Going purple is not an easy feat.

Before you start the process, there are a few things you should know.

• It’s not easy to go purple. The color is not just going to wash out of your hair if you don’t like it, so be prepared for an intense commitment. You may even need to do some research before diving in.
• If you want something subtle, prepare yourself for a long process (and maybe even multiple bleaching sessions). Purple is not a one-day thing; it’s more like months of preparation and maintenance afterward (because once your hair gets used to being dyed purple—which can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months—it will become much harder for any future dyes or bleaches).

Bleaching your hair will be the first step.

The first step to dyeing your hair purple will be bleaching it to remove any previous color. This can be done at home with a mixture of peroxide and ammonia, or you can go to a salon for professional help. If you’re choosing this method at home, use a test strand of hair before applying the solution all over your head (and make sure it’s not from an eyebrow or eyelash!).

Bleaching is an effective way of removing color from your hair but it also raises some risks: damage, dryness and breakage are common side effects when going blonde or lighter; if these issues aren’t addressed properly they can lead to further problems down the line like split ends or lacklustre volume. It’s important that you choose the right bleach for your hair type as well as follow any instructions given by brands closely. Don’t forget about protecting yourself while bleaching—wear gloves and make sure there is no dampness on surfaces where bleach could spill onto clothing/skin etc., just in case!

Make sure you use a toner if you’re starting with bleach-blonde hair.

If you’re starting with bleach-blonde hair, you’ll want to use a toner. You don’t necessarily have to have it professionally done, but if you do decide to go the DIY route, make sure that the color is permanent (as opposed to semi-permanent) and that it’s been tested on your specific type of hair. This will help ensure that all of your hard work isn’t ruined by an errant bottle of Manic Panic lip gloss or a pack of Clairol Nice ‘n Easy cream rinse.

You won’t need to touch up your purple as frequently as you do for other colors.

You won’t need to touch up your purple as frequently as you do for other colors. Hair fades from the sun, heat styling, and washing. More than any other color, purple fades faster because of its concentration of pigment. However, there are some things you can do to make sure your hair stays vibrant:

• Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner (sulfates strip color).
• Wash only as often as necessary—twice per week is more than enough for most people.
• Use a UV protector if you plan on being out in the sun often—I recommend Pureology Hydrate+ Strength Restorative Treatment Oil Spray ($32; amazon.com)

Purple shampoo is essential for maintaining your color.

Purple shampoo is a must for maintaining your color. It’s not enough to just wash your hair with shampoo; you also need to use purple shampoo between washes. Purple conditioner or leave-in treatment can be used as well, but it’s much more important that you use a purple shampoo because it will remove any residue left behind by other products.

Your dyed hair can still be long and healthy.

If you’re worried about keeping your hair healthy, don’t be. There are some things that you can do to keep your hair looking and feeling great.

• Deep condition once a week with a deep conditioner that contains keratin or other proteins. This will help repair any damage caused by the dye process, as well as from daily styling and environmental factors like pollution and heat styling tools (like blow dryers).
• Use a heat protectant product when using styling tools on colored hair. Heat is one of the biggest contributors to breakage in dyed hair, so make sure you use an appropriate product before applying heat! It’s worth noting that not all heat protectants are created equally—some have ingredients that may actually break down your dye job faster than they would otherwise! Just because it says “all natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe for dyed hair—make sure it says specifically “for color-treated hair”. If in doubt, ask someone who works at a beauty supply store which products would be best suited for your needs!
• Avoid rinsing with hot water as much as possible; lukewarm/cool water will help keep the dye from fading faster than normal while still being gentle enough not to cause more damage than necessary when rinsing out shampoo (and if you really want extra protection against fading away…try using cold!).

You may have a hard time getting rid of the purple permanently.

You may have a hard time getting rid of the purple permanently.

Purple hair dye is designed to be long-lasting, and some people feel that it’s worth it because they love how their new color looks. However, if you want to go back to your natural hair color or use another shade on top of the purple dye in the future, you might find that it’s not so easy to get rid of all traces of this particular hue.

There are two reasons why this may cause problems: firstly, many permanent dyes have chemicals that resist fading over time; secondly, most products for removing unwanted colors from your locks won’t work as well on these types of dyes as they would with other colors. The trick is finding one that does work!

Understand what you’re getting into before you jump in headfirst!

• Understand what you’re getting into before you jump in headfirst!
• Purple hair isn’t a low-maintenance color, so be prepared to put in the work. It’s not just about finding a good dye job—you’ll need to pick up some supplies and learn how to care for your locks.
• If you want purple hair, it might be best for your own well-being if you don’t have friends who are colorists or stylists; their lack of knowledge could lead them to accidentally lighten or damage your hair by mistake.