Ready to trade the same old shade for something a little juicier?
Stuck in a hair color rut? You’re not alone. Chances are you’ve scrolled past a dozen “safe” shades before landing here, and that’s exactly why plum hair color deserves a serious look. This rich, moody hue sits somewhere between red and purple, which means it flatters nearly every skin tone while still feeling fresh and on-trend. Whether you’re craving a full-on color change or just a subtle pop, plum brings warmth, depth, and a little drama to the table. Below, we’ve rounded up twenty gorgeous plum hair color ideas — simply find the one that speaks to you and bring it to your next salon visit.
Deep Plum Hair Color
This one is for the romantics. A deep plum wash gives hair a rich, almost berry-like richness that catches the light beautifully. Colorists note that plum falls between red and purple, so it can lean warmer or cooler depending on your base. Ask your stylist to lean warm if you want it to feel cozy rather than cool.
Plum Balayage
Not ready to commit to an all-over color? Plum balayage is your low-maintenance answer. The hand-painted technique softens the grow-out, so you’re not stuck at the salon every few weeks chasing your roots. It’s the perfect way to test-drive the trend before going all-in.
Plum Ombre
A dark-to-bright plum ombre is classy, current, and flattering on women of every age. The gradual transition from your natural base into a vibrant plum tip gives your hair built-in dimension without looking like it was dyed all at once. Simply ask for a soft blend rather than a harsh line for the most natural effect.
Ashy Plum Hair
If cool tones are more your speed, ashy plum is a refined choice. Purple hues with cool undertones create a soft, smoky finish that reads sophisticated rather than costume-y. This shade pairs beautifully with fair to medium skin tones and never feels overdone.
Plum Highlights on Dark Hair
Not everyone wants to lighten their whole head, and that’s perfectly fine. Adding plum highlights to dark brown or black hair gives you dimension and a hint of color without a dramatic commitment. Tip: ask for face-framing placement so the color catches the light every time you turn your head.
Plum Highlights on Grey Hair
Embracing your grey doesn’t mean giving up on color play. A few plum highlights woven through silver strands add warmth and personality while letting your natural grey shine through. If you’re already loving your grey, browse more short hairstyles for grey hair over 50 for cuts that pair beautifully with this kind of subtle color detail.
Chocolate Plum
This one’s for anyone who loves their brunette base but wants a twist. Chocolate plum blends rich brown tones with a hint of lavender for an edge that’s subtle by day and striking in the sun. It’s a great entry point if you’re new to color and want something that grows out gracefully.
Plum Burgundy Hair Color
Burgundy and plum were made for each other. This combination brings warm red undertones into the mix, giving your hair a fuller, richer look that works beautifully on medium to thick hair. It’s a color that never goes out of style, no matter the season.
Plum Wine Hair Color
One of the most requested shades on this list, plum wine warms up the traditional plum tone with beautiful red undertones. It’s deep enough to feel elegant yet vibrant enough to turn heads. This shade works especially well on women with warm skin undertones.
Light Plum Hair Color
If neon and rich tones aren’t your thing, pastel plum offers a softer alternative. This feminine shade has a way of brightening the complexion while still feeling romantic and youthful. It’s an easy sell for anyone easing into color for the first time.
Icy Plum Hair Color
A combination of pastel lilac and silvery blonde, icy plum is a showstopper for fair skin tones. This cool, frosty take on plum feels fresh and current, especially finished with loose, soft curls that let the tone really shine through.
Plum with Fuchsia Streaks
Craving a little extra spice? You don’t need to go full plum to make a statement — a couple of fuchsia streaks woven through your plum base adds instant personality. It’s a fun way to make an already bold color feel even more like you.
Peek-a-Boo Plum
Worried a fun color won’t fly at the office? Peek-a-boo plum has you covered. This technique colors just the underlayer of your hair, so it stays hidden when you wear your hair down and peeks through the moment you toss it into a ponytail or half-up style. It’s the perfect option for anyone who wants the fun without the full commitment.
Plum Root Shadow on Blonde
If you’re already blonde and not ready to give it up, a plum shadow root is a great compromise. This technique adds depth at the root while allowing for a much softer, more forgiving grow-out. It’s an on-trend way to bring some richness back to lightened hair.
Multi-Tone Plum Balayage
Why settle for one shade when you can layer several? Plum blends beautifully with red, violet, and lilac tones, creating a multi-dimensional color that never looks flat. This is a great option if you want your color to feel custom rather than off-the-shelf.
Glossy Plum Hair Color
Sometimes the classics really are the best. A glossy, all-over plum shade looks gorgeous on nearly everyone, especially those with blue or hazel eyes. Ask your stylist for a glaze on top to really amp up the shine.
Plum on a Layered Bob
Plum color and a layered cut are a match made in beauty heaven — the layers catch and reflect the tone as you move, adding extra depth to the color. If you’re curious how this pairing looks on shorter styles, check out these layered bob hairstyles for women over 60 for more inspiration.
Plum on Medium-Length Hair
Medium length gives plum color plenty of room to shine, especially with soft waves that add movement and texture. The added length lets you see the color’s depth from root to end. For more ideas on this versatile length, take a look at these medium length hairstyles for women over 50.
Plum for Thin or Fine Hair
Worried plum will wash out fine strands? It won’t — in fact, a rich, all-over color like plum can actually create the illusion of more density by adding depth and dimension to hair that lacks natural thickness. Pair the color with a cut built for volume, like these hairstyles for thin, fine hair over 50, for the fullest possible effect.
All-Over Plum Wash
Ready to go all in? An all-over plum wash is bold, vibrant, and impossible to ignore in the best way. Since this shade sits on the darker end of the spectrum, you can often color at home without needing to bleach first, making it one of the more approachable dramatic changes on this list.
Does plum hair color wash out fast?
Plum tends to fade faster than natural shades since it’s a vibrant color, but color-safe shampoo and cooler water rinses will help it hold on to its richness much longer.
Is plum hair color good for warm or cool skin tones?
Plum is unusually versatile — warmer plum wine and burgundy tones flatter warm undertones, while ashy or icy plum shades are stunning on cooler, fair skin.
Can I get plum hair color without bleaching first?
Yes, if you’re going for a darker plum shade you can often color directly over your natural hair without bleach. Lighter or pastel plum tones typically require lightening first.
Will plum hair color work on grey hair?
Absolutely. Plum highlights or an all-over plum tone both add beautiful warmth and dimension to grey hair while letting your natural silver still show through.
How do I keep plum hair color from fading?
Simply switch to color-safe products, wash with cooler water, and limit how often hot tools and chlorine touch your strands to keep the tone vibrant between salon visits.