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    AF Blog — Virgin Pink

    Mixing AF Semi-Permanent Hair Dye - Our Most Underrated Mixes

    Mixing AF Semi-Permanent Hair Dye - Our Most Underrated Mixes

    The best part about using AF semi-permanent hair dye? The absolutely ENDLESS customizability of our colors. ✹ You can create your own custom mixes and unleash your inner artist on your hair with just about any hair dye color combo you can dream of. 


    Let's dive into the realm of dynamic duos, perfect pairings, and all things Arctic Fox that effortlessly blend together - like peanut butter and jelly or your favorite color combo! Our Fox Fam would argue that mixing Arctic Fox hair dye is an art form. You can easily create a unique blend of color right from the comfort of your home. Our DIY formula is perfect for anyone wanting to experiment. Here are some of our most underrated color combinations you didn’t know you needed in your life!

    Dusty Rose Gold 

    Frosé and Space Cowgirl

    Let’s get dreamy with it! FrosĂ© hair dye and Space Cowgirl hair dye create an unexpected color combo that GIVES springtime dream for our pastel lovers out there. Get out your AF mixing bowls and brushes and pour in a ratio of 70% Frose to 30% Space Cowgirl to get this lustrous color combo! It’s important that Frose hair dye a majority of this mix to nail the color on pre-lightened hair. 

    Brunette Bombshell

    Ginger Flare + Transylvania

    Our foxes are always asking for natural colors - and we have great news, you can totally create your own natural color mix at home! If you’re ready for a drastic transition from neon to natural, start with a base of Ginger Flare hair dye and add a few drops of Transylvania hair dye. To achieve that gorgeous reddish-brown, you’re going to need 80% Ginger Flare with 20% Transylvania ratio. This mix is shown on level 10 hair, so be sure to do a strand test before you try this beautiful brown hue to see how it will show up on your current hair level. 

    The Witch

    Girls Night and Transylvania

    This purple haze is guaranteed to put a spell on anyone.  👀 Give a smoky hue to Arctic Fox’s Girls Night hair dye by adding a few drops of Transylvania hair dye. You’ll want a ratio of 80% Girls Night and 20% Transylvania for this dreamy purple shade. This mix is shown on a level 10 base, so make sure you’re there or lighten up with Bleach, Please. A tiny may take to darker bases (no guarantees) but be sure to do a strand test to see how it looks on your locks!

    Peach Princess

    Arctic Mist Diluter, Girls Night, and Poison

    You’ll never guess what AF hair dyes make up this rustic shade! Start with 75% Arctic Mist Diluter, then add in 20% Girls Night hair dye, and finish off with 5% Poison hair dye. As always with lighter shades, you’ll need to start with a base level 10 hair for the mix to show up as pictured! This peachy perfect mix will turn heads throughout festival season, you’ll be dyeing to keep it all summer long.  Give it a go next time you want to spice up your look, and tag us so we can see! 

    Rich B*tch

    Ritual and Sterling

    Show off your expensive a** taste with this delicious berry shade that looks good enough to eat! Go halfsies with a mix of Ritual hair dye and Sterling hair dye to get this smokey berry color. This is perfect for wanting to turn things up a notch and opt for a more natural looking shade while still exploring purple hues! The mix pictured is on a level 10 base, so go with a strand test to see how it shows up on you.

    Creative Hair Dye Color Placements 

    Split Dyes

    Ritual and Arctic Mist Diluter + Sterling and Electric Paradise

    Talk about a perfect pairing! This stunning split dye is a mix of 50% Ritual hair dye and 50% Arctic Mist Diluter on one side with Sterling hair dye and Electric Paradise hair dye mixed together for the other. If you’re looking for a trendy but daring color combo for Vday (or year ‘round), this color placement should definitely be next up on your list. Oh, and the adorable puppy, you ask? We partner with rescues like Pup Culture to prevent animal cruelty and promote animal welfare! If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can apply to adopt the adorable doggos they rescue. Visit @pupculturerescue on Instagram where they post their pups weekly! 

    Dreamy Color Melt

    Girls Night and Periwinkle

    If a split dye isn’t calling your name but you still want to show off two colors at once, a color melt is your move! A color melt is simply starting with one color on the top part of your hair that quite literally melts beautifully as it meets with another color towards the bottom half of your hair! This stunning color melt is Girls Night hair dye and Periwinkle hair dye - and OMG it’s a literal dream. Girls Night and Periwinkle are on the lighter end of our vivid hair dyes, so you absolutely need to start with level 9 hair or lighter! Use our Bleach, Please hair lightening kit to get your hair to the desired level if you need, and always always do a strand test.

    Halo

    Virgin and Poison

    Looking to mix it up even more? 👀 Check out halo hair, it’s literally everywhere right now! A halo color placement is one color on your first layer of hair, and a different color on the layers beneath it. It gives a gorgeous peekaboo effect and the styling options are truly endless! This fiery look from @alexajdmakeup was made using Virgin Pink hair dye and Poison hair dye. We love this color combo, especially during the month of February when red and pink hues reign supreme. Lucky for you AF shades are made for creating these daring looks at home! Virgin Pink hair color is a vibrant hot pink and will appear as a magenta tint on brown hair, its most vibrant form comes with pre-lightened hair. Poison hair color has a slight orange undertone that will prevent it from fading to a pink. Poison will give a dark, subtle tint to darker tones of hair but will turn out most vibrantly on hair that is pre-lightened to around a level 8. Give it a go the next time you’re feeling spicy!

    Now that you’re a pro at color combos make sure you tag us on IG @arcticfoxhaircolor if you try out any of these mixes or split dyes. We love to see you explore your inner hairstylist with our DIY friendly hair dye colors!

    Color Spotlight: Virgin Pink Hair Dye

    Color Spotlight: Virgin Pink Hair Dye

    She’s an icon, she is the moment and she IS a legend. Virgin Pink hair dye is one of our most iconic (and most popular) dyes and we absolutely understand why. It's not just her name that gets her ALL the attention. This true, hot pink hue stands out among the rest of the AF hair color rainbow and is packed as f*ck with rich pigment to ensure that you get great color payoff no matter your hair level. 


    Plus, you already know that with any Arctic Fox hair dye, you’re not only getting the promise of a high-performing dye that packs a punch, but you’re also getting a vegan, cruelty-free, DIY friendly and ultra-conditioning formula to ensure your hair is left shiny and nourished post dye sesh.

    Level Up: So
 what level do I have to be to use Virgin Pink?

    No matter if you're in your platinum era or rocking your natural brunette, Virgin Pink comes READY to give you everything from a bold pink to a deep magenta depending on your base. If you’re already at a level between 8-10 you can expect a true hot pink color payoff, while hair levels 4-7 can expect varying shades of magenta. Remember that the darker your hair is, the darker Virgin Pink will appear on your strands, or in some cases, Virgin Pink may even appear as a fuschia tint in the sunlight (absolutely gorg if you ask us).

    Tone It Down: Virgin Pink is a bit too bright for me. Is there a way I can customize its color payoff?

    We’ve got just the trick for that! Enter Arctic Mist Diluter, your go-to diluter for customizing the intensity of our dyes. We created our dyes to be as pigmented as possible, so when it came to our diluter we formulated it specifically to pair with our dyes and leave you with the best and most consistent color results (because no one has time for that patchy BS). 

    In a bowl, start off with a generous amount of Arctic Mist Diluter and start adding in small amounts of Virgin Pink hair dye, mixing intermittently until you have your desired shade. Keep in mind that the more you dilute your shade, the lighter your starting base will need to be to ensure that the color shows through on your hair. It’s basically the same advice we give when you’re looking to go pastel. 

    Getting Faded: But how does Virgin Pink hair dye fade?

    Short answer? Like a dream. But we’ll give you the rundown. Over time, Virgin Pink hair color fades into a lighter version of itself turning into the prettiest pastel pink hair color before fading away all together on lighter starting bases. We literally have Foxes dying their hair Virgin Pink just to get back to their faded shade, and you can see why. We never fear the fade, Fam. 

    @rhys.pang in faded Virgin Pink

    @_negatronn in faded Virgin Pink 

    Virgin Mixology: What can I mix Virgin Pink hair dye with?

    TBH the better question is, what can’t you mix her with?

    Due to Virgin Pink’s deep and vibrant hues, she mixes well with almost all of our hair color shades. Mix Virgin Pink hair dye with our blue hair dyes to get purple, mix her with our purple hair dyes to find deep magenta and violet tones, mix her with our yellow hair dyes to nail an orange or peach tone, or lean into the core color and mix Virgin Pink with other red and pink hair dyes to get a customized rosy tone. 

    Be wary of mixing Virgin Pink with any green hair dyes. Color theory 101: pinks and greens oppose each other on the color wheel, so if you’re not careful mixing Virgin pink with some greens could become a grey color or give a muddy result when mixed together.  BUT, if you mix Virgin Pink with a lighter and more yellow based green like Neverland or Space Cowgirl, it can yield some seriously gorgeous results (see proof below). Just be sure to mix a small sample batch and conduct a strand test when mixing to ensure you're getting the results you want! Here are a few of our favorite Virgin Pink concoctions.

    Rosy Copper

    This is a mix best suited if your hair is a level 7-10. To recreate this stunner, start with a base of Space Cowgirl and slowly add in dollops of Virgin Pink until you achieve this jaw dropping rosy copper shade.

    #AFprotip: Add in some Arctic Mist diluter to pastelize this shade to get more of a peach shift.

    You’re Turning Violet, Violet

    For this bold and smokey violet hue, start with a base of Arctic Mist Diluter. Then, add in a dollop of Virgin Pink and mix in just a few drops of Transylvania to help darken and tone down Virgin Pink’s fuschia undertones. This custom mix is best suited for levels 7-10, but for darker bases you can achieve a deeper violet by using less diluter.

    Peaches n’ Cream

    We’re about to take a bleach bath for this one. This shade is an absolute showstopper and is totally on trend this year. If you’re looking to best match your hair to Pantone’s color of the year, Peach Fuzz, this is just the mix for you. Start with a base of Arctic Mist diluter, then add in a few drops of Neon Moon followed by just a drop of Virgin Pink to recreate this perfect peach look.

    Covering Up With Virgin Pink: Will she cover up my current color?

    Short answer, yes. But you'll have to answer “YES!” to the following questions first:

    • Is your hair halfway to completely faded?
    • Have you consulted the color wheel to ensure your results will be a color you’re happy with?

    If you answered yes, you’re ready to move ahead with the transition! Again, we always recommend a strand test before going for a full color cover up, but because Virgin Pink hair dye is highly pigmented, it should cover most highly faded colors with ease. If you’re feeling a little nervous about making the leap, email our color specialists a picture of your starting hair color for custom color advice. support@arcticfoxusa.com

    Virgin Pink is a Fox Fam favorite for a reason. It's bold, it's bright and it feels (and smells) amazing. Whether you're looking to stay true to its vivid pink hue or create your own custom color recipe, Virgin Pink hair dye is an incredibly versatile shade to play around with. When you decide to say EFF IT and finally take the plunge on this bright pink, don’t forget to tag us in your selfies and videos on Instagram and TikTok so we can hype you UP, because you deserve it. 

    @ashhessss in Virgin Pink, Wrath and Violet Dream

    @lslieclrkmkp in Virgin Pink and Violet Dream

    @taylamiddletonn in Virgin Pink 

    @jastanae in Virgin Pink

    @charlottethristan in Virgin Pink

    @vvitchuntt in Virgin Pink

    The Biggest Hair Color Trends of 2024

    The Biggest Hair Color Trends of 2024

    @marijantunez in Wrath 

    New year, new me is a clichĂ© that rings true every year. If you found yourself itching for a glow up the second the clock turned midnight, you’re not the only one! Certain hair color trends are still on the rise, while newer hues are catching our eye. Let’s dive into what’s trending in 2024 and how you can make them trendy AF with Arctic Fox hair color and custom hair dye mixes! 

    Hair Color Trends for 2024 

    Trend: Peach Blonde 

    Peach blonde is expected to heat up this year, which is no surprise considering Peach Fuzz was announced by Pantone as 2024’s Color of the Year. Similar to the muted tones of Strawberry Blonde, Peach Blonde mimics that subtlety in a soft pastel peach tone -  like a peach sorbet! It’s close enough to a red-toned blonde, but still has a beautiful orange hue that softens up the shade just slightly. 


    Trendy AF: Peach Sorbet 

    This custom mix is a fun, vivid spin on the peach blonde trend, with a bit more pink! Because of the soft hue, you’ll need a minimum level 10 hair. Start with a base of Arctic Mist Diluter, and add in a few drops of Virgin Pink and Neon Moon. Remember, a base of color (or diluter) depends on the length and thickness of your hair! Your base should be determined by the amount of product you’ll need  to cover your hair and mix in the rest of the hair dye according to the ratios specific in the mix recipe! As you mix your peach blonde hair color together, the portion of Virgin Pink and Neon Moon should be equal drops! Add more Virgin Pink to lean more pink, or Neon Moon to lean more yellow - whatever your heart desires! It’s giving peach sorbet on a summer day. đŸ€€


    Trendy AF: Orange Creamsicle

    For most of our mixes, you’ll need to start off with a minimum level 10 to achieve the desired swatch, especially this creamy orange! Results may vary depending on hair level and overall hair health. If you’re looking to lean towards a softer orange, diluting Arctic Fox’s Sunset Orange hair dye will get you there. Use our Arctic Mist Diluter and just keep on adding until you reach your desired shade! 


    Trendy AF: Burnt Peach

    @sheaella 

    We are obsessed with this burnt peach perfection. It feels like it falls right in between the pink and orange portion of the peach spectrum and we think you’ll rock it no matter the season. On Level 8 hair or lighter, start out with Cosmic Sunshine hair dye, add a dollop of FrosĂ© hair dye, plus a few drops of Sunset Orange and violĂĄ! 


    Trend: Violet Hair

    Purple hair is always in, that’s why Purple AF is at the top of the charts year after year! In 2024, we’re going to be seeing A LOT of purple and violet on darker bases, giving a deep purple or Burgundy tone. Perfect for the Foxes who are looking to give bleach a break, this “trend” is just enough to boast a bold color. Just wait until your locks hit in the sunshine
.OMG. 


    Trendy AF: Tinted Purple 

    Purple AF will forever be a Fox Fam fave. Painting it over a medium brown or dark brown base for all our dark-haired Foxes will absolutely do the trick! We’re obsessed with the subtle take on this style, highlighting certain areas instead of all her locks. You see what we mean by the sun, right? 

    @violentinside in Purple AF and Transylvania 


    Trendy AF: Lilac Dreams 

    Now for even more experimenting! Any dreamy hue, you’ll need to start on a Level 10 Platinum base (really anything is possible when that’s your starting point!) This cool violet hue came from our very own dreamland and is made up of a bowl of Neverland mixed with 2-3 drops of Violet Dream. This mix stays on the cooler side, but it’s making us want to open our favorite book underneath a lilac tree.  


    Trendy AF: Violet Magic 

    For a smokier take on the violet hair color trend, mix up ⅔ Sterling hair dye with ⅓ Violet Dream hair dye. We can almost hear that witch cauldron bubbling up with this shade. Work your ✹magic✹ fox! 


    Trendy AF: Vivid Violet

    Now for the brightest violet of them all, on Level 10 hair, start with a base of Girls Night hair dye, and add a drop or two of Purple AF depending on how deep you want to take it. This is a HOT take on vivids, but it gives an undeniable twist to the violet hair trend that will stop anyone in their tracks. đŸ€©


    Trend: Pop Star Red

    If you’ve spent any time scrolling on TikTok (or know someone who has), you’ll know that red was the RAGE all of 2023. We saw celebs like Dua Lipa and Megan Fox take red hair color up a level and it definitely made us stock up on enough bottles to last all of 2024. Lucky for us and all the red dyes we’re staring at, not only is red hot, hot, hot for 2024, but it’s getting even bolder. We’ll be seeing bolder, brighter reds with blue undertones that may just take the center stage over the copper trend we saw everywhere in 2023. 


    Trendy AF: Red Hot Fox 

    We know you love a custom mix, and there’s nothing like combining two of our most popular red hair dyes to really turn up the heat! Mix up equal parts Wrath hair color and Ritual hair color for this take on red hot hair. 

    @cygoesmeow in Wrath and RItual 


    Trendy AF: Revenge Red

    Say what you want about babes with red hair, all we know is they ooze confidence whether it’s their signature shade or their latest look on their revenge tour. A standout stunner will forever be Wrath hair dye solo.đŸ€Œ Wrath looks the brightest on Level 7 hair and above, but will add a dark red dimension to hair Levels 6 and lower. She’s one of our most popular shades for first-time dyers and is an excellent choice for those who want to switch it up without taking the plunge into bleach! 

    @marijantunez in Wrath 


    Trend: Cherry Coke Anyone? 

    Rich, red based browns were on the up towards the end of 2023 but they’re continuing to take over in 2024! The Cherry Coke hair color trend is one that undoubtedly turns heads and we’ve got some secret recipes we’re ready to share with you. 


    Trendy AF: More Cherry Than Coke

    Ritual is the secret sauce when it comes to nailing this shade. On Level 7 hair and above, she runs a rich, jewel-toned burgundy, and leaves a vibey velvet tint on hair levels 6 and below.

    For a rich, red spin on that Cherry Coke vibe, mix up equal parts Ritual hair dye and Wrath hair dye and pour it all over a brown base. This hair is sweeter than fine wine, baby! đŸ·

    @laurellevictoria in Ritual and Wrath 


    Trendy AF: Berry Babe

    Leaning into a dreamy berry vibe, this 50/50 mix of Violet Dream hair dye and Purple AF hair dye over a faded red base is definitely a winner.  The key here is the base! Starting out with a faded red already brings out the reddish tones from the purple hair dye being used. 

    @atouchofmurphy in Violet Dream and Purple AF over faded red


    Trend: Aquamarine

    Aquamarine is a color that’s predicted to make a MAJOR comeback in 2024 - and luckily we have that exact color in our AF hair dye rainbow! With teal hair on the rise, you’ll want to stock up soon because we know this will be something you’re dyeing for on a whim! Aquamarine shines the brightest on level 10 hair, but our dark-haired foxes can still expect to see a deep teal tint. 

    @adriassight in Aquamarine

       

    @hadar_kawaii_hair in Aquamarine, Iris Green, and Phantom Green 

    @cozywithsam in Aquamarine 


    I mean
you really can’t go wrong. Our Aquamarine hair dye is all you need to NAIL this trend. 😼‍💹


    Trend: Blue Jean Baby

    It’s no surprise that retro vibes are trending. Nostalgic fashion and beauty trends from the 90s and 2000s have made their way back around and this denim hair color trend is the perfect way to pay tribute. While it may be within the realm of blue hair trends, this one differs from Aquamarine as it skews a bit darker. 


    Blue Jean Baby hair dye is the go-to color to achieve this denim look - the proof is in the name itself! For hair that goes with everything, pour Blue Jean Baby over Level 7 hair or lighter. Even when she fades, she’ll give a smoky hue that feels just as good as those worn in jeans you never want to get rid of. 

     

    @ariannakenyon in Blue Jean Baby and Aquamarine 

    @x__marylune___x in Blue Jean Baby

    @jeks951_ in Poseidon and Blue Jean Baby 


    Any of these looks calling your name? We can’t wait to see if you try one or all of them this year. And remember, most of our custom mixes start on level 10 hair, so if you’re looking to get to that starting point, we recommend kicking your year off with a little bit of Bleach, Please. 

    Be sure to tag us on Instagram or Tik Tok @arcticfoxhaircolor so we can see how you take these shades into the New Year and show off! Cheers to a bolder and more colorful 2024. 

    The Best Red Hair Color Mixes to Try This Season

    The Best Red Hair Color Mixes to Try This Season

    @megflahertyhair in Poison and Ritual 

    Hi Foxes! 


    With the cold months upon us, you may be missing the warmer weather and there’s truly no better way to heat things up than by entering your red hair era (or re-entering 😉).  Allow us to make this as seamless as possible by giving you not one, but THREE red hair dyes that may even be simply TOO hot đŸ„” (especially when mixed)!


    It’s important to know that Wrath, Ritual, and Poison are not just red semi-permanent hair dyes 
 They're a portal to a world where you stand out in the most captivating red hues and express your unique and individual style. With these three red hair dyes, you’ll be able to do just that.


    Before diving into some mixes, let’s run through a couple of quick things:

    • Start by washing your hair a day or two before coloring to remove excess oils, but skip the conditioner
    • Dry your hair completely, as hair dye tends to adhere better to dry strands
    • Understand that red hair automatically makes you that girl 💅 
    • Consider applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline and ears to prevent staining
    • Section your hair into manageable portions, securing them with clips (for even application, of course) 

    Now that you're RED-y đŸ€Ș to go, let’s embark on the journey of transforming your locks into that inspo pic that you've had saved for some time now, shall we? 


    Whether you were naughty or nice, this first mix is for you 👇 


    Top Red Hair Dye Mixes for the Season

    1. “Haughty Red” đŸ›·

    Poison + Transylvania 

    Best suited for light to medium brown hair, this sultry, red-black fusion consists of a base of Poison and a drop of Transylvania (add a few more drops if needed).

    2. Crimson Spell: 

    @megflahertyhair

    Poison + Ritual 

    Infuse the vivacity of Poison with the rich deep hue of Ritual and watch magic happen đŸȘ„ Mixing equal parts Poison and Ritual (adding more Ritual as needed) and applying over light to platinum blonde hair will yield the best results.

    ✹ AF Pro Tip: Punch it up with more Poison for a more vivid red đŸ„ŠÂ 

    3. Cranberry Cutie: 

    @ashlee__smith in Virgin Pink and Ritual

    Ritual + Virgin Pink

    Combine the dark elegance of Ritual with Virgin Pink for a deep, enchanting red-pink “cranberry” concoction. Mix 2 parts Ritual to 1 part Virgin Pink on light to medium blonde hair.

     

    4. Merlot Magic: 

    @cygoesmeow in Wrath and Ritual 

    Ritual + Wrath

    Combine equal parts of Ritual with Wrath for a merlot moment on light to platinum blonde hair, for this dark Ruby look đŸ„€Â 

    6. Foxy Firecracker:

    @lisovskihair in Poison and Neon Moon

    Poison + Neon Moon

    Using fiery Poison with Neon Moon to add intensity, we suggest starting with 2 parts Poison to 1 part Neon Moon on light to platinum blonde hair đŸ’„Â 

    ✹AF Pro Tip: If needed, add in more Poison to deepen the mix

    7. Vibrant Vixen: 

    @notyourdestiny__ in Wrath and Electric Paradise

    Wrath + Electric Paradise

    Similar to the ”Foxy Firecracker” mix, use the red as your base and add in your other shade. Start with 2 parts Wrath to 1 part Electric Paradise on light to platinum blonde hair 🍒

     ✹ AF Pro Tip: If needed, add in more Wrath to deepen the mix 

    To preserve the brilliance of your customized hair color, you’ll want to embrace a color-friendly hair care routine. Opt for sulfate-free and color-safe shampoos and conditioners like our Resurrected Set to minimize color fading. 

    Washing your hair with cold water also helps seal the cuticles as well by locking in the vibrancy. Another helpful tip is to minimize exposure to harsh sunlight and heated styling tools, as these can accelerate color fading đŸ™…â€â™€ïž With proper care, your red locks will continue to captivate and inspire, ensuring your vibrant self-expression can continue ❀

    Soo, which one caught your eye?! đŸ€© Let us know in the comments below and as always let us know if you have any questions/need color assistance at support@arcticfoxusa.com. Merry Mixmas! 🎹

     

     

    Beginner's Guide to Hair Color

    Beginner's Guide to Hair Color

    @sophiaxnova in Purple AF

    Is TikTok making you want to dye your hair? Welcome to the club! If you’re thinking about pulling the trigger on that new color but have no idea where to start, you’re in the right place. We’re about to dish all our tips for your first time so that you can get that flawless color you’ve been dreaming of. 

    Vegan and Cruelty Free Formula

    The biggest and most common concern with first-timers is worrying about hair damage. Especially if you have virgin hair. And we get it! All the hair dyes in the AF color range are formulated without any harsh chemicals and packed with so many deep conditioning properties they’re basically a colored conditioner! So not only can you leave it on as long as you want, you’ll also come out with soft locks full of color!  

    Semi-permanent dyes are the perfect solution to trying out bold colors minus the fear of settling down with one shade forever. AF hair dyes start with our signature full throttle bold color and then naturally fade out slowly over time with no additional processes. AKA you can try out new colors with the confidence that they won’t damage your strands, and they’ll still look ah-mazing as they fade. Semi-permanent hair dyes definitely don’t have to be scary!

    @eclipse.lunxr in Virgin Pink

    Starting with Vivid Hair Dye

    When you’re first starting out with vivids, you need to keep in mind how light or dark your natural hair is to ensure you get the best results. For example, if your hair is light brown, deeply pigmented shades like Wrath, or Purple AF were made for you, Fox! Avoid pastel colors or the lighter blues and greens, unless you bleach and lighten your natural hair base first.  

    Need more inspo before you take the leap? We got a list of important questions you need to ask before you dye your hair, just to make sure you’re ready to jump into the world of color! 

    @queenbcyn in Wrath

    Picking your new hue

    One way you can crack the color code is by considering your skin’s undertone to help narrow down your choice and lead you to a new shade that will accentuate your natural features. 

    Your skin tone is the surface level color of your skin that can change due to the season or sun exposure, we all notice our skin tone change a bit in the summer months, right? 😎 Your undertone on the other hand, is the underlying tone of your skin that is ever-present and doesn’t alter with the seasons.

    Knowing your undertone can help narrow down your choice of color (unless you want to rebel and go with whatever shade you’re feeling). Start by finding out which of the three categories of undertones you fall into: cool, warm, or neutral.

    Cool undertones have a pink or bluish hue to their skin. Warm undertones have a yellow, golden, or peachy hue, while neutral undertones mirror the color of their surface skin.

    To figure out your undertone, use the Vein Method, Jewelry Method, or White T-Shirt Method as all are proven ways to see how your skin tone compliments and reacts to colors - and yes you can totally do them right at home! 

    The white t-shirt method is as simple as it sounds -  throw on a white t-shirt and go outside in natural light. Pay attention to how your skin contrasts with the white shirt. If your skin looks rosy or pink, you have cool undertones. If your skin looks golden or yellow, you have warm undertones. If you don’t really see a change, you have neutral undertones.

    The vein method might be the easiest one! If your veins appear purple or blue, you have cool undertones. Green or love mean you have warm undertones, and a mix of blue and green are neutral undertones. If you can’t really tell, you likely have neutral undertones as well. 

    The jewelry method is probably the most fun! It’s simply the way jewelry looks on your skin. If you prefer silver jewelry against your skin you have cool undertones. If you prefer the way yellow gold jewelry looks on your skin, you have warm undertones.If you look great in both or don’t have a preference, (lucky you) you likely have neutral undertones.

    And of course, we wouldn’t be your hair bestie if we didn’t have a full rundown on picking colors that go with your undertone right here!

    In short, all our cool toned babes look best in Aquamarine, Poseidon, Periwinkle, Neverland, Girls Night, Purple AF, and Ritual.

    @tayreichel in Neverland, Aquamarine, Periwinkle, and Arctic Mist Diluter 

    Warm undertones stun in reds, oranges, yellows, or colors with warmth like Electric Paradise, Wrath, Sunset Orange, Poison, and Virgin Pink.

    @sophia.vog in Wrath, Poison

    And for our neutral undertone Foxes..well, you can literally go for any AF color. 

    @jingleheartart in Cosmic Sunshine and Neon Moon

    Our second method for picking a hair color is by using color theory and the color wheel. The color wheel is a visual tool to explain and visualize the relationship between colors (That much was obvious, right?). The color wheel will help you better predict how specific colors will mix together and how to avoid results that just don’t hit the heights you want to scale with your new hairdo.

    For example, complementary colors are two shades that live opposite each other on the color wheel such as, violet and yellow, red and green, orange and blue. When you are coloring for the first time it is best to pick a hue that is opposite your natural hair color on the wheel in order to get an optimum result! Consult the AF color wheel here to find your inspo!

    @imperial.hairstudio in Aquamarine, Virgin Pink, Violet Dream, Sunset Orange, Cosmic Sunshine

    For unbleached hair, you can also check a prediction of how deep the color will show up based on your natural hair base.

    If you want to go lighter and even work up to a pastel shade, you’ll need to lighten your hair up with a little bleach. You can look at the hair level charts on the AF product pages for a guide to how light you’d need to be to get your desired shade. Lightening it up gradually over time is the best way to go about it, especially if you are starting with really dark hair that borders on or around black tones. Our lightening kit, Bleach, Please is a safe option for healthy at-home lightening if you are going down this route. Before you know it you’ll be setting off sirens with your new delicious hair color.

    @sheaella in Girls Night and Periwinkle 

    So now you have done your research and found a complimentary hue and got your hair to the right base level, it's time to dive right in and get that new color on, right!? Erm... not quite!

    The Strand Test, Your BFF

    We always, ALWAYS recommend doing a strand test to see exactly how your shade will show up on your beautiful head of hair. 

    Strand tests are SUPER important tools to help you see how the color will show up on your hair.

    Even if you are blonde and have light hair, the natural tone of your hair will affect how color shows up so it's important to test it first. Everyone’s hair is different, and the Strand Test gives real world results of the color application. (The strand test never lies).

    To start testing, shampoo and fully dry your hair, without conditioning. Find a 1 inch strand of hair in a hidden area and apply some of your chosen AF hue. Wrap the test strands in foil and let them process for at least 30 minutes before rinsing in cool water, drying your hair, and checking the outcome. You can always repeat the test as needed, if the shade was not what you were looking for.

    Once you are happy and all set with your color, it's time to apply the shade to your locks. Naturally, we have some great tips and tools to help you get this process right!

    The Hair Dyeing Process

    Get ready to apply that delicious new color by either shampooing and drying your hair first, or even applying the color to hair that has not been washed for a day or two. This will allow natural oils to remain in the hair and can help the hair dye absorb into the strands better. We love to see that new vivacious color soak in.

    While dyeing your hair use our alligator clips to separate your hair into sections to allow the color to be applied thoroughly and evenly. Ohh snap! 

    @onedreamparis in Virgin Pink

    If you are applying multiple colors the sectioning clips can be a lifesaver! For mixes, you can also use AF mixing bowls to measure out and mix up a perfect storm of color. It just makes it a little easier to get the exact ratios you need.

    Before you apply the color and allow it to process for at least 30 minutes, you should take a couple of precautions to prevent staining your skin. 

    First, apply vaseline around your hairline to prevent staining on your face or neck, because, well, that’s not a great look.  And finally, wear our reusable gloves while you apply your color and rinse it off, to prevent the hair dye from staining your hands and making it look like you have been in art class.

    Whoop! 30 minutes later and you’re done! Your gorgeous new color can be unleashed into the world.

    Hair Color Maintenance

    Keeping your new hair color looking fresh can be done in more than one way! Remember, our dyes will still look super pretty as they fade - BUT the less you wash your hair the slower the fading process is. Opt for our Vacay Volumizing dry shampoo in between wash days to stretch your clean hair as long as possible, and don’t forget to throw in a few drops of your chosen hair color to your conditioner to keep that color looking fresh! Our 4 oz bottles are perfect for that touch ups!

    Of course, a big part of success with hair dye is not only choosing the right hair dye color, but maintaining your new color afterwards. Throw in a color safe shampoo and conditioner into your wash day routine (like our Resurrected Duo) to keep that color alive and long-lasting. You can also grab an extra 4 oz bottle of your chosen color and add a few drops into your conditioner as needed for that extra oomph if you see your color starting to fade. 

    ✹AF Pro Tip✹ Pool Party is your pre or post shower bestie when it comes to deep hair hydration for the softest, most luscious locks. She can even double as a styling cream for that coveted wet hair look. Did we mention she smells absolutely delicious?

    Want to share your new hair color and make us green with envy? Tag us @arcticfoxhaircolor and show us and the Fox Fam what you and your new color are made of.

    *Greece has a three-item limit due to customs restrictions* close