AF Blog — Bleach Please

@marijantunez in Wrath 

New year, new me is a cliché 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. 🤤

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 Frosé hair dye, plus a few drops of Sunset Orange and violá! 

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. 🤩

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.🤌 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! 🍷

@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. 

@norelle.k in Bleach, Please

Thinking about bleaching that hair? 👀 We’re about to dive into our essential guide for using AF’s At-Home Bleaching Kit: Bleach, Please! Since launching, Bleach, Please has become a staple in the Arctic Fox Hair Color Line with our 100% vegan and cruelty formula. And YES she’s totally DIY friendly. Let’s answer some FAQs and give all the newbies and Fox Fam veterans the best tips to achieve the platinum hair of your dreams!  

So, What in the AF is Bleach, Please?

Bleach, Please is a complete hair lightening kit that comes with a 3 oz tube of violet-toned cream bleach, a 6 oz bottle of 35-volume developer, and latex-free gloves. Like all other Arctic Fox and Foxology products, our best-selling Bleach Kit is 100% vegan and 100% cruelty-free. As far as bleach goes, our 35-volume developer is pretty high which means you can see up to 8 levels of lift! A perfect starting point if you’re looking for pastels this spring. 

Bleach, Please is also supplemented with tons of ingredients to help protect and repair your hair, such as Polycare® Split Therapy which helps prevent split ends. Other key ingredients include açaí, papaya fruit extract, castor oil, mango seed butter, cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed oil, and arginine. Unlike other bleach kits, we formulated Bleach, Please with key ingredients like açaí, papaya extract, mango seed butter, and cocoa seed butter to help prevent hair loss, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. Castor oil is renowned for promoting hair growth, as well as improving the health of your hair by boosting keratin production. Sunflower seed oil keeps the locks hydrated, and arginine is an essential amino acid responsible for stimulating hair growth. All these ingredients work together to keep your hair as healthy and happy as possible, all while getting you to a clean, light base (and canvas for the most vibrant colors).

Quick tip before you bleach: Make sure you’ve got our custom bowls and brushes to mix up the bleach and developer. If not, any applicator brush and non-metal bowl should do the trick! 

Before you bleach!

We’ve formulated Bleach, Please to be as gentle as possible - but at the end of the day, all bleach has the potential to cause damage since it opens up the hair cuticle to remove pigment from the strand, which can leave hair feeling dry or rough. Keep this in mind and take care of your hair both before AND after you bleach it! Every Bleach, Please kit comes with full instructions, but the basics of bleaching will always apply. Always perform a strand test and a patch test prior to application to ensure you don’t have any kind of allergic reaction to the product!!

Leading up to bleaching you'll want to give your hair plenty of TLC and conditioning to give it the healthiest starting point!

How to Do It Yourself: Bleaching Your Hair at Home

Let’s break this down into steps, shall we!? 

1. Take all the Safety Precautions 

Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated room when you’re applying the bleach, and always wear gloves to protect your hands. Your hair should be fully saturated for an even lift, and you’ll want to work as quickly as you can to ensure it all lightens to the same level! 

1. Avoid Your Roots 

Our developer is so high that we recommend avoiding your roots when using Bleach, Please. Start ⅛ of an inch away from your roots for best results! 

1. Check and Rinse! 

Check your hair every 5 minutes or so to monitor the lightening progress and rinse the bleach out completely within 30-45 minutes. You don’t want to let the bleach sit any longer than 45 minutes regardless of the level of lift to prevent any serious damage from occurring. Bleach, Please is formulated with some of the best ingredients to prevent damage but remember… it’s still bleach. 

With our 35 Volume developer your hair can lift 3-4 shades per session! The darker your natural hair level, the more pigment it packs, meaning it might need a bit more sessions to lighten up, so be patient! Make sure to space out the processes at least a week apart - this will allow the natural oils in your hair to build back up and help protect it during the lightening process. The road to platinum is a marathon, not a sprint! 

✨AF Pro Tip✨ We only recommend using Bleach, Please on un-dyed hair, and it shouldn’t be used to try and remove dye from the hair, whether Arctic Fox Hair Color or others - doing so can cause unexpected color results or permanent staining of the hair! If you do need to remove color, please use a color remover formulated for the type of hair color in your hair! 

After care!

Bleach, Please makes the process simple, but lightening your hair at home can get tricky! If after using Bleach, Please, your hair turned out brassy or uneven, there are steps you can take to color correct. 

A little bit of brassiness won’t affect most Arctic Fox colors applied on top, especially if you’re using a darker or more highly pigmented color. But if you do want a light, cool-toned blonde, a toner will help remove any unwanted brassy tones! You can get a light toning effect on brassy hair by using Periwinkle or Girl’s Night, or a VERY diluted Purple AF, either applied alone or added to your shampoo and conditioner like a purple shampoo! 

An uneven lift can be trickier to troubleshoot, though, especially if you’ve got a significant difference in color. There are many different reasons that your hair might have lifted unevenly - so here’s some Q’s to take into consideration!

• Had some parts of your hair already been lightened while others were natural? 
• Could there have been any lingering pigment in your hair from a previous color, particularly a permanent dye? 
• Did some parts of your hair process under the bleach longer than others? 
• Sometimes just going back over the darkest parts of your hair for a shorter processing time after a few days will do the trick to even everything out, but if there’s a major difference or you’re not sure where the unevenness is coming from, consulting a professional for color correction is the safest bet. The health of your hair is always worth it!

Other Uses for Bleach, Please

Bleach Baths 

Arctic Fox Hair Colors are known for their customizability, but bleach is different and can’t really be customized the way dyes can. But you can still use the kit for more than just all-over lighting! You can use Bleach, Please as part of a bleach bath by adding shampoo to your mix. A bleach bath is a bit gentler than a full on bleaching session, so if you’re afraid to go full force, this might be the way to get started! 

Tone, Tone, Tone! 

If the provided 35-volume developer is a bit strong for your hair type, you can cut it with a lower-volume developer or substitute it entirely for a different developer while keeping our violet-based cream bleach for that extra toning effect. Just make sure the 2:1 ratio of developer to bleach stays the same to ensure you get the most effective lightening possible!

The Best AF Hair Dyes for Bleached Hair

So what AF shades are best to use after bleaching? Look no further than our pastel hair dyes of the AF rainbow! From pastel purples, pink, green, yellow, and orange, these hair dyes STUN on a bleached base. Because pastel hair dye is so light, the pigment will not show up on hair levels 1-6. Your best bet for pastels is to start at 9 close to 10 hair level for that true pastel shade. And when you nail it, OMG, does it look pretty!

@chris0712 in Frosé

@colorgeek__maureennaudts in Periwinkle, Neverland, and Aquamarine

@tejamaechele in Electric Paradise over Periwinkle

@salemmooncosmetics in Iris Green and Neverland    

You can always opt for another darker shade after bleaching, but most darker hues don’t require a lightening process. Although, darker shades will still show up very pigmented on lightened hair. It all depends on the look you’re going for!

@paintedbyzach Purple AF

We can’t wait to hear what you think of Bleach, Please, Fox Fam! Let us know when you give it a try, and of course, feel free to reach out to us via email at support@arcticfoxusa.com if you have any questions or concerns. We’re always happy to help!

@Hairwaytoheavennn in Poison and Phantom Green

1. Winter Wonderland Blues ❄️☃️ and Holiday Greens 🎄 for Your Hair

Embrace the winter wonderland with our rich blues like Poseidon and jewel-toned greens like Phantom Green. Create a mesmerizing teal by mixing Poseidon and Aquamarine, perfect for capturing the essence of the season. Consider balayage or ombre techniques using different shades of blues turning your locks into a captivating icy landscape, or create dimension with a green color melt, Iris Green melted into Phantom Green with some red hair accessories!? It’s giving Christmas tree🎄. If you want to really make a statement, try mixing some Space Cowgirl with a little Ginger Flare to get the perfect ‘Grinch’ Green. If you want to keep your signature blue but make it more festive, try styling your hair with holiday accessories, like @xomerlissa does here:

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A post shared by Melissa Ann (@xomerlissa)

@xomerlissa’s styles are always a sleigh! 🛷

@Sighmmaya used Periwinkle and Poseidon for this wintery balayage

2. Ice Queen Blonde Mix: Achieve Frosty Royalty  👑

Channel your inner ice queen ❄️👸 with a frosty blonde mix. Lighten your hair with Bleach, Please - which is perfect for a wintery blonde on its own - or add a dab of Periwinkle after you’ve rinsed your bleach to tone it to be the perfect icy-toned blonde. This ethereal shade is perfect for those who want to stand out while embracing the winter chill 🥶.

3. Radiant Reds: Ignite the Night with Fire Hair 🔥 

Make a bold statement with radiant reds, capturing the warmth of the holiday season. Our Poison and Wrath shades are ideal for a fiery, festive look, no custom mixing required. Experiment with placement techniques like highlights or peekaboos, adding a touch of drama to your holiday hairstyle. I love a Ginger Flare and Violet Dream blend for the perfect cranberry hair color that looks great on multiple hair levels. It's the perfect way to have festive hair without needing to bleach.

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A post shared by Arctic Fox Hair Color (@arcticfoxhaircolor)

If you want to take it one step further, a spicy split dye with a custom ginger mix with Ginger Flare and a drop of Purple AF on one side, and the other side dyed with Phantom Green. The ultimate holiday mix! Two-toned hair is one of my favorite ways to stand out, especially something as bold as a green and red hair combo.

@Hairwaytoheavennn used Poison and Phantom Green for this two-toned Christmas look.

4. Sterling Winter Magic: A Metallic Touch for Winter Hair ❄️☃️

Sterling silver isn't just for jewelry; it's also a stunning hair color choice for winter. Showcase the versatility of Sterling with different color placements. Whether it's an all-over silver hue, strategically placed highlights, or a custom silver mix, Sterling adds a touch of elegance to almost any winter look. Mix 50/50 Sterling and Periwinkle for a stormy winter’s night vibe 🌨️. 

Equal parts Sterling and Periwinkle

Or if you think you might be on the naughty list, Blue Jean Baby and Sterling creates a smokey-toned dark blue, making your hair resemble the coal you’ll be getting in your stocking this year.

Base of Sterling with Blue Jean Baby

5. Foxology Finishes: Polishing Your Festive Look 💅🎅🎁🕎

Let's talk about the finishing touches that can take your holiday look from ‘deck the halls’ to completely decked out! Our Foxology line offers a range of polishes that add the perfect finishing touch. Highlight your icy blonde with Snowflake it til you Make It or add a pop of color to your red locks with Crimson Claus. Or, be especially bold and do a holiday nail design like Sigourney Nuñez did with this adorable holiday wrapping-paper inspired look:

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A post shared by Sigourney Nuñez (@nailartbysig)

Sigourney used: 

✨Goldie Fox

☃️Foxy the Snowman

🎄Perfectly Pine

🎅🏽Crimson Claus 

💚Phantom Green

To create these holiday plaid nails!

Foxology’s Polish line is honestly the best nail polish I have ever used. When I am feeling fancy and want a more elegant design, I will take it with me when I get my nails professionally done - because it lasts SO much longer than most nail polish AND truly doesn’t chip (plus it’s free of 15 common harsh chemicals and vegan, which most professional polish is not!). It’s also a quick-drying polish, unlike other traditional nail polish. If you are anything like me, I always ruin at least one nail every time I am waiting for my nails to fully dry (why does it take forever!?!), but never with Foxology! The brushes are also designed in a way that I can actually paint my nails at home and not get polish on my fingers. I was so excited for this collection to launch and it did not disappoint. I dare you to really stand out this season with a holiday-look, head to toe!

This holiday season, let your hair steal the spotlight. With Arctic Fox Hair Color's bold and vibrant shades, you can start your own holiday hair trends, and with our Foxology Holiday Collection, you can complete your look to really embrace the season. Spread holiday cheer and stand out with Arctic Fox! 🦊

@pasteljacqueline in Poseidon 

We’ve been in denial but summer is long gone, and the fall vibes are quickly fading into winter. As the cold months settle in, your tanning routine, skincare routine, and hair care routine are probably all undergoing a major change. So that calls for a whole new routine! AKA an excuse to indulge in some new self care, but hey, who are we to judge!?

The same hair advice we preach year ‘round for both lasting color AND ultimate hair health is don’t 👏🏻 wash 👏🏻 your 👏🏻hair 👏🏻 every 👏🏻 day. And guess what, that advice still applies during the colder months even though you might be sweating less, staying in more, and opting for a movie night instead of a night out with the girls. In any case, having designated wash days once or twice a week is a great way to keep that moisture locked into your strands for as long as possible. 

When it is wash day, make sure you’re using a color safe and sulfate free shampoo and conditioner! This step makes the biggest difference, and shampoo and conditioner is not the place to skimp out when it comes to your hair care routine! Our Resurrected Duo is vegan, color-safe, and sulfate-free, and it’s also PACKED with amino acids and antioxidants that contribute to hair strength and hydration. Resurrected shampoo is formulated with argan and macadamia nut oil to hydrate and soften while adding shine and reducing frizz. PERFECT for those winter months when hair static is an absolute pain in the a🫢. Shea butter, castor oil, and sunflower seed oil (just to name a few!) are the allstar ingredients in Resurrected conditioner - all of the above boost hydration, strengthen each strand, and leave you with soft, nourished strands. Ugh, can it be wash day already!? 

Even though winter seems to be the time to turn that shower knob as hot as it can go, remember your hair needs extra moisture during these months and a lower water temperature is your best friend! Try a lukewarm lather and rinse finished off with some cold water - this will help prevent brittle and breakage on those lovely strands. 

Whenever you do venture out into the cold, try a protective style like braids, a low bun, or tuck it into your favorite beanie! Depending on where you live, cold air or harsh elements actually dry out your hair and can contribute to breakage, so protecting your strands is a MUST. Silk or satin headwraps or pillowcases will be an absolute lifesaver during the dryer months - your hair will thank you. 🤝

Our favorite ✨Pro Tip✨ when it comes to keeping your hair ULTRA healthy and moisturized is adding in a pre shower hair mask to your routine. If you’ve been looking for a hair mask bestie to really take your haircare routine to the next level, Pool Party might just blow you out of the water! She’s packed with top tier vegan ingredients - castor, argan, sunflower seed oil, and apple fruit extract - a power team that accelerates hair growth, strengthens strands, fights frizz, and boosts hair hydration. Wow, that was a mouthful. 

There’s more than one way to party it up with Pool Party if you forget to marinate your locks before a shower! You can apply it any time to dry ends for a quick hydration boost, use it instead of conditioner during a shower, OR mix it up and use it as a wet styling cream (but maybe save that one for summer). 

Sometimes a pre shower mask and the perfect wash day routine still calls for some back up. Money Hunny Repair Serum is the IT girl of our haircare line. Her formula is silky, lightweight, and actually repairs split ends. With a blend of argan, babussa, arginine, avocado, macadamia nut, and jojoba seed oil, Money Hunny is the sweet remedy to dry, brittle, and breaking hair. You can use her on dry or damp hair for whenever you need that extra boost of TLC. 

Now that you’ve got that hair care routine on lock 🫡 you may be wondering if the dead of winter is still a good time to try on a new color. When you’re using AF hair dye, it’s always a good time to switch up your color!  Every color is formulated the same way - FULL of deep conditioning properties so it’s basically a color conditioner! ✨Girl Math✨So you know what that means! You can change your hair literally as many times as you want, all. year. long. Of course it depends on where you’re at now, but if you’re starting out fresh, use Bleach, Please to get to that platinum blonde, throw on Sterling for a totally icy look, and play around with the blues of the AF rainbow to find that wintery wonderland ‘do. Not sure what your starting point is? Check out our breakdown on the Color Wheel! 

And of course, we wouldn’t be your hair bestie without dishing our top inspo that’s making us reach for a new bottle of dye because OMG. 

@tejamaechele in Electric Paradise over Periwinkle

@lizzvargashair in Purple AF and Girls Night 

@faithlrobertson in Sterling

@pasteljacqueline in Poseidon   

@shealla in Arctic Mist Diluter, Bleach, Please, and Sterling  

@shemmysux in Periwinkle  

@kirathesith in Phantom Green and Transylvania

@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.