Auburn hues are a timeless style trend that has made a bold statement on the streets of downtown Denver in recent years. It’s easy to feel inspired by the fiery brilliance of red hair, but keeping your new color on point can be tricky. Red tones have a tendency to go purple, but red hair without purple undertones is just a few steps away.
Without taking a few extra precautions, unsuspecting glam gurus may find their dream look has been ruined by harsh violet undertones. Keep your color rich and bold with a few tips and tricks from Deseo’s expert colorists.
Start with the Power of a Strand Test
Before you change your color, always perform a strand test. Even if you’ve had red hair before and you’re looking to get back to your ruby roots, the anatomy of your hair can easily change with long gaps between dye sessions. Any treatments or colors added to the hair prior to going red can come back to haunt your new do.
An experienced colorist should perform a test on a single strand of hair to determine how the color will react before applying all-over color. This will allow your stylist to see if there are any residual chemicals, colors, or products left behind that may cause your hair to go from red to purple. Part of an expert hair coloring service is preparing your hair to healthily hold onto the new color.
Color Me Surprised
Few people realize how stubborn old hair dye can be! Color holds onto the roots, stains hair, and can remain present even when the hair appears to have gone back to its natural hue. In fact, a new color treatment can lift old color to the surface, causing it to blend. Cool tones like blues and blacks interact with red to create purple.
It’s a good idea to let your stylist know if you’ve made any alterations to your hair in the last year or two. Even temporary boxed dye and DIY hair coloring have a lasting effect on texture, tone, and hue. If your stylist is aware that your hair was dyed in the past several months, he or she can opt for a cleansing and restorative treatment prior to coloring. Stripping old color away and deep conditioning the hair allows any damage to be repaired and removes unwanted residual highlights.
Leave It to the Pros
Some things in life were not meant for DIY and your hair is one of them! Save the Pinterest pins for inspiration, and let a professional take care of your Colorado style.
The value of a professional stylist cannot be underrated. Not only is your stylist trained in the prep, application, and maintenance of color-treated hair, but he or she is like your personal beauty consultant. A good stylist can identify which shade of red will work best with your skin tone and natural hair.
This is because stylists use the magic of color theory! Color theory involves pairing warm and cool tones to achieve the desired effect. Red and purple are very close together on the color spectrum. This means stylists need to be precise to ensure you don’t end up with the wrong hue.
Boxed dyes can be deceptive. The color may appear auburn on the model and turn out completely purple on your hair!
Deseo’s glam squad can help you achieve your favorite Pinterest look without a color misstep, so book an appointment today.
Self-Care for Red Hair Without Purple Undertones
So you’ve got the look and you’re loving your fabulous red locks. Maintaining color-treated hair from the start is part of the journey. To avoid red hair with purple undertones and keep your hair vibrant, add some extra TLC to your style routine. Salon quality shampoo, conditioner, and serum preserve shine and softness.
Oribe’s full line of nourishing, luxurious, and ecofriendly hair products are great options for preventing fade and maintaining your redhead fantasy. Try Gold Dust effective Masque to make your hair luxurious and soft weeks after you get your new color. Also, take advantage of our fabulous July sale and receive 20% off when you buy three full-sized products!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does red hair turn purple after dyeing, and how can it be prevented?
Red hair can turn purple due to residual cool-toned dyes (like blue or black) already present in the hair that interact with the new red pigment. Red and purple are close on the color spectrum, so any existing cool undertones can shift a fresh red color toward violet. A professional colorist can prevent this by performing a strand test beforehand, identifying any residual color or chemicals, and treating the hair with a cleansing or restorative treatment prior to applying the new color.
What is a strand test and why is it important before coloring hair red?
A strand test involves applying the intended color formula to a single strand of hair before doing a full color application. It allows the stylist to see exactly how the color will react given the hair’s current condition, existing dye, and underlying pigments. For red hair specifically, this step is crucial because any residual color or chemical treatment can cause an unexpected shift toward purple or another unwanted tone. Skipping a strand test increases the risk of a color result that doesn’t match the client’s expectations.
Can old hair dye affect a new red color treatment?
Yes, old hair dye, even from temporary or boxed products applied months earlier, can significantly affect a new color treatment. Color can stain the hair shaft and remain present even when the hair appears to have returned to its natural shade. When a new color is applied, it can lift and blend with old residual pigment, creating an unexpected result. Informing your stylist about any color applied in the past year or two is important so they can plan the appropriate preparation steps.
What products help maintain red hair color and prevent fading?
Salon-quality, color-safe products are essential for maintaining vivid red hair. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners help prevent premature color stripping, and nourishing hair masques, such as Oribe’s Gold Lust effective Masque, can keep color-treated hair soft, shiny, and vibrant weeks after a color service. Avoiding excessive heat styling and sun exposure also helps preserve the intensity of red tones.
Why is professional coloring recommended for achieving red hair without purple undertones?
Achieving true red hair without unwanted purple undertones requires a precise understanding of color theory, specifically knowing how warm and cool tones interact. Professional colorists are trained to analyze your hair’s current condition and undertones and apply the exact formula needed to achieve the desired result. Boxed dyes are particularly risky with red, as the final result can look auburn on the packaging but turn out purple on a given individual’s hair depending on their existing color.
How does color theory apply to red hair coloring?
Color theory is the study of how colors interact and influence one another. In hair coloring, it means understanding the relationship between warm tones (reds, oranges, golds) and cool tones (blues, violets, greens). Because red and purple are adjacent on the color spectrum, even a small amount of residual cool pigment can push a red result toward purple. Professional stylists use color theory to select the right formulas, pre-treatments, and toners to ensure the final color stays true to the intended warm-red range.