Remember when toilet roll was the biggest trend of lockdown? Those were dark days. Thankfully, it’s been dethroned (pun not intended) by something much cooler – pink hair. It’s everywhere. Our Instagram feeds are full of celebrities and other very-cool people (girls and guys) sporting pink hair. I mean, if it’s good enough for Dua Lipa and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
If you’ve made it this far without trying it then we commend you – but also, like, you really should go for it.
The colour and tone of your pink will depend on a couple of things – the colour of your hair before and the tone of the dye. Pastels or ultra-bright, neon shades can only be achieved if your hair is almost white beforehand. If your hair is darker, deeper, more pigmented dyes will work best.
Go with a semi-permanent formula that fades over a few washes (look for dyes that fade ‘true to colour’ – this means your hair will fade to the same colour it was before). There’s slightly more upkeep involved but it’s commitment-free and it’s better for your hair.
Washing your hair with cold water (and less often) will help keep your colour for longer. Add a bit of the dye to your conditioner for an easy freshen up.
By Beth Ludolf
FAQs
How do you choose the right pink hair shade for you?
The right pink shade depends on your original hair colour and the dye’s tone. For pastels or ultra-bright, neon shades, your hair needs to be almost white. If your hair is darker, deeper and more pigmented pink dyes will work best.
What type of pink hair dye is easiest to maintain?
Using a semi-permanent formula that fades over a few washes is easiest to maintain. Look for dyes that fade “true to colour”, as these will allow your hair to return to its original shade, making the process commitment-free.
How can you make pink hair colour last longer?
Wash your hair with cold water and do it less often to keep your colour longer. Adding a bit of dye to your conditioner offers an easy way to freshen up your pink shade between washes.
Do you need to bleach your hair before dyeing it pink?
You need to bleach your hair to almost white for pastel or ultra-bright, neon pinks. For darker hair, deeper pigmented dyes can work without full bleaching, though the results will vary depending on your natural hair colour.
Is it possible to try pink hair without long-term commitment?
Yes, you can try pink hair without a long-term commitment by using semi-permanent dyes. These formulas fade after a few washes, so you can experiment with colour even if you are not ready for a permanent change.