AF Blog — Pro Tips

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! 🌈

Dreaming of sun-kissed strands but worried about over damaging? Enter the bleach bath - a hair lightening technique that offers a softer touch compared to traditional bleaching.

What is a Bleach Bath?

Think of it as a diluted bleach treatment. It uses a mixture of bleach powder or cream, developer, and shampoo, applied to wet hair. This gentler approach gradually lifts color, perfect for those seeking a subtle lightening effect or a way to strip out color build-up.

Why Choose a Bleach Bath?

There are several reasons to opt for this hair lightening method:

• Gradual Lightening: Unlike bleach, which can dramatically lift color in one go, a bleach bath allows for a more controlled approach. You can achieve your desired level of lightness in stages, minimizing damage.
• Freshening Up Blondes: Bleach baths can help remove brassiness and revive dull blonde hair, bringing back its brightness without the harshness of a full bleach retouch.
• Color Correction: If your hair color has gone a bit astray, a bleach bath can help remove some unwanted pigment, making it easier to achieve a new color.

Is a Bleach Bath Right for You?

While bleach baths are gentler, they still involve bleach. Here's when it might be best to skip the DIY approach:

• Very Dark Hair: If your hair is very dark and you're aiming for a dramatic lightening, a bleach bath might not be strong enough. Consult a professional colorist for a safe and effective approach.
• Severely Damaged Hair: Already compromised hair won't handle any additional stress. If your hair is dry, brittle, or has significant breakage, hold off on the bleach bath and focus on deep conditioning treatments.

Important Considerations:

• A Patch Test is Key: Before diving in, do a patch test on a small area of your hair to check for any allergic reactions.
• Consult a Professional: If you're unsure about the process or have complex color history, it's always best to seek a professional hairstylist's guidance.

Ready to Try a Bleach Bath?

Remember, bleach baths are best done with thorough research. Look for thorough online tutorials or consult a hairstylist for specific instructions based on your hair type and desired outcome. Opt for customizable bleach, like Arctic Fox’s White and Blue Powder Bleach - they come in 1 oz sachets, an 8 oz tub, or you can opt for a packet of 5 1 oz sachets to reach your bleached dreams!

Always remember patience is key! Bleach baths work gradually, so enjoy the journey to your lighter locks!

Ready to achieve platinum perfection? Arctic Fox's new Bleach, Please Powder (available in blue and white!) lifts hair up to 9 levels for a clean, bright canvas. Enjoy clear visibility during the lightening process with the White Powder Bleach, and anti-yellowing effects when you opt for the Blue Powder Bleach. Get ready to say goodbye to brass and hello to your dream hair color!

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Bleached hair is the ultimate canvas for creating literally whatever the f*** you want. Split dyes? Money pieces? Dreamy pastels? Bleach, Please can do it all! And YES, she’s totally DIY friendly! 💅

We’ve come prepared with not only 5 ways to bleach your hair yourself, but also some tips for using Bleach, Please, to provide you with the easiest DIY experience at home. Prior to bleaching, there’s just a couple of things to ask yourself. 

How does bleaching work?

And what is the goal I’m trying to achieve with bleaching?

So let’s talk about it! 💖

How does bleaching work? 👱♀️

Essentially, bleach has one job and that’s to open the hair cuticle and dissolve any color from the hair. 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, 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. Prior to bleaching, you'll want to give your hair PLENTY of TLC and conditioning! 

What is the goal I’m trying to achieve with bleaching? 👀

Maybe you’re trying to go for a pop of color, an all over bleach, a root touch up or just something fun and unique, we want you to feel confident in doing so! With that, let’s jump into the 5 ways to bleach your hair at home, like a pro! 

1. Prepping for Pastels 💓

@cheylist in Virgin Pink and Arctic Mist Diluter

No matter your hair level (brunette OR blondes), you’re going to need to bleach your hair to a level 10 in order for pastel hair dye to show up the most vividly. Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated room when you’re applying the bleach, and always wear gloves to protect your hands 🤚 All of 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! We also recommend that you stay ⅛ of an inch away from your scalp when using Bleach, Please for best results and to prevent any possible irritation. 

Since this is an all-over bleach job, we suggest sectioning your hair however is most efficient for you! Need to use mirrors to see the back of your head? DO IT!🪞Just be certain to save the roots for last as they tend to lift the fastest and should be applied AFTER you’ve applied the bleach to the ends of the hair already. Be sure to also check your hair every 5 minutes to avoid over processing ⏳

✨ AF Pro Tip: 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, bestie!

After bleaching, be sure to take note that your hair may have a yellow hue to it and may need to be toned before applying color or else you may not achieve the pastel shade you’re going for. As your bestie, we can’t allow that to happen!

After you’ve rinsed the bleach out, allow the hair to dry 65% of the way. While your hair is still damp, mix a few drops of Periwinkle in a bowl of Arctic Mist Diluter, apply this mixture on your hair, let sit for 45 minutes, and rinse. From there, you’re all set to color your hair with the perfect pastel… Just in time for Spring! 🌸🌿🫧

@mystiquemadeline in Frosé

2. Money Pieces 💰🤑

@glittersailor in Sunset Orange

Looking for a low maintenance way to achieve a pop of color? 💥 Money Pieces are the first thing that comes to be mind because of how easy and it is to do with Bleach, Please plus it’s pretty low commitment! 

All you need to do in order to achieve the perfect money piece at home is evenly separate your face-framing pieces of hair from the front and section them off. Once you’ve got this section secure, tie the rest of your hair back! 

From here, simply follow the directions included in each Bleach, Please Kit to lighten those front pieces! Apply a stunning color over it and you just created a work of art! 😍

@lizblendz in Purple AF, Virgin Pink, Arctic Mist Diluter

Pssst… You can also do just your bangs using the same method! 👇

@__panterra_yoga__ in Cosmic Sunshine and Sunset Orange

3. Root Touch Up 🖌️

If you just wanted to touch up your pastel or you’re going for a Billie Eilish vibe with vivid dyed roots, we got you! 

@caitlyn_calupad in Poison

It’s good to know that we have generally thicker hair in the back of the head and thin and more delicate hair in the front, causing the back of the head to take a tad longer to lighten. 

To best approach this, we recommend separating the hair into 2 different sections… The front face-framing pieces and the back of your head. However, if you’re just looking for color on the top of the head and not necessarily all of your roots, you’d just section off that spot and work at the roots where you’d like to apply the color 🥰

For all-over root bleaching, the steps are as follows: 

Starting with the back of your head, you’ll want to clip the majority of your hair up and leave only the very bottom pieces of the hair in the back. Using a dye brush, you’ll apply the bleach to just the roots and continue working your way all the way up the back of your head, until the upper and under sides of each section have been covered in the bleach mixture ☑️

🏃♀️ Quickly and steadily, you’ll now proceed with the front face-framing section that we had separated earlier. Cover all of the roots until you’ve coated them in bleach and as mentioned before, check on your roots every 5 minutes to be certain you don’t leave the bleach on any longer than necessary. Rinse … and you’re ready to go in with your favorite pastel or even bold red! The world is your oyster, babe! 🌈

 4. Split Dye 🧑🎤👩🎤

One of the easiest methods to bleach + dye your hair and one of our personal favorites… the split dye! 🤩 I’m sure you’re thinking that you’re just going to section the hair into 2 sections based on where the split dye is going to be (down the middle, split dye on the bangs, horizontally, etc) and you’re absolutely right! … See! You’re a DIY pro already 😜

Section the hair, follow the instructions provided and save the roots for last. We even love to see one side of the split left uncolored and only bleached. Yep, that’s it! Now for the fun part… the inspo! 

✨ AF Pro Tip: You can even just bleach one half of your hair and leave the other half your natural color. This look is such a stylish yet effective way to add some color to your hair and still give the illusion of a multi-colored look!

@hadar_kawaii_hair in Violet Dream, Poseidon, Aquamarine, Neon Moon, Iris Green

@jeks951_ in Poseidon, Blue Jean Baby

@selinamirza in Electric Paradise, Virgin Pink, Space Cowgirl 

@neg4tive_creep in Electric Paradise, Sunset Orange, and Virgin Pink

5. Bleach Bath

This method is actually most commonly used to remove a stubborn hair color but this also can help you achieve a blank canvas yet again, to pursue your new hue 😘

What you’ll need: 

- Water

- Dandruff shampoo

- Bleach, Please Kit

To start, you’ll want to first attempt a color remover meant for semi-permanent color. If there is still color remaining, go ahead and get started with your bleach bath. Mixing your bleach and developer first, you’ll add in one good squeeze of anti dandruff shampoo (can be a cheap dollar store shampoo or whatever you can get your hands on) and then add in about ⅓ a cup of water or until the mixture appears smooth and not too runny. 

Applying this mixture to the middle and ends of your hair (avoiding the scalp and roots completely) go ahead and cover only the color-treated hair and let it sit for no more than 5-7 minutes before you rinse. While you’re rinsing, we recommend using a purple shampoo to tone the hair at the same time. This gives you an even outcome and a perfect canvas to begin your new masterpiece! 

@stjohnnnn in Bleach, Please

Now that we’ve gone over 5 ways you can bleach your hair at home using our Bleach, Please Lightening Kit, which one will you be trying? Whichever you choose, be sure to tag us! 🤳

Need more inspo pics before making a decision? Check out our Instagram for endless amounts of inspiration! And of course, if you ever have any questions or need help mixing up the perfect custom shade, send us an email at support@arcticfoxusa.com. We’re always here to help 🫶 

 Happy coloring, Fox Fam! 🎨 

Ever wondered what the deal is with "hair levels"? Like, how do you even figure out what level your hair is on? It might seem a bit puzzling, but it's just a fancy way of saying how light or dark your hair is. Knowing your level can really help level up your dye game 🌈✨

Let's break it down!  Each hair level corresponds to a different shade:

1: Dark black 🖤

2: Black 🕶️

3: Deep dark brown ☕

4: Dark brown 🍫

5: Medium brown 🍂

6: Light brown 🌰

7: Dark blonde 🍯

8: Medium blonde 🌼

9: Light blonde 🌟

10+ and above: Platinum blonde to platinum white ❄️

Levels 1-5

These are the darker shades in town. Level 1 is like the deepest, darkest black you can imagine, no brown in sight! Semi-permanent hair colors won't even make a dent on level 1 hair because it's just too dark for any pigment to show through. As you climb up the levels, your hair gets lighter, with level 5 hitting those medium to lighter brown hues. If your hair falls in this range, opt for darker, more pigmented colors like Purple AF, Wrath, or Aquamarine hair dyes for that rich hue! 💜💥

Purple AF hair dye on light brown 

Levels 6-7

Now we're stepping into that light brown/dark blonde zone. Most of our deeper and highly pigmented colors work like a charm on hair at levels 6 and 7, giving you a shade or two darker than they would on a pre-lightened base. Get ready to rock shades like Violet Dream (my current favorite purple hair dye right now!), Sunset Orange, Phantom Green, Poison, and Ginger Flare hair dye for those bold vibes! 🌈🔥

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A post shared by REMM! (@remmiegustaa)

Level 8

If you're sitting pretty at level 8, you're in that sweet spot where Arctic Fox semi-permanent hair colors really come to life! Most of our AF hair dyes will pop vibrantly on a level 8 base, so go ahead and experiment with Electric Paradise - our UV reactive electric pink hair dye, or Iris Green - the *perfect* grassy green shade, for some serious wow factor! 🎨💚 

Level 9

Not quite platinum, but still light enough to show off vibrancy, level 9 hair can handle almost any semi-permanent color. Think Porange (pink-orange and UV reactive hair color), Cosmic Sunshine (our true yellow hair dye), or Neon Moon (the most electric yellow UV hair shade you could imagine!)  for those radiant looks! Just be mindful of those yellow tones in blonde hair – they can give lighter blue shades a greenish tinge. Combat that with a touch of Purple AF, since purple cancels out yellow tones to add some balance! 💛💙

Cosmic Sunshine hair dye on Level 9

Level 10 + above

Welcome to the land of platinum blonde! With almost no yellow tones to worry about, you can rock any color under the sun! Have fun and play around with some Arctic Mist Diluter, and see how some of your favorite colors look as pastels. Pastel hair colors shine brightest on a level 10 base or lighter, so feel free to mix and match those shades to create your own unique style! Whether it's Poseidon, Periwinkle, or Sterling, your hair is gonna be poppin'! 🌈✨

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A post shared by 🌱Alyssa Nicole🌱 (@alyssa.nicoleyt)

Natural Blonde Hair?

If you're blessed with naturally blonde locks, figuring out how semi permanent hair colors will turn out is a bit trickier. Bleached hair tends to hold onto pigment better, so unbleached hair might need a little extra love to achieve those vibrant results. Stick to darker and highly pigmented colors like Purple AF, Aquamarine, and Wrath hair colors. For the best outcome, always do some test strands first! 💁‍♀️💖

Natural Red Hair?

GINGER FLARE GINGER FLARE GINGER FLARE! Ginger Flare dye on a natural redhead is STUNNING! It enhances your already enchanting locks, and takes your red hair to the next level. When in doubt, flare it out! If you want to try some new colors, use the color wheel to find colors that will compliment your red hair, like Purple AF. Avoid green hair dye or colors opposite of your specific shade of red. Always do a strand test to see how your red hair reacts to our semi-permanent dyes. But for real - why are you waiting to try Ginger Flare!

https://www.tiktok.com/@angelboobz/video/7231982665635859755?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

How Light Can You Go?

Listen up, folks – take it slow with the lightning process! Going from dark to light takes time and patience, so don't rush it. Gradually lighten your hair using quality products to keep it healthy and happy, starting with the crowd pleaser Bleach, Please. Don’t forget the pre-bleach and post bleach hair care, like Money Hunny hair repair serum, Resurrected shampoo and conditioner, and a luscious hair care mask like Pool Party (you and your hair deserve a little treat!). Don’t forget to protect your bleach hair from the sun with OG Hair Perfume and UV protectant.  And if you're ever feeling unsure, shoot us an email at support@arcticfoxusa.com or consult a pro stylist. Your hair deserves the royal treatment! 💇‍♀️💕