Going from a darker hair complexion, such as faded purple, to a platinum blonde look isn’t easy.
Several bleaching sessions are often needed to remove the faded purple pigment from permanent dye from the follicles.
When a semi-permanent dye is what turns hair purple, an appropriate shampoo will typically take the color out. That allows for a single bleaching session to take care of the change.
Each situation has a different set of steps to follow to have a successful result.
How to Go from Faded Purple Hair to Blonde Step-by-Step
Purple hair requires significant maintenance to keep its color tone and clarity. When it starts fading, a popular change is to transition to blonde. Since the pigmentation is challenging to remove from the follicles, it is easier to approach this task in a series of steps instead of doing everything all at once.
Many people are disappointed when their stylist says that several bleaching sessions are needed to remove permanent purple dye from the follicles.
Hair color is ultimately a science. You can deal with the unwanted purple tones by using one of the three following methods.
Method #1: Color Remover
When you want to switch from faded purple to blonde, most stylists will begin the process of removing the unwanted hue by using a chemical color removing agent. Several excellent items are available for use at home.
The best color removers on the market today don’t contain bleach or ammonia to remove the purple hair dye. Using those ingredients is one of the leading sources of chemical hair damage today.
Always follow the instructions on the package, container, or box to ensure that you can remove as much of the permanent purple dye as possible.
It might take up to 20 minutes to have a successful experience with an instant product, while others need to sit on your hair overnight.
Once the time is up, you’ll likely remove the product from your hair using an apple cider vinegar rinse or a clarifying shampoo.
The first option acts as a natural clarifying shampoo without the risk of parabens and sulfates. You’ll need to follow up the cleaning effort with a deep conditioner or hair mask to replace the moisture that’s been lost through this process.
With a clarifying shampoo, you’ll have more potent cleansing ingredients than a regular product. That recipe helps it pull more of the purple pigment out of the strands so that you can achieve the blonde look you desire.
Color remover’s work for most people who want to go from faded purple hair to blonde if you’re looking for a different solution, one of the other methods can help you get a positive outcome.
Method #2: Bleach Wash
Color removers don’t always work. Some people are allergic to the ingredients in the product, which means they must use an alternative method. Bleach washing tends to be the most successful option if you find yourself in those circumstances.
Bleach does an excellent job of lightening your hair to remove the purple pigment. It’s also more likely to damage your follicles, especially since it permanently changes the color.
You should not use bleach products that are found in the laundry aisle at your local grocery store. The best options are always at your local salon or hairstylist. For that reason, I highly recommend working with a professional to update your look with this methodology.
After the bleach wash, it’s not unusual for the hair to turn a lighter shade of purple. That makes it much easier to conceal with another toner or dye. If there isn’t much of the unwanted hue remaining, it might even do enough work to apply the blonde agents afterward.
You’ll need some supplies if you decide to do a bleach wash at home. Here are the items that should be on your shopping list.
- A container of bleach powder.
- Volume developer, at least 10 or 20.
- Shampoo, latex gloves, and a shower cap.
- An excellent deep conditioner.
Once you have all the supplies available, you’ll need to mix 1 ounce of the bleach powder with one ounce of developer in a small container or bowl. If you have long or thick hair, it might be necessary to double or triple that amount.
Add an equal amount of shampoo to the container to finish your bleach wash. Mix everything together.
You’ll need to wet your hair thoroughly and dry it with a towel using a blotting method to ensure it is evenly damp.
It is possible to do this work dry, but there is a greater risk of developing skin irritation when choosing that method.
Place the latex gloves on to protect your skin, then apply the bleach wash solution to your hair. It must be evenly distributed to create the results you want.
It takes up to 30 minutes for dark purple hair to get light enough to start transitioning to blonde. If you’ve already gone through one bleaching process, you’ll want to rinse out the wash after approximately 10 minutes.
Once the bleach wash is thoroughly rinsed out of your hair, work in the deep conditioner or follow up with your preferred hair color.
Method #3: Use a Gold Toner
When you have a vivid purple color in your hair, gold or yellow tones can neutralize it in the same way that a purple shampoo removes the brassiness or yellowness from blonde hair.
If you are comfortable with the idea of applying an orange or yellow toner to your hair, you can neutralize the unwanted color at home.
The product you select for removing the unwanted color must be made specifically for deep purple hair. If you have a faded look, it’s better to use orange since those hues are bluer than an authentic purple tone.
It is also helpful to have a 20 volume developer available to finish your look.
Mix the toner with a developer in an appropriate ratio. For most products, that will mean equal parts of each product.
You’ll need to evenly saturate your hair to create a consistent result, which means you’ll want to start at the roots and move down toward the ends. Set a timer for about ten minutes so that you can come back to check on the progress of your work.
It is possible to leave the toner on your hair for up to 20 minutes, especially when the fading purple is relatively dark. After rinsing your hair with shampoo, you should see the purple tones disappear.
The results of this method will typically last up to four weeks.
How to Tone Your Hair at Home Successfully
When you’re unhappy with the faded purple color in your hair, a DIY toner can help to correct the look. The following steps will help you have a successful experience while working through the transition.
- You’ll need to shampoo your hair first.
- Before applying the toner, it helps to towel-dry your hair to prevent having too much moisture in some areas – or not enough in others.
- It helps to wear gloves when applying a toner.
- If you’re working with a salon-quality toner, it should get mixed with a volume developer in a 1:2 ratio. Other products might recommend a 1:1 ratio. If you’re unsure of which option to use, check the instructions on the container to see what the manufacturer recommends.
- While wearing gloves, use a brush to place the toner in your hair. Focus on the areas where you want the most correction first.
- Leave the toner in your hair for 15 minutes – or the recommended time on the container.
- Rinse out the toner with a nourishing shampoo. It works better when you can find a moisturizing product that prepares your hair to be ready for the next color change if your plan is to go fully blonde.
- Follow up the shampoo with a deep conditioning agent since toning products tend to dehydrate a person’s follicles rather quickly.
Toners shouldn’t be used as a first-line product when you want to change your hair color. They’re more of a preparatory product for removing unwanted tones or adding more definition between your salon appointments.
Even the best toners only last about a month. If you want your color to maintain its consistency, you’ll want to get into a routine where it gets reapplied about every two weeks. It’s the best way to keep your overall look feeling vibrant and fresh.
It’s important to remember that hair naturally oxidizes with sunshine and water. If you wash your hair frequently, it might be necessary to have extra toning treatments scheduled during the year.
When you have a permanent color change, the ammonia in many products brings out the orange pigment found in all hair. That’s what makes it look brassy.
Many boxed dyes create this result, especially when trying to go blonde. You’ll want to consider adding a strong toner to the mix to ensure your color is what you want.
What Toner Should I Buy for My Hair?
When looking at the color wheel, the best toners are the ones that neutralize the hue at the other end of the spectrum.
That means someone wanting to remove red tones would wish to use a green toner. If you have faded brown locks, a blue toner applied to the correct color can help to revive the look.
For purple hair, a gold toner is often the best product. If you achieve the blonde look, a purple shampoo is what you want to see.
Bold Uniq offers a fantastic purple shampoo once you correct the faded purple to a beautiful blonde.
- For Blonde Hair
- Eliminates Brassy Yellow Tones
- Paraben & Sulfate Free
The only potential danger with this item is that it also lightens silver and gray hairs, so some people might experience a little streaking if they haven’t taken the time to get a consistent look.
A Final Thought on Removing Purple Colors from Hair
Anyone who is comfortable working with chemicals and has colored their hair a few times can typically remove purple. When your goal is to become a true blonde, it might require more than one additional treatment after removing the unwanted hue to achieve a desirable result.
The three methods shared above provide practical ways to go from faded purple hair to blonde. I would add one more caveat to this specific change from my personal experience. Please remember to review each product to ensure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients.
When I was in my teens and had purple hair, I wanted to go to a blonde color with prom coming up. I grabbed the supplies, locked myself in the bathroom, and got to work.
The results were horrifying. Instead of the faded purple, my locks were now a greenish-brown tint. It was 100% hideous.
When I tried a bleach wash to get the unwanted hues out, it caused the green tones to become brighter. My mother laughed when she saw me walk out of the bathroom. “You look like a beautiful Christmas tree in May,” she said. “And look! Your acne works well as the ornaments!”
That’s when I learned the value of working with a hairstylist. She saw my hair, gave me a concerned look, and got to work. After three hours in her chair, I had that look I’d wanted from my DIY efforts.
I can say it’s relatively safe to apply an orange or gold toner to your hair with a developer. That combination nixes the remaining purple.
If you don’t want to worry about how the blonde looks by using DIY methods, it’s always best to work with a pro.
For everyone else, the outlined steps here are the same that I follow to take care of my hair each month.