How to Temporarily Colour Your Hair Purple at Minimal Cost

Last Updated: October 11, 2022

If you go to a private school, or just want to experiment with something new, here's how you can colour your hair purple temporarily with Gentian Violet!

Steps

1
Buy a bottle of Gentian Violet from your local drugstore. It is used to treat cuts and wounds and should be relatively cheap. Don't buy a bottle that is too big as you'll only be using a little bit (even if your hair is long).
2
Prepare by washing your hair thoroughly.^{[1]
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Research source} Put a towel down where you'll be working. If you're working in a bathroom, be careful! Gentian Violet will stain porcelain and furniture.

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3
Place a few drops (4-8) of Gentian Violet in a small, disposable container and dilute it. To dilute, it is a good idea to use any water-based hair product such as heat protection, although water is fine.^{[2]
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4
Put gloves on your hands to prevent staining of skin
5
Using a small, soft, flat brush such as a paintbrush or make-up brush, apply the gentian violet to small areas of hair at a time. If you run out, use more drops. Make sure to dilute it, though or it may turn out black.^{[3]
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6
Leave it on your hair to set for approximately 5 minutes
7
Rinse your hair under cool water. If rinsing in a porcelain bathtub, keep some rubbing alcohol handy to remove any purple stains.
8
Dry and style hair as desired

Community Q&A

Question

Will the color go away if I wash my hair?

Community Answer

It depends on how long you left the color in for. It's also best to wash your hair with cold water instead of warm water, because warm water fades your hair.
Question

If I added too much gentian violet and caused my hair to turn black, what can I do to get it to be purple, as it should be?

Community Answer

Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo (you can also use regular) as soon as you can and it will take out some of the gentian violet.
Question

Can I curl my hair after dying it with gentian violet?

Community Answer

Yes, you may curl it.

Warnings

Do not ingest.

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Gentian Violet stains anything it comes into contact with.

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