Best Purple Dye?

I don't really use purple, but I find Directions and Special effects for the reasons you mention. They aren't damaging at all, because they're basically conditioner with pigment. Most of the colours last well, with some exceptions. Directions is pretty cheap and Special Effects, while a bit more expensive, is worth it for just how well it lasts.

For actual purple recommendations though, what shade of purple do you want? Dark? Pastel? Blue toned, pink toned?

I don't really use purple, but I find Directions and Special effects for the reasons you mention. They aren't damaging at all, because they're basically conditioner with pigment. Most of the colours last well, with some exceptions. Directions is pretty cheap and Special Effects, while a bit more expensive, is worth it for just how well it lasts.

For actual purple recommendations though, what shade of purple do you want? Dark? Pastel? Blue toned, pink toned?

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm looking for a warmer, pink toned purple 🙂

I've had success with Adore purples ... they've got a few but Violet Gem is the pink-based one I've tried, I applied it over faded African Violet (very blue-based, see my avatar) and I got a rich cadbury purple where the two overlapped and nice pinky-purple on "bare" hair.
For me the main thing is that they don't rub/sweat off onto everything, which I find Directions does.

For me the main thing is that they don't rub/sweat off onto everything, which I find Directions does.

True. But it's easily fixed by diluting with conditioner. With some colours it makes them go twice as far at least.

TIP - if you click on any brand or colour selection on the Beeunique website you can see a list of the best sellers for that section half way down on the left hand side e.g. for Purple Hair Dyes, look underneath reviews on left.  This is really handy for seeing what sells the most and can be done for any brand, colour etc.

From personal feedback and use, I love Directions and Adore purples and sway more towards the Adore ones as little to no colour rub-off, smells great and leaves my hair feeling ace

I have been using Special Effects Deep Purple on and off for a while, and I'm super happy with it. I love it so much I keep coming back. The color lasts longer than other purples I've used. It also had a very slight warm pink cast. The only negative was it stained my hair baby pink when I tried to bleach the dye out (which, for me, was honestly more of a perk than a problem). It fades very nicely into a pinkish purple hue if left alone. I dilute the dye heavily since I'm attempting to maintain a medium to pastel purple. As a result, I've been using the same bottle for a long time - at least a year, possibly longer. It's a cost saver for me. It doesn't rub off too much I don't think? My pillow case is currently clean, anyway.

Purple dye *not* to go with? Manic Panic Ultra Violet. It's a pretty blue purple color. Sadly, it fades very fast. I use a whole tub of it at a time, and then the color is gone the following week. It has uses, like sometimes I use it to tone my hair.

Thanks for all the help everyone! It's been a great help, I'm gonna try and get hold of some of the dyes you all recommended 🙂

I tried Special Effects Deep Purple on a friend's hair and it looked gorgeous, we diluted it a bit and it was really vibrant and long lasting. (I love Special Effects, I used their reds for years!). I've used Directions Violet on myself before and I wasn't super impressed really, it was a lovely colour but the texture seemed a little thinner than some of their dyes and it wasn't long lasting. I've just ordered one of the Adore purples (can't remember which one!) so I'm looking forward to trying that as I love their gingers and browns

With all these recommendations for Adore purples, I think I might have to give it a try too.

I love Adore dyes, some people find them a little tricky to apply as they are thinner and more runny than some dyes but I quite like how easily distributed through the hair they are (and you can always add a small amount of conditioner to thicken it up without diluting it too much) and they leave my hair so shiny!

I've not really been a fan so far. Never liked the colours on me sadly and I do find it absolutely horrendous to apply! My hair soaks everything up, so the more watery it is, the more and more and more I need! I've got through a huge amount each time I've tried it, which is the opposite to what most say. I'm definitely in the minority!

I love Adore dyes, some people find them a little tricky to apply as they are thinner and more runny than some dyes but I quite like how easily distributed through the hair they are (and you can always add a small amount of conditioner to thicken it up without diluting it too much) and they leave my hair so shiny!

Thanks for the reminder, I need to get some more nice thick conditioner for mixing.  I dislike the drippiness of Adore but I love everything else about it so it's still winning.

It just shows doesn't it, different strokes for different folks! I don't really find it that drippy or messy but my hair is pretty thin so it just combs through mine easily and I don't need much

I do find it drippy and messy but I put up with it because the colour lasts so well for me and the rub-off is so minimal. I get terrible staining from other brands no matter how much I dilute them.

I am fascinated by how different everyone's hair behaves!