AF Blog — Sunset Orange

@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. 

While we say goodbye to another year, one of the most anticipated things about the year ahead is Pantone’s Color of the Year announcement and how it applies to what’s happening around the globe. Did you know Pantone first started their Color of the Year program in 1999? For the last 25 years, the team at Pantone has found a way to visualize the current state of the world through color, something our Fox Fam can really get behind!

Before we look ahead, we thought it would be fun to look back one last time. We spent all of 2023 celebrating our 10th anniversary, so before moving into the next decade of AF we’re time traveling to see how Pantone encompassed the last 10 years in terms of color and why. SO many of these colors are still some of the Fox Fam’s favorite shades to play with!

2013 - Emerald, a hue that enhances a sense of well-being further by inspiring insight as well as promoting balance and harmony.

2014 - Radiant Orchid is still a custom hair dye mix that we love to see and according to Pantone it’s “expressive and exotic blooming with confidence and warmth.” 

That brings us to 2024…. We say it every year, but it feels like the folks at Pantone are reading our minds, or maybe, we just know what we’re talking about when it comes to color too 😀The 2024 Color of the year is PEACH FUZZ! According to Pantone, “Peach Fuzz is a heartfelt hue bringing a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration. A warm and cozy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others or for enjoying a moment of stillness and the feeling of sanctuary.” As a brand who puts our community first, we could not love this more. 

Peach Fuzz sits between pink and orange on the color spectrum, and we’ve already been dreaming of ways for you to give this a try in 2024. We fully expect this color to be EVERYWHERE in the spring. 

If you’re looking to nail “Peach Fuzz,” you’ll want Sunset Orange Hair Dye and our Arctic Mist Diluter. If you’re already at a level 10 for your base color, use Arctic Mist Diluter the heck out of Sunset Orange until the color appears as warm and fuzzy as you’d like. Of course, perform a strand test FIRST to be sure you’re peachy keen! 

Faded Sunset Orange 

For a more pinky peach hue, take your diluted Sunset Orange and mix her with Frose or Electric Paradise Hair Color, depending on how pink you want to take your peach. 

@siren.style in Sunset Orange and Electric Paradise 

For a darker take on the Color of the Year, start out with Cosmic Sunshine hair dye, add a dollop of Frose hair dye and a few drops of Sunset Orange.

@sheaella in Cosmic Sunshine, Frosé, and a few drops of Sunset Orange

One of our most coveted mixes is this dreamy peach made with equal parts Arctic Mist Diluter and Girls Night hair color plus a dollop of Poison! 

So, are you ready to embrace that warm fuzzy feeling? Don’t forget to tag us @arcticfoxhaircolor with your new look! 

@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.

@violentinside in Purple AF and Transylvania

Taking that first dip into vivids might sound a bit scary…but it definitely doesn’t have to be! AF dyes are totally safe for your hair (vegan, cruelty-free, and they deep condition!) so you never have to think twice before you take the plunge. Whether you’re going for the coveted purple hair with Purple AF, a deeper red with Wrath, or a classic ginger with Ginger Flare, we have ALL the tips to make your first time experimenting with hair dye well worth the wait. So let’s get started with those first timer tips, shall we? 

Before you get started with hair dye, you’ll need to know the color of your current hair and what shades are going to work for you - aka your hair level! If you’re thinking, WTF is a hair level anyway? Don’t worry! We’ll break it all down for you. Simply put, it’s the current color of your hair, and it fully impacts how the color will take to your strands. Hair level ranges from a deep black at level 1 all the way up to a white platinum shade at 10+. Your own natural hair color will fall somewhere along this gamut of options, and if you need some help finding it, this blog has it fully covered for you! 

Hair Dyes that Work for Your Hair Level

Your best strategy for a first time dye is sticking to the most pigmented and deeper shades, and not pastels or lighter colors. We know that pretty pastel is everyone’s envy, but they shine best on pre-lightened hair, so if you’ve never had your fun with bleach, you'll want to choose the semi-permanent colors that don’t require this step.  

The best part of using strong, pigmented shades is that they take easily to almost any hair base - giving you the best chance of an amazing result on your first attempt with color.  

The next part of your hair color master plan is to choose the right pigmented shade for you. We’re about to dive in with color inspo, and spill all the deets on which AF shades will work for our brunette, blonde, or red haired Foxes! 

Best Hair Color Shades for Brunettes 

Brunettes usually line up on the hair level range between 4-6, so the best colors to dress those tresses would be the deeper, warmer shades of the AF rainbow. You’ll rock a gorgeous tint of your chosen color on level 4 hair, without having to use any bleach! And when the sun hits…O.M.G. 😍

✨AF Pro Tip✨: The deeper the brown the more likely the color will show up subtly. A strand test is your best bet to see exactly how the colors will translate to those locks!

Ritual offers a deliciously dark purple that will look beautiful over a brown hair base. This shade is daring enough for brunette’s taking the first step into hair coloring, but it’s also classy enough to graciously take center stage at any and all events. 

If you’re a brunette and like the idea of going red, try stepping into the warm glow of Wrath. She’s a red cherry shade that offers brown-haired Foxes a risk free route to switch up their style. Thanks to her warming tones, Wrath compliments your brown hair level perfectly.  

Another stop off on the purple section of the color spectrum and we find a bold, true purple. Purple AF is an intense all-out look but one that definitely works on a brunette base. If you’re interested in greens and blues the good news is your brown shade can take these cold colors too. Check out Poseidon, Aquamarine, and Phantom Green. Ready to pull off the look of your dreams? 

Best Hair Color Shades for Redheads 

If you’re a Fox with natural red hair, well we’re in AWE! Red is one of our fave hair colors, but if you’re looking to switch it up, you can experiment with a whole range of new colors too. 

But, there is a small catch. Redheads often find that their hair holds its natural pigment more firmly than other hair colors. (Hair can be stubborn like that). The hair color might not take in the same way as with blonde or brunette bases, but do a strand test first and you’ll get your answers. If the strand test works as intended, you’re all set to give your new shade the go ahead.  

Of course, there is also the option to lighten your hair first using Bleach, Please, our hair lightening kit! We get that bleaching might feel scary given it’s your first time dyeing your hair - but Bleach, Please is an easy DIY method to ease yourself into it. Just make sure you use gloves and follow all our instructions (like avoiding your roots!) for a smooth transition into lighter locks. If you’re not down to go that route, we still have some shades that we think would look ah-mazing on you!  

Purple AF is a shade that will definitely work over your natural red hair and give your tresses a whole new dimension. If you want to go a little darker on the spectrum, Poseidon offers a blue hue, which when poured over natural red hair can appear a little purplish in color. It’s a shade that will totally WORK IT on our red-heads. 

If you want to enhance those fiery locks, try on Poison, Ginger Flare, or Sunset Orange! Because of their orange and auburn tones, they absolutely STUN on a red hair base. Virgin Pink poured over red hair can give a light, natural ginger, too! Who knew!? 

Best Hair Color Shades for Natural Blondes

Natural blonde hair is at the lighter end of the hair level range, falling between 7 and 10+ on the spectrum. To break that down just a bit more, 7 is a dark blonde, 8 is blonde, 9 light blond, and 10+ platinum!

Sunset Orange will come through slightly differently depending on how light your blonde hair is. For Foxes with medium blonde hair, you can expect a deep-red orange. For lighter blonde hair expect a stronger hue, delivering more of the red undertones of this stunner.

Phantom Green shows up wonderfully on lightened hair, however if you have medium to darker blonde hair, this shade will still look unreal and deliver a more subtle emerald nuance to your strands. 

Aquamarine is a delightfully intense blue shade that will have you dreaming of mermaid hair and crashing ocean waves. The good thing about using a blue shade like this on blonde hair is that it will hold the color for a while, so you can take time to enjoy that new shade to its full potential. 

Once you're ready to move to a new hair color, the blue can be gradually faded out with sulfate-free shampoos. Once it’s faded you can transition to a new hue, you can find complementary colors on the color wheel and cocktail up some stunning hair color combos! 

Because purple is a complimentary shade on the color wheel it works wonderfully well over blue. Purple AF, Periwinkle, and Girls Night are some of our fave purple shades to work over the top of faded out Aquamarine. 

Certain shades of green including turquoise or teal, can create a vibrant and mermaid-like appearance when combined with blue hair. Phantom Green and Neverland can deliver a rich green hue over a faded blue shade amplifying that sea-maiden siren vibe. A final tantalizing option for covering faded blue hair is to go pink! Try Virgin Pink over blue if you want something that really pops with a bubblegum pink shade. 

Whether it’s your first time dyeing, or your one thousandth, keep those looks comin’ and tag us at @arcticfoxhaircolor. We LOVE to see it! 

@bluepixiie in Aquamarine

@emma.cairo in Virgin Pink 

@honeybeecolorcollective in Wrath, Ritual, Poison

@yadeemua in Purple AF and Sunset Orange

@briannahoang in Poison

No need to worry about a hair-tastrophe over here! With us in your corner, you’ll be safe from the most common hair dye mistakes and get your dream hair every time.

If you’ve been here a while, you already know how your fav AF shades show up boldly on their own, and brilliantly in mixes. Our formulations are always vegan and cruelty-free, not to mention packed with hydration so you’re already caring for your hair even when you’re coloring it!  

Now that we have that covered, it’s a good time to say hair dye mistakes can, and DO happen (We’ve all seen ‘em.) Here are our top hair dye hazards to watch out for, and how to fix them.

Choosing the wrong color for your current hair level 

Picking a color that won’t show up on your hair’s current level might not be a total hair disaster, but it can be anticlimactic when you’re all amped and hyped for a bold new shade, and your results are a bit lower than anticipated. 

It’s important to know your hair level BEFORE picking a color so it shows up as vividly as it's meant to. Don’t know what a hair level is and how to figure it out? You know we got that covered, right here! 

And always ALWAYS do a strand test! You’ll be able to see how the color will actually take on your hair, before going full steam ahead and pouring a new color over your tresses. If the color doesn’t pop the way you wanted, refer back to our blog on WTF is a hair level? And the tried and true color wheel breakdown to test something else. Once you're happy, it’s time to apply your new hue. 

If you have darker hair and you’re not totally down to lighten it, this range of shades will be your bestie as you dip your toes into the world of vivids! 

Switching your hair color shade 

Shifting gears from one shade to the next is an obvious moment in time where there can be some kind of hair color implosion you just didn’t see coming. If you want to avoid this mistake you need to be well prepared and armed with the knowledge you need to switch. 

Let’s give you a few pro tips on the process. If you’re currently rocking a blue hue and want to pick up a vibrant new shade, it’s a step by step process. First up we need to fade that shade a little lighter. Once the blue has faded to something lighter, it is ready to take a hot new color - but some shades will work better than others. 

Purples, and lavender shades work well with blues, as do greens like turquoise or teal. Even a pink shade like Virgin Pink can look unreal over a blue tone!

If you’re changing color and need to counteract orange or brassy tones with a red, orange or yellow tinge running through the strands, then color theory can point us in the right direction to neutralize those unwanted tones. For brassiness, the tones are orange or yellow, so consult the wheel to see which colors sit opposite to cancel out excess warmth.

If you want to get a grasp of the basics of color theory, head right this way. We have a full blog on the color wheel that you can take learnings and inspiration from. Hair learning nerds assemble! 

And if you’re a visual learner, watch @stellacini (aka the color shifting MASTER) transform her copper base into this gorgeous emerald. Are you kidding!? 

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Leaving the dye on for the right length of time 

If you’re a first-time dye-er, you might be unsure how long you can actually leave the dye on for before it, idk, totally ruins the look you were going for.

The upside is you're in the right place, Fox. Some dyes are harsh to hair, but AF dyes are safe to leave on for long periods of time. So make sure you let the dye sit for a while so it can be absorbed by your strands, and your resulting color will knock it out of the park. 

A longer processing time will allow your hair to absorb MORE color and get that vibrant shade you’re going for. Conversely taking the dye off too soon reduces the processing time and the dye won’t penetrate the hair enough to achieve the intended color. 

There are various other factors here, such as the color you are covering and the tone you are shifting to. If you have followed our other tips on fading your hair gradually to get the right hair level before coloring, then the color will take well when left on for the correct amount of time…. AND your awesome new color will last much longer.  

@thegothwife in Transylvania, Aquamarine, and Poseidon

Not understanding your hair type 

Your hair type has a HUGE influence on how hair dye is absorbed by your stands. Our vegan hair formula is safe to use on all hair types - straight hair, curls, waves, spirals and corkscrew hair - they all look to DYE for in AF colors. Different hair types absorb color differently however, so it’s worth figuring out exactly what you’ve got up top. 

@iridescentsoulx in Frosé over faded Poison

Here’s some key considerations. Thick hair takes longer to absorb color, so you may need to leave the dye on a little longer. At the other end of the spectrum thin hair can absorb color much faster and may need a shorter processing time. Hair porosity (yes that’s a thing) impacts how well your hair absorbs moisture and retains it. High porosity hair may take color quickly and go darker, and the color may fade more quickly once applied. Low porosity hair may be more resistant to absorbing color, because the cuticles are more difficult to open. Finally, elasticity can also impact how well dye is absorbed. Hair with higher levels of elasticity will absorb color well and be less prone to breakage.

Low elasticity can make hair more resistant to color and other treatments. The good news is you can regain elasticity by caring and nurturing your hair over time (hello, hair care routine), which will make your hair stronger and more elastic.

Once you understand your hair type, AND texture - thin, thick, or medium hair, you can apply the knowledge to your color choices. 

If you need extra guidance, we’re already one step ahead of you! Find your type and how to color it right here. 

Lightening up your hair color

Perhaps you want to try out a new pastel shade but need a lighter base to work with first? Or maybe you have deep purple hair right now and want to jump to something new!  Sometimes it’s necessary to lighten hair with bleach before adding a color to ensure it takes fully to the hair and stands out. Our Bleach, Please hair lightening kit is also vegan and cruelty-free like the rest of our range, and has detailed instructions on how to lighten your hair correctly, so it’s a great option if you’re dipping your toes into the lightening world!

The key here is to check how each color will show up depending on the hair level first, and ensure your hair is at the correct level for the look you want to achieve. 

For any Foxes out there that don’t already know, hair level just means lightness of your hair - from 1 being a deep black, to 10+ as a platinum blonde. 

To achieve a pastel pink look with Frosé for example, you would need a base hair level of 9 or above. If you want the lovely light purple of Periwinkle, start with Level 10+ platinum hair! 

@chris0712 in Frosé

@asapashleeyy in Purple AF and Periwinkle

Mo damage, mo problems 

If your current hair is just too damaged to take color, all you’ll need is some patience and a nutrient-packed hair care routine. Lucky for you, our vegan and cruelty-free line is waiting to give some much needed TLC to your locks! 

Start with Pool Party for a pre-shower hair mask (at least 3 times per week), lather up with Resurrected Shampoo and Conditioner, and finish off with some Money Hunny repair serum on those ends. Consistency is key, fox, so keep that hair regime in check! And don’t forget to treat your locks to heatless hairstyles to keep the hair repair on the upward climb. 

And bonus! When your hair is ready for some stunning color, you won’t have to worry about damage when you stick to our range of dyes. Why? They’re packed with nutrients and have deep conditioning properties. Plus, they smell sooo grape! 

Post color hair care routine 

Taking care of your hair is always important, and post color it pays to nourish your hair and help lock in the new shade and shine for longer.  

The AF hair care range is crafted for colored hair making it the perfect option for giving your hair that health kick and new hair day bounce it deserves. Look how @dose_of_jos uses the entire AF hair care range on wash day, working the products together in harmony for optimum hair health and style. 

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Our pro tip is to wash your hair as sparingly as possible with cool water to maintain it’s condition. If you do need to clean your hair a little more often, try the AF Vacay Volumizing Dry Shampoo for that little refresh you crave in between wash days. 

Now you’re all set, Fox! What shade will you try next? Don't forget to tag us  @arcticfoxhaircolor in your next look!