A red purple hair is a rich, vivid hair color that’s a mixture of red and purple tones, leaning more on the red side. Chances are this hue already made a scene on your Instagram or Pinterest dashboards and got you dreaming about it!
It’s definitely out-of-this-world and unique, but with Georgia May Jagger, Demi Lovato, and Bella Thorne’s envy-inducing takes on this color, it’s gaining its place on the top must-have hair colors for the season.
When selecting this bright shade, there is no need to worry about your skin tone. As it is a blend of red and blue base colors, it could create a balance for your undertones and brighten you up.
Vivids, in general, need serious taking care and commitment to keep the color full of life. Less heat and more color-safe products are some key points to remember.
Take a step further with this sweet and brave color melt. Here is the most updated list of red purple hair photos to give you major hair inspo!
#1: Blue and Red-Purple
This look is a galaxy hair. My favorite thing about it is the color choices and how they all go together so well. Curling the hair definitely finished the look by exposing all the color combinations including the ones underneath.
Use a good color safe shampoo that is free of all sulfates! Although this look is definitely unique, there is a lot of maintenance that goes with it to protect and extend the longevity of the color. You should wash your hair with cold water and use a heat protectant when using any type of styling tool. Heat can actually strip the color out of your hair.
#2: Red Blonde and Purple
Red blonde and purple hair colors blended together is a great way to add more vibrancy to your natural blonde. Multiple plum hues peeking through the classic blonde is a new take on your normal red-violet hair. Coloring is done on streaks per layer that produces this delightful result.
#3: Magenta and Purple Blend
A beautifully blended, purple to magenta ombre is sure to turn heads. This vibrant red and purple hair color paired with romantic, mermaid-esque waves is the perfect combo for Valentine’s Day, Spring, or Summer. You’ll need to visit the salon for color refreshes monthly to keep the color vibrant.
#4: Black and Red-Purple
The ultimate burgundy hair combo. Try mixing it up with some loose french braids and see how the colors look very playful to the eye.
#5: Red to Dark Purple Ombre
Looking at the hair alone brings a whole journey onto mind. Multi-toned hair tells a whole lot of story that everyone needs to hear.
#6: Deep Red-Purple
The luxury of purple hair all in a rich red-violet hue. Soft, loose curls take this vivid color to the next level.
#7: Red Hair with Purple Highlights
Having multi-color hair with similar shades appear to complement each other well. Not only is it a way to switch up boring hair, but it also gives a tasteful sight to everyone.
#8: Bright Red and Purple
When you have the option of wearing out the sunset in your hair, make sure to do it like this one. The multi-toned bright red and purple colors make this exciting every time you look at it.
#9: Dark Red-Violet with Highlights
Mauve ladies are coming your way! And what more to spice it up than having highlights? Truly a majestic combination.
#10: Red-Purple Highlights on Brown Hair
Aged wine is for a woman and so is this fine plum dye job. Look more mature but still refreshingly youthful with this style of coloring.
#11: Reddish Purple and Brown
If you want an inconspicuous hair change, then this might be the one for you. All the faint brown-purple colors make the look so elegant.
#12: Red Velvet Balayage
As sweet as it sounds, this dye job is one to bring you candied compliments! Medium length hair spiced up can bring serious flare to your appearance.
#13: Dark to Light Red-Purple Ombre
The glossier, the better! Silky purple is indeed the undisputed color of the royals that you can wear!
#14: Red-Plum Balayage
Aged like fine wine, luscious plum locks like these are the ultimate hair goals.
#15: Black and Red-Purple
Q&A with style creator, Niki Marie
Salon Owner / Hair Stylist @ Niki Marie’s Salon and Spa in Ilion, NY
How would you describe this look?
This is a rooty purple balayage look. Hand-painted pieces to achieve a darker root with purple/red on her ends. We do a piecey lob style for her cut!
Any advice for someone considering it?
When considering any color with red hues in them, maintenance is very important. Reds tend to fade easily, so you want to make sure you use professional products. Also, washing with cool water will help maintain the color longer. You will need to be refreshed more frequently compared to having a more natural color. Also, remember to use a heat protectant, as high heat will fade your color quicker!
#16: Brown and Red-Purple
Q&A with style creator, Carolyn Pajula
Hairstylist @ Iluarsenal in TLL, Estonia
How would you describe this look?
The best thing about this look is that you can wear it as a classy woman or a rebel school girl because colored layers are in between and when you unleash the hair, it covers the colorful part. If you are fascinated by all these beautiful colored hairs but are not very sure if that’s something for you, then it is always a good thing to start with the bottom layer and after some time of wearing it, you’ll have some idea about how cool it is actually to try some crazy coloring!
My favorite look for this kind of coloring style is a ponytail or a bit sassy upper bun with waves. The thing about red color is that it looks pretty much perfect on every skin tone except reddish because, in this case, it could be too much and it definitely brings more out the reddish part of the skin. Although, mixing it with brown color and cold purple tones can be something different!
Any advice for someone considering it?
I recommend using colored hair shampoo and nourishing color masks to keep that red glowing and lasting for longer. Add a matching lipstick with this kind of hair, and it could be all you need for a perfect girls’ night out look. You gotta have some fire in you because red is the color of passion!
#17: Burgundy and Violet Ombre
Q&A with style creator, Jessy Hüttner
Hairstylist @ Dietz Coiffeur in St. Augustin, Germany
How would you describe this look?
This is a long, textured haircut that is shorter in the front.
My favorite thing about this look is absolutely the color which is dark violet at the roots, blending softly into a bright berry tone.
Any advice for someone considering it?
To style this look, you have to blow-dry your hair completely. For the waves, you can use a curling iron or create curls with a straightener.
You can finish the look with some texturing spray for a fresher, more playful look or only fix the curls with hairspray to hold them in place.
I think this look is for everyone no matter if your hair is thin, thick, straight, or curly. The most important thing is absolutely haircare!
#18: Red Orange and Purple
Q&A with style creator, Kathy Miliano
Stylist @ Carl Michael Salon in Wakefield, MA
How would you describe this look?
My favorite thing about this look is that it matches my client’s personality. She’s very expressive, vibrant, and fun. I love the cascading color and cut combination, as the hair really shows the different colors fading into each other – the cool purple complementing the fire-y red and orange.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I would recommend this hair color to anyone who loves to express themselves through how they look. The style would look great on anyone, as there are cool and warm tones and is just so vivid and fun. You could do this color on a shorter cut as well.
The care for this look, however, is very important, as vibrant colors can fade faster if not properly cared for. Definitely, you need a color safe shampoo and conditioner as well as a moisture/protein combination of leave-in products.
#19: Pink and Red-Purple
Q&A with style creator, Meagan Eichler
Hairstylist @ Cutting Edge Hair in Carrollton, TX
How would you describe this look?
We utilized her existing balayage and gave her a brighter look for spring using several different custom blends of Pulp Riot semi-permanent colors. I love the way the darker purples blend into the brighter pinks!
Any advice for someone considering it?
Trust your stylist to help you pick colors based on how light your hair is. Aftercare is the biggest commitment when you want bright, vivid colors! Once a week (in ice-cold water), wash with sulfate-free shampoo to keep the color as long as possible!
#20: Red-Purple with Blonde Highlights
Q&A with style creator, Maria-Alicia Smithell
Hairstylist / Salon Owner @ Dolce Vita Salon & Spa in Windham, NH
How would you describe this look?
It’s a violet mahogany base with blonde highlights.
I love how it gives a bold dimensional look whether worn straight or with curls. Having the pale blonde highlights against the violet mahogany base gives an eye-popping and head turning look.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This slight A-line haircut works on most hair types and the color is great for someone wanting a little pop and vibrancy to their color without going completely to a “fashion color.”
To maintain the vibrancy of this color, I always recommend a color-safe shampoo and to rinse with cooler water for the longevity of the red/violet tones.
#21: Dark Red-Purple
Q&A with style creator, Adrienne Walsh
Hairstylist @ Soma Spas in Regina, SK
How would you describe this look?
This color is vibrant but with depth! I love the color and shine it holds!
Any advice for someone considering it?
You have to go light first before you can go to a vibrant color! Upkeep is important because these colors fade so quickly, but buying a color depositing shampoo can help. A red or pink shampoo would help with this color.
#22: Red, Purple and Pink
Q&A with style creator, Olivia Hotchkiss
Hairstylist / Eyelash Technician @ Hair by Olivia in Calgary, AB
How would you describe this look?
This is a very unique and creative hairstyle that would stand out in a crowd. The color is a very beautiful and vibrant red with accent pieces of pink and purple framing her face. The cut allows multiple layers to be seen in the hair but also gives the color a lot of dimensions.
My favorite aspect of the cut would probably have to be the fact that there are two strands on either side (four total) that are a very playful purple and pink color to stand out from the red base.
Any advice for someone considering it?
If you are looking to have this hairstyle, I would consider Joico red shampoo for sure as red is a color that fades very quickly. Although it may be difficult, try and avoid the pink and purple stands because the red shampoo could potentially stain the lighter strands red.
If you aren’t one who is willing to put the commitment and time into your hair then this isn’t the style for you, as root retouches are mandatory as well as using a red shampoo/condition to maintain the vibrant color. The cut on this hairstyle is extremely layered. If you have hair that is very fine/thin, I wouldn’t recommend getting this cut as it can create the illusion that you’re losing hair. This specific cut may be better suited for women with very thick hair because it allows the hair more movement and makes it feel less heavy.
#23: Burgundy Red-Purple
Q&A with style creator, Angie Miller
Hair Designer @ Hair by Angie Miller in Manchester, MO
How would you describe this look?
This look is a multidimensional red-violet if we’re speaking in professional stylist terms. A client may call it a burgundy, wine color, or mulberry.
If a client is looking to go for a deeper red or add some depth their current red color, this is a great way to go about it. Adding some lowlights created something eye-catching and more movement in the hair.
This client had very dense hair, so I went in with alternating sliced and weaved foils about every 3/4″ with a 3VV and 4RV in equal parts in Matrix ColorSync and 10 volume developer. Then in between all of the foils, I applied 5XR, 5RM, and INRV in Joico Vero K-Pak color and 20 volume at the scalp for 20 minutes, then pulled through the ends for 15 minutes. Shampooed in cool water with Biolage Color shampoo and used Biolage Color Conditioner.
She also took home the Red Viral Color Depositing conditioner to help her maintain the vibrancy until her next appointment. It’s been over a month and I saw her briefly to pick up some product and she told me she hasn’t even needed it yet because it’s still looking amazing. I always recommend sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners for my clients, but especially red-haired clients. And, of course, professional products.
My favorite thing about this color was the huge smile it put on my clients face. I love the vibrancy and shine of it and all of the dimension it gave her previously dull hair. The diagonal foils made it where she can wear it up at work, at the gym, wherever, without the stripes, horizontal foils can sometimes create. The foil pattern won’t show regrowth from the foil lines quickly, so we can simply retouch her base color a couple of times before we need to do the entire process again, saving her time and money.
The cut and style was a simple long layered cut with a face frame and a quick 1-inch iron loose curl that I combed out. The cut took some weight out of her thick hair without making it too choppy. I did a Sam Villa method of taking triangular sections and over directing them towards the face from the back and towards the opposite side of the head from the sides and doing some deep point cutting.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This color can be worn by so many skin tones, but I think someone fair with blue eyes is the perfect combo. The red makes blue eyes pop and sparkle, and the red violets are better than copper tones on fair skin, in my experience.