Putting purple dye over green hair can create a fun, vibrant hair color. However, it’s important to understand how the underlying green and new purple may interact before applying the purple. Here’s a look at what happens when purple dye is used on green hair:
How Do Purple and Green Mix?
In color theory, purple and green are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite each other on the color wheel. When complementary colors are mixed, they have the potential to neutralize or mute each other.
For example, mixing complementary paint colors like purple and green will result in a brownish-gray color. The same general concept applies to hair color.
Will the Green Cancel Out the Purple?
When dyeing hair, green and purple won’t necessarily cancel each other out completely. However, the green can limit how vivid the purple looks.
If you put purple dye directly on top of bright green hair, the purple may mix with the green undertones and become more muted and dull. It may look dark, murky or brownish rather than a true, rich purple.
Getting a True Purple Over Green Hair
While the green hair can dull down purple dye, there are things you can do to still achieve a vibrant purple shade:
- Let the green fade first. The more faded and dull the green, the less it will affect the purple.
- Use a protein filler or bond builder. This fills in gaps in the cuticle and allows better color deposit.
- Opt for an intense, blue-based purple. Blue combats green tones better than red-based purples.
- Apply the purple, let it process, then rinse and repeat for added vibrancy.
You may also need to strip or remove some of the green first for best results.
Should I Strip Out the Green Color First?
Stripping or removing the existing green hair dye before applying purple can help you achieve a richer, truer purple.
Green hair has cool, blue-green undertones. These can mix with warm purple tones and cause the purple to look muddy. Taking out some of the green first eliminates this issue.
There are a few options for removing green dye:
- Color remover – This quickly strips out dye molecules without lightening.
- Bleach bath – Lightens hair gently by diluting bleach with shampoo.
- Full bleaching – Lightens back to pale yellow so purple tones show up clearly.
Test removal products before use and be cautious not to overlap with bleach to prevent damage.
How Light Should I Go Before Applying Purple?
For the most vivid results, aim to lift your hair to a pale yellow before applying purple dye. This level 8-9 lightness provides an ideal blank canvas.
You can also successfully apply purple on lighter levels of green. See the chart below as a guide:
| Green Level | Result of Applying Purple |
|---|---|
| Level 9 pale green | Bright violet purple |
| Level 7-8 yellow-green | Purple with subtle green tones |
| Level 5-6 forest green | Dull, dark purple with green cast |
The darker and more intense the existing green, the more it will mute out the overlying purple.
How to Care for Green Hair Turned Purple
Once you’ve achieved your desired purple shade, keep it looking vibrant by:
- Using sulfate-free shampoo and cold water washes
- Minimizing use of clarifying shampoos
- Using a purple toning conditioner or mask weekly
- Avoiding chlorine and sun exposure to prevent fading
Also, embrace the fact that fashion shades like green and purple will fade faster than natural tones. Plan to refresh the color every 4-6 weeks.
Using Opposite Dyes for a Unique Look
While green and purple can potentially mute each other, you can also use this color relationship to create some cool effects.
Some ideas include:
- Teal root smudge fading into vivid purple ends
- Deep green and violet peekaboo highlights
- Mermaid split dye with purple on one side, green on the other
Blending complementary shades can provide soft ombré transitions or stark contrasts. Either way, green and purple hair makes for a fun, eye-catching style!
Professional Color Correction Tips
For best results mixing opposite colors like green and purple, professional color correction is advised. Here are some expert tips:
- Do a strand test to see how the green hair reacts to purple dye first
- Use a filler or bond builder pre-treatment
- Lifting hair to a very pale yellow enables the truest purple
- Focus the purple on the mid-lengths and ends if leaving green roots
- Use a toner or diluted purple dye for better spreadability
- Add a bit of blue additive to purple formula to counteract the green
Correct timing and placement of the purple over the existing green is key. This helps provide the desired contrast of the two colors.
Common Questions About Purple Over Green Hair
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about applying purple dye to green hair:
Does purple cancel out green hair?
It depends on the shade and intensity. Dark or bright green shades can mute out or dull purple dye. But with proper prep like lifting and toning, the two colors can complement each other.
Should I bleach my hair first before putting purple on green?
For best results, bleaching to lift your hair to a very pale shade first enables the purple color to really pop. But you can also apply purple over lighter greens.
What color results from mixing green and purple hair dye?
The two colors tend to neutralize each other, resulting in a dark, muted shade like a grayish-brown or dull eggplant. Make sure to prep and apply correctly to maintain vibrancy.
Can I use purple shampoo to neutralize green hair?
Yes, purple shampoo can help tone down unwanted green tones as the purple pigment helps counteract the green. But it works gradually and won’t completely remove bright green dye.
Conclusion
Applying purple hair color over existing green hair can be tricky. While the two colors are opposites on the color wheel, they don’t completely cancel each other out when mixed. However, the green can dull and mute the purple shade if not applied correctly.
To achieve vibrant purple hair over a green base, focus on lifting or removing some of the green color first. A pale yellow base provides the best canvas. Then use an intense purple formulated with blue tones to combat any remaining green. With some planning and preparation, you can make green and purple hair color work together for a fun and unique look.
