Arctic Fox Foxology
0 Cart
Added to Cart
    You have items in your cart
    You have 1 item in your cart
    Total

    AF Blog — Aquamarine

    Darkening Your Hair Color for Fall 2023

    Darkening Your Hair Color for Fall 2023

    @iamzoeyluna in Transylvania 

    Keep your look top-class this fall

    You can embrace the change, or you can dread it. But you can’t deny it: summer is over, baby. We’re working on ditching our late sleep-ins (dry shampoo for the win!), have restocked our coffee supplies, bought the organizers, and are getting used to the sound of the alarm. But how has our Fox Fam been falling back into a routine? Let’s just say that leaves aren’t the only things that are changing color!

    Lustrous, rich hair tones can make even the most boring schedules feel brighter, and with the onset of busy days, we’re seeing a rise in the deep, dark tones. They can be low-maintenance while still being high-impact, and they give the rich feeling of thicker hair that autumn styles show off the best. On top of that, blends and color combinations keep the looks as interesting as you are.

    Whatever your day-to-day looks like this fall, we’re excited to see everyone in dark mode.

    New you, new hue

    Good news, stargazers: Venus is out of retrograde💫! As (we’re sure) you already know, this means it’s a great time to start fresh with whatever’s been blocked for you lately. Romance can get kicked into high gear, work and creativity will start flowing, and we can’t think of a better sign that it’s time for a brand-new look.

    Part of your 2023 back-to-real-life glow-up should be a hair color that you’re stoked to show off — not to mention the noticeably hydrated and healthy hair that comes with using our AF deep-conditioning hair dyes. We’ve mentioned a few times lately that we are really digging the transition from summer cools to autumn warms, and that means going for a darker tone than what you rocked during the sunny season. Plus your hair will be totally in step with Fall 2023’s palette, making your hair the perfect accessory and always on-point.

    There’s something else that a darker tone gives to your updated ‘do—aside from all that lovely confidence that comes with a makeover, that is. Going to the dark side of the color wheel gives the gift of a low-maintenance mane. 

    In our previous blog on warm hair colors, we explained how a simple warm color can add depth to your hair that will give you a thicker, fuller-looking style without needing extra time with your diffuser. When you combine your warm-color lowlights with a time-saving volumizing shampoo you’re going to have a full look all day.

    ✨Remember that changing your look doesn’t have to mean changing your beliefs, and that’s why as much as we love watching your evolution, we’ll never be anything other than vegan and cruelty-free. Dye away, and with AF dark hair dyes, you’re dyeing for a cause.

    To Bleach or Not to Bleach?

    Real talk: Summer puts your hair through the wringer with chlorine, salt water, and sun damage. Keep in mind that even though we pack our potions to the brim with hair-helping ingredients, you can choose to skip the bleaching step now and again. You can also be creative and use it only in sections. Our influencers have found some truly jaw-dropping ways to only color parts of their hair—and still stun. Money pieces are a great example of a simple switch-up that can change your whole look, without changing your entire head.

    @_negatronn in Iris Green and Neon Moon

    @tavujesus in Frosé

    @lazybonesbeauty in Cosmic Sunshine

    @atouchofmurphy in Violet Dream and Purple AF 

     

    AF’s Bleach, Please is as gentle as a lightener can get, and even has added goodness to keep your hair healthy while it works. And yes, AF’s range of hair color dyes produces a truer color match when they are used on lighter hair. But if you’re looking for a tint without putting your hair through the bleaching process, you can opt for a beautiful color undertone that will come through even on darker or already dyed hair. 

    For an idea on how your color will turn out with your natural or current base color, have a look at our guide to using AF hair dyes on unbleached hair. If you like how these look, we’ve grouped all the colors here for easy shopping! 

    Pro-tip: Knowing your hair’s color level will be key to planning your look, and we can help you with that, too! Just cruise by this gem of an explainer which breaks it down for you.

    Of course, the only way to get the strong, intense pop of color you see on some of our most colorful influencers is to lighten your hair first.

     

    @christystarmua in Aquamarine and Periwinkle

    @hairwaytoheavennn in Wrath and Poison

    @violentinside in Purple AF and Transylvania 

    Stir it up for some killer color

    Remember: going dark doesn’t mean melting into the surroundings, and it certainly shouldn’t mean you’re stuck with one color! Blend your pastes for a unique shade, or combine multiple colors into your locks for a truly standout fall look. In our last blog, we talked about this fall’s trending hairstyles, and there was a lot of mention of color accents and how to use them. 

     In particular, the money pieces and the peekaboo styles work best when the color is applied precisely (and only!) where you want it. Because we want our Fox Fam’s hair dreams to come true and your looks exactly as you envisioned them, we recommend that you use our gentle-on-hair alligator clips to keep your sections secured and under control while you work.

    Here are the results of perfectly applied color.

    @yadeemua in Ginger Flare

    @wonderingminds_420 in Ritual and Electric Paradise

    @sighmmaya in Periwinkle and Poseidon

    @onedreamparis in Virgin Pink

    How to Darken Your Current Shade

    Looking for a darker shade that isn’t a total change of color? Easy peasy! 

    There are two ways you can do this:

    1. The first method will neutralize the color you have and deepen it slightly. Take a quick look at our color wheel blog (honestly, just bookmark it already) to find out what the opposite color is to the one you already have! Once you’ve got that, simply mix in a drop or two to your current color, and voila.
    2. Method number two is using a darker shade of the same color to help deepen the tone. Let’s say you have Aquamarine, you can add a bit of Blue Jean Baby to darken it. Again, the color wheel blog has a wheel that shows where all the AF colors fall on the wheel so it’s a snap to find out which one you need.

     To keep the blending simple and the colors separate while you apply, our tint bowls are going to be some of your besties.

    Peep these dark hues on our Fox Fam!

    As always, we look to you, our boldest and bravest Foxy trailblazers for our inspiration. After all, we can talk about change, but you are the gorgeous bunch that does it, flaunts it, and shares it with the world! Here are some superb examples of falling into the dark for autumn.

    @mylifeas_mel in Transylvania

    @makeupbytiffanybanks in Poseidon covered in Ritual

    @lil.mishroom in Cosmic Sunshine, Sunset Orange, and Purple AF 

    If you’re thinking of going green, stay tuned! Next week we’ll give some precise mixing tips for gorgeous green hues that need a little bit of alchemy to get just right.

    So lovelies, as you traipse into autumn vibes this year, remember that you can go dark and shine! Treat your hair right by using AF conditioning hair dyes, and for the love of gosh, share your hair journey with your Fax Fam by tagging @arcticfoxusa on your socials!

    Unlikely Color Cover Ups: Transforming Faded Hair with Arctic Fox

    Unlikely Color Cover Ups: Transforming Faded Hair with Arctic Fox

    Are you ready to say goodbye to your current hair color and switch things up? At Arctic Fox Hair Color, we believe that the best results often emerge from the most unexpected choices 😏. Get ready to dive into the world of "Unlikely Color Cover Ups," where we reveal four unlikely Arctic Fox shades that effortlessly conceal your existing hair color and reveal a STUNNING new look 👏.

    1. Lavender Bliss 💜

    Have faded blue or green hair that won’t quite go away? Prepare to be blown away by Violet Dream. By layering a VERY diluted Violet Dream over your faded green or blue, you'll experience Lavender Bliss. The blue and green undertones will be tamed into a soft, pastel dream, resulting in a perfect fusion of warmth and coolness that's sure to leave heads turning.

    1. Teal Temptation 🌊

    Arctic Fox's Aquamarine is a shade that dares to challenge convention. If you’re working with a faded pink or red, this shade will create a stunning contrast that revitalizes your fade. The bold teal hues mixed with the faded tones will create a purple shifting blue shade depending on how intense your color is underneath.

    1. Rose Gold Stunner🌹

    Brunette bases, we didn’t forget about you. Did you know that some of our shades work over brunette bases as gorgeous tints? Elevate your brown tresses by layering a mixture of Sunset Orange or Ginger Flare mixed with Purple AF. The warmth of our orange shades will give off a beautiful copper tint all on their own, but mixed with Purple AF this will give off a rose gold tint sure to stun. 

    1. Slate Gray  🌫️

    Got faded purple? Give Sterling a try! This smokey shade will transform into an ashy purple when applied over your faded color. Sterling is your go-to solution for gracefully transitioning from vibrant hues or evening out uneven tones, leaving you with the perfect smokey shade. *This shade will only appear on bases that were previously pre-lightened to a level 9+.

    @averyrose1992 in Sterling and Girls Night

    At AF, we understand that hair color is a canvas for self-expression, and we aim to offer a palette of possibilities. Not seeing a solution that might work for you? DM us on Instagram for custom color help or email our color specialists for more customized feedback ! 🌈

    How to Color Unbleached Hair with Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

    How to Color Unbleached Hair with Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

    Fox Fam, ask and you shall receive! You wanted to know how and IF you can color your hair without bleaching and I’m here to set the record straight 🌟 😘

    I'm going to be covering ALL the bases (literally), as we dive into getting the shade you want… Without bleaching, of course! If you’re just giving your hair a break from bleaching or newly entering into the world of color and you want to start somewhere simple, this is the place for you. Let’s jump right in 🤸‍♀️

    First, let’s talk about our bases! 👩‍🦳

    Light Brown - Dark Blonde

    Generally, you can get a SUPER gorgeous light coverage or tint at this level using our more pigmented colors. Here is where you’ll find a list of our most pigmented shades 😉 our swatches show examples of how each color may turn out depending on your level!

    Brown

    With brown hair, it’s best to use warm and rich colors like Purple AF or Wrath!  Since these shades are deeper and contain a highly pigmented formula, the dye has the ability to really settle on the hair and ever so slightly within the hair cuticles. This will help to achieve a gorgeous tint! With semi permanent color you won’t have to worry about any dye damaging your hair's natural color. Even though the shade settles, it will wash out over time. Need color removal tips? Here’s some helpful information on how to fade your color.

    Black/Deep Black

    Black hair is typically too dark for any color payout, but this is common across the board. In order to achieve any vivid color, you’ll want to consider pre-lightening. Our Bleach, Please Lightening Kit has all that you need to easily bleach your hair at home! 

    Gray

    Since unbleached and/or gray hair can vary in how well it takes color, it’s not easy to say EXACTLY how the color will turn out but in general, if you stick with darker and more highly pigmented colors you should get at least a tint of color to gray hair!  Typically, gray’s are more coarse than your natural hair and gray hair follicles create less oil, this makes the hair more dry and harder for color to penetrate but we have SO many gray haired Foxes who look GORGEOUS in pinks, purples and blues. Fresh gray roots are also non-porous which can make it resistant to color, so you may have to leave the color on longer and add heat to open the hair’s cuticle.

    Dark Gray

    When I think Dark Grey, I think salt & pepper hair. If your hair is more of a dark gray, the color might turn out a few shades darker and more subtle than it would look on lighter shades of gray (as seen above), and unbleached hair does tend to lose color faster as well, so just a heads up! You can usually achieve a light ‘stain’ on salt & pepper roots! 

    ✨ AF Pro Tip ✨ Our dyes are conditioning and made with no harsh chemicals that are known to damage your hair, so leaving it on longer is completely okay! 

    PAUSE… I have to get something off my chest. I cannot stress enough how important it is to perform a strand test. As everyone's hair is different, results can always vary! 💗 Strand tests are the best way to know for certain.

    Okay okay, PROCEED ✌️🤪 Now that we have an idea of what we’re going for, we can get to the colors! We have lots to pick from 🎨

    Sunset Orange

    @blakejael

    Aquamarine

    Ritual

      @sarah_carollyn

    Wrath

    @queenbcyn

    Virgin Pink

    Here is a video of us applying Virgin Pink on multiple bases for you to see! 

    Phantom Green

      @makeup.by.veny

    Poison 

    Purple AF 

    @makeupbyaad

    Ginger Flare

    Here is a video of us applying Ginger Flare on multiple bases for you to see! 

    Did you select your next color yet? I know it may seem impossible to choose when they all look THIS good but the best part of semi permanent colors like ours, is that you can change up the color often without risking your hair's health. Fun, isn’t it?! 💖😍

    Now that you’ve got your color picked out, let’s walk through some tips that you can add into your application process to ensure that you get the most out of your color: 

    • Apply the dye to freshly washed and dried hair (shampoo ONLY. No conditioner) ✨AF Pro Tip✨  It's best to shampoo 12 - 24 hours before coloring!
    • Leave the color on longer if you’d like. Our dye contains no harmful chemicals, so essentially you’re using a conditioner 💧
    • You can also feel free to add heat to the process (about 10 min) to keep the cuticle open while processing. This will help the color really settle 🌈
    • After you color and it’s time to rinse, be sure to rinse your hair in cold water (as cool as you can handle it but you may need a detachable shower head) until the water runs clear 
    • If you haven’t before, feel free to use a color sealant to lock in the shade

    Post Care: 

    • Try to avoid washing your hair too often. Dry shampoo in between washes will save you 😜

    Not sure what a color might look like on your hair? Check out our Fox Fam Facebook Group which is a great place to request pics from other members of the Fox Fam so you can see some results first-hand!

    Let us know what you want to see in the comments! And as always, if you have questions on how best to use any of our products, feel free to reach out to us at support@arcticfoxusa.com. Stay foxy! 🦊  

    Hair Color Wheel Explained: How to Combine or Cancel Out Colors for a Flawless Look

    Hair Color Wheel Explained: How to Combine or Cancel Out Colors for a Flawless Look

    @berlinstacy in Arctic Mist Diluter, Virgin Pink, Sunset Orange, Cosmic Sunshine, Iris Green, Aquamarine, Purple AF, Violet Dream, and Poseidon 

    What is the Color Wheel?

    The color wheel is a visual tool to explain and visualize the relationship between colors. When it comes to coloring hair, the color wheel is your personal hack to understand how colors will combine or cancel each other out when you’re creating your dream shade!

    Understanding the color wheel will help you better understand color theory so you can better predict how specific colors will mix together and how to avoid results you weren’t expecting.

     

    Color Definitions

    When speaking to the color wheel, there are a few terms to know.

    Primary Colors - What we learn in Kindergarten! Red, yellow and blue. These colors cannot be made from any other colors.

    @erez_ivan in Poseidon 

    Secondary Colors - Two primary colors mixed together that create orange, green, and violet.

    @kunailuv in Sunset Orange, Cosmic Sunshine, and Purple AF 


    Intermediate Colors - One primary and one secondary color mixed together: blue-violet, red-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, and blue-green.

    @lilygraceglam in Blue Jean Baby, Purple AF, Violet Dream, Poseidon 

    What Are Complementary Colors?

    Complementary colors are two colors that live opposite each other on the color wheel. For example: violet and yellow, red and green, orange and blue.

    When mixing these colors, you will get a brown shade. We receive a lot of questions around natural shades from the Fox Fam, so this color wheel hack is good to know in case you want to go back to natural color OR to avoid mixing colors or applying over faded color that might yield a muddy result.

    Knowing complementary colors can also be great in creating looks that are bold and contrasting, especially for split dyes or layering colors.

    @ashley.smit17 in Space Cowgirl, Aquamarine, Virgin Pink, Violet Dream, and Purple AF

    @hairwaytoheavennn in Poison, Phantom Green, and Space Cowgirl

    What Is Your Base?

    When choosing a color, it’s important to consider how your base shade will affect the final outcome. Using the color wheel and color theory, you can have a better educated guess on what might happen or how to plan to get the result you’re looking for.

    Starting From A Natural Base

    Your natural hair color will affect the outcome of your look. Learn all about hair levels here and which AF colors will work best for your natural base. 

    Starting From A Processed Blonde

    Most Arctic Fox hair dyes will look and perform best on hair that’s a level 9 or higher, for some, that will require processing. Using the color wheel to figure out the tone of your blonde will help determine which colors to choose to get the results you want. Most natural hair colors that are bleached to blonde will start with an orange undertone and may reach a yellow/brassy color at the lightest. There are multiple ways to cancel out unwanted yellow/orange tones. One option is to use a commercial toning product found at your favorite beauty supply store. A second option is to use the color wheel and “tone” with AF colors. If your hair is leaning toward the yellow side, pre-dye using Arctic Mist Diluter and Purple AF to create an extremely diluted purple color. If your hair is leaning toward the orange side, you might try pre-dyeing with Arctic Mist Diluter and Poseidon to create an extremely diluted blue. 

    @salinesimon in Arctic Mist Diluter and Aquamarine

    For example, if you want a Poseidon to appear as a nice true blue, but are starting out with yellow undertones, your color might pull green. Since we know that violet is opposite the color wheel from yellow, mixing in a little bit of Purple AF may help counteract those yellow tones.

    Starting From A Faded Color

    If you’re a DIY dye queen, you might already have a faded color on your hair. Using color theory, you can get to the next color seamlessly without creating a muddy mess!

    This video by Stella Cini is a great example of how to use color theory to get your desired color or read this blog by Thuy Pham on how she shifted her hair from green to purple.

    AF Colors Charted

    Each of our colors have specific undertones. Knowing where our colors fall on the color wheel, can help you make decisions on which dyes to mix to get the results you’re looking for.

    @nadine.xoo in Cosmic Sunshine and Sunset Orange 

    @chjango_john.n115 in Violet Dream, Cosmic Sunshine, Sunset Orange, and Virgin Pink

    @angelicabarragan3 in Space Cowgirl and Neon Moon

    @_kenzurrito in Poison, Purple AF, Periwinkle, Aquamarine

    Our Favorite Summer Mixes

    Our Favorite Summer Mixes

    If you haven’t heard the good news yet, here it is… SUMMER HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN! 🥳☀️ Question is, have you decided on how you’re going to color your summer yet? Maybe you’re stuck between a couple of really great shades and just can’t decide? Well I’ve come prepared with some summer mixes, just for you 😉 

    When I think of summer, I think HOT 🔥 So let’s crank up the heat with these orange and red focused mixes first. Sunset Orange is a wonderful base for this, so let’s get to mixing in some other shades.


    Sunset Orange + Poison + Cosmic Sunshine 🥵 

    @theeglamnaija


    Sunset Orange + Wrath 🧯

    @a.dragon.soul


    Sunset Orange + Violet Dream  🌶️ 

    @evelina.forsell

    Unreal, right?! Why don’t we cool things down a bit with a few blue mixes 💧 Let's dive right in (pun intended 😏).

    Poseidon + Aquamarine 🌊

    @jessicamoralemusic


    Aquamarine + Periwinkle + Transylvania 💙

    @billiedawningle


    Aquamarine + Phantom Green 🐚

    @arisa_hair


    Arctic Mist Diluter + Aquamarine 

    @salinesimon

    When you think back to how you colored your summer, what shade is going to forever bring you that summer nostalgia feeling when you see it? Is it blue? Is it pink? Maybe it’s green! ✨

    The beauty of ‘color your summer’ could mean a lot of things but color expression is definitely one of them 🎨 You may be wondering “well, when I think of summer, I think of a beautiful sunset to end the perfect day with my favorite people”. To be completely honest, I couldn’t agree more. So let’s settle things down with a couple of sunset inspired mixes! 🌅 

    Electric Paradise + Poison 🌺

    @tamaracamps


    Cosmic Sunshine + Frosé ☀️ 

    @itslauren.jpg


    Periwinkle + Purple AF 

    @_gumshoe_

    After a long day of laughter, heat and good vibes; It’s time to reminisce on the core memories you’ve built and get ready to make more during those long summer nights 🌌 Nothing says “summer nights” more than this last mix.

    Using equal parts Periwinkle + Sterling with just a few drops of Blue Jean Baby and BOOM… You’ve created a masterpiece. 👩‍🎨🎨✨🤌


    So how will YOU color your summer? 🌈 Let us know in the comments! And as always, if you have questions on how best to use any of our products, feel free to reach out to us at support@arcticfoxusa.com. Stay foxy! 🦊 

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