Purple hair isn’t just bold anymore – it actually feels personal, unique, it’s basically a whole personality trait and a vibe. If brown feels meh and blonde isn’t you, I get it. Lately as a hairdresser I keep seeing people ask for purple, from TikTok kids to office besties who want a tiny bit of chaos in the mix.
The hard bit is choosing a shade that fits your life. There’s sooo much to choose from! Your vibe, your closet, your patience for roots – all of this needs to be taken into consideration. Some purples fade fast, some don’t suit certain bases, and touch-ups can sneak up on you.
So I pulled together purple hair color ideas that genuinely work. Stuff I’ve seen look good in daylight, not just studio pics. Wearable, fun, and not fussy for no reason.
Pick the shade that fits your mood and maintenance level – you’ll definitely find something you love in this list as we tried to make it as versatile as possible! Screenshot what you like (or even better- pin it straight away to Pinterest), then go and have a chat with your colorist, maybe do a strand test first. Keep it simple, and enjoy the color.
You’ll end up with hair that turns heads – and still feels like you. A little playful, a little polished. Alright, without further introductions, let’s go find your purple!
Midnight purple hair color
Midnight purple literally sits between black and purple. It’s a cool spot. Deep, rich, very moody. It’s subtle, kind of… Grown-up, but a bit rebellious. Like velvet at night, with a secret.
Peekaboo lilac hair
Lilac peeks tucked underneath that flash when you move. Sneaky-cute. Low-key unicorn vibes if you know, you know. Sits best under a darker top layer. Pretty safe for the office, but still dishing out cool girl vibes.
Wild orchid purple hair color
Calling my bold-color crew – this tropical purple is lush and juicy. It’s a whole look. Bright, but easy to wear. Pops on every skin tone. Curls or a big blowout? Chef’s kiss. Feels like holiday hair, even on errands.
Lavender hair color
Lavender is super soft, super cute, and super trendy right now too! It’s that pastel hair color vibes, but not childish. This color definitely looks best on pre-lightened hair. It works great with cool skin tones, grows out nicer than you think.
Dark to light purple ombre
For this look, you start dark at the roots, then fade to lilac at the ends. It’s easier to maintain than a full on bleached lavender look (if your hair is naturally dark). Keeps a natural root, which is nice. You get drama without full-time bleach life. And who doesn’t love this combo?! Stunning in Insta photos too.
Pink purple and blue hair highlights
Try thin streaks of pink, purple, and blue – you mix it all together (but like..strategically!) and you get a mesmerizing unicorn hair look! Or a little confetti moment. Looks different from every angle – brunch magnet. Good if you want color, and you can’t decide which one. Festival vibes all year round without tickets.
Lavender ombre hair
This is one of my favorites trends from the recent years. Natural dark brown at the top, melting into lavender ends. Soft glam. Works best on medium to long hair. Makes selfies dreamy to the max! Very flattering on many face shapes, and extremely low maintenance if you keep your natural color at the top.
Peekaboo purple highlights
Hide purple streaks under the top layer of natural brown color hair. Business on top, pop star when you move. Tuck your hair and boom, color. Great for testing purple without committing. Office-safe, club-ready – we love this trend!
Galaxy blue and purple hair color
Blue and purple swirled like night sky – I mean, does it get more mezmerizing than this? Galaxy hair is a thing of beauty. No boring hair days with this hair look! Great if you love stars, sci-fi, or attention (trust me there wil be plenty of that). It’s all about weaving different shades of blue and purple together, so that it comes out looking almost holographic.
Deep plum hair color
Rich, winey, a bit vampy. Looks amazing on olive and deeper skin tones. Sleek for work, messy for going out. It’s purple, but grown-up. Not try-hard. We’re obsessed with this color, especially for fall season when vampy things are super on-trend.
Dusty lavender hair color
Dusty, ashy,muted… and yes, these words ARE all describing hair color trends. Kind of understated, but also – beautiful and chic. Muted, smoky lavender. Chic and calm. Think fall in Paris, not summer camp. Looks good with simple outfits and a bold lip. Very wearable on many tones.
Ultra violet to pink ombre hair
For my edgy/funky hair fans – ultra violet purple color melts into bright pink. It’s a look, y’all. Violet roots fading to pink ends. Big energy. Looks like a sunset, kind of. If you want festival hair every day, this is the one for you! Curl the ends for extra pop.
Amethyst hair color on curly hair
Amethyst tones make curls glow. Every twist catches the light. It looks luxe, like candlelight on ringlets. Very Instagram-ready. Amethyst color has that sophistication to it – while not as loud as bright neon purple, or not as soft as lavender – it’s mystical and artsy in it’s own way.
Blue to bright purple ombre
Blue at the crown, amped-up purple on the tips. Big drama. Zero shy energy. Every hair flip tells a two-scene story. Use gloss for mid-lengths and the ends, it makes the whole thing hit harder!
Purple balayage on dark hair
Purple balayage on dark hair looks painted by moonlight. Soft, dimensional, a tinyyy bit mysterious. Grows out pretty, and not stripy, which is definitely a win. It’s low-stress and yet looks very expensive. Works on wavy gals and straight hair. Just a stunning look. Everybody’s going to ask about your hair, so don’t choose this one if you don’t like attention.
Black hair with violet hair ends
Keep your black hair, add violet on the tips. Easy, simple, cool. Low commitment, high payoff. Great starter purple, when you’re not sure if you’ll keep it for a long time. It’s totally fine to just dip your toes into it (or hair ends)!
Purple highlights on dark brown hair
Thin purple highlights in dark brown hair. Subtle edge, like a secret tattoo. Not loud, but you see it in the light. Corporate-friendly, yet still so much fun!
Lilac pastel hair color
Light, airy lilac. Pretty and dreamy. Best on bleached or very light hair. Goes with almost any eye color. Tones fade fast, so get a purple shampoo.
Neon purple hair
Neon purple is mega bright. Like, party-bright. Not for shy moods. Makes streetwear pop. You will not EVER get lost in a crowd, promise.
Mysterious dark purple
Almost black, with purple that shows in certain light. Drama, but classy. Perfect with black boots and eyeliner. A bit goth, but polished. Keeps its secret indoors, then glows outside.
