Purple Hair Dye For Dark Hair Without Bleach: It’s Possible!

If you’ve got dark hair but are looking to make your locks pop, we’ve got a treat for you. We know how difficult it can be to achieve color in darker toned hair hues, and honestly, we think it’s a shame. In this article, we’re going to delve into some of the ways that you can achieve a beautiful, subtle, shimmering shade of purple without the use of bleach. So if you want to know how to apply purple hair dye for dark hair without bleach, keep reading!

Purple Dye Over Black Hair

Okay, friends. When it comes to coloring dark hair, and black hair in particular, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

When your hair is very dark, it will be difficult to get it a vibrant shade of purple. Despite what you may see and hear on various social media platforms, there is no dye yet that is going to take your tresses from dark black to light purple.

The reason?

Hair colors can be analyzed on the basis of a color spectrum, with Level 1 being the darkest and Level 10 being the lightest. Bear in mind that some who use color levels may indicate that there are colors even beyond Level 10. For this post, we will focus mainly on dark colored hair, usually described as Levels 1-4.

Because of the nature of dark hair, without bleaching it will only be possible to provide a tint to the hair. For many, this tint is just as beautiful and sometimes can be even more attractive than a vibrant “in-your-face” purple. This sort of shimmering violet is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your hair in a sophisticated and elegant way.

Best Purple Hair Dye No Bleach

At this point, you may be wondering what is the best purple hair dye for dark hair, specifically?

Here are a few of our favorites:

Bright Purple Hair Dye For Dark Hair: Manic Panic Ultra-Violet Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

Buy on Amazon

Temporary Hair Dye: L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color

Buy on Amazon

Semi-Permanent Purple Hair Dye: Arctic Fox Vegan Purple Rain

Buy on Amazon

Purple Katam Hair Dye: Phitofilos Katam Dye

Buy on Amazon

How Do I Dye My Black Hair Purple Without Using Bleach?

Ready to hear some ways you can try purple hair dye for dark hair without bleach?

Here’s is one way:

Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

In order to achieve subtle yet elegant purple hair, you can try the following steps:

1. Select a hair dye that is semi-permanent and purple. Do not, under any circumstances, use a dye that is permanent. This will not yield the same results, and will prove damaging to your hair if you follow the method we are about to describe.
2. Once you’ve picked the hair dye that you want to use, it is time to get started. To begin, you’ll want to wash your hair once with a moisturizing shampoo of your choice and then follow up with a conditioner. After you’ve conditioned, give your hair one more wash to ensure that all of the conditioner is out. This will provide a moisturizing base to get the dying process started, and will help eliminate frizz while adding shine.
3. After you’ve washed, conditioned and washed again, quickly towel dry your hair. This can be done using an old t-shirt rather than a towel, as doing so can give you smoother hair. At this point, you can choose to blow dry your hair or allow it to air dry.
4. Once your hair has dried, the next step will depend on your hair type. If you have curly, coarse or otherwise wavy hair, you may wish to quickly straighten your hair. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but doing so will ensure even application of the dye. You can even straighten your hair using a blow dryer with a comb attachment like this Barboz Professional Ionic Blow Dryer . If you already have straight hair then you may skip this step.
5. At this point, you can go in and begin to divide your hair into sections. Depending on how thick and coarse your hair is, your sections may need to be smaller, as this will help you to avoid patchy hair. Apply the semi-permanent dye with gloved hands and a dye brush to your roots and throughout your strands. Make sure that your hair is completely covered in dye before putting it into a bun to let it sit. Quick note: If your hair is at or past your collar bone, be sure that you are using a full 8 oz bottle to get the right results.
6. Cover your hair with a plastic bag or shower cap and blow dry it. Then, allow your hair to sit with the dye in it for at least a couple of hours. Don’t skip this step. Although the bottle may say to allow the dye to sit for at least 30 minutes, the truth is that if you are using semi-permanent dye, there aren’t ammonia, peroxides or other chemicals that could potentially injure your scalp and hair by leaving it on for longer. The longer dying time allows those hues to penetrate black hair.
7. Once the dye has sat a few hours (at least two and a half, ideally), go ahead and rinse. It may take a while to rinse this out, but go ahead and go for it. Do NOT use shampoo for this part of the process. If you do, your results won’t last as long, and you may lose some of that gorgeous color.
8. Once the water has run clear, you’ll know that you are done rinsing. At this stage, you may use a bit of leave-in conditioner, detangling product or a products that combines both like the Colour Fanatic Leave-In and Detangling Spray, but this will depend on your hair’s needs and texture.
9. At this point, the dying process is complete. Allow your hair to air dry, or you may blow dry and straighten. You’ll be smitten by your healthy, glowing and sophisticated purple hued hair!

Purple Dye on Brown Hair No Bleach

If you’ve got brown hair, you may be wondering, “How do I dye my brown hair purple without using bleach?” The answer to this question is that you too may follow the directions described above, or you may go with the Katam/Henna route.

Katam is a natural hair dye that is one of the safest ways to color hair without bleach. In order to achieve the right results, you may wish to combine a Katam hair dye with henna powder and some water. Just be sure to do this on a day when you have plenty of time to spare. The process takes a while, but it’s worth it!

Katam and Henna Hair Dye

Follow these simple steps to achieve the best purple hair dye for dark brown hair:

1. Mix henna and water together until it becomes a paste. Allow this mixture to sit about a half an hour before applying it to your hair.
2. Apply the paste to your hair evenly and allow the product to sit for about 5 hours before washing it out. It may seem to be a long time, but trust us, you’ll want to do this as henna  works to enhance the purple color in dark hair.
3. After you’ve allowed the henna to sit, go ahead and rinse the henna out and dry your hair by your preferred method.
4. Once your hair is dry, mix your katam with water and apply it to your hair right away. Let the mixture sit… another 5 hours!
5. Rinse the Katam out of your hair with water only, and voila! You should have delightfully subtle purple locks.

What Purple Hair Dye Is the Best For Dark Hair?

Wondering what is the best way to dye dark hair purple? Check out the following tips:

• Use a Temporary Color – These are the types of dyes that’ll give you a vibrant hue, but that also will wash out in one day. These types of dyes are great for special occasions or temporary pops of color, but don’t count on them to last.
• Use a Semi-Permanent Dye – As detailed above, a semi-permanent dye can add beautiful color to your hair, though it will be muted. Be advised that the amount of time that this color will last will vary depending on how frequently you wash your hair, but generally, if you follow the steps above, it may last approximately five washes.
• Use Katam and Henna – As previously stated, katam and henna are great natural options to try on your hair provided that you grab them in their natural state without icky additives. These dyes stay vibrant for about 4-6 weeks then may become more muted after that.
• Use a Permanent Dye – That’s right. You CAN use permanent dye on your dark hair, however, DO NOT use it following the steps mentioned above. Instead, you’ll need to follow the directions on the package, and you may be able to achieve a glowing purple color provided that you select a hair dye specifically made for darker locks.

Do You Have to Bleach Your Hair to Dye It Purple?

So, can you color dark hair without bleaching it? Yes! But do you need to bleach your hair before dying it purple? It depends.

If you want luscious light lavender locks, then yes, you’ll need to use a bleach before you do so. Bleaching your hair often will cause damage though, and you might want to enlist the help of a professional to get it done right, which could prove expensive in the end.

If you are content with having a deeper, more subtle and less electric purple, then yes, purple hair dye will go over dark brown or black hair. Think of it more as a stain, that shows best in the light than an actual full-on purple color. And sometimes, this mysterious hue can be even more alluring when it catches the eye!

What Color Can You Dye Black Hair Without Bleach?

Can you dye your hair blue without bleaching it?

Yes! Using the methods described above, but using blue dye instead of purple, you can gain, again, a more subtle and tinted version of “blue” hair over dark brown or black tresses.

How to dye dark brown hair red without bleaching?

Dying dark brown hair a true “red” may not always be completely possible without the use of bleach, but you can add a muted copper or red hue using semi-permanent dye to achieve the look.

What colors can brunettes dye their hair without bleach?

Brunettes can get away with using blue tones, purple tones, red tones, deep brown tones or black without the use of bleach. Anything that is lighter than the natural hair color or that is super vibrant will likely require bleach.

What color can I dye my dark brown hair without bleaching?

Sticking to blue, purple and red tones will be a must with dark brown tones. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see the color, which will be a total waste of time and money.

Can you dye brown hair pink without bleaching it?

In most cases, a color like pink is going to require the use of bleach. Because of its light pastel nature, pink likely won’t show up on anything that isn’t extremely light hair.

Tips For How to Color Dark Hair

1. Watch Your Wash – Depending on how many times you shampoo your hair and the type of shampoo and dye you use, you may find your color fading quicker than expected. For the best results, use a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for color-treated hair, and limit washings as much as you are able. If you don’t have any shampoo specific for color treated hair, try adding a few drops of your hair dye to the shampoo to liven things up a bit.
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight – Spending a lot of time in the sun might be great for a golden tan, but for your freshly colored hair, you’ll need to limit your exposure.
3. Skip the Pool – Going for a dip? You may want to skip it this time. Chlorinated water can do damage to your purple locks and cause the color to fade much faster. It could even change the color, completely!
4. Get Specific – For the most success, check out any of the products we mentioned above, or simply go for a semi-permanent hair dye that is specifically designed for dark hair. Depending on the specific color of your dark hair, you may find that you are able to achieve a more vibrant hue with dyes made specifically for your hair color.
5. Be Realistic – Remember, if you have hair that is very dark, you aren’t going to get dramatic results like you may see on Instagram. Enter the process with realistic expectations so that you aren’t disappointed.
6. Play Around – As with anything in life, some products are simply better than others. Play around with products at your local supermarket or on Amazon to see which dye produces the best results for you.
7. Don’t Be Lazy – When coloring, be sure to follow processes exactly as described, and be sure to use tiny sections, distributing the dye evenly across your strands. Failing to do so will leave patchwork hair, and although the color will be subtle, it won’t look as nice as it would have if you took your time.

Purple Hair Color Without Bleach Is Achievable!

Purple hair dye for dark hair without bleach? It’s actually doable.

Remember, dyeing your hair purple without bleach is possible, but you will need to follow the right process to get that sweet subtle hue.

By following the steps listed above and using the products recommended, we are sure that you’ll love your freshly colored locks, even on dark hair.

If you are unsure, contact your local salon for additional advice specific to coloring your specific hair color and type for optimal results or check out L’Oreal’s How to Dye Dark Hair Without Bleach for even more dark hair tips and tricks.

Want to know more? Check out these other related posts from our blog:

• Can You Mix Semi-Permanent Hair Dye With a Conditioner
• How Long Do You Let Dye Sit In Your Hair