Gentian Violet?

**Raqdoll** · July 14th, 2011, 11:12 PM

So I'm struggling with having coppery orange hair that is from bleaching out black dye. I definitely DO NOT want to go dark again, so I was looking at trying gentian violet to hopefully tone down some of the brassiness in my hair.

Is there anyone here who has experience with gentian violet? I'd be really grateful if you could share some tips with me!

I ordered it today, so it should be here sometime next week. I know to use only a small amount - currently, I'm saving up some hairballs from my brush to test it out before putting it on my hair.

**Stub** · July 15th, 2011, 05:37 AM

I haven't tried it yet but I used Sun In in my hair a few days ago and it has some brass. Last night after I finally washed out the Sun In I decided to put just 4 drops of Gentian Violet in my almost full bottle of green VO5 conditioner. I'll try it tonight and let you know what happens. It did turn the whole bottle blue, and stained the side of the container where it was dripped in regardless of the amount of shaking.

If you have never used Gentian Violet before, it will stain every single thing it comes in contact with so be careful! I got mine for a skin condition and it stained my skin purple for about a week after I stopped use, and it also stained clothing it rubbed off on. However it did eventually wash out so even if it turns my hair purple I won't worry. I hope. lol

**justgreen** · July 15th, 2011, 06:36 AM

Husband uses it on his feet, it cures atheletes foot. It does STAIN everything it comes in contact with, floor, socks, bath tub, sheets. And it doesn't fade fast. So if you were to get it on your scalp or face, good luck.

**Raqdoll** · July 15th, 2011, 07:19 AM

I've heard about it's staining power

maybe I ought to grab a bucket and do it outside LOL

Can't wait to hear your report back!

**FluffSpider** · July 15th, 2011, 07:32 AM

I've dyed my hair with gentian violet. If you use it undilluted, it will rub off and stain like crazy, but a few drops in a lot of water will stain very little. You can use rubbing alcohol to eliminate it(the stain). It WILL stain clothing, permanently. On hair, it fades in 2-3 washes maximum.(CWC. Not sure with CO or C-COW-C)

**Anje** · July 15th, 2011, 07:54 AM

I've heard of people using a few drops of laundry bluing to take the brass out of their hair. This might be similar, or that might be another option to try...

A third thing to try: mix a teeny bit of Manic Panic or similar dye in the right purple or blue to fight your brassiness, into your bottle of conditioner. Obviously, too much and you'll build up color (maybe you need 2 bottles of conditioner?) but a little would do the trick every time you showered.

**Tabitha** · July 15th, 2011, 02:43 PM

What an interesting thread!

I remember gentian violet from my childhood. My mum used it on my brother's foot for something or other and it stained the cork top of the laundry basket in the bathroom for EVER afterwards (they still have it somewhere, still stained).

I have a few brassy highlights and a flaky patch on my scalp, maybe a few drops in my final rinse water (distilled ... I'm going to get some distilled water, Justy) will do double duty.

**Raqdoll** · July 15th, 2011, 04:48 PM

Most of the recipes I've heard of have you using 1 drop in a sinkful of water (I think that's at a 2% concentration)

What a great idea about Manic Panic, Anje!

**Stub** · July 15th, 2011, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Raqdoll

Most of the recipes I've heard of have you using 1 drop in a sinkful of water (I think that's at a 2% concentration)

Mine is only 1% concentration, but now I'm wondering if 4 drops in the bottle of conditioner was too much! It did eventually wash out of the clothes that were stained so I'm pretty sure it will wash out of my hair. Experiments are fun....?! About to go shower, will report back.