tone

Purple hair color is not as outrageous as it seems. It's amazing how more and more women are embracing bold, vibrant hues for their hair. But with so many options out there, how do you determine what violet shade is best for you?

Purple hair color comes in a myriad of shades. Lilac, amethyst, deep purple, plum, orchid, mauve, ultraviolet – the list goes on. Ultimately, you can lump them into three categories dark, medium, and pastel. Contrary to popular belief, lighter shades are not exclusive to light-skinned women and vice versa. Yes, you should consider your skin tone, but think about your undertones, too. 

Your undertones are the colors coming through your skin. An easy way to identify this is if you have green veins, you have warm undertones. If they are blue or purple, you have cool undertones. If it’s hard to tell, your undertones may be neutral. While there are no hard and fast rules to matching purple hair color to your skin, it’s still worth considering especially if it’s your first foray into bold dyes.

A shade like purple should be applied by professionals for best results. At the salon, your stylist will show you samples – strands of hair in different shades of purple. Choose one that stands out to you and hold it against your jaw to get an idea of how it would look. Bluish purples and ashy lilacs usually work well on deep and cool skin tones. On the other hand, warm skin tones look great with violet, orchid, and magenta shades.

Not ready to go all the way? Then a darker purple hair color is for you. It requires less upkeep because your roots won’t be so noticeable. Plus, since it doesn't require bleaching, brassiness won't be too much of a problem. Talk to your stylist about your comfort level, budget, and lifestyle to determine the best shade for you.

If you do go for a lighter shade, use TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Conditioner regularly to keep it from getting brassy. For deep purples, condition with TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Color Radiance Conditioner to keep the color fresh and vibrant. If your hair becomes dry, shampoo with Dove Botanical Silicone Free Shampoo for Damaged Hair Restore to revive your locks and infuse them with moisture.

At the end of the day, the purple hair color that works best for you is the one that you love. Own it and you can pull off any shade.

Going grey? If you want to be bold and unique while embracing this transition, check out this article on matching grey hair with your skin tone.