28 Iconic Purple Hair Color Ideas to Inspire You
Purple is the undisputed queen of hair shades this Fall.
Purple hair color was once the domain of punk subcultures and emo, angst-ridden teens worldwide. Now, it has become one of this year’s most coveted hair shades. Purple has been the look of choice for nearly all levels of celebrity there is: Everyone from your token Instagram influencer to festival vloggers to actual reality TV sensations has had a go at purple hair, giving it the mainstream seal of approval.
But what about this look? Have people booked their color appointments in droves? Check out this purple highlights inspo to find out why (as if we didn’t know by looking at these spectacular photos below) it’s the best, biggest OG hue in the unicorn-color explosion. Read on:
Purple Hair Ideas: 28 Looks to Inspire You
From light lilac shades to bright purple hues, find some hair dye ideas for every shade of purple hairstyle!
1. Silver Purple Hair Highlights
Pastel purple hair, like this beautiful silvery lilac version, is another popular way to wear the look if you’re one for lighter shades. Obsessed with the gas-puddle effect! Highlights on gray hair are the key to perfecting this look!
2. Peacocky Multi-Colored Short Purple Hair Highlights
A medley of jewel tones—some blue and purple hair mixed with some dark emerald green thrown in—creates a glorious, peacock-inspired shade that’s darkly sexy. We love the contrast between the green, blue, and purple hues!
3. Tropical Punch Purple Hairstyles
This magenta hair color creation is terrific for those with warm undertones. The punchy grape tones intermix with plum hair color and a bit of passion fruit orange for a rich, juicy hue. This is perfect if you want a purple hairstyle with some variation throughout.
4. Lilac Highlights in Blonde Hair
Another silver purple hair iteration courtesy of lilac hair color creates a more nymph-like vibe courtesy of platinum tones and a delicate floral crown. This pastel purple hair hue is simply magical.
5. Cosmic Blue Purple Hair
Darker cosmic purple hair seamlessly drips from a bright hue into a rich violet and ends with blue and purple hair highlights at the ends. This combination of blue and purple hair is beautiful!
6. Bright Violet to Pastel Purple Hair
Cool undertones glow against this light blue-violet hue. Dusty pink and mauve highlights give dimension to this pastel purple hair winner. We love this look paired with curled and wavy hair.
7. Violet Purple Hair Ombré
Can it get any prettier (or delightfully girlier) than this? Cool violet melds into a soft shell pink and ends with bright orchid peek-a-boo highlights because fairy-anime pink and purple hair is the ultimate #goal.
8. Griolet Grey Purple Hair
Love Beauty and Planet
Love Beauty and Planet Rose & Almond Natural Oils Infusion
This grungier look flips the script on violet hair color—a lot more gray is in play with this black-purple hair shade (mostly prevalent at the root), which also takes on a silvery tinge at the ends. Give your grey-purple hair an extra healthy and shiny finish with some Love Beauty and Planet Rose & Almond Natural Oils Infusion.
9. Blonde Hair With Purple
Add another winner to the blonde and purple hair category! This sharply stacked bob with purple peek-a-boo highlights is a clever upgrade to your regular short ’do. We love this look paired with bangs as well!
10. Periwinkle Hair
This lovely interpretation of purple hair lights features silver on the top as highlights and violet as a base color. And don’t even get us started on this beautiful, softly curled lob!
To keep your colored strands healthy and hydrated, use Nexxus Color Assure Long-Lasting Vibrancy Deep Moisture Hair Masque. We love this mask because it uses a ProteinFusion made with Elastin Protein and quinoa to nourish strands and help keep your color vibrant deeply.
11. Ultraviolet
This predominantly two-toned style features a shock of violet hair color atop a lighter base of silvery-lilac—an electric, confident combo. Try pairing this style with gray highlights for an extra-dimensional look!
12. Black Purple Hair
Want a shade that’s still comfortably on the darker side of the family? Then this dark eggplant hair color mixed with some smoky, ashy grays and violets is the perfect hue for anyone who wants to rock a darker root.
13. Purple Pink Hair
This pink-dominated hairstyle is a classic pastel purple hair variation that gets even flirtier and richer with a bright mauve root area. We love how seamlessly the variety of purple tones blend together.
14. Dark Purple Hair Color
If you want to taste the rainbow but can do without the citrus, this black and purple hair color gradient totally checks those boxes. We love the shock of blue violet in the middle! This looks amazing when paired with various hairstyles, such as braids and plaits.
15. Berry Ombré
This expertly blended creation gives multiple shades of grape and magenta hair color equal airtime. Tip: Style in loose waves to emphasize each glorious highlight tone. Create gorgeous waves that stay all day with this hairstyle. We recommend using an extra hold spray such as TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Spray
16. Smooth Magenta
Whoever said aubergine hair color wasn’t a thing clearly didn’t know who to go to. This rich, solid magenta hue finds even more dimension with some subtle pink balayage. Prevent frizz while styling this look with Bed Head by TIGI Get Twisted Anti-Frizz Finishing Spray
17. Purple and Violet
Dark purple hair transitions into a cool, quiet violet on the tips. This makes for a trendy look that also fades prettily with time (think icy pinks and grays!). We love this ombre look that goes from dark to light purple.
18. Box Braids with Dark Plum
Update your box braids with a deep purple shade. Going for a darker hue like this is a good way to experiment with colorful hair without changing your look. Keep up with the regal vibe by opting for golden hair accessories—you’ll be the box, braid queen.
19. Half-Top Knot with Candy-Floss Lilac Hair Color
Try this lilac hair color if you’re going for a spun-sugar pastel shade! This shade can easily lean towards either pink or blue, depending on your preference and the undertones you were born with. Because much bleaching is used to get hair light enough for a pastel shade, you’ll need to be wary of damage. At least once a week, use a hair mask to protect your color and ease damage.
20. Raspberry with Choppy Waves
Go nearly red with a stunning raspberry shade. This color has just enough purple in it to keep it from looking like a bright burgundy red. Try styling with loose waves to show off how multi-tonal your color is. Opt for a large-barrel curling iron, or twist the hair around a flat iron to get big waves.
21. Periwinkle Ombré with Purple Highlights
If unicorn hair is what you want, a periwinkle color is a way to achieve it. This particular shade can also be classified as platinum hair with purple highlights. It’s the perfect mixture of blue and purple that looks seriously stunning on cooler undertones. With a pastel sombré like this, you will want to make sure that you don’t wash your hair every day so you prolong your shade as much as possible.
22. Rose Purple Hair
We love this chocolate mauve shade so much! The darker, more purple sister of rose gold hair is gorgeous, especially in the year’s cooler months. This color can flit between lavender and rose, making it look fresh.
23. Side Swept Bob
A pop of color from your purple highlights will make your side-swept bob totally Insta-worthy. Plus, this is such an easy way to try out a vibrant hair color style for women without committing to fully colored hair. Rack up those Likes with this style!
24. Dyed Ends
Not into the classic striped look of highlights? Then give your hair a splash of color by dying your ends to create a gradient look. We love this colorful look at the ends paired with purple hair at the top.
25. Pastel Purple
A lightly hued pastel purple is everything you need for the ultimate style for your hair. It’s a cool accent to a light blonde or ash color. This look is subtle while making a big impact on your look.
26. Dyed Roots
Just add a tiny touch of color that will make a major statement to your hairstyles by creating highlights at the roots of your hair. Who said your roots always have to be neutral-colored?
27. Ultraviolet
Nexxus
Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo
This wild color will definitely catch some eyes. Its deep, vibrant glow is perfect for every girl who wants to be the life of the party. Keep your color looking bright by using Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner.
28. Plum Dark Purple Hair Goddess Locs
Want to play around with a vibrant hue but also wear a protective style? This plum dark purple hair goddess locs style is perfect for achieving both! This look can also be paired with a variety of other colors.
Have we inspired you to try out one of these purple hair color combinations? Take a picture and tag us @AllThingsHairUS! Also, for more hair color and hairstyle inspo, subscribe to our newsletter below.
