AF Blog — Violet Dream

@berlinstacy in Arctic Mist Diluter, Virgin Pink, Sunset Orange, Cosmic Sunshine, Iris Green, Aquamarine, Purple AF, Violet Dream, and Poseidon 

What is the Color Wheel?

The color wheel is a visual tool to explain and visualize the relationship between colors. When it comes to coloring hair, the color wheel is your personal hack to understand how colors will combine or cancel each other out when you’re creating your dream shade!

Understanding the color wheel will help you better understand color theory so you can better predict how specific colors will mix together and how to avoid results you weren’t expecting.

Color Definitions

When speaking to the color wheel, there are a few terms to know.

Primary Colors - What we learn in Kindergarten! Red, yellow and blue. These colors cannot be made from any other colors.

@erez_ivan in Poseidon 

Secondary Colors - Two primary colors mixed together that create orange, green, and violet.

@kunailuv in Sunset Orange, Cosmic Sunshine, and Purple AF 

Intermediate Colors - One primary and one secondary color mixed together: blue-violet, red-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, and blue-green.

@lilygraceglam in Blue Jean Baby, Purple AF, Violet Dream, Poseidon 

What Are Complementary Colors?

Complementary colors are two colors that live opposite each other on the color wheel. For example: violet and yellow, red and green, orange and blue.

When mixing these colors, you will get a brown shade. We receive a lot of questions around natural shades from the Fox Fam, so this color wheel hack is good to know in case you want to go back to natural color OR to avoid mixing colors or applying over faded color that might yield a muddy result.

Knowing complementary colors can also be great in creating looks that are bold and contrasting, especially for split dyes or layering colors.

@ashley.smit17 in Space Cowgirl, Aquamarine, Virgin Pink, Violet Dream, and Purple AF

@hairwaytoheavennn in Poison, Phantom Green, and Space Cowgirl

What Is Your Base?

When choosing a color, it’s important to consider how your base shade will affect the final outcome. Using the color wheel and color theory, you can have a better educated guess on what might happen or how to plan to get the result you’re looking for.

Starting From A Natural Base

Your natural hair color will affect the outcome of your look. Learn all about hair levels here and which AF colors will work best for your natural base. 

Starting From A Processed Blonde

Most Arctic Fox hair dyes will look and perform best on hair that’s a level 9 or higher, for some, that will require processing. Using the color wheel to figure out the tone of your blonde will help determine which colors to choose to get the results you want. Most natural hair colors that are bleached to blonde will start with an orange undertone and may reach a yellow/brassy color at the lightest. There are multiple ways to cancel out unwanted yellow/orange tones. One option is to use a commercial toning product found at your favorite beauty supply store. A second option is to use the color wheel and “tone” with AF colors. If your hair is leaning toward the yellow side, pre-dye using Arctic Mist Diluter and Purple AF to create an extremely diluted purple color. If your hair is leaning toward the orange side, you might try pre-dyeing with Arctic Mist Diluter and Poseidon to create an extremely diluted blue. 

@salinesimon in Arctic Mist Diluter and Aquamarine

For example, if you want a Poseidon to appear as a nice true blue, but are starting out with yellow undertones, your color might pull green. Since we know that violet is opposite the color wheel from yellow, mixing in a little bit of Purple AF may help counteract those yellow tones.

Starting From A Faded Color

If you’re a DIY dye queen, you might already have a faded color on your hair. Using color theory, you can get to the next color seamlessly without creating a muddy mess!

This video by Stella Cini is a great example of how to use color theory to get your desired color or read this blog by Thuy Pham on how she shifted her hair from green to purple.

AF Colors Charted

Each of our colors have specific undertones. Knowing where our colors fall on the color wheel, can help you make decisions on which dyes to mix to get the results you’re looking for.

@nadine.xoo in Cosmic Sunshine and Sunset Orange 

@chjango_john.n115 in Violet Dream, Cosmic Sunshine, Sunset Orange, and Virgin Pink

@angelicabarragan3 in Space Cowgirl and Neon Moon

@_kenzurrito in Poison, Purple AF, Periwinkle, Aquamarine

If you haven’t heard the good news yet, here it is… SUMMER HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN! 🥳☀️ Question is, have you decided on how you’re going to color your summer yet? Maybe you’re stuck between a couple of really great shades and just can’t decide? Well I’ve come prepared with some summer mixes, just for you 😉 

When I think of summer, I think HOT 🔥 So let’s crank up the heat with these orange and red focused mixes first. Sunset Orange is a wonderful base for this, so let’s get to mixing in some other shades.

Sunset Orange + Poison + Cosmic Sunshine 🥵 

@theeglamnaija

Sunset Orange + Wrath 🧯

@a.dragon.soul

Sunset Orange + Violet Dream  🌶️ 

@evelina.forsell

Unreal, right?! Why don’t we cool things down a bit with a few blue mixes 💧 Let's dive right in (pun intended 😏).

Poseidon + Aquamarine 🌊

@jessicamoralemusic

Aquamarine + Periwinkle + Transylvania 💙

@billiedawningle

Aquamarine + Phantom Green 🐚

@arisa_hair

Arctic Mist Diluter + Aquamarine 

@salinesimon

When you think back to how you colored your summer, what shade is going to forever bring you that summer nostalgia feeling when you see it? Is it blue? Is it pink? Maybe it’s green! ✨

The beauty of ‘color your summer’ could mean a lot of things but color expression is definitely one of them 🎨 You may be wondering “well, when I think of summer, I think of a beautiful sunset to end the perfect day with my favorite people”. To be completely honest, I couldn’t agree more. So let’s settle things down with a couple of sunset inspired mixes! 🌅 

Electric Paradise + Poison 🌺

@tamaracamps

Cosmic Sunshine + Frosé ☀️ 

@itslauren.jpg

Periwinkle + Purple AF 

@_gumshoe_

After a long day of laughter, heat and good vibes; It’s time to reminisce on the core memories you’ve built and get ready to make more during those long summer nights 🌌 Nothing says “summer nights” more than this last mix.

Using equal parts Periwinkle + Sterling with just a few drops of Blue Jean Baby and BOOM… You’ve created a masterpiece. 👩‍🎨🎨✨🤌

So how will YOU color your summer? 🌈 Let us know in the comments! And as always, if you have questions on how best to use any of our products, feel free to reach out to us at support@arcticfoxusa.com. Stay foxy! 🦊 

Split dye:

A split dye is when you use one color per side of your head, giving a two toned look. 

@Die4whitney in a Transylvania and Virgin Pink split dye

 How to create a split dye at home:

1. Pre-lighten hair if you’re planning on doing pastels or any AF colors that aren’t great for darker hair. See this blog for the best colors for unbleached hair if you don’t want to pre-lighten.
2. Part hair down the center of your head starting from the top all of the way to the base of your neck. 
3. Clip the half of your hair that you are dyeing second to one side starting from the base of your neck, using more clips as needed to make sure the hair is secure to one side. 
4. Take the other half of your hair and clip the top of your head, leaving only one small section, starting from underneath.
5. Apply dye section by section, roots to ends, until you have reached the top of your head. Make sure the last section you are careful to only apply product on the side of your hair you are dyeing. Go slowly here! I recommend using a small amount of dye applied with a brush and repeating until the last section is fully saturated.
6. Apply steps 4 and 5 to the other side of your head with your second color.
7. When you are ready to rinse, use cold water and lean your head to each side to prevent bleeding. Or if you have a detachable shower head, rinse each side at a time. 
8. Air dry or style from there and take a selfie or video of your new look and share it with us on Instagram!

Money Pieces

@pret_a_paisley in Wrath, Ritual, and Violet Dream Money Pieces

Money Pieces are dyed face framing sections for a fun color pop!

How to create money pieces at home:

1. Part from the middle of your scalp from the top of your head about 1-2 inches back depending on how chunky you want your money pieces to be.
2. Section each side from the end of that part, moving down the side of your head towards each ear. Clip or tie back the hair behind the money piece sections to make sure it is out of the way.
3. Apply dye to each side of the hair starting from the root to the ends. If you have thicker hair, do this in sections moving from underneath to the top. I recommend using a brush to do this. Be sure your hair is very saturated.
4. When it’s time to rinse, use cold water and keep the back of your hair clipped or pulled back. Lean your head forward and rinse to prevent any bleeding.
5. Enjoy your new fun look! 

Color Melts:

Color melts can be applied to any sectioned portion of hair, whether that is all over color, money pieces, peek-a-boos, etc., and can include as many colors as you want. Just make sure you are using complementary colors so when you blend them, they work together! A color melt is exactly what it is called- you are melting or blending each color into the next. 

@Ciarasikes created this rainbow color melt

How to create a color melt at home:

1. Section hair into the style you want to do the color melt on.
2. Take a smaller section of hair and clip up the rest, sectioning from the base of the section to the top of your head.
3. Apply the color you are using for the top of the melt at the root, making downward strokes with the brush. Apply as far down as you want for that color.  
4. With the second color, apply starting about a centimeter from the end of the previous color. If you are only using 2 colors, apply all of the way to the ends of each section. If you are using more than two colors, apply as far down as you want each color section to go, and apply the last color to the ends.
5. With a gloved hand or brush, blend the two colors filling in the gap. The colors will mix creating an ombre gradient so there is no banding in the melt.

AF pro tip: Make sure you are making each color block the same size for an even melt for each hair section for an even look! 

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

Here is a video for multi-colored rainbow color melt!

There are so many color placements and mixes you can create using Arctic Fox, but these are some of the trendiest placements for the summer! You can even get creative with combining all of them, like a color melt on a split dye, split dyed money pieces, or a combination of all three! What color color placement are you going to try next?

Guess what Fox Fam? 👀 It’s our birthday and we’re celebrating ALL 👏 YEAR 👏 LONG 👏 🥳 We’re celebrating by continuing our mission and partnering with a brand new, very special rescue. For the next ten days, we’re increasing our donation amount by 10% (that means 25% of our net profits) to Pup Culture - a non-profit animal rescue dedicated to saving dogs and educating the community about the importance of adoption.

And of course, none of this would be possible without our incredible Fox Fam. We’re shining the spotlight on the iconic colors that started it all and celebrating YOU for being a part of our mission all these years. Support the cause while we take it back to the OG iconic colors that made us who we are 🌈 🦊

Purple AF: Purple AF is one of our FAVES! Formally known as Purple Rain, this deep, true purple is a versatile color that works well on a variety of base colors from platinum to light brown, giving deep tints of color to darker hair and showing vibrantly on pre-lightened hair. It even works well to cover up other faded colors effectively!  

Image Credit: chris0712

#AFProTip: Purple AF pairs well with tons of other AF shades; try mixing it with some Wrath for a burgundy, or Poseidon for a deep indigo. (glitter)

Poison: This fiery shade should honestly come with a fire extinguisher! This is our most vibrant and truest red and it does not disappoint. Because Poison has a slight orange undertone, it will not fade to pink, it will fade into a lighter version of itself. Poison will give a dark, subtle tint to darker tones of hair but will turn out most vibrantly on hair that is pre-lightened to around a level 8.

Image Credit: jezzharding

#AFProTip: For a super sweet peach add a few drops of Poison to an Arctic Mist base

Aquamarine: Let the mermaid vibes flood over you with this unreal blue. It is one of our most pigmented blues with aquamarine/teal undertones. It'll turn out most vividly on pre-lightened hair, but will still work to give a deep teal tint to darker shades of unbleached hair.

Image Credit: cozywithsam

#AFProTip: To cover a more brassy-toned blonde, try mixing Aquamarine with a little bit of Purple AF to get a perfect cobalt or a deep indigo!

Wrath: This bold classic never goes out of style! Not even after 10 years 😉. Wrath is a deep red with berry undertones which can become more pink as it fades. It shows up well on brassy tones and gives dark, dimensional tints to darker hair. This shade turns out best on hair pre-lightened to a level 7.

Image Credit: teevolatile

#AFProTip: Try mixing Wrath with a drop of Transylvania to create a deep crimson red!

Arctic Mist Diluter: Want the perfect pastel? Arctic Mist diluter is the ideal base for mixing up a custom color or pastel using any other AF shade. Start with Arctic Mist, then add your next shade in (little by little) until you get that perfect hue. Want to learn more about achieving the perfect pastel hue? We got you! Head to our blog to Read about Pastel Hair Levels! 👈

Image Credit: marmar

* Note: Arctic Mist is not a dye, toner, or lightening product. This diluter will have no effect on the hair if applied by itself - it’s meant to be mixed with other colors to create custom shades 🧪 ✨

Virgin Pink: Ready to bring those tropical vibes everywhere you go with Virgin Pink? This vibrant hot pink will give a deep magenta tint to light brown hair, and will turn out most vibrantly on pre lightened hair - no need to fear brassy tones with this shade. 

Image Credit: derekkildall

☝️ #AFProTip: Want a lighter pastel pink hue? Start off with an Arctic Mist Diluter base, add drops of Virgin Pink until you've mixed the hue you want! 

✌️ #AFProTip: Try mixing with some Wrath for a deeper pink! Want all the pink mixes? Read our Pink Mixology Blog! (pink emojis)

Violet Dream: Ready to stop and smell the violets? Violet Dream will give you a hint of spring in any season! This floral purple color does have some strong magenta undertones and will generally fade into a pink shade. As a highly pigmented color, Violet Dream will give a deep warm tint to darker shades of hair, and will cover up brassy tones without any issues. It will turn out best on hair that is around a level 7 or lighter!

Image Credit: dedearartistry

Want to read more about Violet Dream? 💜 Check out the color spotlight on Violet Dream HERE.

#AFProTip: Try diluting this shade with Arctic Mist to get a gorgeous pastel pink/lavender!

Poseidon: Make some serious waves with this mythical shade. She may be the last but she is far from the least. Poseidon is a vibrant, medium true blue. For the most vivid results, this oceanic color should be applied to hair that has been pre-lightened to a cool-toned level 8 or lighter.

Image Credit: _.lilalou._

#AFProTip: Add a dash of Purple AF to fight those unwanted brassy tones.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support of our brand for 10 amazing and colorful years. We can’t wait to celebrate and see where another 10 years of color takes us because this is only the beginning. So stay tuned Fox Fam 📺  We have some VERY exciting announcements to come 👀

What is your favorite iconic OG shade? Let us know in the comments! And as always, if you have questions on how best to use any of our products, feel free to reach out to us at support@arcticfoxusa.com. Stay colorful! 🎨

So you’re looking for some refreshing inspo to spice up that split dye? Maybe you just want to go for a little pop of color? 👀

Whatever the case may be, we got you covered with 15 of our current favorite hair color combinations!👇

1. Space Cowgirl + Virgin Pink

@evelina.forsell 

2. Sunset Orange + Cosmic Sunshine

@lauren_loveslocks

3. Neon Moon + Aquamarine

@0allas

4. Sunset Orange, Cosmic Sunshine and Neon Moon (pairs SO well with a natural shade 😍)!

@lyn_bax

5. Diluted Poseidon and Iris Green 🤤

@lizzienowire

6. Half Virgin Pink and half dark brown? Yes, please! 

@colorlikenoother

7. Sunset Orange + Virgin Pink

@elle_n0r

8. Violet Dream + Sunset Orange

@woke.nikki

9. Neon moon + Iris Green

@jphair_st.helens

10. Cosmic Sunshine + Purple AF

@zoe_la_leigh

11. Diluted Sunset Orange + Poison

@theeglamnaija

12. Girls Night and Purple AF

@hadar_kawaii_hair

13. Virgin Pink and Cosmic Sunshine

@kaylahadlington

14. Pop of Cosmic Sunshine ✨

@dxnx.elle 

15. Pop of diluted Virgin Pink

@slm.beauty

✨ Pro tip: Using COLD water when rinsing will help to prevent some of the bleeding onto another color! 

Have a stunning color combination of your own to share? Please feel free to do so below! We’d love to see 🥰 In the meantime, we’re here if you have any questions. Stay Foxy 🦊❤️