If you’re looking to dye your hair purple, we’ve scoured Instagram for every shade of lilac imaginable. From ashy to pastel, dark, to light, ombre to dip dye.
Whether you’re making the commitment and booking in for that full head of bleach, or experimenting with wigs, we’ve got all the inspiration you could ever nee
While we most definitely recommend booking a salon appointment for some of these styles, if you happen to be blonde already you can dip your toes into the lilac waters first, by experimenting with wash out toners.
However if you’re looking for something a bit more bespoke, like hidden violet highlights, or grey to lilac ombre, we’ve scoured Instagram to bring you the best dye jobs from some of the UK’s top colourists.
Bleach London, Josh Wood Colour, Blue Tit London and Not Another Salon all specialise in brights, so not only do they know exactly what to do when you show them your lilac inspo pic, but they also know what’s actually achievable for your hair texture and type.
If you want a super bright pastel shade but don’t want to damage your hair by bleaching it first, you might want to talk to your colourist about having a wig custom dyed. It’s also a route to take if you’re indecisive and are likely to want to dye it back in a weeks’ time.
Whatever your decision, we’ve made sure there’s an inspo pic for everyone below:
1. ’90s lilac
As if we needed any more inspiration to get some chunky ’90s highlights…
2. Multi-tonal
You don’t have to opt for an allover dye if you’re going for a bright hair colour. We love the dimension these multi-tonal highlights give.
3. Violet skies
Is this, or is this not the dreamy lilac pastel you’ve been dreaming of?
4. Dark and stormy
If your employer won’t let you dye your hair, or you’re not sure about going the whole hog, this hidden style is perfect.
5. Purple crop
For a cooler toned lilac, ask your hairdresser to mix in a touch of pink.
6. Lilac hints
If you’ve got the fear about dyeing your whole head purple, these smoky lilac highlights will gently ease you in.
7. Purple haze
Remember lilac hair doesn’t have to be super bright, as Megan proves with her washed out silvery purple shade.
8. Smoky tones
This ashy, ombre colour is a great option for those who don’t have the time, or money, for regular root touch-ups.
9. Denim waves
This is just possibly the coolest shade of purple/blue we have seen to date.
10. Care Bear hair
For hair so shiny it looks straight out of a Manga film use Olaplex when colouring to prevent breakage and boost gloss.
11. Yellow flash
We’re obsessed with this unique yellow and purple style by Blue Tit London.
12. Pure amethyst
Make the most of your crop by experimenting with bright shades that won’t cause damage.
13. Lilac mystery
It is blue? Is it purple? We don’t care, we just want it.
14. Grungy brights
Keep your roots dark for a less cute and more edgy pastel look.
15. Purple ash
A hair colour this light is best left to the professionals. Ask for a full head of bleach and lilac toner.
16. Just a hint
If you have short hair like Kelis and don’t want to go full on purple, add a touch of lilac to the sides.
17. Pastel kaleidoscope
To say this multi-coloured look by Bleach London is our favourite hair colour ever, is an understatement to say the least.
18. Cool toned hues
Ashy lilac doesn’t have to be dull, as queen of YouTube, Jackie Aina proves.
19. Bruised voilet
Bleach London is known for their bold transformations and we love this shade they’ve coined ‘Bruised Voilet’.
20. Parma violet
They might be a terrible sweet, but they make for great hair colour inspo.
21. Mauve tones
If your hair is already blonde, experiment with wash out lavender hues before taking the big plunge.
22. Purple boost
As bright hair colours fade quickly, try mixing a some dye with your conditioner every time you wash to boost vibrancy.
23. Lavender hues
If your hair can’t handle the bleach commitment that lilac hair needs, try experimenting with wigs to get the perfect pastel colour.
24. Lilac bleed
This beautiful hair colour fades from pink to lilac and back again, definitely one to book a salon appointment for.
25. Ashy aubergine
Proof that pastels don’t have to be sickeningly bright.
26. Amethyst light
For hair inspired by your favourite crystal, ask your hairdresser for tonal purple highlights to add extra depth and dimension.
27. Pastel grunge
Even our favourite My Little Pony was never this cool.
28. Purple sunset
Struggling to find a wig with the hair colour you want? Ask your hairdresser if they offer custom wig dying services.
29. Pastel prism
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It may require a full head of bleach, but it’s worth it for this pearlescent result.
Via Cosmopolitan UK