We can conclude this point in the guide by saying that you can’t go wrong with this color combination no matter how you’re using it.
What color does purple and yellow make when mixed?
Purple and yellow are two highly popular colors. Yellow is a color that makes people feel bright and happy, while purple gives off calming feelings of romance.
While you may be familiar with these colors, you may wonder what color does purple and yellow make when mixed. That’s the question we will be answering in this guide.
We will also be covering how you can mix different shades and some of the uses that you might have for these colors.
So get out your art supplies and get ready to see the possibilities that mixing purple and yellow offer you!
How you can mix purple and yellow?
Before we look at the ways you can mix these colors together, we shall look at the process behind it. When you mix purple and yellow, you will most likely get a brown color.
The shade of this brown will vary depending on the colors that you choose to mix together. We will cover that in much greater detail soon though.
For now, the way that you can mix purple and yellow will depend on what you’re using to create your picture. Paints are mixed together in order to create new colors and shades.
This is consistent no matter what kinds of paints you are using. You will typically be using either watercolors, acrylics or oil paints when creating a painting.
There are other variations but these are the main ones used for painting. Mixing your colors is done in a similar way no matter what paint type you’re using, but some are definitely messier than others.
Other mediums can be a bit different, even if the idea behind the mixing will generally be rather consistent.
With mediums like pastel or crayon, you will typically color one shade and then color the second one over it to mix it. These are a few examples of the ways you can mix colors with your mediums.
No matter what you may be using, you can find out the results by practicing and experimenting before committing to the final artwork. You will find drastically different results of mixing purple and yellow depending on several factors.
Most of it is about trying out different things, but we will also look at some ways you can influence the result.
Are purple and yellow a good combination to mix together?
When it comes to colors, we often look to various color wheels to see how they interact with one another. If colors are on opposite ends of the color wheel, they are known as complementary colors.
This will mean that they will generally look nice together and will work well in designs. Purple and yellow are two examples of these complementary colors on the color wheel.
That means that they will almost always look very pleasing to the eye when used close to one another. But what about when you mix them?
As we mentioned, you will likely get a brown color when mixing purple and yellow. Brown may not be the most exciting color but it is one that has many uses in painting.
No matter what you’re painting, you can probably find some brown somewhere in the image. That means that purple and yellow are a great combination of colors to mix and use together.
This is true no matter whether you mix them to make brown or use them as part of a larger design.
Therefore, the answer to the question of whether purple and yellow are a good combination is almost always yes!
There are some shades of purple and yellow that may not work together, but more often than not they will.
In the next few steps, we will look at some ways you can use this color combination as well as the ways you can mix and match them.
1 The Hair Color Wheel
The Hair Color Wheel
The color wheel is a visual representation of colors arranged in a circular format – around a color wheel.
Some of the colors are warm (on the right, in the above picture) and some are cool (on the left).
The color wheel shows you the relationship between these colors.
Colors which are opposite to each other cancel each other out.
Or, to use hairdresser language, they neutralize each other.
How to use the color wheel in hair coloring
As a hairdresser, the most common cases that you will typically face are to do with neutralizing tones which are too warm.
For example, very often a client’s hair is too yellow, or too brassy, or too orange.
Neutralizing these colors is something that all hairdressers need to be able to do.
So use this chart below to select the correct neutralizing color for the hair situation that you are facing.
And the appropriate choice of “canceling” color you need to make.
These canceling colors are all cool tones.
Color Neutralizing Chart
Which colors or toners should I use to neutralize?
Ugly Duckling recommends that you use the following 4 colors when you want to neutralize:
Violet is pure purple. It will neutralize unwanted yellow.
Ash Blue Additive is a special Ugly Duckling mix color which contains blue. Use this to get rid of any unwanted yellow-orange.
Ash Grey Additive is a special Ugly Duckling mix color and it contains green and blue mixed. Use this to neutralize unwanted orange and magenta
Green is a special Ugly Duckling mix color. It will neutralize unwanted red.
These 4 colors and links to them are given below:
Violet – use this to counteract pale yellow
Ash Blue Additive – use this to counteract yellow-orange
Ash Grey Additive – use this to counteract red, orange and magenta
Green – use this to counteract red
Apply a Semi-Permanent Dye on Top of Your Purple Hair
If you’re not well-versed in toning and don’t mind the temporary nature of semi-permanent dye, perhaps this is the right method for you. The great thing about semi-permanent dye is that it is super easy to use and won’t damage your hair.
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to apply yellow semi-permanent dye to cancel out purple hair:
- Gather Your Supplies: To remove purple tones from your hair, you’ll need yellow semi-permanent hair dye for purple hair and orange semi-permanent dye for blue-based purple hair. The brand of the dye doesn’t really matter – it’s the pigment in the dye that’s important. Go for a shade that is a true, vibrant yellow. In addition to the dye, get your hands on the following items:
- Gloves – To protect your hands from staining, wear gloves throughout the process.
- Hair clips – To divide your hair into sections for easier application.
- Tinting brush – Use a brush designed for hair dye application to ensure even coverage.
- Mixing bowl
- Prevent Messes: Put newspaper and towels on your counters and floors to prevent them from staining. Wear clothing you don’t mind ruining, and wrap a towel over your shoulders to protect your skin from the dye.
- Prepare Your Hair: Before using a semi-permanent dye, you’ll want to cleanse your hair to remove any dirt, debris, or excess oils. Do so with a clarifying shampoo for max cleansing power. Then towel-dry your hair to stop it from dripping.
- Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into 2 to 4 sections using hair clips or scrunchies. Doing so will make it much easier to work with your hair and get even coverage with the dye. Start by creating a middle part and then section off each side.
- Apply the Dye: There’s no mixing required with semi-permanent dye. You’ll use it straight from the tube or squeeze it into your mixing bowl and use it from there. Put on your gloves, open the dye, and dispense it into the mixing bowl. Mix the dye around a bit to remove any clumps. Then, starting with one section of hair, pick up a small amount of the dye with the tinting brush and apply it generously to the section from roots to ends. Ensure that all strands are evenly coated with the dye. If you have any areas where the purple color is more vibrant, start applying the dye there first. Repeat this process for each section of hair until all of your hair is covered.
- Comb and Distribute: After applying the dye to all of the sections, comb through your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb. This will help distribute the dye evenly and ensure that all strands are covered. It shouldn’t be hard to comb the dye through your hair since the product is slippery.
- Wait for the Dye to Process: Read the instructions provided with the dye to determine the recommended processing time. Set a timer and allow the dye to process for the specified duration.
- Rinse and Condition: Once the processing time is complete, rinse your hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Avoid using hot water, as it can strip the color. Follow up with a color-safe conditioner to restore moisture and seal your hair cuticles. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes, and rinse once more.
- Style and Maintain: Towel-dry your hair and proceed with your usual styling routine.
Remember, it’s essential to follow the dye instructions to a T to get the best results.
Use a Yellow Color-Depositing Conditioner
Color-depositing conditioners can be used to reduce your purple hair color for a more wearable shade. It’s also incredibly easy to use – you’ll use it just like you would a deep conditioner. If your hair is dirty or caked in buildup, you’ll first wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
Afterward, while you’re still in the shower or near a water source, apply the color-depositing conditioner on all of your hair. If you have a lot of hair, you can apply it in sections to ensure even coverage.
Comb the conditioner through and then leave it in for the recommended time – check the packaging for time recommendations. Then, rinse your hair well and style it as desired. To maintain the color, you’ll have to use the conditioner regularly.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Purple Hair
It’s important to know that coloring over your purple hair might not give you the exact results you envisioned. There are so many factors in play that affect your results.
For many who want to get rid of their current hair color, the best course of action is to remove the existing hair color and replace it with another.
Here are a few ways to do that:
Bleaching
If your purple hair is vibrant and intense, bleaching may be necessary to remove the color. Then, you can apply a new shade. Bleaching removes the existing color pigments from your hair, giving you a blank canvas for a new color application.
It’s important to note that bleaching is known to be a very harsh process and can cause extensive hair damage during or after the treatment, so we recommend consulting a professional hairstylist for guidance if you’re not well-versed in bleaching your own hair.
Color Stripping
Color stripping is a technique used to remove artificial color from the hair. It involves using a color-removing product that breaks down the dye molecules, allowing them to be washed out.
Color stripping is most effective on semi-permanent or demi-permanent dyes, and the process may need to be repeated several times to achieve the desired result.
Some say that color stripping is gentle, but the more treatments you do, the higher your risk of drying your hair out and making it brittle
Hot Oil Treatments
Hot oil treatments can help fade dye pigments, including purple ones. Warm-up and apply an oil of your choice (like coconut oil or olive oil) to your hair and scalp, ensuring every strand is covered.
Cover your hair with a plastic processing cap and leave the oil on for at least an hour. Wash the oil out with a shampoo of your choice. While this method may not completely remove the purple color, it can help lighten it over time.
Clarifying Shampoos
Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove product buildup and excess oils from the hair. They can also help fade semi-permanent hair color. Use a clarifying shampoo in place of your regular shampoo and massage it into your hair, focusing on the areas with purple color. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Repeat as needed to gradually fade the color.
Vitamin C Treatment
Many have tried vitamin C treatments, and some have had amazing color-fading results after just one use. To give it a try, crush several vitamin C tablets into a fine powder and mix them with a clarifying shampoo to create a paste.
Apply the paste to your hair, focusing intently on the areas that are purple. Put on a plastic processing cap and then wait for up to a half hour while the vitamin C does its magic. Rinse thoroughly, and then shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would.
Natural Remedies
Some natural ingredients, such as lemon juice, baking soda, or vinegar, are known for their ability to slightly fade hair color. However, these methods may not be as effective in completely removing the color with more targeted hair treatments. It’s important to use them with caution as they can also dry out or damage the hair with excessive use.
When to Consult a Professional
Does all of this seem like too much to handle? With the information given in this article, you’re one step closer to getting the color you desire. But if you’re not confident in correcting your purple hair at home, it’s best to seek the expertise of a professional hair colorist.
They can assess your hair, determine the best course of action, and use professional-grade products and techniques to remove or neutralize the purple tones effectively.
Though it’s okay to experiment with different hair products and techniques at home, it’s very easy to mess things up and end up in a situation of regret.
Related Articles
- How to Use Purple Shampoo
- What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Brown Hair
- Mixing Red and Purple Hair Dye
So, there you have it – yellow cancels out purple. It’s the color you need if you want to reduce purple tones in your hair. We hope that the information in this article has been helpful to you, and we wish you the best with your hair!
Kenneth Byrd ( Co-founder and Owner )
Kenneth Byrd, with a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has over 15 years of experience and is a recognized authority in hair care. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines, industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise. Kenneth’s commitment to transparency, quality, and empowerment has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field, empowering readers to confidently embrace their natural beauty.
