Purple lilac hair, a soft, whimsical blend of violet and pastel lavender, has taken the beauty world by storm. It’s a unique color that evokes a sense of ethereal beauty and modern chic. However, achieving and maintaining this stunning shade requires careful planning, execution, and aftercare. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from assessing your hair’s suitability to preserving that coveted lilac hue.
Understanding Purple Lilac Hair and its Challenges
Purple lilac hair is not just about slapping on some dye. It’s a delicate balance of tones that creates that coveted soft, pastel appearance. This means several challenges arise: pre-lightening requirements, color fading, and the potential for unwanted brassiness.
Why Pre-Lightening is Crucial
Most natural hair colors, especially darker shades, won’t take on a true purple lilac without pre-lightening. This involves bleaching the hair to strip it of its natural pigment, providing a blank canvas for the lilac dye to adhere to effectively. The level of lightness needed depends on your starting hair color. For a true pastel lilac, you’ll likely need to achieve a very pale blonde, often a level 9 or 10 on the hair color scale. Failing to lighten sufficiently can result in a muddy, dull purple rather than the vibrant lilac you desire.
The Fading Factor: Purple’s Vulnerability
Pastel hair colors, including purple lilac, are notoriously prone to fading. This is because the dye molecules are larger and don’t penetrate the hair shaft as deeply as darker, more permanent colors. Frequent washing, exposure to sunlight, and heat styling can all accelerate the fading process. Therefore, using color-safe shampoos and conditioners, minimizing washing frequency, and protecting your hair from the elements are essential for longevity.
Banishing Brassiness: The Enemy of Lilac
Brassiness, those unwanted yellow or orange tones that emerge during and after bleaching, is a major concern when aiming for purple lilac. These warm tones can counteract the cool, ashy undertones of lilac, resulting in a less-than-desirable result. Using toners to neutralize brassiness after bleaching is crucial. Additionally, incorporating purple shampoos and conditioners into your routine can help maintain the cool tones and prevent brassiness from creeping back in.
Preparing Your Hair for the Lilac Transformation
Before you even think about applying dye, thorough preparation is key to minimize damage and maximize color payoff. This involves assessing your hair’s health, strengthening it, and gathering all the necessary supplies.
Assessing Hair Health: Is Your Hair Ready?
Bleaching can be damaging, so it’s essential to evaluate your hair’s current condition. If your hair is already dry, brittle, or damaged from previous chemical treatments, bleaching could worsen the situation. Consider postponing the transformation until your hair is healthier. Deep conditioning treatments, protein masks, and avoiding heat styling can help improve its overall condition. A strand test is highly recommended to assess how your hair will react to the bleach and dye.
Strengthening Your Strands: Pre-Bleach Treatments
Incorporating strengthening treatments into your hair care routine in the weeks leading up to bleaching can significantly reduce damage. Look for products containing ingredients like keratin, protein, and amino acids, which help rebuild and strengthen the hair shaft. Olaplex is a popular choice for repairing damaged hair and protecting it during the bleaching process. Using deep conditioning masks regularly can also help improve moisture and elasticity.
Gathering Your Arsenal: Essential Supplies
Having all the necessary supplies on hand before you begin will ensure a smoother and more efficient process. This includes:
- Bleach powder and developer (volume depends on your hair’s darkness and desired lift)
- Toner (to neutralize brassiness)
- Purple lilac hair dye
- Mixing bowls and application brushes
- Gloves (to protect your hands)
- Old towels (to protect your clothing and surfaces)
- Hair clips (to section your hair)
- Vaseline or petroleum jelly (to protect your hairline)
- Color-safe shampoo and conditioner
- Purple shampoo and conditioner (for maintenance)
- Deep conditioner
- Heat protectant spray
- Optional: Olaplex or similar bond-building treatment
- Optional: Hair coloring cape
The Bleaching Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bleaching is the most crucial and potentially damaging step in achieving purple lilac hair. Proceed with caution and follow these steps carefully.
Performing a Strand Test: A Must-Do
Before applying bleach to your entire head, perform a strand test on a small, inconspicuous section of your hair. This will allow you to assess how your hair reacts to the bleach and determine the appropriate developer volume and processing time. It will also give you a preview of the final color result.
Sectioning Your Hair: Ensuring Even Coverage
Divide your hair into four sections: two in the front and two in the back. This will make it easier to apply the bleach evenly and ensure that all strands are properly saturated. Use hair clips to keep the sections separated.
Mixing the Bleach: Following Instructions Precisely
Mix the bleach powder and developer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The volume of developer you use will depend on your hair’s darkness and desired level of lift. Lower volumes (10 or 20) are gentler but may require multiple applications. Higher volumes (30 or 40) lift more quickly but can cause more damage. Start with a lower volume if you’re unsure.
Applying the Bleach: Working Quickly and Evenly
Apply the bleach to your hair, starting about an inch away from your scalp. The heat from your scalp will accelerate the bleaching process, so apply to the roots last. Work quickly and evenly, ensuring that all strands are thoroughly saturated.
Monitoring the Bleaching Process: Watching for Damage
Check your hair frequently during the bleaching process to monitor its progress and watch for any signs of damage. The processing time will vary depending on your hair’s darkness and the volume of developer you used. Do not leave the bleach on for longer than the manufacturer’s recommended time.
Rinsing and Toning: Neutralizing Brassiness
Once your hair has reached the desired level of lightness (usually a pale yellow or white), rinse it thoroughly with cool water. Apply a toner to neutralize any remaining brassiness. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and processing time. Rinse again with cool water.
Applying the Purple Lilac Dye: Bringing Your Vision to Life
With your hair pre-lightened and toned, you’re now ready to apply the purple lilac dye.
Choosing the Right Dye: Finding Your Perfect Shade
There are numerous purple lilac hair dyes available, ranging from permanent to semi-permanent. Choose a dye that suits your desired level of commitment and hair type. Consider factors like pigmentation, longevity, and ease of application. Researching different brands and reading reviews can help you make an informed decision.
Applying the Dye: Ensuring Even Saturation
Apply the purple lilac dye to your hair, ensuring that all strands are evenly saturated. Use a tint brush to apply the dye, working section by section. Pay close attention to the roots and hairline.
Processing Time: Following Instructions Carefully
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for processing time. This will vary depending on the type of dye you’re using. Do not exceed the recommended processing time, as this can damage your hair.
Rinsing and Conditioning: Sealing in the Color
Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water until the water runs clear. Apply a deep conditioner to help seal in the color and restore moisture. Leave the conditioner on for several minutes before rinsing again.
Maintaining Your Purple Lilac Hair: Keeping it Vibrant
Maintaining purple lilac hair requires consistent effort and a dedicated hair care routine.
Washing Frequency: Less is More
Washing your hair too frequently can strip the color and cause it to fade quickly. Aim to wash your hair only once or twice a week. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for dyed hair.
Purple Shampoo and Conditioner: Banishing Brassiness
Incorporate purple shampoo and conditioner into your routine to help maintain the cool tones of your purple lilac hair and prevent brassiness. Use these products once or twice a week, or as needed.
Heat Styling: Minimizing Damage
Heat styling can damage your hair and cause the color to fade. Minimize your use of heat styling tools, and always use a heat protectant spray before using them.
Sun Protection: Shielding Your Hair
Exposure to sunlight can also cause your hair color to fade. Wear a hat or scarf when spending extended periods of time outdoors, or use a hair product with UV protection.
Touch-Ups: Maintaining the Color
Depending on the type of dye you used, you may need to touch up your hair color every few weeks to maintain its vibrancy. Root touch-ups may also be necessary to cover regrowth.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful planning, some common issues may arise when dyeing your hair purple lilac.
Uneven Color: Identifying and Correcting
Uneven color can occur if the bleach or dye was not applied evenly, or if your hair was not pre-lightened to a uniform level. To correct uneven color, you may need to re-bleach or re-dye certain sections of your hair. Consulting a professional stylist can help you achieve a more even result.
Color Fading Too Quickly: Implementing Strategies
If your purple lilac hair color is fading too quickly, review your hair care routine and make adjustments as needed. Ensure you’re using color-safe products, minimizing washing frequency, and protecting your hair from heat and sunlight. Using a color-depositing conditioner can also help prolong the vibrancy of your color.
Dealing with Damage: Restoring Hair Health
If your hair is damaged from bleaching, focus on restoring its health with deep conditioning treatments, protein masks, and bond-building products. Avoid further chemical treatments or heat styling until your hair has recovered. Consider trimming off any split ends to prevent further damage.
Achieving and maintaining purple lilac hair requires dedication and careful attention. By following these steps, you can transform your hair into a stunning masterpiece that reflects your unique style and personality. Remember to prioritize hair health, protect your color, and enjoy your gorgeous new look!
What hair type and color are best suited for achieving purple lilac hair?
The ideal hair type for achieving purple lilac is naturally light blonde or pre-lightened hair that’s healthy and undamaged. Darker hair requires significant bleaching to reach a pale enough base, which can compromise the hair’s integrity and make it more difficult for the pastel purple tones to show vibrantly. Porous hair tends to absorb color more readily, but it can also fade faster, so proper preparation and maintenance are crucial.
Healthy hair accepts color more evenly and retains it longer. Damaged hair may become unevenly colored and struggle to hold the pastel shades, resulting in a patchy or faded appearance. A strand test is highly recommended to assess your hair’s ability to lift and hold the color effectively before committing to the full transformation.
How much bleaching is typically required to achieve the right base for purple lilac hair?
The extent of bleaching required depends heavily on your starting hair color. Naturally dark brown or black hair usually requires multiple bleaching sessions to lift to a level 9 or 10 blonde, which is almost white. This process can be damaging and should be done carefully, ideally by a professional.
Lighter shades of brown may require fewer bleaching sessions, but the goal remains the same: to achieve a pale, even blonde canvas free of yellow or orange undertones. These undertones can drastically alter the final lilac shade, resulting in a muddy or brassy color.
What type of purple hair dye is recommended for creating a true lilac shade?
For achieving a true lilac shade, a semi-permanent or demi-permanent pastel purple hair dye is recommended. These dyes deposit color onto the hair shaft without causing permanent chemical changes, making them less damaging than permanent dyes. They also allow for easier correction if the color doesn’t turn out as expected.
Look for dyes specifically formulated for pastel shades, as they typically contain the right balance of pigments to create the soft, delicate lilac hue. Avoid dyes that are too dark or intense, as they can easily overpower the hair and result in a much deeper purple than desired. A mixture of purple and silver or lavender dye can also help in achieving the desired pastel tone.
How can I prevent my purple lilac hair from fading quickly?
To prevent fading, wash your hair as infrequently as possible, ideally only once or twice a week. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for color-treated hair, as sulfates can strip the color molecules from your hair, causing them to fade more quickly.
When washing, use cool or lukewarm water instead of hot water, as hot water opens the hair cuticle and allows color to escape. Furthermore, protect your hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays by wearing a hat or using a UV-protectant spray, as sun exposure can significantly fade the color.
What are some DIY techniques for maintaining the vibrancy of purple lilac hair at home?
One effective DIY technique is to create a color-depositing conditioner by mixing a small amount of your purple hair dye with a generous amount of sulfate-free conditioner. Use this mixture in place of your regular conditioner once a week to replenish the color and maintain vibrancy.
Another option is to use a purple shampoo or toner to neutralize any brassy or yellow tones that may develop over time. However, use these products sparingly, as overuse can lead to a dull or overly purple hue. Always follow the product instructions carefully and perform a strand test before applying it to your entire head.
How often should I touch up my purple lilac hair to maintain the color?
The frequency of touch-ups depends on several factors, including the porosity of your hair, the intensity of the dye used, and how often you wash your hair. Generally, expect to touch up the color every 2-4 weeks to maintain the vibrancy and prevent fading.
Root touch-ups may be necessary more frequently if you have significant regrowth. If you’re comfortable applying the dye yourself, you can touch up the roots at home. However, for complex color corrections or extensive root touch-ups, it’s often best to consult a professional colorist to ensure even and consistent results.
What are the potential risks of dyeing your hair purple lilac, and how can I minimize them?
The main risks associated with dyeing your hair purple lilac are hair damage from bleaching and potential allergic reactions to the dye. To minimize damage, prioritize healthy hair and avoid over-processing. Use high-quality bleaching products and follow the instructions carefully. Consider using a bond-building treatment like Olaplex or similar to protect your hair during the bleaching process.
To mitigate the risk of allergic reactions, always perform a patch test 48 hours before applying the dye to your entire head. Apply a small amount of the dye to a discreet area of skin, such as behind your ear, and monitor for any signs of irritation, redness, or itching. If you experience any adverse reactions, discontinue use immediately.