Blue and purple sit next to each other on the colour wheel, which is why they blend so smoothly into one another. This gallery shows that pairing in many moods: milky opal and pearl pastels, a mermaid-style teal and violet mix, a navy “dark unicorn” base laced with plum and green, and punchy rainbow ribbons running through black hair. There are long braided styles, a periwinkle pixie, a stacked lilac bob and a two-tone blue bob with a purple dip.
Your starting colour matters more than anything. Pastels such as the pearl and periwinkle shades need hair lifted to a very pale blonde, which is a big commitment for dark or previously coloured hair. Deeper navy, indigo and plum tones are kinder to brunettes, because they can go over a lighter brown and the regrowth looks less stark.
Think about upkeep too. Blue is one of the fastest semi-permanent pigments to fade, and it often shifts towards green as it goes. If you want low maintenance, choose a placement you can refresh in sections, such as hidden panels, a dipped end or chunky highlights.
1. Opal Braid
Opal stones inspired this blend of pink, lilac and soft blue, which is gentler than a full galaxy dye. The pastel tones are melted together from roots to ends and then woven into a loose braid, so every twist shows a different shade. It needs pale, pre-lightened hair to look this soft.
Inspiration: @Instagram
2. Mermaid Mane
Rather than the usual sea green, this mermaid look uses deep violet and teal to suggest moonlight on dark water. The shades are dark and moody but still clearly colourful. Long, loose waves show off the way the two tones shift into each other, and a cool rinse helps keep the teal from fading.
Inspiration: @Instagram
3. Geomertric Undercut
A diamond-shaped design shaved into the nape undercut gives this galaxy colour an edgy twist. Inky blue and purple lengths are pulled into a thick braid, so the shaved pattern stays on show. The undercut needs a quick tidy every few weeks to keep the lines crisp.
Inspiration: @Instagram
4. Dizzying Double Braid
Two neat braids could look quite prim, but splitting the colour into teal on one side and purple on the other changes the whole mood. Touches of pink in between make it feel playful. Braiding also protects the ends of bleached hair from daily friction.
Inspiration: @Instagram
5. Starry Spirals
Softened purple and teal balayage keeps this look sweet rather than loud. The galactic tones are blended so there are no harsh stripes, and loose medium curls help the shades catch the light. It is a good choice if you want colour that still looks gentle.
Inspiration: @Instagram
6. Stained Glass Sides
Bold primary and secondary colours are painted in blocks along the sides, a little like a stained glass window. On top, the pastel blue curls are styled into a soft fauxhawk. The contrast of bright sides and pale top gives the cut a balanced, sculpted look.
Inspiration: @Instagram
7. Dark Unicorn Waves
Navy blue forms the base here, with dark purple and green woven through for a moody take on unicorn colour. Because the base is deep, it suits naturally dark hair well, and new growth blends in more easily than it would with pastels. Expect less bleaching too.
Inspiration: @Instagram
8. Lisa Frank Rainbow Hair
Bright rainbow tones mixed into purple and blue recall the cheerful sticker art many nineties kids grew up with. The result is playful and nostalgic. It works best on pre-lightened hair, and the brighter shades will need regular top-ups to stay this vivid.
Inspiration: @Instagram
9. Twilight Layers
Shades of violet, pink and blue are blended together like an evening sky at dusk. Long layers are key here, because they spread the colours out and let each one show as the hair moves. Ask your colourist for soft blending so the tones flow into each other.
Inspiration: @Instagram
10. Chunky Galaxy Highlights
Chunky highlights are an easy way into galaxy colour, with teal lengths broken up by bold pink pieces. If you are colouring at home, wide sections with foil and a brush are much simpler than fine, multi-tone work. Keep the sections even for a neat finish.
Inspiration: @Instagram
11. Tri-color Fishtail
Brown hair keeps its natural shade here, with a band of pink and teal hidden in the middle layer. Worn down, the colour peeks through; pulled into a half-up fishtail braid, it becomes the focus. It is an easy way to try bold colour without dyeing everything.
Inspiration: @Instagram
12. Punchy Layers
Blue, teal and purple are layered through this cut to add real depth. Multi-tone placement like this is hard to get right at home, so it is worth booking a colourist. Layers help each shade show, and a colour-depositing conditioner keeps the brightness going.
Inspiration: @Instagram
13. Periwinkle Pixie
Pastel blue and lilac mixed together give this short pixie a periwinkle shade with a few pink pieces. Styled up into a soft fauxhawk, it looks both pretty and fierce. Short hair also makes regular colour refreshes quicker and cheaper.
Inspiration: @Instagram
14. Pretty Pearl
Silver mixed into pale blue and pink creates a pearly finish that changes as light hits it. The washed-out tones look soft rather than bright. For short cuts, a small top knot is an easy weekend style that shows off the shimmer.
Inspiration: @Instagram
15. Bright Bob
A heavily layered pixie bob gets a fresh update with lilac all over and streaks of cobalt blue. The colour makes a classic shape feel modern. Neutral or pastel clothing lets the hair stand out, and a purple shampoo stops the lilac turning yellow.
Inspiration: @Instagram
16. Technicolor Ombre
Pastel blue at the roots melts into lavender and soft magenta at the ends of this short bob. The colour is strong, yet the smooth blend keeps it delicate. A sleek blow-dry shows the fade best, since curls would break up the gradient.
Inspiration: @Instagram
17. Rocking Rainbow
Thin ribbons of rainbow colour show up clearly against black hair, proof that dark bases can carry bright accents. Blue and purple lead, with other shades added for shimmer. Only the highlighted strands need lightening, so most of the hair stays healthy.
Inspiration: @Instagram
18. Purple Haze
Pastel purple on a short curly cut with plenty of volume makes a confident statement. The two-tone effect adds depth to the curls. Instead of daily heat, set damp hair on flexi-rods overnight for bouncy, defined coils in the morning.
Inspiration: @Instagram
19. Braided Half-Updo
Long hair with few layers can look flat, but blending dark blue with green and purple adds movement. A braided half-up style adds more texture and shows off the different shades. It takes only a few minutes and works well on second-day hair.
Inspiration: @Instagram
20. Easy and Ecclectic
A two-tone split is a simple alternative to highlights: blue on top and a purple dip at the ends of a short bob. The colours meet in a soft blend. Because there is no fine sectioning, this is one of the easier looks to keep up at home.
Inspiration: @Instagram
Keeping blue and violet pigment from washing out
- Wash with cool water and a sulphate-free shampoo, and try to stretch the time between washes. Dry shampoo helps on the in-between days.
- Mix a little of your dye into a white conditioner and use it every week or two. This tops up the colour between salon visits.
- Pastel blue can turn grey-green as it fades. A purple-toned shampoo now and then keeps it looking cooler.
- Sun and chlorine strip colour fast. Wear a hat at the beach and wet your hair with clean water before you swim.
Choosing between full colour and accents
A full head of blue and purple has the most impact, but it also means bleaching all of your hair and touching up the roots often. Underlights, a single panel or dip-dyed ends let you keep your natural colour at the parting, so regrowth stays low-key. These options also suit workplaces where you would rather wear the colour down only at weekends. If you are unsure, start with a semi-permanent shade on a hidden section, see how fast it fades, and then decide whether to go further.