How to change placeholder color on focus?

Try this, this should work :

input::-webkit-input-placeholder {
    color: #999;
}
input:focus::-webkit-input-placeholder {
    color: red;
}

/* Firefox < 19 */
input:-moz-placeholder {
    color: #999;
}
input:focus:-moz-placeholder {
    color: red;
}

/* Firefox > 19 */
input::-moz-placeholder {
    color: #999;
}
input:focus::-moz-placeholder {
    color: red;
}

/* Internet Explorer 10 */
input:-ms-input-placeholder {
    color: #999;
}
input:focus:-ms-input-placeholder {
    color: red;
}

Here is an example : http://jsfiddle.net/XDutj/27/