Many people want a gorgeous auburn hair color or a fiery red mane. But if your red hair has turned purple, you might be wondering where you went wrong.
To get the amazing red hair you’ve been dreaming of, you should know why red hair turns purple and how to prevent it. And if you’re stuck with purple hair now, check out our tips to fix your red hair that’s turned purple.
Why does red hair turn purple?
There are several reasons why your dyed red hair looks purple, and they usually have to do with the color of your hair before you dyed it.
When dyeing your hair any color, you must take into account the current color, as this will significantly affect the results. You also need to choose the hair color carefully, because two people may use the same color but end up with completely different results.
Your red hair may look purple because your natural hair color has cool undertones, you chose the wrong color, you have residual color from the previous color, or the red color is simply fading. Fixing your hair is easier when you recognize why it’s purple in the first place.
The reasons your red hair is purple
First, let’s discuss the possible reasons why your hair is purple.
Faded burgundy
If you’ve loved your red hair for a while, but now it looks purple, it’s likely just fading. Some reds have blue and purple undertones that help achieve the beautiful red color. But as the color begins to fade, these cool tones can become more obvious, resulting in a purple appearance.
Burgundy is the most common color to fade to purple because of the blue undertones, while fiery reds are less likely to turn purple.
Natural ash color
Ashy is a term that refers to hair with cooler tones. For example, the opposite of an “ashy” blonde, would be a golden or honey blonde, which has a warm undertone.
As mentioned, your natural hair color significantly affects the final color. Before choosing a hair color, make sure you define your natural color. If it’s ash, you need to find a color to offset those cool tones.
First hair color
Finally, your red hair may come out purple because you previously had a dye job with a blue undertone. For example, if you dyed your hair blue, dyeing it red over the old blue will result in purple hair.
Even if your blue hair color has faded so significantly that you can barely see it, it will still affect the red color. When you re-dye your hair, it can lift these old dyes to the surface, making them more visible and causing them to compromise the color of the new color.
How to prevent red hair from turning purple
Before dyeing your hair red, read these preventative tips.
Find the right color
Follow these steps when choosing a red hair color:
- Identify your natural hair color (or current hair color).
- Choose a hair color with shades that complement your natural tones.
- Color a small section of your hair, ideally at the base of your skull, so it doesn’t stand out.
- Evaluate the strand color and decide if you like it or if it needs to be changed.
- Find a new hair color with cooler or warmer tones, depending on what you want, and repeat the process, but color a different strand of hair.
lighten natural color
Lightening your natural hair before applying red dye can ensure you get the color you envision more closely. You can do this with whitening agents, such as lemon juice, chamomile tea, or apple cider vinegar, or try a clarifying shampoo or bleach mixture.
Pick up old colors
If you have dyed your hair before, you should remove the old color before dyeing it red. This process can be similar to lightening your natural color, but it depends on the previous hair color.
Some options for lifting old hair color include a bleach rinse, developer, sulfur or hydrogen peroxide based stripping product.
Trust a professional
If in doubt, contact the hairdresser and ask them to help you. Hair coloring is more complicated than it seems. To avoid a mess, trust a professional. Explain your concerns and vision to them so they can help you avoid purple hair.
How to fix red hair that has turned purple
Below are some helpful solutions to fix red hair color that has turned purple.
Fade and Re-Dye
Time heals all wounds and purple hair. The healthiest way to fix your purple hair is to let the color fade. More showers and more frequent shampooing can help it fade faster.
Most colors take six to eight weeks to fade noticeably, so this option requires patience. Once it fades enough, repaint it with a warm toned red.
Remove paint and repaint
If you can’t wait for it to fade, you can pick up the previous color and then repaint it. The problem with this solution is that it can damage your hair.
Dyeing your hair twice in a short time and using lifting products can cause dry, brittle and unhealthy hair. After the color has been lifted, re-dye your hair using a warm red color.
go to the living room
You can always go to the salon for help. Salon professionals and hairstylists need to understand the color wheel and how it applies to hair color.
They can help you choose the right strategy to repair your hair with little damage and choose the perfect shade of red.
Red hair color that has turned purple can usually be blamed on your original hair color, whether natural or previously dyed.
Remember, what you see on the box is not always what you get because everyone starts with a different base color. Choose your red hair color carefully the first time to avoid purple hair.
Common questions
Yes. If you have light or damaged hair, using a purple shampoo every day can add a purple tint.
Ideally, wait two months. But you can re-dye your hair four weeks after a dye job.
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