Purple hair dye is a bold and beautiful choice, offering a vibrant and unique look. However, like all fashion colors, it’s not permanent. Understanding the fading process is crucial to managing your expectations and planning your upkeep. So, what exactly happens when purple hair dye begins to lose its initial brilliance? The answer is multifaceted, depending on several factors ranging from the initial shade of purple to the condition of your hair.
Understanding the Basics of Hair Dye and Fading
To understand the fading process, we need a basic grasp of how hair dye works. Hair dye, especially vibrant colors like purple, doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft deeply. Instead, it primarily coats the outer layer, making it susceptible to being washed away with each shampoo.
Different types of hair dye exist, each with its own fading characteristics. Permanent dyes, while offering long-lasting color, still fade over time. Semi-permanent and demi-permanent dyes are designed to fade more quickly, depositing color without significantly altering the hair’s structure. Fashion colors, like most purples, are typically semi-permanent.
The fading process is accelerated by several factors, including frequent washing, exposure to sunlight, heat styling, and the products you use on your hair. Each of these contributes to breaking down the dye molecules and washing them away.
The Purple Fade: A Spectrum of Possibilities
The fading of purple hair dye isn’t a straightforward process. It doesn’t simply lighten to a paler shade of purple. Instead, it often transitions through a range of colors, influenced by the underlying pigments in the dye and the base color of your hair.
From Deep Violet to Blue Hues
Deep, violet-based purples often fade to blue. This is because many purple dyes are created by mixing red and blue pigments. The red pigment tends to fade faster than the blue, leaving behind a cooler, blue-toned shade.
The intensity of the blue will depend on the original purple shade and how much red was initially present. A deep, rich violet might fade to a vibrant, almost electric blue, while a lighter violet might fade to a more pastel or muted blue.
The blue phase can be quite beautiful, offering a cool and striking alternative to the original purple. However, if you’re not a fan of blue, it’s essential to be prepared for this transition.
From Lavender to Pastel Pinks and Greys
Lighter, lavender shades of purple often fade to pastel pinks or even greyish tones. These purples typically contain less blue pigment and more of a pink or red base. As the dye fades, the pink tones become more prominent.
The resulting pink shade can range from a delicate blush to a brighter, more noticeable pink. In some cases, the fading process can lead to a more muted, greyish-purple shade, particularly if the hair has been heavily bleached.
Maintaining a lavender shade requires careful attention, as the fading process can be quite rapid. Regular touch-ups and color-depositing shampoos are essential to keep the color vibrant.
From Plum to Reddish Undertones
Plum purples, with their deeper, redder base, often fade to reddish undertones. The red pigment in these dyes is more resistant to fading, resulting in a warmer, more auburn hue.
The reddish tones can be quite flattering, adding warmth and dimension to the hair. However, it’s important to be aware of this potential outcome if you prefer cooler tones.
Managing a plum purple fade often involves using color-depositing conditioners or glosses to maintain the desired level of redness and prevent the color from becoming too brassy.
The Role of Your Base Hair Color
Your original hair color significantly impacts how purple dye fades. If your hair was dark to begin with, achieving a true purple might require bleaching, which can influence the fading process.
Bleached hair is more porous, meaning it absorbs and releases dye more readily. This can lead to faster fading and a greater likelihood of the dye shifting to different tones.
If your hair was naturally light, the purple dye might fade more predictably, retaining its original hue for longer before transitioning to other colors.
Factors Influencing the Speed and Shade of Fading
Many factors influence the speed and shade of purple hair dye fading. Understanding these factors can help you manage your expectations and prolong the life of your color.
Shampoo Frequency and Type
Washing your hair frequently is the biggest culprit when it comes to fading hair dye. Each wash removes some of the dye molecules, leading to a gradual loss of color.
Using sulfate-free shampoos is crucial. Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip away color more aggressively than gentler alternatives. Look for shampoos specifically designed for color-treated hair.
Consider washing your hair less frequently and using dry shampoo in between washes to prolong the life of your color.
Water Temperature
Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing more dye to escape. Washing your hair with cool or lukewarm water can help to seal the cuticle and retain color.
The cooler the water, the less likely the dye is to bleed out. While it might not be the most comfortable experience, it can significantly extend the life of your purple hair.
Sun Exposure
Sunlight is a natural bleaching agent. Prolonged exposure to the sun can fade your hair color, especially vibrant shades like purple.
Wearing a hat or using hair products with UV protection can help to shield your hair from the damaging effects of the sun.
Heat Styling
Heat styling tools, such as hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons, can damage the hair and cause the dye to fade more quickly.
Using heat protectant sprays before styling can help to minimize the damage and prolong the life of your color.
Consider air-drying your hair whenever possible and using heat styling tools sparingly.
Hair Porosity
Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. High porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it just as quickly. Low porosity hair, on the other hand, resists moisture absorption.
High porosity hair tends to fade faster because the dye molecules are more easily washed away. Low porosity hair retains color better but might require more effort to initially deposit the dye.
Using hair products designed for your specific hair porosity can help to improve color retention and overall hair health.
Extending the Life of Your Purple Hair
While fading is inevitable, you can take several steps to prolong the life of your purple hair and maintain its vibrancy.
Use Color-Depositing Products
Color-depositing shampoos and conditioners contain pigments that deposit color onto the hair with each use, helping to replenish lost dye and maintain vibrancy.
Choose products that are specifically designed for purple hair to avoid unwanted color shifts.
Use these products regularly, following the instructions carefully, to keep your purple looking fresh and vibrant.
Deep Conditioning Treatments
Deep conditioning treatments help to hydrate and strengthen the hair, improving its ability to retain color.
Use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to keep your hair healthy and vibrant.
Look for treatments that are specifically designed for color-treated hair to avoid stripping away the dye.
Minimize Washing
As mentioned earlier, washing your hair less frequently is one of the most effective ways to prolong the life of your color.
Use dry shampoo in between washes to absorb excess oil and keep your hair looking fresh.
When you do wash your hair, use cool water and a sulfate-free shampoo.
Professional Glazes and Toners
Visiting your stylist for regular glazes and toners can help to refresh your color and correct any unwanted tones.
A glaze is a semi-permanent treatment that adds shine and vibrancy to the hair, while a toner can neutralize unwanted brassiness or color shifts.
These treatments can help to keep your purple hair looking its best between full color applications.
Managing the Fade: Embracing the Transition
Instead of fighting the fade, consider embracing the transition. As your purple hair dye fades, it can reveal a range of beautiful and unique colors.
Experiment with different styling techniques and products to enhance the faded tones. For example, if your hair has faded to a blue shade, try using silver shampoo to enhance the coolness and brightness.
Consider using the fading process as an opportunity to try new colors. Once your purple has faded significantly, you can easily transition to another shade without having to bleach your hair again.
Ultimately, the fading of purple hair dye is a natural process. By understanding the factors that influence fading and taking steps to prolong the life of your color, you can enjoy your vibrant purple locks for as long as possible. And when the time comes, embrace the transition and explore the new possibilities that await.
What is the most common color purple hair dye fades to?
The most frequent color purple hair dye fades to is a cool-toned pink or a muted lavender shade. This happens because most purple dyes contain a mix of red and blue pigments. When exposed to washing, sunlight, and heat, the blue pigments tend to fade faster than the red pigments, leaving behind a pinkish or reddish undertone. The initial vibrancy of the purple diminishes, transitioning to a lighter, softer color that leans towards the rose or lavender spectrum.
The specific shade the purple fades to also depends on the initial formulation of the dye. Dyes with a stronger blue component might fade to a more ashy gray or silvery tone before the pink hues become dominant. Conversely, purples with a higher red concentration will likely shift more directly to a noticeable pink. Understanding the base color of your chosen purple dye can give you a better prediction of its fade-out process.
How can I prevent my purple hair dye from fading quickly?
To prolong the vibrancy of your purple hair, avoid frequent washing. Each wash strips the hair of its color molecules, accelerating the fading process. Use dry shampoo in between washes to keep your hair looking fresh without water exposure. When you do wash, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for color-treated hair.
Furthermore, minimize exposure to heat styling tools like hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners, as heat also contributes to color fading. When heat styling is necessary, always use a heat protectant spray. Direct sunlight can also cause purple hair to fade, so consider wearing a hat or using hair products with UV protection when spending time outdoors.
Does the original hair color affect how purple hair dye fades?
Yes, the underlying hair color plays a significant role in how purple hair dye fades. If you have pre-lightened your hair to a very light blonde, the purple dye will typically fade evenly, revealing the pink or lavender undertones we mentioned earlier. However, if your hair was not lightened enough, the purple may fade unevenly or appear muddy as the underlying pigments peek through.
For instance, if you applied purple to hair with brassy or yellow tones, the faded result might lean towards a more peach or orange hue as the yellow interacts with the remaining red pigments in the purple dye. This is why achieving a clean, even base is crucial for a predictable and desirable fade-out of purple hair dye.
What are some products I can use to maintain my purple hair color?
To maintain the vibrancy of your purple hair color, consider using color-depositing shampoos and conditioners formulated for purple or violet tones. These products deposit small amounts of pigment with each wash, helping to refresh the color and counteract fading. Look for products that are sulfate-free and specifically designed for color-treated hair to avoid stripping the hair of its natural oils and color.
In addition to color-depositing products, using a hair mask or deep conditioner regularly can help to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. Healthy hair holds color better, so keeping your hair moisturized will contribute to a longer-lasting and more vibrant purple shade. Consider incorporating these products into your hair care routine to maintain your desired look.
How does hard water affect purple hair dye?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can react with hair dye and cause it to fade faster. These minerals can build up on the hair shaft, creating a barrier that prevents color from adhering properly and also altering the color over time. The build-up can also make the hair feel dull and lifeless.
To combat the effects of hard water, consider installing a shower filter that removes these minerals. Alternatively, use a clarifying shampoo regularly to remove mineral buildup. You can also try rinsing your hair with distilled water or apple cider vinegar (diluted with water) after washing to help neutralize the mineral deposits and restore shine.
Are some purple hair dye brands more resistant to fading than others?
Yes, the longevity of purple hair dye can vary significantly between different brands. Some brands formulate their dyes with higher concentrations of pigments or use more fade-resistant dyes, resulting in longer-lasting color. Researching online reviews and comparing formulations can help you choose a brand known for its longevity and color payoff.
Furthermore, the type of dye itself can impact fade resistance. Semi-permanent dyes tend to fade faster than demi-permanent or permanent dyes. While permanent dyes offer the longest-lasting color, they can also be more damaging to the hair. Therefore, selecting the right brand and dye type based on your hair type and desired level of commitment is essential for achieving the best and longest-lasting results.
Can I re-dye my hair a different color if my purple has faded?
Yes, you can absolutely re-dye your hair a different color after your purple has faded, but there are a few things to consider. The faded purple can influence the final result of the new color, especially if there are still strong pink or lavender undertones present. Neutralizing these undertones before applying the new color may be necessary to achieve the desired shade.
Consider using a color remover to gently lift any remaining purple pigment before applying the new color. Alternatively, you can choose a color that complements the faded purple, such as a blue or a deeper purple, to avoid any clashing or undesirable results. Consulting with a professional stylist is always recommended, especially when making significant color changes.