Purple Highlights On Black Hair

Achieving the Perfect Purple Highlights on Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide

Purple highlights on black hair offer a striking and versatile look, ranging from subtle hints of amethyst to vibrant, electric violet. This guide provides a comprehensive exploration of this trendy hair color, covering everything from choosing the right shade and preparing your hair to achieving the perfect result and maintaining its vibrancy. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or prefer a professional touch, we'll cover all the bases to help you achieve your dream purple locks.

Understanding Your Hair & Choosing the Perfect Purple

Before diving into the process, understanding your hair type and texture is crucial. Black hair, particularly, comes in various textures, from fine and straight to coarse and tightly coiled. This influences how the color takes and how long it lasts. Coarse hair tends to hold color longer, while fine hair may require more frequent touch-ups.

Furthermore, your natural hair color's depth plays a significant role. Jet-black hair will require more bleaching than hair with naturally darker brown undertones. The level of lightening will directly affect the final purple tone. A lighter base allows for brighter, truer purples, while a darker base may result in more muted or greyish shades.

Choosing Your Purple Shade: The world of purple hair color is vast! Consider these options:

• Lavender: A soft, pastel purple ideal for a subtle, romantic look. This typically requires a very light base.
• Lilac: A slightly more saturated purple with hints of pink, offering a delicate yet noticeable contrast against black hair.
• Violet: A rich, deep purple with blue undertones. This shade works well on a variety of base colors.
• Amethyst: A darker purple with reddish undertones, creating a luxurious and mysterious vibe.
• Electric Purple: A bold, vibrant, almost neon purple requiring extensive bleaching for optimal results.

Think about your skin tone too! Cooler skin tones often complement cooler purples (blues and violets), while warmer skin tones may pair better with warmer purples (reds and lavenders). Consider your personal style and the overall impression you want to create.

Preparing Your Hair for Highlighting

Successfully highlighting black hair requires careful preparation. This stage is crucial for preventing damage and ensuring the best possible color results.

• Deep Conditioning: Before any bleaching or coloring, treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment. This strengthens the hair shaft, making it more resilient to the chemical processes involved in lightening and coloring. Focus on moisturizing treatments to hydrate the hair and improve its elasticity.

• Strand Test: A strand test is paramount. Select a small, inconspicuous section of hair and apply the bleach and purple dye to it. This allows you to see how your hair reacts to the chemicals and assess the final color outcome before committing to the entire head. It will also help determine the processing time necessary.

• Gathering Supplies: Ensure you have all necessary supplies before you begin:

  • Developer (choose the appropriate volume based on your hair's condition and desired lift)
  • Bleach powder (a good quality bleach is crucial for even lightening)
  • Purple hair dye (choose a brand known for vibrant and long-lasting color)
  • Gloves
  • Mixing bowl
  • Applicator brush
  • Hair clips
  • Toner (to neutralize any brassiness after bleaching)
  • Deep conditioner
  • Old towel or cape
  • Petroleum jelly (to protect your skin)

Bleaching Your Hair (If Necessary)

If you're aiming for bright purple highlights, bleaching is often necessary to lift the color to a sufficiently light level. This process lightens the hair's natural melanin, allowing the purple dye to show up vibrantly. Never attempt to bleach your hair without proper knowledge and precautions.

• Sectioning: Divide your hair into small, manageable sections. This ensures even bleaching and prevents accidental over-processing.
• Applying Bleach: Apply the bleach mixture carefully to the sections you intend to highlight, avoiding contact with your scalp. Follow the instructions on your chosen bleach product precisely.
• Processing Time: The processing time varies depending on your hair type and the desired level of lift. Regularly check the strands for the desired lightness. Over-processing can severely damage your hair.
• Rinsing: Once the desired level of lift is achieved, rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water.

Applying the Purple Dye

Once the hair is bleached (if needed) and rinsed, it's time to apply the purple dye. This process is similar to applying bleach, but with the purple dye instead.

• Sectioning: Again, divide your hair into sections, working with one at a time to ensure even application.
• Applying Dye: Apply the purple dye to the previously lightened sections, ensuring complete coverage.
• Processing Time: Allow the dye to process according to the instructions on the product packaging.
• Rinsing: Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water until the water runs clear.

Post-Dye Care: Maintaining Your Purple Highlights

Maintaining vibrant purple highlights on black hair requires consistent effort. The color tends to fade faster than other shades, so proper aftercare is essential.

• Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner: Use sulfate-free, color-safe products designed to protect dyed hair and prevent color fading.
• Cold Water Rinses: Rinse your hair with cool or cold water to help seal the hair cuticle and prevent color from leaching out.
• Deep Conditioning: Regular deep conditioning treatments will keep your hair hydrated and prevent breakage, especially after bleaching.
• Limit Heat Styling: Excessive heat styling can cause color to fade faster. Minimize the use of heat tools and always use a heat protectant spray.
• Sun Protection: UV rays can also cause color fading. When outdoors, wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray formulated for colored hair.
• Touch-Ups: Purple highlights will eventually fade, requiring periodic touch-ups or a complete re-dyeing to maintain their vibrancy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long does purple hair dye last on black hair?

A: The longevity of purple hair dye on black hair depends on several factors, including the quality of the dye, the frequency of washing, and the aftercare routine. Generally, you can expect the color to last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks before significant fading occurs.

Q: Can I achieve purple highlights at home?

A: Yes, you can achieve purple highlights at home with the right products and careful preparation. However, if you're unsure about any aspect of the process, it's always best to seek professional help to avoid potential damage to your hair.

Q: Will bleaching my hair damage it?

A: Bleaching can damage your hair, especially if done incorrectly or too frequently. Always use a good quality bleach, follow the instructions carefully, and use deep conditioning treatments to minimize damage.

Q: How can I prevent my purple highlights from turning green?

A: The green tinge often appears due to residual yellow tones in the bleached hair reacting with the purple dye. Using a toner to neutralize brassiness before applying the purple dye can help prevent this issue.

Q: What if my purple highlights turn out uneven?

A: Uneven highlights can be a result of improper application or uneven bleaching. If you notice unevenness, consider consulting a professional stylist for a correction.

Conclusion: Embracing Your Bold New Look

Achieving the perfect purple highlights on black hair is a rewarding experience. With careful planning, proper preparation, and a little patience, you can transform your look and embrace your bold, new style. Remember, maintaining the vibrancy of your purple highlights requires consistent care and attention. Whether you opt for a subtle lavender touch or a vibrant electric purple, the key is to understand your hair's unique needs and follow the steps outlined in this guide. Happy coloring!