5 Smart Beauty Purple Hair Dye Shades: Semi & Permanent

Purple remains one of the most requested hair colours for at-home colouring, and for good reason. Whether you're after a deep, moody plum or a bright lilac that turns heads, purple lets you make a statement without stepping foot in a salon. If you've been searching for a Smart Beauty purple hair dye that actually delivers on vibrancy, you're in the right place. Every shade in our range is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from PPD, ammonia, and resorcinol, so your hair gets bold colour without the harsh trade-offs.

But with several purple options across our permanent and semi-permanent lines, picking the right one matters. Shade depth, lasting power, and your starting hair colour all play a role in your final result.

Below, we break down five of our best purple hair dye shades, what makes each one different, and which option suits your hair goals, so you can order with confidence.

1. Deep amethyst purple

Deep amethyst is the richest purple in the Smart Beauty range. It sits at the darker end of the purple spectrum, with a blue-toned base and jewel-like depth that gives it a gemstone quality in the light. This is the shade to reach for when you want a colour that feels bold and luxurious rather than soft or pastel.

What this shade looks like

Deep amethyst purple reads as a dark, saturated violet in most indoor lighting, shifting towards a richer, cooler tone in natural daylight. It has real depth, which gives your hair dimension and movement without veering into black territory. The result is intense without looking flat.

Best base hair colour and prep

This shade performs best on pre-lightened hair, ideally lifted to a level 8 or above. On darker starting hair, the colour will still deposit, but the amethyst tone may appear more subtle than expected. Always strand test before your full application to check the depth you will achieve on your specific base.

The lighter your starting base, the truer and more vivid your amethyst result will be.

Which Smart Beauty purple dye to choose

For deep amethyst results, choose a permanent purple from the Smart Beauty purple hair dye collection. Permanent dye gives you the strongest colour deposit and the longest-lasting wear. If you are testing the shade for the first time, a semi-permanent option lets you preview the colour without the full commitment.

Application tips for an even, jewel-tone result

Section your hair into four clean parts before you start. Work the dye from root to tip with a tint brush and leave it to process for the full development time stated on the packaging. Rushing this step is the most common reason for uneven results.

How to maintain and refresh this shade

Wash with a colour-safe, sulphate-free shampoo to slow fading. Use a purple conditioning mask every two to three weeks to keep the tone vivid between full colour applications.

2. Bright pure purple

Bright pure purple sits at the vivid, electric end of the Smart Beauty purple hair dye range. Unlike amethyst or lilac, this shade is neither dark nor muted. It lands exactly where purple looks most saturated and true to colour.

What this shade looks like

This is a clean, mid-tone violet with no brown or blue lean. In both natural and artificial light, it delivers a bold, unmistakably purple result that reads as vivid rather than deep or washed out.

This shade is ideal if you want a colour people notice immediately without going as dark as amethyst.

Best base hair colour and prep

You need a light blonde base, level 9 or above, to achieve maximum brightness. On mid-blonde hair, the colour deposits slightly richer and darker than expected. Always strand test before your full application.

Which Smart Beauty purple dye to choose

Pick a semi-permanent bright purple for a vivid, flexible result. Semi-permanent formulas deposit strong pigment without permanent commitment, making them ideal when you want impact but may want to switch shades later.

Application tips for maximum vibrancy

Apply to freshly washed, towel-dried hair for the best pigment absorption. Work through every section thoroughly and leave the dye for the full development time to maximise colour intensity.

How to maintain and refresh this shade

Bright purples fade faster than deeper tones, so wash in cool water and use a colour-protecting conditioner after every wash. Refresh the colour every three to four weeks to keep it sharp.

3. Soft lilac pastel purple

Soft lilac is the lightest, most delicate purple in the Smart Beauty range. Where amethyst and bright purple make a bold statement, lilac takes a softer approach, sitting closer to a washed-out, dreamy tone that suits those who want colour without high contrast.

What this shade looks like

Soft lilac reads as a pale, cool-toned purple with a white base behind it. In natural light, it appears almost silvery, giving your hair a subtle, romantic quality rather than vivid intensity.

Best base hair colour and prep

This shade requires the lightest possible base, ideally lifted to a level 9 or 10. On anything darker, the lilac pigment will not show clearly and the result will read as a faint grey or muted tone.

The closer your base is to white-blonde, the cleaner and more defined your lilac result will be.

Which Smart Beauty purple dye to choose

Choose a semi-permanent lilac from the Smart Beauty purple hair dye range. Semi-permanent formulas work perfectly here because pastel shades are designed for low-commitment, refreshable colour.

Application tips for a clean pastel finish

Apply to dry, pre-lightened hair for stronger pigment deposit. Work in small sections and leave the dye on for the minimum recommended time to avoid the shade going too deep.

How to maintain and refresh this shade

Lilac fades quickly, so use a purple toning shampoo weekly to counteract any warm or yellow undertones. Refresh the colour every two to three weeks to keep the tone clean.

4. Smoky violet purple

Smoky violet purple is the muted, sophisticated option in the Smart Beauty purple hair dye range. It blends grey-toned ash with a deep violet base, producing a colour that feels editorial and understated rather than vivid or sweet.

What this shade looks like

Smoky violet reads as a cool, grey-inflected purple that shifts depending on your lighting. In natural daylight, the violet comes forward. Indoors, the ashy undertones give it a darker, more complex quality that works especially well for those who want purple without the full intensity.

Best base hair colour and prep

This shade suits pre-lightened hair between level 7 and 9. A mid-blonde base lets the smoky grey tones show through cleanly. On darker hair, the result sits deeper and the violet becomes less visible.

The grey undertone in this shade is what makes it stand out, so your base prep directly determines whether that quality comes through.

Which Smart Beauty purple dye to choose

Select a semi-permanent smoky violet for the most accurate result. The formula deposits colour without stripping your base, keeping the ashy balance intact.

Application tips to avoid patchiness and dullness

Apply to dry, pre-lightened hair in thin, even sections. Damp hair can dilute the grey pigment and dull the final result significantly.

How to maintain and refresh this shade

Use a silver or purple toning shampoo weekly to stop warm tones creeping in. Refresh the colour every three to four weeks to keep the smoky quality sharp.

5. Plum purple

Plum purple is the richest, most wearable purple in the Smart Beauty purple hair dye range. It blends deep red and violet tones to create a shade that sits at the boundary between purple and burgundy, giving you a colour with real warmth and depth.

What this shade looks like

This shade reads as a dark, wine-infused purple with warm red undertones that soften the overall effect. In natural light, the violet base shows clearly, while indoors the colour leans darker and more complex.

Best base hair colour and prep

Plum works on a wider range of base colours than most purples in this range. Hair lifted to level 6 or above gives you the best result, though darker starting bases will produce a deeper, more subtle finish.

If your hair is already dark, plum is the most forgiving purple shade to start with.

Which Smart Beauty purple dye to choose

Choose a permanent plum from the Smart Beauty range for long-lasting, deep colour that holds its red-violet balance through multiple washes. If you want flexibility, a semi-permanent version lets you trial the tone before committing fully.

Application tips for a richer, deeper tone

Apply to dry, sectioned hair and leave the dye for the maximum development time to draw out the full depth of the plum tone.

How to maintain and refresh this shade

Wash with a colour-safe shampoo and use a red or violet conditioning mask every two weeks to stop the warmth fading out between applications.

Next steps

You now have a clear picture of what each Smart Beauty purple hair dye shade offers and what your hair needs to achieve the best result. Whether you want the deep richness of amethyst, the warmth of plum, or the delicate finish of lilac, the right starting base and the right formula make the difference between a colour that impresses and one that falls flat.

Before you order, check your current hair level against the prep guidance for your chosen shade. If you need to lift your base first, factor that into your plan before applying any purple. Once your base is ready, the application process is straightforward when you follow the tips above.

Your next step is to browse the full range and pick your shade. Head to the Creative Colour System to find your perfect purple and order with confidence.