Silver purple hair is a mixture of the two colors that produces a cool smoky pastel or metallic version of lavender and grey. This new edgy hair trend is unusual yet flattering on every skin tone. You just have to choose one that will make your look Instagram and Pinterest worthy! Whether you go soft and subtle or striking and daring, the key to owning this unicorn hairstyle is to always keep your mane healthy and moisturized.
Matching these two shades with your skin tone is also one very important thing to take note of. Cool ashy tones flatter cool skin complexions as well, while vibrant shades of purple complement warm skin tones best.
Purples fade quickly, so you might need to set salon appointments frequently and use color-safe products. If you’re ready for this commitment then I suggest you check out our collection of only the prettiest silver purple hair inspiration for this year!
#1: Short Silver Purple Hair
You’ll love this smokey texture effect done by the grey tips on medium pixies. Haircuts like this look totally cool with magical unnatural colors like this!
#2: Blonde with Silver Purple Hair
For ladies who don’t wanna go all out with a vivid color, this is a cute purple hair idea to test the waters. The periwinkle streaks also give contrast to your lighter natural hair shade.
#3: Icy Opal Balayage
Get more creative with an enchanting blend of vivid colors like these ones right here. The babylights and those to-die for beach waves all contribute to the magic of this mermaid hair.
#4: Light Silver Purple
This delicate pastel ombre isn’t easy to maintain, and it could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.
#5: Purple to Silver Ombre
The seamless blend on this long straight hair is definite perfection. A contrasting blend like this is great if you don’t want a solid ‘do all over.
#6: Pastel Silver Lavender
Purple are great to work with because it leaves even the most stubborn warm-toned Asian hair with an ashy and cool blonde once it fades out.
The best part about this look was that it’s super low maintenance and subtle enough that she can wear it to work. For those who are working in a professional setting having the ends of your long hair colored can always be concealed with a few French pins and a high bun. It’s. A. Look.
This is definitely a look that you have to be committed to. It takes some styling and a little more than just rolling out of bed to maintain. But for the most part, the color will fade and eventually you’ll be left with some fun light highlights to give your hair more life.
I find that purple really complements all skin tones, unlike a red or a blue. It truly is any face’s most neutral color when you’re looking for vivids.
Some things to consider: if you’re wearing a truly temporary color avoid wearing whites. For washing your hair, use a white towel since you can bleach the stains out. Live a little, some color won’t hurt.
#7: Violet and Steel
Q&A with style creator, Claudette Viramontes
Master Hairstylist @ Cielo Salon and Spa in Las Vegas, NV
How would you describe this look?
When I look at this picture I see a unicorn, mermaid hair, something magical. I love seeing how there are different colors of purples, silver, and even blue hues. Keeping the base (roots) dark helps any client transition into this fun color.
For hairstyling, my style is something that can get me out the door in 10 min or less. With this cut it’s that easy.. just take a wand/ curling iron and pick sections to curl, not every single piece of hair is curled, that gives it a more “messy look” which is what everyone is looking for right now.
Any advice for someone considering it?
For a client considering this look I always make sure to educate them on the at-home maintenance and in the salon. Today we have so many different color shampoos that can help a client keep up with their hair at home. My favorite is “viral shampoo.”
This is a look that will definitely have people commenting on your hair, so I always ask my clients if they are comfortable with having attention. It’s such a fun color that other people will come and say “I love you hair.”
This cut is also customizable to any face shape, for rounder faces leave the front longer and taper into your face! Also adding some fringe will make your face more oval!
If you are considering this look, I suggest keeping in mind the daily hair routine. Every other day you will keep up with color shampoos at home. Coming into the salon about every 5 weeks for a color touch up and a haircut to keep it looking fresh.
#8: Grey to Silver Purple Ombre
Q&A with style creator, Nikki Parsons
Certified Colorist @ Spa Bella Salon & Boutique in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
How would you describe this look?
This look would be considered a “vivid ombré” or “balayaged vivids.” This look is becoming more and more popular among guests who have thought about alternative “fantasy” hair color but aren’t married to the idea. I love that this guest chose to have a lavender tone at her ends because she is already blonde. As the color faded out, it toned her blonde the same way a violet toner or purple shampoo would.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Get used to cold showers and step up your product game. Lighter semi-permanent vivids remain deeply pigmented for only a few washes. Make sure you’re using a sulfate-free shampoo. This doesn’t mean “go to Walgreens and pick up a sulfate-free shampoo.” Get a professional one recommended by your hairstylist to support this high maintenance hair color!
If you want this exact look, ask your stylist if your hair is capable of getting that light. The guest pictured has been highlighted for years and uses all of the right shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to protect her hair from heat. Use a purple shampoo to keep your blonde bright! My favorites are Redken Color Extend Blondage or Milkshake Silvershine.
Tip: to avoid color fading from ends while washing, only shampoo your roots and hold your ends to the side when rinsing the shampoo out. Don’t let the shampoo pull that fun color right out of your hair!
#9: Midnight Purple Silver
Q&A with style creator, Kaylee Nicole Merritt
Stylist @ Denton Color Lab in Denton, TX
How would you describe this look?
This look is very popular right now. It’s a slightly angled bob with textured medium/short length layers! I love adding a beach wave curl to this length because it shows off all the texture and colors in the hair! I use a 1″ 1/4 curling iron to achieve these waves.
Any advice for someone considering it?
My client had medium length hair with 3 inches of new growth, previous red mid shaft color and green ends. After lifting her to a level 8/9 I applied Guy Tang 3MV to her new growth and smudging it down the hair shaft and applying Guy Tang 8SP on her ends.
If you are wanting to achieve this grey look, and you have the previous color, it will take multiple sessions to remove any remaining color to get to the needed level of lightness.
If you have naturally dark hair, and no previous color, it typically takes multiple sessions well because we have to break through the different undertones such as red, orange, and yellow to get blonde.
If you have naturally light hair, and no previous color, it will be easier to get this look with maybe 1 or 2 sessions depending on how well the hair lifts during the lightening process.
To maintain this look you must wash in cold water only. I recommend using Redken Genius Wash in rotation with Redken Color Extend Magnetics for cleansing. Pastels tend to fade faster than normal color, so it is very important to use the correct shampoo and conditioner.
Also applying a heat protectant before styling tools is always a great idea because heat can cause the color to fade as well.
#10: Purple Hair with Silver Highlights
Q&A with style creator, Jennifer Schropp
Owner @ Kismet Studio in Farmington, MI
How would you describe this look?
This look is a purple, pink, and silver color melt. The greatest thing about it is the shine because most people automatically equate these types of color with damaging lightening services, and this particular client has been seeing me consistently for lightening services followed by vivid color overlays for over a year. You can see how healthy and happy her hair is because we only use the best products and the most up-to-date technology and education.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Maintenance and hair conditioning are our primary concerns, followed by budget and schedule. There are a variety of things that I advise on from the product to styling, to heat usage, water temp, frequency of shampooing, just as with any type of hair coloring services. It’s important to consider what the investment of maintenance is going to be before committing to any type of drastic hair color change. It could be one appointment and shampoo or several sessions and various products to keep the hair like this looking beautiful.
#11: Lilac and Platinum Balayage
Q&A with style creator, Shawna Arsenault
Hairstylist @ RondezVous Hair Salon in Sudbury, ON
How would you describe this look?
I would describe this look as icy blonde hair with a purple balayage. The coolest thing about it is if it’s straight or curly – like in the picture – it still looks great. Everywhere your hair moves, you get a pop of color.
It’s a wonderful look for the people who are scared to try a color all over their hair and just want a little bit of color. This way they get the color they are wanting, but just in a few places. As for the haircut, anything with texture will do, so you can see the color popping through. Add a little layering in your hair so you can see the color more when straight.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This color is very high maintenance. Unfortunately, there are no direct dyes that last long especially if you choose a color that is more pastel. Also, the less you wash your hair the better, as the color will last longer. Using the right shampoos and conditioners that are color protecting will make your color last that much longer.
This color would look good on anyone who is willing to rock it. It would look good on long hair, short hair, blonde hair, or brown hair (keeping in mind you would have to lighten brown hair for it to show).
#12: Silver Hair with Purple Highlights
Q&A with style creator, Tara Mera
Stylist @ The State in Livermore, CA
How would you describe this look?
The color is a cross between violet and sterling smoke. The best thing about this color is the multi-contrast of violet hues. I used 3 different techniques to help create a perfect blend including slicing angles around the head, color melting, and a color overlay at the bowl to lock it in
Any advice for someone considering it?
Be prepared to keep up with the high maintenance colors. Silver and any pastel colors are so light they tend to fade anywhere between 2-3 washes. I always try to add a pop to pastel hair. By adding a pop of a brighter vibrant color it will wash onto your hair every wash an give it a little color overlay. Another tip you can do to help keep it vibrant is using a conditioner called Viral. I would personally recommend mixing their lilac and silver together to create a perfect silver violet tone.
#13: Silver to Purple Reverse Ombre
Q&A with style creator, Alexis Nekvapil
Stylist & Esthetician @ Revive Your Hair Spa & Juice in New Windsor, NY
How would you describe this look?
If I were to title this look I would call it an “Icy Lilac Melt.” If I were looking for a look like this on Pinterest I would type in the search bar “silver to lavender balayage”. I feel as if you can interpret this look in many different ways and there can be multiple titles.
The best part about doing this look would be blending the colors. It’s always so satisfying to see when the color just blend so seamlessly into each other when you’re painting it with your brush. I have to say either the blending of the color itself or blowing it out was my favorite part. It’s always so gratifying to see your work pan out exactly as you and your client pictured it while blowing it out and watching the colors all come together as it dries.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I recommend that they are well informed on the home care after this process. A look like this with a pop of color is ideally for someone who’s looking for a fun change but isn’t sure if they want it permanent. I have been making my client an icy blonde for quite some time now and at one of our appointments, she had told me she had always wanted to try purple but was scared of keeping it long term. So in my professional opinion, I felt a pastel version would be in her best interest. Not only would it fade rather fast but it would naturally just fade into an icy blonde as it washes out.
If you are well informed and can take care of it with lots of love and patience then I think you’ll fall for this fun look. If you are looking to get to a color as light like this you must be prepared for a lengthy process. If you have hair darker than a level 5 it may take up to a few sessions to achieve this color. My client was a level 6 naturally and in order to get as light as this, we needed to achieve a level of 9+. Now with pastels such as this purple, 9+ is the level you must achieve in order for it to hold to its fullest potential. It’s super important with fashion colors to take care of it accordingly:
If you are getting a pastel color it requires devotion and care and often two-week maintenance. Wash your hair with cold water and color safe shampoo/conditioner. Don’t wash your hair every day. There are alternatives such as dry shampoo to avoid daily wash. Do not use any drug store shampoos such as Pantene or Head and Shoulders. Avoid hot tools or if you are a regular user do not put it on its highest setting because the heat will totally make the color fade.
These rules also apply to the icy platinum achieved in this look as well. If you are like my client who likes to maintain her icy locks it is crucial to get a purple shampoo. My personal favorite brand right now is Milkshake. There are so many factors that can alter this look when you don’t have a purple shampoo to aid in maintaining your look. For instance, if you have hard water majority of the time you will become brassy very quickly.
To anyone who is willing to do something fun and adventurous and ready for a change I definitely say go for it or consult your stylist! It’s always fun for both the stylist and client to try something new!
#14: Light Purple and Silver Balayage
Q&A with style creator, Emily Nestman
Phase Two Student / Graduate @ Paul Mitchell the School Toledo in Toledo, OH
How would you describe this look?
This is the perfect light purple and silver balayage for someone daring and bold! This cut and style is chic and captures the wandering eye. These curls are super easy for the everyday woman to achieve. All you need is 10 minutes, a wand iron, some hairspray, and a large comb!
Any advice for someone considering it?
I’d suggest to refresh it every two weeks or use a Viral shampoo to keep it vibrant! Vivid colors fade with each wash and using the correct products will help you keep the color vibrant and just as beautiful as when you left the salon! This color shines with curls and was stunning straight as well. This client had a bold personality, so we needed color to fit her spunky life!
#15: Pastel Silver and Purple
Q&A with style creator, Beth Chrisner
Hairstylist @ About Faces Day Spa Salon in Annapolis, MD
How would you describe this look?
This look is “purple steel”, a fun combination of silver and purple. My favorite thing about this look is how the color fades from the darker purple to the lighter silver. It’s also a pastel color that looks great straight and can look great when curled.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I think anyone looking for a fun funky look could pull this color off. I would tell any client wanting this look that it does require a lot more upkeep than other colors. I recommend a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, and to wash it with colder water, as well as not washing it every day.
#16: Silver Purple with Dark Roots
Q&A with style creator, Sammi Situ
Haircut Specialist & Color/Balayage Specialist @ Hair By Sammi Situ in Arcadia, CA
How would you describe this look?
This look of metallic lavender babylights+balayage is a very trendy modern hair color. It has been a popular demand! The greatest thing about this color is that it’s so magical because it changes colors in different lighting.
It looks more lavender under a yellow lighting or the sun. On the other hand, it looks more like a bluish silver under a cooler lighting. I also love to give my clients the beach wave look like a finished look after coloring because it looks more dimensional.
Any advice for someone considering it?
It is high maintenance. The hair must be prelightened first to a level 9/10. Unfortunately, these colors don’t last too long, so I recommend getting some products to help the color to last longer. There is a product from Lanza that is called the color guard and you can spray it on your hair before shampooing so the color can be protected from the water. I have personally used it to preserve my hair color and it really did help to last longer! In addition, a good purple shampoo, leave in conditioner, and a good hair mask will be good to have to maintain this fashion color.
Also, I always think that when you choose a hair color that is not natural looking, having the makeup to change your skin tone to match the hair color is strongly recommended. I would also imagine that those who like these cool colors would wear clothes that are a little more fashionable. However, there is no rule of who can have what hair color, so just try it if it’s on your bucket list!
#17: Silvery Amethyst Balayage
Q&A with style creator, Suzanne Tringali
Cosmetologist / Makeup Artist @ R Salon in Phoenix, AZ
How would you describe this look?
I lifted my client to a level 10 platinum blonde. Then toned her to achieve silver tips where she was a level 12. I used a semi purple deposit to achieve the purple shadow. My client changes the fun color to whatever she feels after 4-6 weeks when it fades out. We grew out her undercut into this cut bob. Love using a texture spray for looks like this. Making sure your client has a good bond rebuilding system at home.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I always recommend my clients use ice cold water when washing and a color safe shampoo. If they have a fun color I recommend a color deposit color to maintain at home in between sessions. This is a great style for people who are allowed to have fun hair at work. This look can take several sessions to achieve depending on what the client currently has going on with the hair. It can be more maintenance then some people would want. So it’s not for everyone. If you have blonde hair and like having fun with hair definitely give me a call! I love looking at nature to inspire me.