AF Blog — Bleach Please

@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

 

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

@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

@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.

@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!

Are you ready to take on your hair color journey from home? Dyeing your hair at home allows for so much creativity with your look, and with the right products and techniques, you can achieve stunning, salon-worthy results. In this guide, we'll explore the must-have tools and techniques that will help you achieve your dream hair!

Choosing the Right Products:

1) Bleach, Please: The foundation for any vibrant hair color transformation, Bleach, Please by Arctic Fox is a powerful, yet gentle bleach kit designed to lighten your hair before applying your desired color. With its unique formula, Bleach Please minimizes damage and ensures a clean canvas for any vibrant colors.

2) Color Mixing Tools: Unleash your creativity with AF’s bowls and brushes! These essential accessories allow you to customize your hair color by creating unique shades and hues. Mix different Arctic Fox shades together to create your signature color or experiment with the color wheel to achieve your dream look.

Preparing for the Dyeing Process:

1) Protecting Your Skin and Clothes: Before starting the dyeing process, we recommend applying  petroleum jelly along your hairline and wearing an old shirt or a color cape to prevent staining.

2) Strand Test: Perform a strand test to determine the exact processing time and final color result. Take a small section of hair and follow the dyeing process to ensure you achieve the perfect color.

The Dyeing Process:

1) Applying the Bleach: Follow the instructions provided with Bleach, Please to prepare and apply the bleach mixture evenly throughout your hair. Make sure to saturate thoroughly to avoid uneven patches!

2) Rinsing and Conditioning: Once the desired level of lightness is achieved, rinse the bleach thoroughly and apply a deep conditioner to nourish your hair (we recommend our Pool Party Hair Mask). This step helps restore moisture and minimize damage caused by the bleaching process.

3) Color Application: Now comes the fun part! Apply your chosen Arctic Fox shade(s) using a brush or gloved hands. Start from the roots and work your way down, ensuring each strand is evenly coated. For a more subtle result, mix your desired color(s) with Arctic Mist Diluter, which allows you to create pastel shades or tone down intensity of our dyes.

4) Processing Time: Follow the recommended processing time on the Arctic Fox packaging OR leave your color on even longer. Our dyes are created with no harsh chemicals or ammonia, so the longer you wait, the more nourished your hair will feel! Use this time to relax and let the color do its thing.

Aftercare and Maintenance:

1) Shampooing and Conditioning: After the recommended processing time, rinse your hair with cool water until the water runs clear. Use a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner (like our Resurrected Shampoo and Conditioner) to maintain the vibrancy and longevity of your color.

6) Extend the Color: To refresh your color or maintain vibrancy, mix a bit of your Arctic Fox dye into your conditioner and refresh while you shower as often as you’d like!

With the right products and techniques, dyeing your hair at home can be so much fun! Arctic Fox offers a HUGE range of products to help you achieve your dream hair color at home. Whether you're using Bleach, Please for a stunning light base or experimenting with Arctic Mist Diluter for a personalized touch, your DIY hair dyeing journey starts here. Happy dyeing!

[Disclaimer: Before dyeing your hair, it's important to carefully read and follow the instructions provided with the products. Conduct a patch test to check for any allergic reactions or sensitivities. In case of uncertainty or concerns around mixing your own shades, consult our color specialists!]

Everyone has a bestie who celebrates their birthday MONTH (cue eye roll). Well babe, we’re that bestie and we’re going to celebrate turning 10 ALL. YEAR. LONG because it’s that monumental. We kicked off the celebration by reminding you of WTF was happening back in 2013, celebrated the colors that started it all, and even added some new rescues to our roster.

While we keep the celebration going, we wanted to hear from the Fox Fam on what they love about Arctic Fox and why you’ve stuck with us for so long, here’s what you said. 

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

Keep the love coming, we truly don’t tire of your support whether it’s fire photos we see on Instagram, stunning transitions on TikTok, feedback on Facebook, or our 1:1 convos in our DMs. You keep us going and you continue to help us support animals in need across the globe. Here’s to 10 more together!

Shoutout to our AF Ambassadors - you rock!

@kreeppyy_ in Aquamarine and Periwinkle. The mermaid vibes are just....🤌

@sararoudbari rocks Cosmic Sunshine - ugh are you kidding me?! What a stunner.

@silkyorchids used Bleach, Please as to lighten her hair and then went in with Virgin Pink and Frosé for this totally hot, punk rock look!

@jessicamaiapinto shows us what a pretty blend you can achieve with Frosé and Wrath - it's giving cotton candy skies and we're in love! 

@norelle.k mixes it up with Bleach, Please - that split dye combo and the black hair is such a bold and stunning look!

Pink hair is the hair right now. Whether it is the perfect spring pastel or Barbie dream house inspired, you can’t go wrong with choosing a pink shade as your next color. 

If you love pink but don’t want to bleach, we recommend sticking with Virgin Pink for a true, vibrant pink. Virgin Pink is a highly pigmented hot pink that shows up best on pre-lightened hair, but will give a light to deep magenta tint on most darker bases. If you want to have all of the fun with none of the bleach damage, Virgin Pink is it! If you want a richer magenta shade, add some Ritual or Purple AF to add some depth, just like this custom mixed @yeseniadavis.hair look.

If you are aiming for a striking pink, Electric Paradise is the perfect stand alone color. It’s vivid, neon pink with coral undertones, that appears best on a level 10 pre-lightened hair and is UV reactive. Add some Poison like @tamaracamps did and you will have the most brilliant shade of pink!

If pastel is what you’re after, make sure you are at a level 10 platinum base. Pastels won’t show up or last on hair that isn’t pre-lightened as much as possible before application. Achieve the ideal pastel pink with Bleach, Please to lighten and our favorite pastel pink, Frosé to color. Frosé is the perfect bubble gum pink that is gorgeous on its own or is great as a starting point for a custom pastel pink base! @Laura_lape looks pretty in pink showcasing Frosé as is. Cotton candy bubble gum dreams!

These are just some of the pink shades you can achieve with Arctic Fox! Check out our Instagram to learn more about other custom mixes to find your perfect pink 💓

Image Credit: chris0712

Pastel hues have had us all in a chokehold for as long as we can remember. And with summer right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to go for a shade that looks oh, so pretty even when it fades. From blues, to greens, to purples and pinks, the color options are truly endless! And don’t worry, Fox, we’re here to help you safely get your dream head of pastel from start to finish.

Image credit: @mynameislanes

Step 1: Bleach, Please

The first step to going pastel, is to completely strip your hair of any color. Pastel will only show up on a level 10 platinum blonde or lighter! Depending on your current shade, you might need a few bleach treatments to get your hair to the appropriate level. You can safely bleach at home with our Bleach, Please Lightening Kit, but if you don’t fully trust yourself, or your hair is already fairly damaged and contains previous color treatments, you’ll want to head to a salon first! We don’t recommend using Bleach, Please to remove color from hair - 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. 

Bleach, Please can lighten your hair up to 8 levels and includes a 35 Volume Developer. Its 3 oz tube of violet-toned bleach is packed with tons of ingredients that help protect and repair your hair during the bleaching process. Although we’ve formulated Bleach, Please to be as safe and healthy as possible, bleaching will still damage your hair to an extent. Bleach opens up the hair cuticle to remove pigment from the strand, which can result in a dry, rough feeling on your strands. Before and after treatment, nourish your hair with our Resurrected Shampoo and Conditioner, which is color-safe and sulfate-free, to keep your strands as moisturized as possible. 

Carefully follow the instructions on the Bleach, Please kit to safely color your hair, or read our Bleach, Please spotlight here, for more detailed instructions. Once you’ve let the bleach sit for 30-45 minutes, rinse it out and see if you’ve reached your desired result! If your hair is dark and you need several treatments to get to a level 10, make sure to space out your lightening sessions at least a week apart.

Image credit: alexis_hair__

Step 2: Do or Dye 

Now comes the fun part! 

Arctic Fox hair colors are formulated to be a bit thicker due to their conditioning properties, so you want to make sure that you divide your hair into small sections and fully saturate each with color to achieve your desired shade. 

Arctic Mist Diluter is your BFF when it comes to going pastel. Start with Arctic Mist as your base, then add in your shade little by little until you get the color of your dreams. The lighter you’d like to go, the less your color ratio will be to Arctic Mist. Remember, you can always add more Arctic Mist to lighten your mix to get that perfect pastel hue, so go slowly! 

If you want a one-step application to a pastel, check out our very own pastel formula favs, Frosé, Neverland, Periwinkle, and Girls Night! The best part about going pastel is how truly endless the possibilities are. You can mix, match, lighten, or darken, and as long as your base is at the appropriate level, you’ll see those light hues shine through! 

Image Credit: neutraljacqueline

Step 3: Color Care

Now that you’ve got the pretty pastel, hair care is a must! Care for your color in the shower with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner duo (try our Resurrected Formula for color-safe treatment), and cool water. 

One thing to note is that pastels are not as pigmented as other dyes, so in the coming weeks, give your locks a quick refresh by adding a few drops of dye to your conditioner in the shower, or giving your entire head of hair another coat of dye for a more pigmented look. Pastels fade in the most stunning way, so you can let it go or touch it up, depending on the look you’re going for. 

 

Image Credit: princessmei        

Image Credit: ashleymarieblake

 

Image Credit: salemmooncosmetics     

Image Credit: la_main_d_argent