Directions Deep Purple vs Ultra Violet: Which Purple Suits You?
By Hunt Or Dye Home For Contact Lenses & Hair Dye | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Comparisons
Compare Directions Deep Purple and Ultra Violet semi-permanent dyes: undertones, the 4 x 100ml format, vegan-friendly care, and which cool-toned purple to pick.
Quick answer
Choose Directions Deep Purple if you want a rich, deep purple with subtle blue undertones; choose Ultra Violet if you want a brighter, bolder violet with stronger cool blue tones. Both come in the same 4 x 100ml format and are part of the La Riché semi-permanent conditioning range.
Undertone decides the result
The main difference between these two purple semi-permanent dyes is undertone. Deep Purple is described as a rich purple with subtle blue undertones, while Ultra Violet is a powerful purple with cool blue undertones. That shift changes how the shade reads in daylight and under indoor lighting: Deep Purple stays closer to a true, deep purple, while Ultra Violet pushes further into a cooler, more vivid violet.
Neither option is supplied with a developer or lifting instructions, so both are semi-permanent colour cosmetics rather than lightening systems. If your starting hair is dark, expect a subtler shift; if it is pre-lightened or naturally light, the undertone difference will be more obvious.
The 4 x 100ml format and what it means for choosing
Both products are sold as 4 x 100ml packs. That is useful if you touch up regrowth, refresh colour between full applications, or have long hair that needs more product per session. It also means you are committing to a larger quantity, so it is worth deciding on the shade before opening a pack.
The catalog does not list separate option types for either product, so treat the pack size as fixed rather than assuming smaller or larger sizes are available.
Conditioning claims and realistic expectations
Both shades belong to the La Riché semi-permanent range, which the catalog describes as formulated to provide rich, long-lasting shades while nourishing and protecting hair. That is the manufacturer's positioning, not a guarantee of a specific result on your hair.
Semi-permanent colour typically fades over time, and the catalog does not provide a fade timeline for either shade. Plan on refreshing colour periodically rather than expecting a permanent result.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Depth vs brightness: Deep Purple trades brightness for richness; Ultra Violet trades subtlety for a more vivid violet. Pick based on whether you want a deep, understated purple or a cooler, standout violet. If you are undecided, start with Deep Purple for a lower-contrast result.
- Cool tone intensity: Ultra Violet has cool blue undertones, while Deep Purple has only subtle blue undertones. On hair with warm or yellow tones, the cooler shade may read more clearly as violet, while the subtler one may blend more. Consider your starting hair tone before committing to the cooler option.
- Pack commitment: Both come as 4 x 100ml, so you are buying a multi-application quantity. That is good value for repeat users but a bigger commitment if you are testing a shade for the first time. If you are new to purple, choose the shade whose undertone matches your goal rather than buying both.
Product facts at a glance
- Directions Deep Purple Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Dye (4 x 100ml): Deep Purple is described as one of the most sought-after shades, with rich purple tones and subtle blue undertones. The subtle blue keeps the result deep and wearable rather than neon, which suits anyone wanting a rich purple without going fully electric.
Directions Deep Purple Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Dye (4 x 100ml) - Directions Semi Permanent Hair Dye - Ultra Violet (4 x 100ml): Ultra Violet is a powerful purple shade with cool blue undertones, positioned for those who want to stand out. The stronger cool tone makes it the bolder choice if you want a clearly violet result rather than a deep purple.
Directions Semi Permanent Hair Dye - Ultra Violet (4 x 100ml)
Which purple is right for you?
Best for
- Anyone wanting a rich, deep purple with subtle blue undertones
- First-time purple dye users who want a wearable, less vivid result
- People who prefer a true purple over a cool violet
Not for
- Anyone wanting the boldest, coolest violet possible
- Shoppers who need a single 100ml size rather than a 4 x 100ml pack
- People expecting permanent colour or a guaranteed fade timeline
