Purple highlights are a fresh, exciting way to instantly elevate any punk princess’ style! With vibrant, ultraviolet tones, you’ll enjoy crafting a contemporary and stunning color melt for your hair.
Traditional highlights can be achieved with vibrant, ultraviolet shades to dark, rich tones of purple, including lilac, lavender, and periwinkle on the lighter end, to burgundy, plum, and violet on the deeper spectrum.
According to Carly Roe, a skilled hair colorist in Carlsbad, California, “Applying pastel hair color over any color will not adhere. Your hair needs to be very, very light yellow, to start with. Think of it as a hair painting canvas. Applying light lavender paint over a black canvas won’t be as visible as what you put on a white canvas. The same goes for hair color. So, if you aren’t naturally blonde, you should consult your colorist to determine if your hair can handle lightening as needed.”
Warm skin tones work wonderfully with purples that have a red undertone, while cool complexions pair beautifully with bluish-purple shades.
When it comes to purple hairstyles, upkeep is straightforward since you won’t be going full-on, solid violet with your hair. Just ensure you have color-safe products on hand, and you’ll be flaunting this luxurious hue wonderfully!
Before your next hair appointment, browse these inspirational images of the finest ideas for purple highlights!
#1: Sleek Gray Hair Accentuated with Purple Highlights
Explore the allure of purple highlights on grey hair. Icy lilac tones paired with smokey gray create a striking look ideal for an enchanting night out. Retaining a darker base color without fully committing to purple hair is a choice that many women will appreciate.
#2: Blonde Locks Featuring Purple Accents
The enchanting blend of purple, the color of royalty, is right at your fingertips or tips! Elevate your appearance with a stunning variety of lavender purple highlights on blonde hair complemented by darker purple ends. A timeless straight bob cut pairs perfectly with the striking combination of platinum blonde and purple highlights.
#3: Deep Purple Hair with Luminous Highlights
This deep purple hair with luminous highlights is an amethyst purple color melt. Created by hairstylist Karisa Moore of Kew Gardens, NY, she says, “These dark purple highlights are great for women looking for a vibrant and bold shade. Because the hair was lightened first, vibrancy with this color popped.”
Results may vary depending on your hair, especially if you have virgin or previously dyed hair. Moore recommends you consult your hairstylist to ensure lighter and darker purples are for you. Fashion colors tend to fade quickly, but a quick toner every month and a half can fix that.
If you want something with less maintenance, Moore says to try purple balayage highlights that give much more of a gradient deep purple than one solid color, which requires touch-ups every four weeks.
“Purple hair is a stunning and rich color but does require some upkeep. The product also plays a major role in the longevity of your dark hair with purple highlights. Make sure to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Try Davines MINU shampoo and conditioner since it’s designed for colored hair,” she adds.
#4: Lilac Tones on Lengthy Fine Locks
“These accents could be described as lilac, soft purple highlights. Soft colors bring life to plain blonde hair. Also, if you have fine hair, consider it,” says master hair artist Daisy Englander of NYC.
To achieve this color, Englander explains, “Start by highlighting hair with balayage and foil highlights to achieve a nice platinum blonde. If you want this color, you must first be very blonde/platinum. Use a bond reinforcement to protect your hair throughout the lifting process. You want to go slow and steady with blondes, as their hair tends to be more fragile. Use Manic Panic Professional to create the soft shade.”
Opt for these lilac highlights if you want to explore a soft purple. It’s more of a vibrant/vivid hue like purple.
First things first! You need to be platinum blonde to get this type of color! Think of applying purple to a white piece of paper; you’ll see its true pigment, right? Now picture applying purple to a yellow or maybe an orange piece of paper. You won’t see the purple as much.
So, the lighter your hair is, the more you’ll see that color. If you want these light highlights and your hair is not light enough, you might want to use a darker purple shade instead until you work your way up to a lighter blonde.
#5: Purple Ombre Hairstyle
Show off a purplish ombre hairstyle, as it appears lively and bright and is an instant attention-grabber! If you appreciate such a striking shade, California-based stylist Joya Smith suggests blonde-toned white hair with purple highlights.
“I did a complete full highlight, then used a purple shampoo. A toner followed the process to get the blonde perfect,” Smith notes. “Finally, I applied the purple dye in an ombre placement technique.” Don’t the ends look like a vibrant purple dip dye job, while the top is the lightest blonde and can almost be called white hair?
#6: Caramel Tresses with Delicate Purple Accents
Stunning grape purple hair highlights add depth to light caramel tresses. The subtlety of this purple hair dye significantly enhances the overall charm of the style. Looking for a more natural appearance? Choose light brown hair with purple accents instead.
#7: Blonde Hair with Subtle Purple Undercurrent
This is a dimensional purple-blonde hair color, offering a delightful contrast to traditional purple ombre. It was created by hairstylist apprentice Brooke Carding of Stratford, ON.
“The best thing about this color is how the curls accentuate the highlights,” says Carding. “Your eyes are instantly drawn to the fun, bright purple hair, which complements the style overall. It is a modern, trendy color that is subtle but makes a statement!”
Are you considering the purplish lilac ombre hair? Carding suggests opting for purple and blonde highlights! “A temporary color that washes out and fades with each wash will help you test out a fashion color. Adding purple strands as peek-a-boo highlights underneath offers a low commitment. If you want the purple to endure, use a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair, and when using hot tools, adjust them to a lower setting,” she explains.
Any hair type can rock these purple ombre highlights – some may require pre-lightening if you want the purple to be more vibrant. This color will suit any face shape, and if you wish to enhance your face shape, place the highlights around the face to frame it.
Purple highlights in blonde hair will showcase the fun, experimental side of your personality, and because it’s just a peekabo, it is suitable for any lifestyle.
#8: Purple Electric Highlights on Brown Hair
Consider vibrant purple highlights in brown hair if you’re seeking fresh purple hair inspirations. Ultraviolet highlights with soft waves for a unique style like yours! Embrace your inner Teen Titan Raven, preparing to conquer the world with your purple strands and stunning allure. Purple highlights on deep brown hair are ideal for long locks, styled with soft waves to emphasize the dimension.
#9: Vibrant Magenta Accents
These magenta accents on shoulder-length hair make a striking impression, radiating confidence and playfulness. They were crafted by hairstylist Danielle Roniger of Afton, WY.
“We love the intensity of magenta as it pairs beautifully with a violet metallic tone, resulting in bright purple hair. You can wear this with straight and curly hair, but it enhances the colors when styled curly,” notes Roniger.
Follow your stylist’s guidance to maintain the health of your hair and proper at-home hair care. To achieve these vivid shades, you need to start as a platinum blonde. With platinum comes potential damage. If you are already blonde, this is easier to accomplish than if you are starting from brunette or redhead.
Blonde with purple accents can be realized, and it will require a few more appointments and a lot of careful attention. This type of color represents an investment, and the products used to keep your hair healthy serve as your insurance on that investment.
#10: Purple Highlights with Lowlights
Incorporating purple highlights into beautiful light blonde hair is an excellent hue to experiment with if you’re looking to refresh your hairstyle. The fantastic news for blondes is that the fade-out will be breathtaking. You’ll likely see a transition to a pastel purple and then back to blonde. Embrace the opportunity to play with your blonde locks by adding purple accents.
#11: Chocolate Brown Hair with Violet Accents on a Bob Cut
Brunettes can enjoy playful pops of bold violet accents on short hair as well! Who would have imagined that deep lavender highlights would complement your chocolate hair in an adorable bob cut? Well, this chocolate brown hair with violet accents demonstrates just that!
#12: Trendy Lavender Highlights
Lavender remains a popular hair trend that is expected to last. This specific lavender hue was crafted by hair colorist Carlie Roe of Carlsbad, CA.
“This fantasy color is the number one requested unconventional hair color in salon chairs today,” notes Roe. “If you are seeking lighter purple highlights, consider lavender. The inspiration for developing this custom lavender was amethyst.”
Roe emphasizes that investing in the right products is essential for maintaining this color. “Heat protectants are crucial along with color-safe shower products. Heat and non-color-safe ingredients are the primary culprits of fading. Yes, that heat category includes water! Use cold water, always,” she adds.
#13: Vibrant Purple Highlights
Try vibrant purple highlights for an exciting splash of color. Stylish and playful, violet shades are eye-catching and tend to fade beautifully out of hair for a low-maintenance option.
#14: Silver Tresses with Violet Highlights
“This silver tresses with violet highlights demonstrates that it’s quite adaptable even in a professional setting with a splash of color,” says hair artist Yasuko Suzuki of Sunnyvale, CA. “The natural roots blending into silver and violet allows for different arrangements for various occasions featuring colorful hair.”
Suzuki notes, “The dimension appears more pronounced on long hair, but if you don’t have enough length, hair extensions will suffice.”
Violet highlights will suit any woman who is open to being noticed! However, achieving this color does require significant upkeep to adapt to it.
“It’s ideal to have healthy hair to lighten to a level 9-10,” she explains. “After lightening to a pale blonde, apply alternating shades of silver and violet. Since these cooler tones fade quickly, preserve the colors’ longevity by using color-safe hair products.”
The most delightful aspect of these hues is that each time you wash, and the color gradually fades, it transitions beautifully into a lovely ash blonde. As long as you’re willing to devote extra time and effort into maintaining the colors and integrity of the hair, it will work!
#15: Vibrant Ultraviolet Purple Highlights
Achieve an extraordinary hair color using stunning shades of blue and violet highlights. If you have wavy hair, the texture will enhance your natural color with breathtaking dimension. This hue also results in beautiful and rich purple highlights for curly hair.
Colorist Diana expertly blended dark hair with purple highlights to craft an extraterrestrial vibe in a chic and manageable way.
#16: Vibrant Purple Highlights
Enhance your violet hair with vibrant purple highlights, allowing your overall hair color to stand out! With dark roots, the hair can grow out seamlessly without harsh lines. This multi-dimensional hair shade is anything but dull. You will admire the stunning shades of purple whether you style the short purple hair straight and sleek or add some glamorous waves.
#17: Lavender Tones
Soft purple or lavender highlights on brown hair exude a bluish hue, opulent, and utterly captivating! These delicate purple strands would complement short, straight, or wavy hair beautifully.
#18: Plum Color Highlights
A beautifully striking purple plum hue serves as a delightful highlight, even for light brown and blonde hair! Good thing stylist RayAnne did exceptional work with these purple highlights in dirty blonde hair.
If you’re considering adding streaks of plum to your medium-length hair, take the time to explore the different shades available before committing to both purple and plum highlights. Ask your stylist about options like mauve, light purple, and even mermaid-colored highlights.
#19: Ebony Tresses with Purple Accents
This ebony hair with purple accents is edgy/spunky, modern but not overly flashy! It was created by licensed cosmetologist Janelle Griego of South Valley, NM.
If you’re contemplating choosing vibrant colors for the first time, Griego encourages you to experiment with these violet accents on ebony hair. “Women always feel most comfortable with such accents. It’s easy to remove if not desired, but also fades out to a lovely blonde,” she notes.
Any vibrant color like purple accents on ebony hair is very high-maintenance without the right products! Hair colors like this require effort from you at home, and everything is taken care of in the salon. Griego always highly recommends richly pigmented shampoo and conditioner (in this case, purple).
#20: Highlights in Blue and Purple Tones
“This is an indigo fantasy! Various shades of blue and purple were blended on balayaged hair to create a fun and trendy look,” says hairstylist Reggei Larson of Minneapolis, MN.
Larson emphasizes that using good heat protection is essential for styling your blue and purple hair. “Effective heat protection will not only guard your hair against heat damage but also help maintain your color vibrancy if you’re a frequent user of heat styling tools,” she explains.
Fantasy colors are stunning on all women, especially with these blue and purple highlights. Consider opting for a color like this only if you wash your hair often and are prepared to invest in high-quality products. These shades can last anywhere from 1 to 3 months, and sometimes even longer with proper maintenance. Be cautious not to choose a shade of purple that is too light, as it may fade quickly!
#21: Radiant Purple Metallic Highlights
These radiant purple metallic highlights offer a fresh take on fantasy hair color. Incorporate subtle violet metallic streaks into your hair to elevate your existing look.
Hairstylist Wessam Shafek of Arlington Heights, IL, serves as the inspiration behind these stunning highlights.
“The key to achieving these blonde and purple tones is to start with natural light or pre-lightened hair,” explains Shafek. “To achieve the soft pastel or metallic violet shade, your hair must be light enough for the color to properly adhere. Using a sulfate-free color-safe shampoo and conditioner is essential to maintain the color’s longevity. Also, be sure to wash your hair with cool water.”
When it comes to heat styling, Shafek advises keeping the temperature low! Higher heat can accelerate color fading. High temperatures expand the color molecule!
#22: Deep Purple Accents on Black Hair
These highlighted streaks on a black base were achieved with a balayage and shadow root. In the example photo, these fashion shades were done with violet by Pravana. These purple highlights on dark hair were created by pre-lightening from 1 1/2 below the dark roots to the ends. Once washing and drying the hair, we began our second process by applying a level 1 in semi-permanent by Baco. Then purple feathering and balayaging section by section with the violet! So many women can achieve it without pre-lightening (bleaching, hydrogen peroxide, etc.). Also, once the hair is pre-lightened, the violet will tone, possibly turning the ends to a charming lavender! The top of the base area is kept dark for a low-maintenance result.
#23: Vibrant Red Hair with Purple Accents
This vibrant red hair with purple accents was expertly crafted by stylist Sherry Flack of Troy, OH.
“It features a natural coppery auburn hair color with purple peekaboos that add some sparkle while complementing the different spicy copper tones,” notes Flack. “Add curls to blend the copper with purple waves.”
Consult your stylist first if you’re considering red, copper, and purple. Fashion colors like this purple are expected to last only a short time. Your colorist should devise a game plan to help you maintain health and vibrancy with home care.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.