15 Red and Purple Hair Ideas That Truly Stand Out
Discover 15 stunning red and purple hair ideas that make heads turn. From ombre to highlights, find your perfect bold color combination today.
Have you ever walked past someone with vibrant red and purple hair and thought, wow, I wish I had that confidence? You're not alone in this fascination with bold hair colors that scream creativity and individuality. The combination of red and purple creates a mesmerizing blend that transforms ordinary locks into extraordinary masterpieces. Whether you're dreaming of subtle highlights or contemplating a complete color transformation, these fiery and mystical hues offer endless possibilities for self-expression. Red brings passion and energy while purple adds mystery and sophistication, making this color duo perfect for anyone ready to break free from conventional hair norms. Let's explore fifteen incredible ways to rock this stunning color combination that will definitely make you the center of attention wherever you go.
1. Burgundy to Violet Ombre
The burgundy to violet ombre creates an absolutely stunning transition that looks like a beautiful sunset melting into twilight. This sophisticated color combination works wonderfully on medium to long hair, allowing the colors to flow seamlessly from deep wine tones at the roots to rich violet at the tips. Your stylist will typically start with a darker burgundy shade near your scalp, gradually blending it into lighter purple tones as they work their way down. What makes this style particularly appealing is how it grows out gracefully without harsh lines or obvious roots showing. The depth of burgundy provides a natural-looking base that complements most skin tones, while the violet ends add that perfect pop of unexpected color that catches everyone's eye in different lighting.
2. Cherry Red with Purple Underlights
Cherry red hair with purple underlights offers the perfect balance between bold statement and subtle surprise. This technique involves keeping your top layer a vibrant cherry red while hiding gorgeous purple streaks underneath that peek through when you move or style your hair differently. You get to enjoy the best of both worlds with this versatile look that can appear professional when needed yet reveals your creative side with every flip of your hair. The contrast between the bright cherry and deep purple creates incredible dimension that photographs beautifully and looks amazing in person. Many people choose this style because it allows them to experiment with two colors without fully committing to an all-over dramatic change, making it perfect for first-time color adventurers who want something unique yet manageable.
3. Split-Dye Red and Purple
Split-dye hair divides your head into two distinct color zones, creating an incredibly bold and artistic statement that turns heads wherever you go. This dramatic style typically features vibrant red on one side and rich purple on the other, meeting in a clean line down the middle of your head. You'll love how this look changes depending on which angle people see you from, almost like having two completely different hairstyles in one. The key to nailing this style lies in choosing the right shades that complement each other while still providing enough contrast to make the split obvious. Some adventurous souls even add different textures or curling patterns to each side, enhancing the duality of this eye-catching style that perfectly represents having multiple facets to your personality.
4. Magenta Melting into Plum
The magenta to plum color melt creates an absolutely mesmerizing effect that looks like liquid gemstones flowing through your hair. This technique involves seamlessly blending bright magenta at the roots into deep, mysterious plum toward the ends without any harsh lines or obvious transitions. Your colorist will use multiple shades between magenta and plum to achieve this gorgeous gradient that shifts and changes in different lighting conditions. The beauty of this combination lies in how both colors share similar undertones, making the transition appear natural despite being incredibly vibrant. This style works exceptionally well on all hair lengths but truly shines on wavy or curly textures where the colors can dance and intermingle with every movement, creating an almost holographic effect that makes people do double takes.
5. Fire Engine Red with Lavender Tips
Fire engine red hair with lavender tips creates a striking contrast that looks like flames transforming into cool smoke at the ends. This bold combination plays with temperature theory in color, mixing the hottest red with the coolest purple for maximum visual impact. Starting with an intense, vibrant red at the roots and mid-lengths, your stylist will gradually introduce lavender tones that lighten toward the tips. The unexpected pairing of these colors creates a unique look that stands out in any crowd while maintaining a cohesive flow from top to bottom. This style particularly suits those who want to make a statement without going for an all-over pastel or neon look, as the fire engine red provides a strong base that grounds the ethereal lavender ends beautifully.
6. Wine Red Base with Purple Balayage
Wine red hair with purple balayage offers a sophisticated twist on traditional highlighting techniques that adds incredible depth and dimension to your locks. This hand-painted technique allows your colorist to strategically place purple streaks throughout your wine-colored base, creating a natural, sun-kissed effect with an unconventional color palette. The deep wine red provides a rich, luxurious foundation that makes the purple balayage pieces pop without looking too stark or unnatural. You'll appreciate how this style grows out beautifully since balayage doesn't start at the roots, meaning less frequent touch-ups and more time enjoying your stunning color. The combination works particularly well for those wanting to add interest to their hair without committing to an all-over bright color, making it perfect for professionals who still want to express their creative side.
7. Raspberry and Amethyst Blend
The raspberry and amethyst blend creates a delicious color combination that looks good enough to eat while maintaining an air of mystical elegance. These two shades work together harmoniously because they share similar pink undertones, allowing them to merge and separate throughout your hair in the most beautiful way. Your stylist will typically apply these colors using a technique that allows them to swirl together naturally, creating unique patterns that make your hair truly one of a kind. The raspberry brings warmth and vibrancy while the amethyst adds depth and richness, resulting in a multidimensional masterpiece that changes appearance in different lighting. This combination particularly flatters cool skin tones but can be adjusted with warmer or cooler variations to suit anyone brave enough to try this gorgeous color duo.
8. Crimson Roots Fading to Purple
Crimson roots fading to purple creates a reverse ombre effect that challenges traditional color placement while delivering absolutely stunning results. This technique starts with deep, rich crimson at your roots that gradually transitions through various shades of red-violet before ending in pure purple at the tips. The darker roots create a shadow effect that adds incredible depth while making maintenance easier since your natural root growth won't be as noticeable. What makes this style particularly appealing is how it frames your face with warm crimson tones while the purple ends add movement and interest to your overall look. This gradient works beautifully on all hair lengths but really shines on longer styles where the full color journey from crimson to purple can be fully appreciated and admired.
9. Red and Purple Peekaboo Highlights
Red and purple peekaboo highlights offer a playful way to incorporate both colors without overwhelming your natural hair or committing to an all-over color change. This technique involves placing strategic panels of red and purple underneath your top layer of hair, creating colorful surprises that appear when you move or style your hair up. You control how much color shows by adjusting your hairstyle, making this perfect for those who need versatility between professional and creative environments. The hidden placement also means less damage to your overall hair since only select sections receive the bleaching and coloring treatment. This style lets you experiment with bold colors while maintaining the option to completely hide them when needed, giving you the ultimate flexibility in expressing your personality through your hair.
10. Sunset Gradient from Red to Purple
The sunset gradient mimics nature's most beautiful light show by blending warm reds through oranges and pinks before settling into cool purples. This complex color story requires skill to execute but delivers absolutely breathtaking results that look different from every angle and in every light. Your colorist will use multiple transitional shades to create this seamless gradient that captures the essence of a sunset sky painted across your strands. The warmth of the reds near your face brightens your complexion while the purple tones add depth and intrigue to the overall style. This look works exceptionally well on longer hair where the full gradient can be displayed, though creative stylists can adapt it for shorter lengths by condensing the color transitions.
11. Ruby Red with Violet Streaks
Ruby red hair with violet streaks creates a jewel-toned masterpiece that combines the richness of precious gems with the boldness of alternative style. The deep ruby base provides a luxurious foundation that makes the violet streaks appear to glow from within, creating an almost three-dimensional effect. Your stylist will strategically place these violet streaks to enhance your haircut and natural movement patterns, ensuring the colors dance together beautifully. This combination works particularly well for those who want something bold yet wearable, as both colors share enough depth to look sophisticated while still making a statement. The richness of these tones means they photograph beautifully and maintain their vibrancy longer than lighter shades, making this a great choice for those who want maximum impact with reasonable maintenance.
12. Purple Base with Red Money Pieces
Purple base with red money pieces flips the traditional highlighting concept by using vibrant red frames around your face against a stunning purple canvas. These face-framing red sections brighten your complexion and draw attention to your features while the purple base provides a beautiful contrasting backdrop. This technique allows you to enjoy the benefits of both colors with the red pieces adding warmth where you need it most while the purple maintains that cool, mysterious vibe throughout. The placement of the red money pieces can be customized to flatter your face shape and enhance your best features. This style offers incredible versatility since you can change how prominent the red appears simply by adjusting your part or tucking hair behind your ears.
13. Maroon and Lilac Dimensional Color
Maroon and lilac dimensional color creates a sophisticated palette that combines the depth of maroon with the softness of lilac for a truly unique result. This technique involves weaving both colors throughout your hair in varying concentrations, creating a multidimensional effect that reveals new color combinations with every movement. Your colorist will use foiling or painting techniques to ensure these colors blend harmoniously while maintaining their individual beauty and impact. The contrast between the deep maroon and pale lilac creates incredible visual interest without being too harsh or jarring to the eye. This combination particularly suits those who want something different from typical red or purple hair, offering a more nuanced approach to bold color that still turns heads.
14. Red to Purple Galaxy Hair
Red to purple galaxy hair incorporates multiple shades and techniques to create an out-of-this-world effect that mimics the cosmos in your strands. This complex style combines deep purples and blacks with bright reds and magentas, often adding touches of pink or blue to complete the celestial effect. Your stylist will use various application methods to create depth and movement that resembles swirling galaxies and nebulas throughout your hair. The key to achieving this look lies in the placement and blending of colors to create that ethereal, space-like quality that makes this style so captivating. This intricate color work requires maintenance and care but rewards you with hair that looks like it belongs in a fantasy movie or art gallery.
15. Auburn with Purple Shadow Root
Auburn hair with a purple shadow root creates an unexpected combination that brings together natural-looking warmth with an edgy twist at the roots. This technique involves applying deep purple color to your roots that gradually fades into beautiful auburn tones, creating a shadowed effect that adds incredible depth. The purple shadow root not only looks stunning but also helps extend time between touch-ups since the darker color at the roots disguises new growth effectively. This style works beautifully for those transitioning from darker hair or anyone wanting to add interest to their auburn color without going completely bold. The contrast between the cool purple roots and warm auburn lengths creates a dynamic look that photographs beautifully and catches light in the most flattering ways.
Conclusion
Red and purple hair combinations offer endless possibilities for expressing your unique personality and style through color. From subtle peekaboo highlights to bold split-dye statements, these vibrant hues can transform your look and boost your confidence. Remember that maintaining these colors requires commitment, quality products, and regular salon visits to keep them looking fresh and vibrant. Whether you choose a dramatic galaxy effect or sophisticated wine and purple balayage, you're sure to stand out from the crowd.
Read next: 15 Blonde and Red Hair Ideas to Refresh Your Look
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long do red and purple hair colors typically last?
A: Usually two to six weeks depending on maintenance and hair care routine.
Q2: Do I need to bleach my hair for red and purple colors?
A: Dark hair requires bleaching, but lighter shades might not need it.
Q3: Which skin tones look best with red and purple hair?
A: All skin tones can wear these colors with the right shade selection.
Q4: How often should I wash red and purple colored hair?
A: Wash every three to four days using color-safe shampoo and cool water.
Q5: Can I achieve red and purple hair at home?
A: Professional application recommended for best results and even color distribution.