Red Violet Hair Color Highlights – How to Get Beautiful Violet Undertones in Your Hair

Everything You Need to Know About Red Violet Hair Highlights

If you’ve been searching for “red violet highlights,” you’re probably considering adding some vivid color to your locks. In this article, I’ll cover all the basics of getting red-violet highlights, from what to expect in terms of upkeep and fading to tips for choosing the right shade and technique. By the end, you’ll have a full understanding of whether this hair color trend is right for you.

What Are Red Violet Highlights?

Red violet highlights add subtle pops of purple-toned red to hair. They work well for lightening up darker shades or adding dimension to blondes and brunettes. The red violet color is a deep, berrywine hue with cool purple undertones. When blended into highlights, it adds a sultry edge without being overly vibrant.

From my experience as a hairstylist, red violet highlights are extremely flattering on a range of skin tones. The cool tones complement most complexions beautifully. They also photograph exceptionally well, appearing dramatic in photos without looking over-the-top in person. This makes them a popular choice for those who want a statement hair color but worry about it being too much day-to-day.

Applying Red Violet Highlights

Red violet highlights are most commonly added through a foil highlighting technique. Your stylist will section off pieces of hair and wrap them in tin foil before applying the dye. This isolates the highlighted sections so the color distributes evenly.

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Some key points about the highlighting process:

  • Expect 2-3 rounds of foils for full coverage but a natural look
  • The highlights will be placed throughout to frame your face and add dimension
  • Processing time is typically 30-45 minutes to prevent the color from getting too intense

Balayage is another popular option. Your stylist hand-paints the color on randomly placed sections for a sunkissed effect. But it requires more frequent touch-ups as the roots grow in.

Upkeep and Fading

How long red violet highlights last depends on your hair type and lifestyle. In general, you can expect them to fade gradually over 4-6 weeks. Regular shampooing will cause the color to fade faster. But high heat styling, chlorine exposure from swimming, and sun exposure can also accelerate the process.

To extend the life of your highlights, skip heat tools when possible, rinse hair with cool water, and use a colored conditioner to nourish hair during the fading phase. Expect to maintain the color every 4-6 weeks with a gloss or partial highlighting touch-up.

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One downside is that as red violet fades, it leaves behind a brassy, reddish tint that some people don’t like. To prevent this, consider doing a gloss every 2-3 washes to refresh the color. Or you can modify future touch-ups with violet or blue tones to offset brassiness.

Choosing the Right Shade

When picking a red violet shade, consider your natural hair color and skin tone for the most harmonious look. Here are some popular options:

  1. Dark Violet: A rich, intensely pigmented violet shade that stands out boldly against very light to medium hair. Best for fair or light medium skin tones.
  2. Berry: A medium toned, deep wine shade that livens up medium to dark brunette hair nicely. Flattering on most light to medium complexions.
  3. Mauve: A pretty, soft lavender-mauve that meshes beautifully with golden/caramel blonde shades. Looks lovely paired with light to medium skin tones.

Getting hair color samples is key to choosing the right red violet shade. See how it contrasts with your natural strands. Consider whether you want it bright or subtle against your complexion too.

Alternatives to Highlights

If you’re iffy about committing to highlights, there are some less permanent red violet options to experiment with first:

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  • Red violet hair chalk or hair mascara adds vivid color you can wash out easily
  • Semi-permanent or demi- permanent color washes out within 6-8 shampoos
  • Red violet rinses or gloss coats hair temporarily in 1-2 washes

These techniques let you preview how the hue looks on your locks before fully committing to highlights. You can also gradually build up the coverage until you find the perfect shade and amount of color for your style.

Making the Most of Red Violet Highlights

With the proper precare and styling tricks, you can ensure your red violet highlights stand out beautifully for weeks on end. Here are some top tips:

  1. Shampoo no more than 2-3 times weekly to retain moisture and vibrancy
  2. Reach for sulfate-free, color-safe formulas to cleanse hair gently
  3. Condition well with glossing masks to nourish strands as color fades
  4. Style with heat protector sprays before blow drying or straightening
  5. Sleep on a satin pillow to reduce friction that causes faster fading
  6. Consider using a color-depositing conditioner to refresh highlights

Following these maintenance tips ensures your red violet hair color lasts as long as possible between salon visits. Proper care prevents it from becoming lackluster or dull too quickly.

The Final Verdict on Red Violet Highlights

In the end, whether red violet highlights are worth it comes down to your individual tastes and lifestyle. From my experience, most ladies who try this color love how it brightens up their look without being too bold. The berrywine tones pair especially well with cool complexions.

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Just go into it knowing you’ll need touch-ups every 4-6 weeks as it fades. Highlight maintenance requires more time and commitment than all-over color. But if you don’t mind the upkeep, red violet highlights can make a fun, long-lasting spring or summer hair change. The creamy berryish tones never go out of style, in my opinion.

I hope this guide has helped you determine if red violet highlights are the right hair color change for you! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions before booking your salon appointment. Wishing you happy highlighting!

Red Violet Highlight Color Facts

Color Hex Code RGB Values
Red Violet #8601AF R: 134, G: 1, B: 175
Description A reddish purple color leaning more towards red than blue on the color wheel.
Complementary Color Yellow Green #9ACD32
Tint Light Red Violet #EC92C6
Shade Dark Red Violet #590067
Using Red Violet For Adding drama and vibrancy to designs, product packaging, branding, and more.

FAQ

  1. What colors of red violet highlights look good?
    Bright violets, plums, and deep burgundies basically pop the most and really catch your eye. Lighter shades of maroon and mauve can work too if you’re going for a more subtle effect.
  2. How long do red violet highlights usually last?
    Red violet highlights tend to fade rather quickly, normally within 4 to 6 weeks. Nevertheless, the exact time frame really depends on your hair type and how often you wash it. According to hair stylists, highlights may possibly fade quicker for those with darker hair or people who wash their locks daily. On the other hand, highlights can last a little longer for lighter hair that gets washed less regularly.
  3. Are red violet highlights damaging to hair?
    Unlike some unnatural hair colors, red violet highlights are not necessarily awful for your hair. In fact, many experts claim they are sort of gentle because they resemble natural pigments found in some flowers and berries. However, the bleach processing required to lighten the hair beforehand can possibly be taxing on strands. So it’s still important to use a high-quality coloring product and deep condition regularly to prevent breakage or dryness over time. But in moderation, red violet highlights may not be too damaging.
  4. How much do red violet highlights usually cost?
    The cost can vary a lot depending on your location and the stylist. But on average, you’re looking at spending between $100-$250 for red violet highlights. The price may be on the lower side if you only want a few subtle streaks whereas full dimensional highlights all over could set you back closer to $200. And of course, living in a big city usually means paying more. Who knows, maybe some places have amazing deals sometimes! In any case, be prepared to pay a decent amount for a stunning transformation.
  5. Can red violet highlights fade to pink or purple?
    It’s certainly possible for red violet highlights to morph into slightly different shades as they fade. Some people report their locks maybe turning a little pinkish or lavender colored after a few weeks. I even saw a Salon article once where a customer’s highlights appeared nearly periwinkle! Of course, this all depends on your original hair color and how light the highlights were blended. In the end, any shade of faded vibrancy still seems better than limp locks, right? It keeps things interesting as colors evolve naturally over time.
  6. Is it a big change going from brown to red violet highlights?
    Going from brown to red violet highlights absolutely qualifies as a bold aesthetic switch-up. It totally revamps your look in a stunning way but takes some getting used to. You’re transforming your wholesome hues into vivacious violet splendor. For some brunettes, it’s a little scary going that far out of their coloring comfort zone. Still, most women say the adjustment period is worth it for the compliments received on their sizzling new ‘do! Just be prepared for major attention wherever you go.
  7. Would red violet highlights fade if I used purple shampoo?
    While purple shampoo helps to prevent brassy or yellow tones from forming in blonde or lightened locks, it may not stop red violet highlights from fading over time. The vibrant pigments just don’t tend to cling to hair fibers as tightly as more natural blonde shades. That said, purple shampoo could possibly stretch out the vividness for a week or two extra by regulating unwanted warm hues in between dye jobs. But if keeping deep jewel tones is the goal, touch-ups every 4-6 weeks remain pretty essential. More natural dye options may fare better in the long run.