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Basic Violet 2

aka CI 42520 · rhodamine B hexyl ester · ethyl violet

A synthetic violet cationic dye depositing on hair to neutralise brassiness in purple shampoos. Deposits preferentially on damaged hair sections.

Benefits
  • Neutralises yellow/brassy tones via complementary colour principles
  • Deposits selectively on porous, damaged hair sections
  • Temporary toning — washes out over successive shampoos
  • Strong colour intensity at low concentrations
  • No bleaching required — colour deposit mechanism
Example uses
  • Purple shampoos
  • Toning conditioners
  • Colour-depositing masks
  • Blue-black toning haircare
  • Brass-neutralising treatments
Formulation notes

Cationic dye — deposits on anionic hair surface via electrostatic interaction. Contact time critical — over-deposition causes visible purple/blue discolouration. Low pH increases deposition efficiency.

Watchouts

Cationic synthetic dye — excluded from strict natural/COSMOS formulations. Staining risk if misused (too long contact time or on very porous hair).

Clean beauty perception

Excluded from strict natural beauty frameworks. Accepted in clean prestige haircare. Deposit-and-rinse purple shampoo mechanism well understood by consumers.