Egyptian Plum Hair Color Guide: Inspiration, Care & Dye Tips

Editor: Arshita Tiwari on Apr 16,2025

 

When it comes to bold, rich, and mysterious hair color trends, Egyptian plum hair stands out as a stunning and powerful statement. Inspired by the deep purples and reds found in ancient Egyptian culture, this hue brings together history, elegance, and modern beauty trends. Whether you're looking to switch up your style or explore a color that turns heads, Egyptian plum hair is both exotic and timeless.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the Egyptian plum hair color trend, offer essential care tips, delve into the best dye practices, and take inspiration from ancient Egyptian hair care and Egyptian women’s hair traditions. Let’s dive into this luxurious shade and how you can make it work for your hair and lifestyle.

What Is Egyptian Plum Hair?

Egyptian plum is a dark, almost purple color with a rich red undertone, similar to ripe plums and the colors of royalty loved by ancient kings and queens. Darker than standard violets and burgundies, this hair color's uniqueness lies in its graceful, mature appearance with a modern twist.

It is bold yet wearable, complementing very fair to very dark skin tones, especially those with warm or olive undertones. Under differing light conditions, the same hue can present itself as dark berry, soft plum, or smoky maroon, thus this color is a thoughtfully fastidious choice for someone wanting a dramatic change.

Egyptian-plum-hair

Color Inspirations from the Egyptian Culture

Not just chic, the Egyptian plum also carries a bit of history. The ancient Egyptians had a colorful style wherein hair was an identity that they adorned with oils, henna, and colors. 

Royal ladies had elaborate hairstyles and ornaments to boast their rank, though no record tells that plum was a conventional dye, they used red ochre, henna, and herbs instead to stain their hair and wigs. Because of their high beauty standards and means of self-expression, Egyptian plum can be considered a tribute to their heritage.

Egyptian Women's Hair: Then and Now

Hair has historically been a cultural touchpoint as well as beauty tokenism for Egyptian women. Today's standards may differ from those in ancient Egypt, where hair grew long and black, but such antiquity also saw women take on their wigs and braids as signs of beauty and power. Hair was not only for fashion; it was spiritual, symbolic, and practical.

Modern Egyptian women still uphold the heritage of hair with such deep attachment. The styles have changed, but still, many continue with the custard tradition of hair care using Egyptian hair products rich in oils and botanicals. Such a color was just a contemporary twist onto this history: joining the nostalgic with the trendy, such as that of the Egyptian plum.

You may like: Hair as a Symbol of Chaos in Ancient Egypt – Here's Why

Who Can Dare to Try Egyptian Plum Hair?

This shade is so luxurious that it is suitable for:-

  • Medium to darker skin tones (although light-skinned ladies can also work with it when bold contrast is applied).
  • Those who are looking for a dramatic yet sophisticated color.
  • Individuals looking for a unique shade yet wearable.
  • Those done away with norm black, brown, and blondes.

This is a shade you can really wear in so many different ways: fully colored, ombre, balayage, or subtle lowlights on darker hair.

Choosing the Right Egyptian Plum Hair Dye

Finding the right Egyptian plum hair dye is essential to achieving the desired effect. Look for dyes titled "plum," "berry," or "burgundy" but with cool undertones. For a rich purple-red hue that is not overly bright, go for the permanent more semi-permanent chemical dyes in the darker spectrum.

Recommended Dyes:

  • L'Oréal Feria Plum Passion
  • Arctic Fox Purple Rain (mixed with a bit of Poison red)
  • Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Vintage Red
  • Manic Panic Vampire Red + Purple Haze blend
  • Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color - Dark Intense Burgundy 

Always patch-test then strand-test before going for the full application of dye.

How to Dye Your Hair Egyptian Plum: Step-by-Step Guide

You will require:

  • Egyptian plum hair dye
  • Gloves
  • Mixing bowl and brush
  • An old T-shirt or towel
  • Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
  • Hair clips
  • Petroleum jelly for hairline protection

Steps:

  1. Prep Your Hair: Your hair should be clean and dry. For at least 24 hours before applying color avoid heavy conditioners. 
  2. Section Hair: Using a hair clip, section hair into small and manageable sections.
  3. Apply Dye: Starting right at your roots, apply the dye using the brush evenly over your locks to the tips. 
  4. Processing: Let the dye remain for the prescribed time (usually 30 - 45 minutes). 
  5. Rinse & Condition: Rinse with cool water. Apply a color-safe, sulfate-free conditioner and allow it to sit for some time to lock in moisture. 
  6. Dry & Style: Either air-dry your hair or use a heat protectant before styling with heat. 

Egyptian Hair Care Tips on Color-Treated Hair 

Color-treated hair so requires extra care, and since it has made ancient Egyptian wisdom hugely helpful, it should not be missing from your arsenal. Caring for your hair from root to tip-like natural ingredients is what the Egyptians believed to nourish their hair and that, in fact, still holds for today. Here are some of the Egyptian Guidelines:

1. Use Natural Oils: The ancient Egyptians would use castor oil, almond oil, and coconut oil on their scalp. Apply oil treatments once per week for moisture and shine restoration. 

2. Use Minimum Heating: Too much heat will just strip away the vibrancy from your plum hue. Prefer no-heat hairstyles, but if you have to use heat, proper heat protectants will do. 

3. Go Sulfate Free: Sulfates are very harbinger and would quickly dull your color. Use Egyptian hair care products that are milder and color-safe. 

4. Condition Deeply Every Week: Use honey, olive oil, and keratin-rich hair masks for softer, smoother strands. 

5. Keep Your Hair Shielded from Exposure to the Sun: UV rays tend to fade color. Use UV-protectant sprays or wear scarves, just like these Egyptian women once did.

Best Egyptian Hair Products to Use

Using Egyptian hair products in your regime would keep your hair healthy and shining. Here are a few products that are Egyptian-inspired or contain Egyptian ingredients: 

  • Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Cream: Ideal for moisturizing the scalp.
  • ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner: Inspired by the traditional oils from the African and Egyptian cultures.
  • Mielle Organics Babassu Oil and Mint Deep Conditioner: Enriched with natural oils that repair color-treated hair.
  • SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration: For moisture retention and scalp care.
  • Difeel Premium Hair Oil with Castor Oil: A present-day example of an ancient favorite.

How to Maintain the Vibrancy of Egyptian-Plum Hair

To maintain the vibrancy of your Egyptian plum hair color: 

  • Wash your hair a maximum of 2-3 times a week.
  • Rinsing the hair in cool or lukewarm water. 
  • Silk or satin pillowcases decrease friction. 
  • Never wash your hair too often or with a harsh shampoo. 
  • Every 4-6 weeks, do a color touch-up depending on the level of fade. 

Natural Options to Achieve the Plum-Color Results

Should you want to do plum hair dyeing without using chemicals, the following may be done: 

1. Henna + Beetroot or Hibiscus Powder: Henna gives an overall reddish base, and beet or hibiscus adds plum tones. 

2. Black Tea + Amla + Indigo: They help create darker shades with violet undertones. 

3. DIY Plum Rinse: Brew cabbage water. Rinse the hair every week for a subtle tint.

Even though this natural way might not give the intensity or longevity, it would be less apt to harm sensitive scalps and thus would have acceded more closely to ancient Egyptian way of caring for hair.

Final Thoughts: Egyptian Plum Hair Is More Than Just a Color

Choosing Egyptian plum hair dye is more than a beauty choice—it’s a nod to a history rich in self-care, beauty rituals, and powerful women. This mesmerizing hue bridges the ancient and the modern, offering a striking look that's rooted in centuries of cultural significance.

With proper care, the right products, and a little inspiration from Egyptian women’s hair traditions, you can confidently rock this bold and elegant shade. Whether you go full-on plum or add subtle undertones, one thing’s for sure—this color will make you feel like royalty.


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