What Happens When You Put Purple Dye Over Green Hair?

Have you dyed your hair a fierce green hue à la Kylie Jenner, only to get bored of the look? Are you itching for a color change but don’t want to go through the tedious process of stripping the green dye out first? Well, you’re in luck!

Putting purple dye over green hair is a quick and easy way to switch up your look. But before you march off to the drugstore aisle, it’s important to understand how these two colors interact so you can achieve the results you want.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain:

• How the color wheel determines what happens when purple is applied over green
• Factors that affect the outcome like shade choice and hair porosity
• Step-by-step instructions for dyeing green hair purple at home
• Expert tips to avoid common mistakes and color mishaps
• The best purple shades to use over different green tones
• How to maintain vibrant purple locks in between salon visits

Let’s get started!

How Does the Color Wheel Influence the Results?

The color wheel is essential to understanding how dyes interact with each other. Purple and green are considered “complementary colors” on opposite sides of the wheel. When complementary colors are mixed, they tend to cancel each other out.

This means that purple dye tends to neutralize green pigment in the hair. The end result is usually a shade somewhere between the two colors.

For example, a vivid violet dye over brighter green hair could result in a blue-tinted outcome. Meanwhile, a pastel lilac over a forest green may turn out a murky gray-green.

The level of cancellation also depends on the relative strength of each color. An intense purple will overpower a faded green, while a weak purple over very saturated green may hardly show up at all.

What Factors Influence the Final Color?

While the color wheel sets the foundation, other factors come into play when mixing dyes:

The Green Base Color

Is your hair currently a neon lime green or a deeper emerald? The starting shade matters. Dark jewel tones provide a stronger base for the new color to cling to. Pastel greens are more easily overwhelmed.

The Chosen Purple Tone

Picking a vibrant violet versus a pale lilac purple will make a difference. Bolder dyes with more tinting power will cover better. Additionally, purples with cool, bluish undertones (like eggplant) neutralize green more effectively than warm, reddish purples.

Using a Developer

Developer creams catalyze the dye, allowing it to penetrate and adhere within the hair shaft. A higher-volume developer (e.g. 30 vol) will lift and lighten the green base to make way for the purple hue.

Hair Porosity

The natural condition and damage level of your hair affects how deeply and evenly it absorbs color. More porous hair sucks up dye quickly, which can lead to splotchiness. Sealing the cuticle first is recommended.

Step-By-Step Guide to Dyeing Green Hair Purple

Ready to make the colour change? Follow these simple steps:

1. Pick your Purple Shade

Choose a rich violet, like amethyst, plum or burgundy over brighter greens. For forest or emerald greens, an electric purple pops nicely. Pastel greens can hold delicate lilac or lavender well.

2. Wash and Dry Your Hair

Shampoo your hair without conditioner to remove dirt, oil buildup and residual styling products. This allows the dye to absorb evenly. Let your hair dry fully before application.

3. Mix the Dye

Prepare the purple dye according to the instructions, combining it in a 1:2 ratio with the developer cream in a non-metallic bowl. Mix thoroughly until fully blended and consistent.

4. Section Your Hair

Work in four horizontal sections for manageability. Use clips to pin up the parts not being dyed. Always start at the back and work forwards.

5. Apply the Dye

Wearing gloves, use a tinting brush to paint on the mixed dye, taking 1/8 to 1/4 inch subsections. Fully saturate from roots to ends, and massage into the strands.

6. Process and Rinse

Cover hair with a shower cap, then set a timer for the time indicated on the dye packaging (usually 20-45 minutes). Rinse until water runs clear. Use a sulfate-free conditioner.

And voila! You’ve successfully dyed your green hair a beautiful shade of purple. We recommend avoiding heat styling for 1-2 days post-dye to seal in moisture and maximize longevity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping a color removal step on very dark or stubborn greens
• Applying dye directly to unwashed and/or greasy hair
• Rubbing or scrubbing when rinsing out dye (causes fading)
• Overlapping sections unevenly during application
• Using cheap box dyes with higher damage risks

How to Maintain Your New Purple Locks

• Use only lukewarm water and limit washing to 2-3 times per week
• Alternate with a deeply conditioning mask or hair oil 1-2 times weekly
• Gloss with a semi-permanent purple refresher shade in between salon visits
• Avoid heat styling when possible or use a thermal protectant spray
• Switch to satin pillowcases to reduce friction overnight

Expert Tips for Maximizing Results

• Lighten first for pale pastels – If you want a soft lilac over darker green, lift hair to a pale yellow stage first. Toner can then customize the base further.

• Booster steps for richness – Pre-pigment with a red or blue dye to build vibrancy under the purple. Red combats the ashiness purple can cause.

• Strand test tricky transitions – Unsure how a purple will turn out? Try a patch test on a hidden underside section first before committing to all-over application.

• Enlist a pro for precision – A skilled colorist can assess your hair needs and customize the dye formula and technique to get the exact purple tone you want over stubborn green hues.

Best Purple Shades to Use Over Different Greens

Here are our top recommended purple shades to achieve beautiful, long-lasting results over various green shades:

Over Yellow-Greens:

• Lavender
• Lilac
• Pastel Purple
• Orchid

The blue tones in these lighter purples nicely neutralize subtle greenish-yellow undertones.

Over Blue-Greens:

• Electric Purple
• Violet
• Neon Purple
• Hot Purple

Vibrant purples in the same cool color family help intensify the blue-green for a striking effect.

Over Greens with Blue Shade:

• Amethyst
• Eggplant
• Plum
• Burgundy Purple

Deeper gemstone purples with red undertones look stunning over blue-leaning greens like teal.

Over Bright Greens:

• Mystic Purple
• Violet
• Royal Purple
• Deep Purple

Richer, vampy purples hold their own against neon bright kelly greens for an electrifying look.

Over Forest & Dark Greens:

• Eggplant
• Wine
• Maroon
• Magenta

Go for intense reddish-purples to provide contrast to darker forest and emerald greens.

The Takeaway

Dyeing green hair purple may seem tricky, but understanding color theory makes all the difference. With the right preparation, technique, and shade choice, you can successfully transform your look.

The color wheel indicates purple will cancel out and neutralize the green base. But the actual outcome still varies based on the starting shades of each and your hair’s undertones.

For best results, opt for an intense violet rather than pastel purple. Thoroughly cleanse and dry hair beforehand. And enlist a professional if dealing with stubborn or vivid dyes.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to coloring your locks! So explore the purple spectrum overtop greens for a unique, head-turning transformation.