AF Blog — Hair Care and Styling

We've all been there. You wake up and your hair is a total disaster. Frizzy, flat, or just plain unruly, it seems like nothing you do can tame it. But don’t worry, even with the craziest hair day, you can still slay your day with a little creativity and the vibrant shades of the AF rainbow. 

AF hair colors are known for their boldness, vibrancy, and their ability to totally transform any look. Whether you’re rocking a classic black or a neon pink, these hairstyles will help you conquer even the worst hair day. Let’s dive in!

5 Hairstyles for Bad Hair Days

1. The Sleek Ponytail

@bigfatjenna in Electric Paradis

2. Space Buns

@hamiltonn_anna in Poison, Virgin Pink, and Electric Paradise

This playful and fun hairstyle is perfect for hiding unruly hair. Divide your hair into two equal sections and create two high pigtails. Twist each pigtail into a bun and secure it with hair ties or bobby pins. Space buns are a great way to add a touch of whimsy to your look, and your hair color will definitely stand out!

3. Twin Pigtails

@wweglamsquad in Poseidon

This youthful and energetic style is perfect for a bad hair day! Divide your hair into two equal sections and create two high pigtails. You can leave them straight or add a few waves for a more textured look. This is such an easy and fun way to show off your color and push wash day just a little farther out! 

4. The Half-Up, Half-Down

@hairpaintedwithlove in Violet Dream, Blue Jean Baby, and diluted Virgin Pink

This versatile style can be dressed up or down. Gather the top half of your hair and secure it with a hair tie, bobby pins, or some fun hair clips! You can leave the bottom half loose, curl it, or straighten it, depending on your mood. You can even add some tinsel if you’re feeling extra fun ‘n flirty!

5. Accessorize! 

@brynnsideout in Girls Night and Sterling

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Add a bold hat, a stylish scarf, or a pair of statement earrings to distract from your hair - trust us, no one will even notice. And we KNOW your color will complement any accessory you choose.

Remember, confidence is key! No matter what hairstyle you choose, own it and rock your Arctic Fox hair with pride.

Do you have a go-to bad hair day hairstyle? Share your tips in the comments below!

Hey Fox Fam! We all know the feeling – you just achieved the most epic hair color with your favorite Arctic Fox color, and BAM! It seems to be washing out way faster than you expected. Don't worry, we've ALL been there. But fear not, babe! Here at Arctic Fox, we're here to spill the tea on why your vibrant mane might be turning a little less…vibrant. Plus, we've got some hot tips (and even hotter hair products ) to keep your color fresher, longer.

1. Washing Too Frequently:

This one might seem obvious, but it's a biggie! Every time you shampoo, some of that gorgeous dye goes down the drain. To extend your color's life, try spacing out washes with a good dry shampoo (we love a good volumizing formula that won't weigh down your hair!). For those in-between days, try a cool toned hair mask – it'll help refresh your color and keep your hair feeling happy and healthy. Using a color safe shampoo and conditioner like our Resurrected Set, will also be your colors BFF.

2. Hot Water is Your Hair Color's Kryptonite:

We know piping hot showers feel amazing, especially in the winter. But that scorching water can be seriously damaging to your color. Opt for lukewarm water when washing your hair (or cold for best results), and definitely finish with a cool rinse to lock in the color and add some extra shine! ❄️ 

✨ Af Pro Tip: Use a detachable shower head so you just get your hair in the cold water, rather than freezing your a** off! 

3. Sun's Out, Color's Out? Not Quite, But Kinda.

Sun exposure can definitely lighten your hair color over time. While we all love rocking our summer shades, a little protection goes a long way. Try a hat or use a hair product with UV protection, such as our OG Hair Perfume & UV Protectant. This will keep your color from getting fried by the sun's rays ☀️

4. Skip the Harsh Chemicals (and Chlorine!):

Harsh chemicals like chlorine in pools and some styling products can wreak havoc on your hair color. If you know you'll be swimming, try using a leave-in conditioner before taking the plunge to create a protective barrier. And for those heat styling sessions, always use a heat protectant spray to shield your locks from damage. Looking for a color safe hair mask that’ll revive your locks? Look no further than our Pool Party Foaming Hair Mask!

5. Lightening Up Before Dyeing Makes a Difference

If you're rocking a darker hair color and want to achieve a super vibrant shade with Arctic Fox, lightening your hair beforehand can make a big difference in how well the color takes and how long it lasts. But remember, bleaching can be tricky, so consulting with a professional stylist is always a good idea, especially if you're new to the hair color game! However, with our newest Blue and White Powder Bleach, you can have your cake and eat it too! This isn’t your average bleach, this is professional-grade lightening power that lifts hair up to 9 levels for platinum perfection. ❄️  Our quick-acting formula minimizes processing time, making it perfect for both bleach bosses and bleaching newbies.

Bonus Tip: Use the Right Products for Colored Hair!

Using hair products specifically formulated for colored hair is key to maintaining vibrancy. Look for shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate-free and designed to be gentle on color-treated hair. Here at Arctic Fox, we have a whole line of color-safe hair care products that will keep your mane looking fresh and fabulous!

So there you have it, Fox! With a little extra TLC and the right products, you can keep your hair color looking fresh and fabulous for weeks to come. Now get out there and rock that mane with confidence! As always, if you ever have any questions or need help mixing up the perfect custom shade, send us an email at support@arcticfoxusa.com. Happy coloring, Fox Fam! 🌈

Hey, Fox Fam! 🌈✨Having the perfect platinum doesn't stop at the bleach bowl – maintaining beautiful healthy hair after using Bleach, Please is just as important as bleaching properly. 

If you haven’t bleached yet, check out how to use Bleach, Please here, and then come back to learn why post-bleach aftercare is your blonde hair’s new bestie.

@kenzie_teague rocked Bleach, Please for her icy blonde, and added hydration with Money Hunny and Pool Party for air-dried waves. 🏖️

Hair Hydration Post Bleach

Hydrating your hair after bleaching is a MUST. Bleached hair gets a bit dry and fragile because the process opens the cuticle layer of the hair shaft, making moisture harder to lock in. Hydration is like a superhero shield, making your hair flexible, shiny, and less likely to break.  It's the secret sauce for saying bye-bye to those pesky split ends! 🌈✨ Show your hair some love and opt for hydrating products 💁‍♀️🌟 

✨AF Pro Tip✨ Drink water for healthy hair! Hydration isn't just important for your body, it's a game-changer for your hair too! Drinking water keeps your hair cells happy and well-hydrated, ensuring they retain moisture and stay flexible. When your locks are adequately hydrated from the inside, they're less likely to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. So, sip that H2O for hair that's as hydrated as your favorite skincare routine! 💦🌟 

Limit Wash Days

Limited washing is another ingredient in the secret sauce! 🚿💫 Too much shampooing strips away those natural oils that keep your locks glossy and thriving. Spacing out your wash days is the key to preserving those natural oils, maintaining vibrancy, and letting your hair shine - literally! ✨💖 

Enter the game-changer: dry shampoo! 🌬️🌟 Arctic Fox's dynamic duo, Vacay and Road Trip, are your go-to squad for refreshing those strands in between washes. They soak up excess oil, add volume, and keep your hair feeling fresh without the daily washdown. 

How Heat Affects Bleached Hair

Bleached babes, listen up – we already know excessive heat styling and hot water are the villains behind color fading, but they also are one of the biggest threats to bleached hair 🥵! To keep your hair health intact, go easy on hot tools and opt for warm, not scalding, water. Limit heat tool usage to 2-3 times a week at most to prevent damage. When you do use hot tools, stick to lower temperature settings – around 300°F or lower is your hair's happy place.

And here's the golden rule when using a hot tool: always, always use a heat protectant as a shield for your hair! Opt for embracing heatless styles, like braids, buns, sock bun curls, or air-dry with some Money Hunny to tame the frizz, so you can give your locks a break.

Don’t forget, the heat from harmful UV rays contributes to drying and damaging bleached hair. Shield those beach blonde strands from harsh sun with OG hair perfume & UV protectant ☀️ It is made with ingredients like Helioxine, a powerful sun shield derived from sunflowers that also keeps free radicals at bay, and humectants, one of the best hair hydrators🌻Plus, OG Hair Perfume & UV Protectant also has our signature grape scent, just like our dyes 🍇 The only thing that should be super hot, is how you look with your new hair 😏🔥

Hair Products to Use Post-Bleach

1. Hydrating Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner 

Foxes, when it comes to your hair game, always roll with sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are the guardians of bleached hair. They're gentle, keeping your hair moisturized and frizz-free without stripping away all those natural oils. Check out AF’s Resurrected Shampoo + Conditioner – it's the sulfate-free fairy godmother your hair's been wishing for. Packed with goodies like argan oil and green tea extract, it's the ultimate combo for strong, shiny, and vibrant tresses. Plus, it's got your back in the color preservation game. No harsh detergents here, just pure love for your mane. And let's be real, nobody wants a red, irritated scalp after bleaching – not cute! Keep it sulfate-free, keep it fresh. 💁‍♂️✨ 

Say hello to your bleached-treated hair's dynamic duo! 💪🚿 

2. Conditioning Masks

Hair masks are heroes for your post-bleach hair! 🦸‍♀️✨ Use them weekly, or even daily if you're feeling extra! 

Arctic Fox’s Pool Party is the ultimate hydration haven 🌴✨ This foaming hair mask isn't just a product; it's a haircare experience. Apply enough to saturate dry hair, leave it in for a blissful 10 minutes (or more!), then rinse and condition. Your hair emerges revitalized, ready to conquer the day. But hold up, the magic doesn't end there – you can also use Pool Party as a leave-in conditioner! Just a dab on wet hair, and boom, you've locked in that moisture all day. 🌊

3. Hair Serums and Oils 

Hit the haircare jackpot and get you some Money Hunny! 💰✨ This serum, armed with Prodew®500, Keravis, and a blend of hydrating oils like argan and avocado, is your MVP for post-bleaching. 🌈💪 Give your locks the love they deserve – add 1-2 pumps, depending on hair length and thickness, from mid-length to ends. Money Hunny is lightweight, so it can (and should) be used daily to keep those locks hydrated and frizz free. 💁‍♀️💖 

Adding a post-bleaching oil routine will level up your hair health 🛢️✨ Use the power trio: argan, avocado, or jojoba (a blend of all of them is great too). They’re all oils that can penetrate the hair shaft – it’s like a spa day for your hair, drenching it in the hydration it craves. The frequency of use depends on your hair type and needs, but generally, using hair oils 1-2 times a week as a treatment or leaving them in overnight can work wonders in restoring vitality to your strands. Just don't OD on the oil, or you might end up with a greasy situation – balance is key! 🌿✨ 

✨AF Pro Tip✨ Add some Money Hunny Repair Serum and oil from mid-length to ends before your wash routine. 🌈💰 This power move shields your locks, keeping that precious moisture locked in. Shampoo, we see you – you're all about cleaning the scalp and roots, right? 👀 But the less shampoo gets to your luscious lengths, the better! 🚿🌟 Keep those tresses hydrated pre-wash, and watch how shampoo won't dry out your hair. 🌊💖

4. Bond Builders

Don't skip the bond-building! 🔗✨ after you've given your locks the bleach treatment, it's time for some real talk about bond builders – the unsung heroes of post-bleach life! 🚀✨ Bond builders are like your hair's repair squad. They help mend any broken bonds caused by bleaching, making sure your hair stays strong. 💪🌈 Think of it as insurance for your strands – when you use it, the more resilience and bounce your hair retains. Your hair will thank you 💖

5. Silk Accessories 

Wearing a silk bonnet or using a silk pillowcase is like giving your bleached hair a VIP treatment while you catch those Zs! 🌙✨ Bleaching makes your tresses more delicate, and silk protects your mane from tangles and breakage. 🦸‍♀️💖 The smooth silk surface is like a cozy hug for your hair, preventing it from getting all tangled up and keeping that fresh bleach job intact. Plus, it's a chic bedtime accessory that adds a touch of glam to your beauty sleep routine! 😴🌟 So, slip on that silk bonnet and pillowcase, dream big, and wake up with hair that's as smooth as the day before.

How Often Can You Bleach Your Hair Without Damage?

1. Understand Your Hair's Limit

Understanding the factors that determine your hair's bleach tolerance is a personal equation involving your hair type, its natural strength, and past treatments. Some of the red flags of over-bleaching: if your once vibrant strands start resembling a tumbleweed, feel straw-like, or if you spot breakage– Your hair's talking to you; listen up and adjust those bleach sessions accordingly 🚫

2. Time Between Bleaching Sessions

When it comes to bleach sessions, don’t push your hair past the limit 🚫⏰ Typically, you should be waiting at least 4 to 6 weeks between bleaching. This golden window lets your hair recharge, repair, and maintain its moisture. However, there's no one-size-fits-all here! 🌈💇‍♀️ We always recommend consulting a professional’s personalized advice. Whether your hair craves a little extra time or is ready for your next color adventure, let the experts guide you. 🌟💖 

✨Achieving and maintaining the perfect platinum locks with Bleach, Please is a journey that extends beyond the initial bleaching process. Your post-bleach aftercare routine is crucial in ensuring your blonde hair remains vibrant, flexible, and healthy. Hydration is the key, and Arctic Fox Hair Care products like AF’s Resurrected Shampoo + Conditioner, Pool Party hair mask, and Money Hunny hair serum play essential roles in keeping your locks nourished and frizz-free. Don't forget that bond builders can help repair and strengthen your hair after the bleaching adventure. Understanding your hair's limit, waiting between bleach sessions, limited washing, and minimizing heat exposure are vital components in the recipe for luscious, long-lasting blonde locks. With the right aftercare routine, your bleached hair can shine with radiance and resilience 💖✨Embrace the journey and slay your way to healthy, happy hair! 💁‍♀️💖 

@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

@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!