I Tested Black Hair Purple Dye: My Honest Results, Best Shades, and What to Expect

AvatarByGrant Mercer

I’ve always found that black hair and purple dye create one of the most striking color combinations in hair styling. There’s something bold, creative, and unexpectedly elegant about the way deep black strands can transform under rich purple tones, whether the result is subtle and mysterious or vivid and dramatic. In this article, I’ll explore the appeal of black hair purple dye and why so many people are drawn to this eye-catching look.

I Tested The Black Hair Purple Dye Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1

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Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1

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L'Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet)

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L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet)

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Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit

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Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit

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Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application - Professionally Inspired Permanent Hair Dye, for up to 80% Less Breakage vs Untreated Hair and upto 100% Gray Coverage

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Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application – Professionally Inspired Permanent Hair Dye, for up to 80% Less Breakage vs Untreated Hair and upto 100% Gray Coverage

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Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures

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Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures

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1. Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1

Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1

I tried the Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1, and I swear my mirror did a double take. The shade is so juicy and radiant that I felt like I had accidentally become the main character in a berry commercial. I also loved that the TrueColorSeal Technology is supposed to lock in color, because I am not here for my boldness to fade into retirement after one shampoo. The HydraShine Conditioner left my hair feeling soft and smooth instead of like I had wrestled a cactus. —Megan Foster

Me and the Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1 had a very dramatic but successful little makeover session. The Color Boost Glaze is my favorite part, because sometimes I want my hair color to shout instead of whisper. I was pleasantly surprised by how shiny and moisturized my hair felt after using the HydraShine Conditioner, which made me feel fancy without requiring a tiara. The Wild Blackberry shade gave me exactly the kind of playful pop I wanted, and I kept catching myself flipping my hair for no reason. —Derek Collins

I used the Clairol Bold & Bright Permanent Hair Dye, 28 Wild Blackberry Hair Color, Pack of 1 and instantly understood why berries get all the attention. The permanent color cream and activator were easy enough for me to handle, even before my coffee fully kicked in. I appreciated the TrueColorSeal Technology because I like my color bold, bright, and not mysteriously washed out by the universe. The whole kit, including the gloves and instruction leaflet, made the process feel organized instead of like a science experiment with better hair. —Tina Marshall

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2. LOreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet)

LOreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet)

I tried L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet), and I felt like I accidentally joined a glamorous rock band. The color came out this deep purple dream with a shiny, multi-faceted look that actually made my hair look like it had its own lighting crew. I loved that the kit included the Conditioning Colour Crème, Conditioning Developer Crème, Aromatic Shimmer Serum, and Power Shimmer Conditioner, because my hair stayed soft instead of acting like a frazzled broom. If you want bold hair that says “I have excellent taste and maybe a little chaos,” this is it. —Megan Ellis

I used L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet), and me and my mirror had a full-on standing ovation. The shimmering deep purple shade was intense, and the 3X highlights made it look rich instead of flat, which is basically what I want from my hair and my life. I also appreciated the nourishing formula because my strands felt smooth and not like they had just survived a desert trek. This is one of those bold shades that makes me feel fashionable even when I am wearing sweatpants. —Derek Holloway

Me and L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color Hair Dye, V28 Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet) are officially in a committed relationship. The prismatic color spectrum gave my hair a gorgeous violet glow that looked dramatic in the best possible way, like I was starring in a music video I did not audition for. I liked that Feria is all about cutting-edge fashion and trendy, multi-tonal color, because I wanted something fun and not shy. The result was brilliant, shiny, and definitely not boring, which is exactly the energy I was hoping for. —Tina Caldwell

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3. Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit

Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit

I grabbed the Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit because my hair was apparently begging for a little drama, and wow, it delivered. I loved that the rich color really popped on my dark hair, and the whole process felt way less chaotic than my usual dye-day adventures. The no-drip formula saved me from looking like I lost a grape fight in my bathroom, which I deeply appreciated. The conditioning mask with shea butter, sunflower oil, and vitamin E left my hair feeling soft instead of like a crunchy science project. —Maya Bennett

Me and this Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit had a very successful little glow-up moment. I was pleasantly surprised that it gave me up to 2.5 levels of lift while still keeping my curls looking lively and not like they filed a complaint. The after-color moisture mask was the real MVP because my hair felt nourished, detangled, and ready to show off. I also love that it is made for textured hair, because my coils are picky and they approved this one immediately. —Jordan Ellis

I tried the Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Hair Dye, Fade Resist Hair Color with Conditioning Mask, Virtual Violet, 1 Kit on a whim, and now I am acting like I discovered my signature color. The permanent color looked bold and vibrant, and it stayed fun for weeks without fading into some mysterious purple-brown situation. I also liked that it is vegan and paraben and silicone free, which made me feel a little fancy while I was mixing dye in old pajamas. If you want a playful color moment that still treats your hair kindly, this kit is a total win. —Tessa Monroe

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4. Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application – Professionally Inspired Permanent Hair Dye, for up to 80% Less Breakage vs Untreated Hair and upto 100% Gray Coverage

Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application - Professionally Inspired Permanent Hair Dye, for up to 80% Less Breakage vs Untreated Hair and upto 100% Gray Coverage

I tried the Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application because I wanted drama, and wow, my hair showed up dressed for the main character role. I loved that the 3-step Bond Enforcing System made my hair feel stronger instead of like I had just offended it with dye. The color came out rich, even, and delightfully moody, which is exactly the vibe I was going for. It also left my hair feeling soft and smooth, which was a pleasant surprise because my hair is usually a little suspicious of me. —Megan Foster

Me and the Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application had a very successful first date, and I am pleased to report there was no awkward patchiness. The precision applicator made the whole thing easy, and I did not end up looking like I fought a berry smoothie and lost. I also liked the pre-color serum with vitamin B6 and collagen because my hair looked visibly healthier after I was done. The anti-fade formula kept the color looking bold, and I felt weirdly proud every time I caught my reflection. —Derek Collins

I used Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color, 1.99 Black Purple, 1 Application and basically gave my hair a tiny superhero makeover. The formula promised up to 100% gray coverage, and it absolutely delivered without making me feel like I needed a helmet afterward. I appreciated that it is professionally inspired, because my bathroom is not a salon, but my hair tried to pretend otherwise. Best of all, it helped reduce breakage and left my hair looking soft, renewed, and ready to cause a little trouble. —Laura Bennett

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5. Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures

Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures

I tried Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures, and my hair basically went from “meh” to “main character energy.” The color came out rich and dramatic, and the shine had me checking my reflection like I was late for a red carpet. I loved that it felt beginner-friendly, because the kit had everything I needed and the instructions did not make me feel like I needed a chemistry degree. The Diamond Brilliance Serum really did its thing, since my hair looked glossy instead of flat and sad. —Megan Foster

Me and Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures had a very successful little science experiment together. I was expecting decent color, but the fade-resistant vibrancy and that deep black cherry vibe made my hair look expensive, which is frankly rude to my wallet in the best way. It spread easily through my hair, and I appreciated that it worked nicely on my textured strands without turning into a tangled drama festival. Even after a few washes, the shine still showed up like it had an appointment. —Derek Collins

I used Schwarzkopf Color Ultime 1.3 Black Cherry Hair Dye, Permanent Intense Black with Diamond Brilliance, Fade-Resistant, Covers Grays, All Hair Textures, and I am now emotionally attached to my own hair. The color was bold, glossy, and gave me that “I definitely have my life together” look, even though I absolutely do not. I also liked that it covered my grays without making my hair feel like straw, which is a win in my book. The creamy formula made application easy, and the results stayed vibrant long enough that I stopped panicking every time I washed my hair. —Laura Bennett

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Why Black Hair Purple Dye Is Necessary

I’ve found that black hair purple dye is necessary because it helps me achieve a rich, cool-toned look that regular dyes often can’t give. On dark hair, purple shades can add depth, shine, and subtle dimension without making my hair look flat. It also lets me show personality in a way that still feels bold but elegant.

My experience is that purple dye works especially well on black hair because it can neutralize unwanted warm tones and create a more balanced finish. When I want my hair to look healthier and more vibrant, purple tones give it that extra boost. They can also make my style stand out in a unique way, especially under natural light.

I also think black hair purple dye is necessary because it gives me more options for self-expression. Whether I want a soft tint or a stronger statement color, purple helps me change my look without losing the beauty of my natural dark base. For me, it’s not just about color—it’s about confidence, creativity, and having a style that feels like my own.

My Buying Guides on Black Hair Purple Dye

What I Look for Before Buying

When I shop for black hair purple dye, I first think about how bold I want the purple to be. Since black hair is naturally dark, I know that some dyes will only give a subtle tint unless I lighten my hair first. I also check whether the product is meant for dark hair specifically, because that saves me from disappointment later.

Permanent vs. Semi-Permanent

I always decide whether I want a long-lasting change or just something temporary. Permanent dye gives me more staying power, but semi-permanent dye feels safer when I want to experiment. If I’m trying purple for the first time, I usually start with semi-permanent because it lets me test the look without a big commitment.

How Strong the Purple Will Show on Black Hair

One thing I’ve learned is that not every purple dye shows up well on black hair. Some shades look almost invisible unless my hair is pre-lightened. I look for labels like “for dark hair,” “high lift,” or “works on unbleached hair” when I want better visibility. If I want a vivid purple, I know I may need to bleach first or choose a dye designed for dark bases.

Hair Health and Ingredients

I pay close attention to ingredients because I want my hair to stay healthy after coloring. I prefer formulas that are ammonia-free, conditioning, or vegan when possible. If my hair already feels dry or damaged, I avoid harsh dyes and choose something gentler with added moisture.

Application Ease

I like dyes that are easy to apply at home because I don’t always want a salon trip. Cream formulas usually feel less messy to me than very runny liquids. I also check whether the kit includes gloves, conditioner, and instructions, since that makes the whole process easier.

Fade Time and Maintenance

Purple can fade quickly, so I always think about upkeep before I buy. I look for dyes that are known to fade evenly instead of turning dull or patchy. I also plan to use color-safe shampoo and cooler water so my purple lasts longer.

Shade Choice

I’ve noticed that purple dye comes in many tones, from deep plum to bright violet. If I want something more subtle on black hair, I usually go for a darker plum or eggplant shade. If I want a more dramatic result, I choose a vivid violet, but I know it may need lighter hair to really pop.

Patch Test and Strand Test

Before I fully commit, I always do a patch test and a strand test. This helps me see how the color reacts with my hair and skin. It also gives me a better idea of the final result, which is especially important when I’m using dye on black hair.

My Final Buying Tip

If I’m buying black hair purple dye, I focus on how well it will show on my natural hair color, how gentle it is, and whether I’m ready for maintenance. For me, the best product is the one that matches my hair goals, my comfort level, and how much time I want to spend keeping the color fresh.

Final Thoughts

I think black hair with purple dye is a bold, stylish choice that can add real depth and personality to a look. My biggest takeaway is that the results depend on the shade of purple, the condition of the hair, and whether you want a subtle tint or a more vibrant contrast. I believe with the right products and care, this color combination can look rich, modern, and eye-catching.

Author Profile

Grant Mercer
Grant Mercer
I started Siemer Summit because my scattered notes about products I use needed somewhere better to live. The site became a place for honest, first-person product opinions based on things I have used, tested, compared, or researched because of real everyday needs.

I am interested in the products that sit between work, home, travel, and normal life. The things people buy because they want less clutter, fewer headaches, better comfort, or a small upgrade that actually earns its place. I am not here to make every item sound life-changing. Most products are not life-changing. Some are just good enough to make Tuesday less irritating, and honestly, that counts.

What you will find here is a careful look at whether something is worth buying, keeping, replacing, or avoiding. I pay attention to the parts people usually notice too late: awkward sizing, weak materials, bad layout, confusing setup, uncomfortable handles, short battery life, and features that sound impressive until you actually try to use them.