How to Make Hair Dye a Pastel
To create pastel hair color, you need to significantly dilute your chosen hair dye. This involves mixing the dye with a conditioner or a dedicated pastel mixer. The base hair color must be very light, ideally platinum blonde or white, for pastel shades to show up properly.
There are several ways to achieve a pastel effect:
1. Using a Pastel Mixer
- A common ratio is 3 parts mixer to 1 part color. However, this can vary depending on the dye's intensity. Lighter starting colors might work well at a 2:1 ratio. Always perform a strand test before applying the mixture to your entire head to ensure you get the desired pastel shade. Adjust the ratio accordingly if needed.
2. Diluting with Conditioner
- Many sources recommend mixing your chosen hair dye with a white conditioner to dilute the color and create a pastel effect. The exact ratio will depend on the desired intensity, but generally, a significant amount of conditioner is used. This method is particularly useful with direct dyes like those from Arctic Fox.
3. Achieving the Right Base Color
- Before applying any pastel dye, your hair needs to be lightened to a level 10 platinum blonde or lighter. Darker hair will prevent the pastel shades from appearing correctly. Yellow undertones can also affect the final color (for example, yellow + blue will create green instead of blue).
4. Choosing the Right Dye
- Some dyes are better suited for creating pastel shades than others. Brands like Arctic Fox are popular choices, but many other direct dyes can work. If using permanent dye, it is crucial to properly dilute it, as mentioned above.
Examples of Pastel Shade Creation
- A pastel peach/coral can be achieved using a diluted version of a suitable base color.
- Pastel lavender can be created by mixing a lavender dye with a conditioner or pastel mixer. Adding a touch of a suitable white or light color may be necessary.
- Pastel pink is possible with a diluted pink dye mixed with conditioner or a pastel mixer. The base hair color is essential. It should be almost platinum blonde or white for the pastel shade to be visible.
Important Considerations
- Strand test: Always test a small strand of hair before applying any mixture to your entire head. This allows you to see the final color and adjust the mixture as needed.
- Hair health: Bleaching hair to achieve the necessary light base color can damage it. Take necessary precautions, such as using deep conditioners and moisturizing treatments.
