AF Blog

@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!

The Fox Fam are already totally head over heels in love with the awesome AF hair color range. But hold up, there’s more?! Yup. 

NEED more of THOSE bright colors? Sure you do. Want even more intricate shades, patterns, and prints, but this time for your nails? Well, duh! 

That’s why we’ve been mixing up some of our most popular shades into the Foxology collection of nail lacquers with all the bold AF colors you know. Sprinkle in patterns and prints and your nails can become a canvas with unlimited possibilities; you can paint almost anything your mind can imagine. 

Before you unleash your nail art work worthy of the Louvre, we need to do a little basic prep, but don’t worry we’ve made it simple to follow, even for Nail Art novices. 

Nail Art: The Basics 

Start With a Clean, Dry Base 

Just like when dyeing your hair, you’ll want to always start off your nail art with clean, dry nails. 

Visionaries like us (tongue slightly in cheek) need a clean slate to work with. Start by scrubbing away any old polish to reveal your blank canvas. But it’s not quite time to dip the brush into the paint yet.

First up, cleanse the nail bed to make sure your nails are clean underneath too, because this will not only give you healthier nails, but also a better overall look once you add your custom nail art. We always use lukewarm water to soak and clean under nails to reduce the drying impact on the skin and prevent aging (it’s totally preferable to scorching your skin in molten hot water). We’re always looking out for you, Fox.

Now, you might want to trim and file your nails BEFORE painting to get them in tip-top shape for your design. Since you're creating nail art, try not to cut them too short -  you might need that extra real estate to work with for your exquisite patterns. 

Follow these simple steps and you’ll soon have a perfect clean surface to add a base coat before you add polish!

Use a Base Coat 

You’ll want to set up the right foundations for your inner Picasso with a base coat. Apply one layer of base coat and allow it to completely dry before moving forward. *Waits impatiently* *Twiddles thumbs* 

Base coats are usually clear or slightly bluish in color and protect your nails from getting stained or damaged by nail polish and other nail art materials. The long story short is, your base coat will help the polish stay in place longer, without chipping the design, so it’s kind of a must have if you want your dazzling nail display to last. 

We have a fab base coat with all the juicy and healthy vitamins you nails need to thrive in our Foxology line up. It sets things up perfectly, ready for your masterpieces. (Muse entirely optional). 

Intricate Designs 

For intricate designs, make sure your base layer is fully dry and has enough coats (2- 3 usually works) this will make your design easier to realize and it will last MUCH longer. 

Fox Pro Tip: Plan out your design! It’s easy to get carried away and jump right into painting, but.... planning the execution of intricate designs before-hand and knowing what you want to create step-by-step usually results in something more beautiful and refined. 

Here’s another couple of pointers for your application technique. 

Ombre

If you’re going for an ombre effect, use a sponge. Apply the polish with the sponge from the tip of the nail downwards with a tapping or pressing motion. 

With the first coat decide where the ombre line will finish. Use a clean side of the sponge to dab and fade out the finishing line. Finally, apply a second coat over the top section of the nail and gently fade it out to blend in with the previous coat and achieve the ombre pattern to faded perfection. 

Need a little more ombre inspo? Try out Sunset Orange and Cosmic Sunshine for an ombre that’s prettier than a sunset. Or completely switch temperatures and blend Periwinkle into Sheer Nude for a cool blue and white winter ombre tone. 

Patterns

To shape intricate designs on your nails with patterns use a much smaller pointed brush to have greater control over the lines and artwork you create. You are working in a small space so it makes sense to use a smaller tool, right!? 

For bonafide proof this works, check out how @nailartbysig created this awesome blood drip effect design ready for Halloween with Foxology shades and a fine brush. It’s the inspo you need! 

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

And there’s more. @nailartbysig has been maxing out the potential of the Foxology collection with some delicious color and pattern combos. 

Going as a “Pink Lady” with your crew this Halloween? This powerful pink mix of Frose and Virgin Pink has us calling our squad immediately. With a unique pattern on each nail this look has some added complexity that we find completely satisfying. 

@nailartbysig in Frosé and Virgin Pink

Next up, let’s take a look at this perfect autumnal blend. Purples, oranges, and a frosted pink help set up an impressive display for your digits. This design is anything but uniform, with block colors contrasted with a small circle dot on each nail. There’s even room for a seasonal ghost wearing a witches hat for Halloween. Loving your work! 

@nailartbysig in Sunset Orange, Frosé, and Purple AF

Blue Jean Baby with a single stand out leopard print pattern is the flawless go to design when you want to unleash your Queen of the jungle phase.

@jadetoblack in Aquamarine and Blue Jean Baby

Want to add a little pop to your prints? Try this kaleidoscopic design from @jadetoblack in Aquamarine, Phantom Green, Cosmic Sunshine, Poison, and Virgin Pink to add complexity and contrast. 

@jadetoblack in Aquamarine, Phantom Green, Cosmic Sunshine, Poison, and Virgin Pink

Finally, why not try making waves and your friends green with envy via this Phantom Green and Frosé combo.  Block forest green colors are contrasted with a single digit in Frosé with a wavy Phantom Green line pattern. 

@jadetoblack in Phantom Green and Frosé

Want to inspire someone else with your artistic flair? Paint a colorful picture for the rest of the Fox Fam by tagging us @arcticfoxhaircolor. 

@bigfatjenna in Electric Paradise

It’s our favorite time of year as the nights get darker and the spirits begin to stir for Halloween. Yeahhh, it’s time for the Fox Fam to get a little spooky! 👻 🧛💀

We’re jumping in with Halloween costume inspo for our Foxes! Bonfire colors, bat-inspired looks, gothic shades. We’ve got everything you need to bring your hair out to party and get your scare on. All aboard our hair inspiration Ghost Train for a tour of our fave seasonal shades. As always, use this inspo as a springboard for your own insane costume creations! We know you’ll deliver (you always do). 

Light it up with Porange

Bright orange is THE color of the season - no respected Halloween costume inspo list can be complete without at least one vibrant orange color in the mix, are we right!?

We’ve had fun playing with some boss shades inspired by bonfires and carved pumpkins. Trust us, orange hair will turn heads on Halloween. 

If you want a look with equal parts delight and fright, our pro tip is to go for Porange. That’s right, Fox Fam, she’s back on the shelves for a limited time, so stock up while you can! She’s a powerful potion with a knockout punch AND she lights up in a neon glow when you wander under UV light, adding more fun to the mix.  

If you want to go further, faster, and louder, Porange and Electric Paradise, another UV light color, combine for a truly ELECTRIC mix that adds extra magic to your Halloween spell. 

@lizzvargashair in Electric Paradise and Porange 

Now, for the IT costume of the season…enter Sunset Orange! Apply her on medium blonde hair and oops! Now you’re floating too!

@evebombshell in Sunset Orange 

Join the underwater world and take the mermaid trend to the streets with Ginger Flare. She’s part of your world now, babe. 

A Classic Halloween in Transylvania or Sterling 

Ready for your goth era? Channel Wednesday, or project full-on Dracula with our black and silver shades. Dark hues capture the spirit of black cats, witches beside bubbling cauldrons, and all things spooky. Can you feel that dark Halloween energy simmering? 

@morganmckain in Transylvania

If you want to take it up a notch, Transylvania mixed with a bit of Poison…and snap snap! You’re a homicidal maniac too!

If you’re not up for going quite that dark this Halloween, try a silvery look from Sterling. 

You can use Sterling all on its own to set a frightful Halloween tone, or combine Transylvania and Sterling for a dramatic, gothic appearance. This hair color combo shines with dark clothing, blacks, grays, and silvers making it a great overall choice for your darkest look yet. 

@chris0712 in Transylvania and Sterling 

Perfectly Purple AF 

Feeling feisty? Step into the “best sellers” section on the color wheel this Halloween with a deep, vibrant purple hue. 

This palette spikes heart rates and elevates feline, witch, troll, or clown outfits from ‘awww cute’ to ‘ohhh snap’.  

If you want to go all cosplay for Halloween, we’ve seen everyone's favorite purple used to perfectly emulate one of Marvel’s most badass characters; Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy. 

And of course, we can’t forget the mixes! Purple AF is one of our most versatile shades - and for good reason! Get a deep cobalt blue with a half and half ratio of Purple AF and Poseidon, and if you want to go even more pigmented, throw in some Aquamarine!

Get a deep burgundy by mixing in Purple AF with some Wrath or Poison.

Yeahhh… Purple AF is THAT girl for spooky season.

@143joannagc in Purple AF 

Mean in Green 

Green hair is soooo right for this time of year. And it’s a certified Halloween costume superpower. 

Think green slime, Frankenstein, Joker from Batman, and viridescent potions. Or vibe with green tresses like one of our fave characters from the underworld - Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (Yeah, we said it 3 times). 

From neon greens, emeralds, to dark forest greens - there’s lots of room for Halloween costume playfulness here. So if you wanna channel Jared Leto’s Joker for instance, an electric green is the way to go. Space Cowgirl hits the spot with electric and neon vibes. 

Or maybe you feel like expressing your inner Beetlejuice. Beej’s hair changes along with his emotions, from a seagreen, to a darker, moodier green. Phantom Green can deliver a delightful deep forest shade that can add a little menace to your Beetlejuice look on October 31st. Or if you prefer to go a little softer and hit Beetlejuice in his sea green hair era, here’s some mixing inspo. Swish Phantom Green with a little Aquamarine to create an emerald or sea green hue. 

Split Dye and Mixes

Multi-color mixes and split color looks can crackle under the Halloween moonlight. We love this orange and black split color as two of the seasons most on trend shades. It’s an epic contrast, and this look gives off boundless dark October energy.  

@yadeemua in Ginger Flare

And if you’re looking to try out a different color placement, spooky season is the perfect time to test it out!

@die4whitney in Transylvania and Virgin Pink

Let out your inner ghoul or play nice when you trick or treat this year, but as always don’t be scared to share your stunning colors with the rest of the Fox Fam by tagging us @arcticfoxhaircolor. 

Update! Update! Update!

Our Fox Fam is out there, making a real difference! You know that our products are all vegan and cruelty-free, but did you know that we donate 15% of our profits to rescues and shelters that help our furry and feathered friends? One of our rescue partners has some exciting news that we are thrilled to share.

If you’ve been following our story for a while, you’ll remember that in March we added a new rescue to our roster: the Judith A Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center (JABCECC). We talked all about them and their awe-inspiring work here. Basically, they home and care for canids that have been rescued from fur farms, research institutions or the exotic animal pet trade. They also do the important work of educating the public about these amazing creatures.

These rockstars have just sent us a photo of their newest pack member:

She’s a geriatric arctic fox female badly in need of some TLC. Luckily for her, JABCECC managed to get her to them—a trip that took 38 hours! Now that she’s safely tucked up in their quarantine area they can start giving her the vet care that she’s never had.

She’s lived her entire life on a fur farm, where it’s likely that this sweet creature was used as a breeder every season. Obviously, now she’s older and can’t have any more pups, which means she was in danger of being euthanized. Her new home is full of love… but after a lifetime of being mistreated it will take her a long time to adjust❤️‍🩹. She’s finally made it to a good place, and we hope she can relax and feel safe soon.

And JABCECC really is a Good Place. It houses different canids that have been saved and/or rescued and respects all animals and their right to live.

When we first discovered this rescue, we wanted to help them right away. In fact, the money that we donated to them in the spring has already gone towards expanding perimeter fencing! Their plan is to have an area just for our spirit animals, where this lovely grandma and the center’s other arctic fox, Freddy Snowballs, will be able to live their best lives.

Because fences for these nimble jumpers need to be 8 feet tall and made of heavy-duty chain link, they are taking their time to make sure it’s done properly. It’s slow going and costs money, but they’re working towards that goal with the help of donations and their partners (like us!).

It’s so important that we support the paws on the ground making real differences in the lives of animals. And that’s why we love when they share their latest wins. We have our fingers crossed that we get a lot of great updates about their new arrival and even more great news from their longer-term residents. As a part of our Fox Fam, we know you’re as happy as we are knowing that every time you add to your Arctic Fox collection, you’re contributing to these great organizations. Keep up the good work, JABCECC team, we are proud to help support your wonderful work.

These hair dye mixes didn’t go as expected…they turned out even better!

We’ve been mixing up a storm this week and had to jump on here to share with our Fox Fam some of our favorite discoveries. Nothing is more exciting to us than experimenting with hair colors, and the endless color blends and creative applications for our AF hair color range that are just… *chef’s kiss*. Even more exciting is when we go wild and start throwing together colors that shouldn’t work together—but absolutely do.

Here are some traffic-stopping new hues that we’ve created with some seriously unexpected color pairings. If you’ve been collecting our color range at home but you’re not quite sure they work together, you might be in for a pleasant surprise. Read on and have a look at some of the surprising ways our AF Hair Colors come together to shake up the rainbow. 

Why are AF dyes so great for mixing?

AF’s range of colors is truly full of endless possibilities - the bolds, brights, and pastels show up incredibly on their own. But if you’re looking for something new, or want to add a surprising twist to your usual color routine, you can totally mix away to your heart’s content! You’d be surprised at the stunning shades you can create. 👀 

Sometimes you might need a little inspiration when it comes to cooking up a new look, we’re here to save the day with all the inspo - ratios and swatches included! Ready to dive in? Let’s get into the mixes you wouldn’t think would work, but omg do they! 

✨AF Pro Tip✨ Once you’ve found a great hair color, you can stick with it and keep it intense with regular dyeing, or switch it up for something totally new! AF dyes are hydrating and deep conditioning, so coloring your hair as many times as you want is completely safe. 

Mixes you wouldn’t think work but do

First up on our list of surprising mixes is this velvety hue. 60% Blue Jean Baby to 40% Sterling gives the blue a serious depth. This swatch shows the results on a platinum base, but you’ll get a similar result on a medium blonde, and a gorgeous tint on light brown.

Electric Paradise with a drop of Wrath gives us this 5-alarm siren of a color that is hard to predict from two colors on the same slice of the color wheel. It’s bold and bright, but it still gives ‘sexy’. Again, a platinum base here yields this exact color, but up to a medium blonde will see the same color and a light brown will still get a tint.

Ginger Flare, Space Cowgirl, and Frosé on a medium blonde base bring a fiery edge to your locks, in what might be our most unexpected blend yet. How can you get it? The mix to get this one just right is 70% Ginger Flare,15% Space Cowgirl, and 15% Frosé.

Arctic Mist Diluter, Poison, and Girl’s Night make a bubblegum pink that will stand out no matter where you show it off. What’s extra fun about this cotton candy hue is that adjusting the mix is a snap. So this swatch (on platinum) is about 80% Arctic Mist, 10% Poison and 10% Girl’s Night, but if you find it’s a bit dark just add in more Arctic Mist!

Space Cowgirl and Virgin Pink in a 50:50 ratio brings out a cinnabar hue in the final mix, and on a platinum base it gives a va-va-voom effect that can really pack a punch. 

Space Cowgirl and Periwinkle join forces to create an unexpectedly dark, leafy, earthy green. A simple 50:50 mix will get this result on a platinum base. 

For a dreamy twist on a calming green hue, add 75% Neverland and 25% Transylvania in your fave mixing bowls and adjust away! If you want darker, drop in more Transylvania… if you like it on the lighter side of the spectrum, use less. This color feels very ‘underwater fantasy’ to us. FYI this swatch is on a platinum base but you’ll still get a lovely deep teal tint on darker colors.

Basic rules of mixing

If you’re going to use this post as the match to your potion-making fire, make sure to follow a couple of basic rules:

1. Don’t go overboard with the colors, at least at first! Mix one or two to start with, otherwise the colors start to all trend towards brown.
2. Use the right tools! We always recommend (and use) our tint bowls to make sure we’re treating our dyes right and keeping the blends precise. If you want to keep your Foxology manicure intact, use these reusable gloves as well.
3. Remember that some colors can cancel out certain shades. As always, take a look at our color wheel post for some ideas on how to mix and match using the right colors.

You don’t know until you try

Mix it up, baby! Splash your fave shades into your best mixing bowl and stir away. And let us know what you discover! As always—share your hair change journey with the Fox Fam, tag Arctic Fox, @arcticfoxhaircolor and let us see what you create.