Pastel hair is a hot trend that doesn’t look to be going anywhere. From celebrities like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, to the runways of Paris, many stylish people are rocking this latest trend and turning heads. But you don’t have to be a celebrity or a rock star to try this look. There are many great ways you can incorporate pastel hair dye into your own style in a fun and understated way.

Because pastel hair dyes are considered such a bold look, you will definitely need confidence to pull it off. Almost all brightly colored hair dyes come in semi-permanent or temporary forms, and pastels are no exception. This is great because you can get the look without the commitment. One company that makes this temporary color is Splat Colour Washables. This line comes with four colors including pink, red, blue and purple. You can apply it to your whole head, or section it off and go for pastel streaks. They wash off fairly quickly, so if you want pastel hair for a special occasion, or are just looking to try something new, this may be for you.

For a longer lasting look, I would recommend getting a semi-permanent hair dye in a bright color. Brands like Manic Panic, Special Effects, or Crazy Colours are a good choice since they offer such a variety of shades from Electric Blue to Emerald Green and everything in between. Since these brands also use a vegetable based formula and are ammonia free, they are gentler on your hair than conventional dye.

In order to achieve a pastel hair color with these brands, you will have to mix conditioner to the dye. This will weaken the brightness of the color, and give you a nice soft pastel shade. You can experiment with how much conditioner you want to add depending on how rich you want the final color to be. It’s also important to note that this method works best on hair that is already lightened or blonde. If you have dark hair, the color will not stand out as much, and you may only have a hint of color to your hair.

Another option for achieving pastel hair is to use chalk pastels. This is a good choice if you don’t want to deal with dyeing your hair and want something that will easily wash off. Best of all, it’s very affordable and only takes minutes to apply. To get this look, you’ll need a box of chalk pastels. You can get these from any arts and crafts store. Make sure the chalk pastels are not oil based.

If you’re blonde, you can apply the chalk to your dry hair by rubbing it on. You can twist your hair to get more traction. If you have darker hair, you should wet it first to get the color to stick. Once the chalk is in your hair, you can blow dry it or hot iron it to set it.

It’s very easy to achieve pastel hair with minimal expense. Not only is it a hot look for the spring and summer, but its fun and flirty. So try it out for yourself!

Dyeing your hair can be a great way to change up your look dramatically, or it can subtly accentuate your style. If you opt to dye your hair at home instead of a salon, it can be confusing or overwhelming trying to decide which brand to use. Whether it’s going for a different color or just adding highlights to your hair, there are several great brands that will help you get the look you want.

Before you head to the store, there are some things you should consider first. The main thing being: why do you want to dye your hair? Is it to cover gray hair, to add highlights, or to try a completely different shade? Another important thing to consider is: How long do you want the color to last? Is it a temporary look you’re going for? Or do you want something that will last a long time? Once you’ve decided, it will make narrowing down the choices a lot easier.

Many of the top hair dye brands offer their colors in permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary colors. The names are pretty self explanatory.

Clairol

A great at home hair dye is Clairol. They have several different products in their hair coloring line from Clairol Natural Instincts, Clairol Hydrience Cream, and Clairol Nice ‘n Easy. Many people love this brand because it’s very easy to use and is gentle on the hair. This brand is also long lasting and gives the hair a shiny appearance. The colors range from black to blonde and everything in between. Prices for Clairol are relatively inexpensive averaging under $10.

Garnier

Another great brand is Garnier. They also have several great products in their hair color line including HerbaShine Color Crème with Bamboo Extract and Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Multi-lights. These products generally leave hair less frizzy than some other hair dye brands, and the color lasts a long time. Garnier makes great permanent hair dyes and their colors come in black, blonde, red and brown. Prices for Garnier average around $7 a box.

L’Oreal

L’Oreal is a very popular brand that you’ve no doubt heard of. They offer several different products for every hair type and color out there. L’Oreal is generally considered the best hair dye for dark hair, though they do also have great hair dyes for covering grays, adding highlights, or other vibrant colors like magenta and bright red. Prices for L’Oreal start under $10.

Schwarzkopf

Schwarzkopf is a German based beauty company and is highly regarded by many professional colorists for their quality hair dyes. They make three product lines including Igora, Live XXL Color and Essensity. Their Essensity line is ammonia free. It also does not contain artificial fragrances, silicons or other harmful ingredients such as parabens, and is gentler on the hair. Prices for Schwarzkopf vary and range from average around $12 a tube.

John Frieda

John Frieda’s Precision Foam Color line is a high quality hair dye that can be found at most stores. This line offers colors in 20 shades. It also uses foam technology making application easier and less messy. Prices for John Frieda Precision Foam Color retail for around $12.

Manic Panic

If you’re looking for a bright bold color, Manic Panic may be right up your alley. This company uses vegetable-based dyes that don’t contain any ammonia or peroxide. They are great for people who have skin sensitivity or allergies. The colors are all semi-permanent and will generally last around 4-6 weeks. They offer 30 shades and include colors with such vivid names as Purple Haze, Vampire Red, Cotton Candy Pink Electric Lava and everything in between. Prices for Manic Panic are very reasonable, and start under $10.

It can be a little tricky trying to find the right hair color. What you think might look good on you could very well be very unflattering in reality. However, you don’t have to dye your hair and learn through trial and error to find a great new color! You can dye your hair online without any commitment using virtual makeover tools.

These virtual makeover tools are very useful if you want to dye your hair online to see what colors would look great on you without the commitment of actually dying your hair.  It’s great because if you don’t like the color, you won’t have to go through the hassle of removing hair dye; simply change it with a click of a mouse. You can see what your hair looks like with a lighter shade, or go completely bonkers and dye it a crazy color. And best of all, most of the tools are free. Most of these sites will require you to supply a photo of yourself, or you can also use one of the pre-chosen models that best resembles you.

One of the best tools to dye your hair online is Real Simple’s Online Beauty Makeover. You can not only try out different hair colors, but styles as well. It also has the option of adding highlights and lowlights to your hair.

Taaz is another great beauty website that offers a makeover tool. You have a lot of options with this, and can change the length and style of your hair as well as the color. The styles available are all based on celebrities, so if you’ve ever admired a certain celebrity hairstyle or color, this tool can show you how you’d look with it! It’s very fun and addictive.

Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and Good Housekeeping magazine all have a virtual makeover tool on their website that allows you to dye your hair online. You get allot of great features here and you can use their model or upload your own photo. They’re all basically the same program powered by Modi Face that uses the same models.

Another cool makeover tool is Hair Color Booth. This is an app from the makers of Sketch Me! and GingerBooth. It allows you to dye your hair in crazy colors like pink, violet, and blue. It also lets you custom create different shades as well, so the possibilities are endless.  And just a word or warning, it’s very addictive! You can download it on the Itunes store and it will cost you 99 cents.

Clairol also has a virtual hair color tool that allows you to test out and see how different hair colors will look. Because it is mainly a hair color tool, the hair color results will be more realistic than some of the other options already listed.

Most of the tools listed to dye your hair online are free, though you may have to sign up for an account in order to upload your own photo. This is a fun, quick and easy way to test out new colors with just the click of a mouse! What are you waiting for?

There are many reasons why you would want to remove your newly dyed hair, or even faded grown out colored hair. Whether it’s just going for a new look, or trying to overhaul a hair dying disaster, hair color removal can be a life safer (or look saver)! Luckily, there are many options for you that make hair color removal easy and effective.

If you’re stylist caused the hair color disaster, most likely (if they are professionals and value their customers), they will try to fix it for you free of charge. If on the other hand, they refuse to do this, you can either try to find another stylist who will fix it, or you can fix it yourself at home with some simple remedies, or try some chemical based products. It’s best to try the natural remedies first, since it is the least damaging.

One of the first you can try is to just rinse it out with hot water. The hot water can help to fade the hair color, and it’s by far the easiest option to try.

If that doesn’t work, you can also try hot oil treatments. This has been shown to be pretty effective in removing hair dye. You can try olive oil, and not only does it help get rid of the color; it also acts as a deep conditioner to your hair.

Another great at-home remedy to remove hair color is laundry detergent like Tide. It’s important that your laundry detergent does not contain any bleach, and test a small strand of your hair first before trying it on your whole head. Also be sure to rinse all the detergent off to avoid any damage.

It may take repeated tries to completely fade away the color with some of the home remedy treatments. However if these options do not work, there are some great commercial hair color removers you can try. There are so many options out there you can try but some of the best include L’Oreal’s Color Zap, One ‘n Only Color Fix, Clairol’s The Uncolor System Hair Color Remover, and Color Oops Hair Color Remover.

Something to keep in mind is that you can only remove hair dye that is darker than your natural color. Also, hair color takes up to 3 days to set into the hair cuticle, so if your hair color is over 3 days old, you may not be able to remove it. At this point, your best bet is to re-dye it with your preferred color choice.

With all of the tips and advice I have on hair dying here, I also like to try to throw in some videos as well. This is because I think sometimes you just need visual reference as well to help take your through all of the steps of dying your hair. So if I come across good videos then I like to share them here. I came across a pretty detailed video that takes you through the whole process. I feel the woman does a great job of explaining everything and she also throws in a lot of great tips and tricks that you may have not tried before. Give it a watch:

Hair dying can be extremely difficult for Asian women. Asian women’s hair tends to be thick and fairly resistant to color. It is hard to find hair dye brands for Asian women because most of the ads or information you see is for brown, red or blonde hair. There just isn’t a lot of information out there for Asian women.

Go to a Salon or Do it at Home?

The first choice you will have to make it whether you want to get your hair dyed at a Salon or if you want to do it yourself. Asian women especially may want to strongly consider a salon if they can afford it– especially a salon that has experience with Asian hair. Because of the thickness and concentrated pigments of Asian hair, it can be difficult to correctly color and you may want to leave it in the hands of a professional.

If you can’t afford a salon or are the adventurous type then you can try dying at home. There’s no reason you can’t get the same results on your own, but it just may take more practice. Make sure you don’t try anything too drastic at first and stick to colors that are no more than two shades from your natural color.

What Hair Dye Brands to Try

A lot of store bought products may not work particularly well on Asian hair. However, there are some you may want to give a shot. John Feria Precise Foam Color is designed to absorb more deeply and easily into hair. Loreal Feria Color 3D Color will give deep and intense colors. Lastly, you may want to look into Palty, which is a Japanese brand.

After selecting a brand they you are going to want to decide on a color. If you are lightening your hair, you need to be super careful if you need to bleach your hair first to prevent a reddish or orange tinge. Try to stick with warm tones and don’t go overboard.

If you are looking to add depth to your hair, you may want to try a dark brown. Avoid any colors with blue or green undertones as they may not blend well with Asian skin tones. Try to select warmer tones, like red, cooper, and gold.

You may also want to try highlights. Select mahogany or eggplant shades to add a look of fullness to your hair. Just make sure you don’t overdo it with highlights. Too much highlights with the wrong colors can leave your hair looking fake.

Lastly, you can try layering colors. This involves coloring the top layer of your hair a lighter color and coloring the under layers darker. The contrast of the two colors will intensify your hair and give you different looks depending how you wear your hair. It will give you one style while you wear it up and another while you have it down.

One final tip is that no matter what color or brand you go with, you probably are going to want to buy at least two boxes. Because Asian hair tends to be thick, one box just might not cut it. So make sure you pick up two boxes, and if you end up only need one then you can always return the extra back to the store.

Asian hair is one of the hardest to dye, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. A product that is designed to penetrate thick hair is key. You also need to make sure you select the right color to leaving your hair looking natural. Get it right and you can have intense, beautiful looking dyed hair.

When their hair starts to gray, many men find themselves joining the ranks of hair dyers. Getting gray hair is a natural part of the aging process, and some men even like the look. But many others want to hold on to their youthful color, especially those who begin to gray early, like in their last twenties or early thirties. Fortunately, there are many simple and low cost ways out there for men to dye their hair.

Selecting the Right Color

There are many hair dye brands for men looking to dye their hair. Some of the more popular ones are Just for Men, Schwarzkopf, and Garnier Nutrisse. Redken’s Color Camo is also great for the salt and pepper look that many mature men desire.
You will want to select a color that is fairly close to your original color- try to stay within two shades. If you go too light, your hair will look washed out, and if you go too dark it will look like burnt motor oil. Try to use a color with an ash tone to have something that will fall into line with your age. You don’t want to end up looking too young.

Performing a Color Test

Once you select a color you think will work for, you will want to perform a stand test. This is a very important step to making sure your hair ends up looking natural. If you don’t perform a strand test you are just shooting in the dark and could end up with something that looks terrible.

First, separate out a few strands of hair on one side of your head. Selecting hair from the sides is ideal in case you ever needed to snip away the hair from a color that didn’t work for you. You may want to use a clip to separate the strands, and you may also want to cover the hair around it so it stays clean.

Next, you will want to apply a small amount of the hair coloring the ends of the strands. Keep the dye in for as long as the package states, and then wash it out and drying the hair. Once complete, try viewing the hair in different settings and lighting to make sure that it is a color that you want.

Dying your Gray Away

Now that you have the right color you are ready to dye your whole head of hair. Start coloring by first hitting the spots where you hair is the grayest. You will probably to leave the dye in for at least 30 to 35 minutes, even if that is longer than what the package suggests.

Men typically need to dye their hair about every six weeks, although if your hair grows fast you may need to do it more often. If you need to fill in some spots in the meantime or do some touch up, you may want to try washout highlights. You can spray or brush these into your hair, but keep in mind that these will wash out.

Whether you want to completely hide your gray hair or go for the classic salt and pepper look, there are many options out there for men looking to dye their hair. Fortunately, there are many hair dye brands for men that are easy to use and look great. If you are a guy looking to get rid of his gray, there is no reason you won’t find a product that will work for you.

African American women are coloring their hair more than ever before due to the abundance of hair dye brands out there specifically designed for their hair type. And why not? Hair color is great for covering up gray hair, or just changing up your look, and with great products out there, it’s easier for African American women to color their hair at home.

It is important to note that the texture of hair that many women of color have is naturally curly. This means that hair is drier and can be very fragile, so it’s important to choose the right brand and color to get the best results. The best rule to follow, as with any coloring job, is not to go over three shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color.

If you also chemically process your hair, either with relaxers or perms, it is especially important to use the right hair coloring kit. Because these chemicals break down the protein in the hair, it leaves the hair very fragile and vulnerable to breakage.

For at-home coloring jobs, it is best to stick with a temporary or semi-permanent color or color rinses. Because these products generally do not use ammonia and peroxide (or use very low levels), and only the top layer of the hair is colored, there will be less damage to the hair shaft than with a permanent color.

African American women who do choose to color their hair at home have many options, and it is best to stick with a coloring kit that caters to your hair type, as this will not only give you the best results, but do less damage to your hair. Here are some popular hair dye brands for African American hair.

Mizani

Mizani offers a complete line of hair care products for textured hair. Its color kit is specifically designed for women of color. Their
Beyond Conditioning Crème Permanent Hair color is specially designed for hair that is partially relaxed, or that has been in any way chemically treated. These products tend to be a little pricy and can be found in some drugstores as well as beauty supply stores.

Dark and Lovely

This brand offers several great hair coloring kits for African American hair that has been chemically treated. They offer shades from golden blonde to jet black, and also is also gentle on the hair. Dark and Lovely coloring kits can be found at most stores and at $7 a box, it’s a great bargain as well!

Clairol Textures & Tones

Clairol is a very popular brand, and their Textures & Tones collection was specially formulated for women of color. This is a permanent hair color and offers 14 shades from blonde to brunette. It is also okay on relaxed or natural hair does not include ammonia. Theses can also be found in most drugstores and retail for about $7 a box.

Creme of Nature

Creme of Nature uses organic ingredients in their hair dyes. A popular brand for women of color, Creme of Nature offers 15 different shades from Ginger Blonde, to Ragin’ Red, all the way to Soft Black. This brand also moisturizes the hair as it colors, so that it leave the hair soft and shiny. It’s great for dramatic looks and typically lasts for about 6 weeks. They retail for around $6 a box.

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge with coloring your hair, it’s important to maintain and care for your hair afterwards. It’s best to use moisturizing shampoos and deep conditioners to prevent damage and keep your hair healthy. By choosing the right color and brand, and taking care of your hair, you can have beautifully colored hair that lasts!

If you are a woman who regularly dyes her hair, then you run into quite a dilemma if you become pregnant. Dying your hair is part of your look, but you don’t want it to harm your baby. Research on hair dying effects on pregnancy is still limited, but many experts are now saying dyes are likely safe. However, there are certainly things you can look for in hair dye brands to make sure they are right for you and your growing baby.

What Should Hair Dye Brands Contain to be Safer For Pregnancy?

If you are pregnant, you will want to proceed with some caution while coloring your hair. The dye is absorbed through your scalp and into your body. Some doctors suggest that because of this, you may want to stop dying your hair during the first trimester, as this is when your baby is developing crucial neurological pathways. You may even want to hold off from dying your hair through the whole pregnancy.

If you still want to proceed, non-toxic colors may be the best way to go. Non-toxic colors have really improved in recent years. Products are being made with less and less chemicals. You should be able to find products that are ammonia free. You may want to even look into European brands because they are regulated, unlike the products in the United States.

You can also try natural dyes that contain no chemicals. Henna Dyes are made from Henna flower. We are seeing more and more henna dyes on the market as people are more wary of chemicals in general today whether they are pregnant or not. You can also find Herbatint products that are made from Herbs like chamomile and sage. You may even be able to make these dyes at home if you are the crafty type.

Another thing you can try is the so-called Hair Mascara. This is a temporary color that is applied with a brush that looks a lot like a mascara wand. These products are temporary and only coat the outside of your hair. The product doesn’t touch your scalp and there is minimal chance for it being absorbed into your skin. That’s a big plus for you and baby.

Tips For Applying Hair Dye While Pregnant

If you decide to still dye your hair, whether with a normal dye or one with reduced chemicals, you will want to take some precautions to minimize the risk involved. These are some tips you will want to follow any time you are working with dyes, but they are all the more important when you are pregnant.

First, if you are coloring at home always make sure that you are doing it in a well-ventilated room. Open the windows and run fans if you have to. You probably prefer to work in your bathroom because of the sink and mirror, but if your bathroom doesn’t have a window then you need to take care to make sure there is proper air flow and don’t close the door. If your bathroom has an exhaust fan that you run while taking showers make sure it is switched on as well.

Second, again if you are coloring at home, make sure you are wearing gloves. If you aren’t wearing gloves, the chemicals can be absorbed through your skin and taken into your body where they can harm your baby. Gloves should always be worn when you are touching any kind of chemical.

Is Hair Dying While Pregnant Right for You?

You should think long and hard about whether or not you want to dye your hair while pregnant. If you chose not to dye your hair, you may still be able to use some products like hair mascara to still get the colored look. If you do decide to dye your hair, you can chose ammonia-free and low chemical products to help minimize the risks. You can also take the proper precautions while applying the dyes at home to make sure you are doing so in the safest manner possible.