So I Wanted Purple Hair…
Home » Fashion & Beauty »I’ve been colouring my hair for so many years now I can’t really remember what my natural colour really is – I’m sure it is a medium brown. I used to colour it red, and then, just before we got married 5 years ago, I went black. I’ve gotten lax with colouring it the last few months, and a good 3 or 4 inches of my natural hair had started to grow back, so I thought it was time for a change.
I wanted the change to be drastic, so I decided to buy Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL in (87) Mystic Violet. The box showed a gorgeous bright, intense purple colour, and well, you guys know how much I love that colour! I checked the box to see what the results could potentially be, and was pleased to see that it showed results for medium brown, dark brown and black hair. The top of my hair was a medium brown, fading down into black from previous colourings. I couldn’t find anywhere on the box or instructions that you couldn’t use this over previously coloured hair – it only mentioned about not using it if you’ve coloured your hair with henna or metallic dyes, which I hadn’t.
I was looking forward to such a dramatic colour change that I also decided I would get my hair cut short (well, short for me, I probably had about 10″ cut off in all!)
My hairdresser (Jackie) is hilarious – she really doesn’t like cutting off long hair, but I was quite insistent that this time it was going to be a bit more than a one inch trim, and that I wanted at least 6 or 7 inches off! I had to get another hairdresser to take a photo as proof that Jackie does cut off hair!! In the end with layers as well, about 10″ of my hair was gone!! It was like a weight had been lifted – figuratively and literally – my long hair (about half way down my back) was getting heavy, hard to manage and, quite frankly getting on my nerves!
The colouring part was next. I’m lucky that my hairdresser is happy to put my own bought colour on for me. I did a 48 hour patch test as this was a different product than my usual brand, and I didn’t experience any problems at all with it, so mission purple hair was a go.
The colour was lovely and vibrant as it went on. Jackie was worried that it would take on the ends of my hair where it was the darkest, but I figured, at worst, I’d get a reverse ombre look going on.
After 30 minutes, it was washed out, and the lovely smelling Live Color After Treatment was put in. Then it was time for a cut with lots of layers, a blow dry and bit of a curl up too. Sadly, the colour just didn’t take at all, which is what Jackie had suspected, however, we were all really surprised that it didn’t really take on the natural parts of my hair either. Given the colour of the models on the front of the box, it was most disappointing! I really had wanted to walk out of the salon with bright purple locks!
My hair was left nice and shiny, and enriched, but not the purple I was expecting. Maybe my dark hair was just too much for the colourant? Maybe I should have used two bottles instead of one – either way, I am disappointed with the outcome of the colour (the haircut though, fab – I love getting my hair professionally blow dried too!)
I’m not sure what steps to take next, I don’t really want to strip the colour out, as it will ruin my hair, so it’s just a matter of letting it grow out? Or do I just keep adding colour?! HELP!!
I know I look less than impressed in my ‘just stepped out of a salon’ photo above, but I am happy with my new haircut – honest!
Lozzie
May 14, 2022 @ 3:21 pm
Hi there. I’m aware that this is long overdue but purple can be so temperamental as a hair dye. You ideally need to bleach it to platinum before going purple. First time I went purple, I was bleaching out my bright red hair which I had for years. Little did I know how difficult it was to get rid of red! We put the purple on and it took to my roots but the ends of my hair were still red. It took a few cuts, lots of bleach and patience to get the purple I dreamed of. For reference my natural hair is black.
I can see in your photos that it turned out a dark plum colour on top which still looks lovely but I can understand how disappointed you must have been.
Anyway, I hope you have a pleasant day today. Much love.
Lozzie xx
Michelle
May 25, 2022 @ 9:26 am
You say it’s long overdue, but all these years later I’m still gutted that I didn’t get the purple hair for my dreams!!
I know I’m going to have to strip the colour out and stuff, and I’m not sure If I can put my hair through that!!!
I’ve got black dye back in again now, and have done for years, but maybe for my 50th I’ll go purple. I’m just scared that if I bleach it first I’ll mess up my hair!!
Perhaps time to go to a pro, instead of DIY!
Ness
September 7, 2014 @ 10:18 pm
It’s a lovely haircut you’ve got. I’m afraid I can’t help as I’ve been using the same brand and shade of hair colour and botch it myself each month!
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:49 pm
Thanks! Glad it’s not just me then!!
hannah staveley
September 7, 2014 @ 8:37 pm
I use the cosmic blue in this range and love it. x
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:49 pm
I was so excited for a vibrant change – gutted it didn’t come out! x
Jess Howliston
September 7, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
Love the cut it really suits you and your hair looks so shiney and healthy! Such a shame the colour didnt come out as you had hoped I usually find the XXL live colours to be quite good xx
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:49 pm
I’m sure it’s down to the previous hair colour, although, maybe my hair just doesn’t want to be purple haha x
Polly Davies
September 7, 2014 @ 7:19 pm
The cut really suits you, I use that brand of dye, but I do bleach it once a year so it’s not so dark!
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:48 pm
Good to know the brand works well – I’m pretty sure it’s my existing dark dyed hair that didn’t help
Emma Smith
September 7, 2014 @ 2:37 pm
Love the new haircut it looks so thick and lush I’m afraid I haven’t got a clue though when it comes to colours, sorry!
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:48 pm
Thanks! I just wing it most of the time with colour :P
Kara
September 7, 2014 @ 11:29 am
love the cut but such a shame the colour didn’t work. i have to admit you can’t beat a professional colour
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:48 pm
I know, I should fork out for a pro colour – but I’m pretty sure I’d have to get my hair stripped of all the black dye :(
You Baby Me Mummy
September 6, 2014 @ 9:34 pm
Why don’t you get a colour stripper. I got one from Superdrug called Colour Before and it strips all the dye out, so it goes back to the natural colour. Then the dye will take xx
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:48 pm
I’m scared of colour stripper, my friend had part of her hair ruined by it :( I’ve put another colour on now and it’s slightly more purple!! xx
Mrs TeePot
September 6, 2014 @ 5:38 pm
Interesting post, love the hair cut btw! I used the same brand in a different colour of purple, I forget what the name was as it was a while ago, but mine dyed a fab shade of purple. I suspect you may need 2 boxes because of the length of your hair though. Worth another go I’d say.
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:47 pm
I did put another colour on – still didn’t take like it shows on the box, but in the sunlight you can see a plum colour :D I’m sure as my natural colour grows back in it’ll get even more purple with subsequent tries!