Using Gentian Violet As Hair Dye?

I want to dye my hair purple and I've heard that you can add Gentian Violet to your conditioner to do this. Does anyone know how much Gentian Violet to add? And how long the colour stays in? My hair is light blonde at the moment

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
13 replies since 3rd January 2011 • Last reply 3rd January 2011

Reply #1:

Not sure how much to use but gentian violet used to be used for treating ringworm and it stained for a long time. If you are going to use it make sure you put some kind of cream or lotion round the edge of your hair line to stop your skin being stained.

I use strips of cotton wool with conditioner on and vasaline grease to stop having a red face...Lol

Ooo....and watch out for any fine facial hairs becoming coloured. My friend dyed her hair black and ended up with a beard and 'tash.

To test for colour lift your hair up at the back and get a friend to cut a test piece of hair. It should be a bunch about 3mm thick and about 2.5cm shorter than your full length hair. That way it won't be obvious that you have taken the sample. Test will take 24-48 hrs depending on colour. Gently rinse it and pat it dry with a piece of tissue to find result.

Doing a sample means that you can also see if any hair colourant you have at the moment reacts badly or not. I've seen a few green haired girls.

Good luck Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #2:

Thanks!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #3:

I decided to just guess how much and try it and here's the result:

It's not exactly what I wanted but the colour brings out my eyes nicely

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #4:

Are you naturally a mid brown with a bit of red? Try using a colour stripping lotion before dyeing, then condition it. Leave it for a week or two and it will give a good base for overall colour Happy

I think it looks cool...I'm a bit of a purple freak. Laurel S has her's purple...you could ask her what she uses.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #5:

No, my hair is white blonde, but I've been dyeing my hair for almost 6 years now. It was pink and blue a month or so ago, but it had faded a bit, that's where the red streaks come from xD

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #6:

Lol....I wondered where it came from ;D

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #7:

I might have to try that! I have a bottle sitting around from when my daughter had thrush as a baby 2 years ago. I would however have to bleach my hair since it is natrually espresso brown.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #8:

My hair looks blue in the day, and purple at night xD It's so awesome. I just have no idea how long it'll last because I've never used it before. I'll just wait and see =]

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #9:

How long did it last? And did ur hair ho back to normal ? And the original colour before dying it?

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #10:

How long did it last? And did ur hair ho back to normal ? And the original colour before dying it?

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #11:

How long did it last? And did ur hair ho back to normal ? And the original colour before dying it?

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #12:

How long did it last? And did ur hair ho back to normal ? And the original colour before dying it?

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #13:

Word of advice if you use most types of dye with a lot of conditioner the color will appear very light or not at all. I experienced this myself

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam


Reply