AF Blog

@azrael.does.hair in Wrath and Poison 

Before you dive into the world of color, knowing your type is an absolute MUST. Once you get it down, you’ll know how long to leave color on your hair, what hair products your hair can’t go without, and what your coloring routine should look like to get you the shade of your dreams. Let’s get to it, Fox! 

Finding Your Hair Type

If you don’t know what your hair type is, there’s a SUPER easy way to tell. Next time you wash your hair, don’t put any product in it and let it air dry naturally. If it comes out straight, you have straight hair (type 1), if there’s a little wave, you’ve got wavy hair (type 2).  If your hair dries curly, you have one of two hair types. Type 3 curly hair will have springy ringlets or corkscrew curl patterns, but it’s not as dense as coily hair. Coily hair is classified as type 4 and has dense spirals, zig zag patterns, and shrinks when it dries. Type 4 hair is more prone to breakage and can be more fragile than other hair types, so it needs just a bit of extra love and care with a special hair care routine to make sure it’s as healthy and strong as it can be! 

@iridescentsoulx in Frosé over faded Poison 

Finding Your Hair Texture

Once you’ve figured out your hair type, it’s time to learn more about the texture of your hair. Which is what impacts how your hair holds style and color. There are three main textures: 

Thick Hair

This texture has the largest circumference, which makes it slower to absorb color. This just means that you need extra processing time so that it can actually absorb the color you’re wishing to see. It can also be resistant to certain chemical treatments like straightening or perming, so be mindful if you’re looking into treating your hair!

Medium Hair

Landing right in the middle, because of its middle-range of circumference, medium hair has no special consideration for how much color to use, or adjustments to processing time. 

Fine Hair

This hair texture usually processes quickly and is very easy to lighten! It is prone to over-processing and damage from chemical treatments, so less is more if you’re working with fine hair.

@lisovskihair in Poison and Neon Moon

How to Find Your Hair Texture 

Guess what!? There’s also an insanely easy way (and kind of fun way) to tell what your hair texture is. Take a few strands from your hair brush and lay them next to a piece of sewing thread. Try to make them both a similar length so you can see the difference really well and place them side by side on a flat surface. Thick hair will be thicker than the thread, medium hair about the same size as the thread, and fine hair will be considerably thinner than the thread. The way your hair tends to hold styles is also indicative of the type of hair you may have. Fine hair doesn’t hold a curl very well or for very long, medium hair is pretty easy to style and can hold style for longer, and thick hair holds curls very well, but it can also be more difficult to style because it’s less pliable. 

@lyn_bax in Ginger Flare, Cosmic Sunshine, and Space Cowgirl

Finding Your Porosity 

The porosity of your hair impacts how your hair absorbs moisture, water, and product. You can imagine when you’re dying your hair, the porosity of your hair makes a huge difference on how the color actually shows up! Porosity is directly connected to the condition of the cuticle layer of your hair, which you can think of as the shield your hair has for the inner layers of hair. Your hair naturally has a certain level of porosity, but factors like environment, chemical processing, and heat styling make a huge impact. A healthy average is right where it’s at when it comes to hair porosity - highly porous hair is likely damaged and absorbs moisture too quickly because the cuticle layer is open causing it to release moisture really fast. If you’re doing any sort of chemical processing to hair with high porosity, you have to be really careful! Color will take super quickly and can end up being over saturated. If you’ve noticed that your hair gets super dark or vibrant when you color it at first, but then fades really fast, your hair is probably highly porous. 

Low porous hair is resistant to absorbing moisture, harder to process, and resistant to hair color because the cuticles are tight and hard to open. If you’ve noticed that color doesn’t stick to your hair very well, you may need more dye or a longer processing time to help it sink into your strands.

Next time you wash your hair, set aside a bowl of water and grab a freshly clean strand from the shower or your brush. When it dries, drop it into the bowl of water and pay attention to what happens next! If it immediately sinks to the bottom, it’s highly porous. If it floats somewhere in the middle with ease, then it has normal porosity. If it stays at the top and takes a really long time to sink, your hair has low porosity. 

The good news is you can help out your strands wherever they land on the range of porosity! For highly porous hair, use hair care infused with keratin, argan oil, and ginseng root extract. This will help repair damaged hair, and lead to stronger and healthier strands. Be sure to protect your hair from heat and the environment as well! Once you start to reverse the damage done to your hair, you’ll see color last longer and hold better. If your hair has low porosity, let the color sit for longer when it’s processing so it can work its way in. 

@tallulah.cosmo in Wrath 

Finding Your Hair Elasticity 

There’s one last thing, Fox! Your hair is also elastic - which literally indicates how much pulling or stretching your strands can handle before they break. The more heat and/or chemical damage, sun exposure, and aging hair experiences, the less elastic it will be. Hair that has a high level of elasticity is much easier to color, while hair with low elasticity is more prone to breakage and is likely to be resistant to color or other treatments.

The next time your hair is wet, choose a strand and hold it tight. Stretch it as much as you can! If the strand stretches and returns back to its original length when you let go, it has good elasticity, but if it breaks or doesn’t return to its original shape, it has low elasticity.

If you find that your strands have low elasticity, no worries! Get a shampoo and conditioner with lots of keratin, which will nourish your hair with the protein naturally found in hair and nails, making it stronger and more elastic. Over time, you’ll have softer, stronger, and healthier hair that holds color well and doesn’t fade easily.

Rocking a bold and bright shade is such a freeing form of self-expression, but you’ll see the best results when you’re working with a good base. Explore our vegan and cruelty-free hair care line, packed with nutrients and oils that are nourishing AND moisturizing. And next time you’re ready to switch up your color, you’ll know exactly how to treat your strands for the most breathtaking results! 

@charliewakeman Phantom Green over Aquamarine

Are you tired of rocking your blue locks and longing to explore a spectrum of vibrant hair colors? Well, fear not, we've got you covered! Transitioning from blue hair to other striking shades can be an exciting journey, but it requires careful planning and a gentle approach to avoid any hair mishaps. In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of safely covering blue hair and effectively fading it to unveil the canvas for your next dazzling hair color transformation. So, let's embark on this colorful adventure together!

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

Preparing Your Blue Hair for Transition

Before diving into the world of vibrant colors, it's essential to prepare your blue hair for the transition. Here are some crucial steps to ensure your hair is ready for the change:

1. Assess Your Hair's Condition: Evaluate the health of your hair, as vibrant dyeing can be more successful on healthy, unprocessed hair. If your hair is damaged, consider a deep conditioning treatment to improve its overall health.

2. Gradually Fade the Blue: Rather than rushing into a drastic change, opt for a gradual fading approach. This can be achieved by using color-depositing shampoos or sulfate-free clarifying shampoos, which will help fade the blue pigment over time without causing excessive damage.

3. Avoid Bleaching: If you've previously bleached your hair to achieve the blue shade, it's essential to avoid further bleaching during the fading process. Bleaching can severely damage your hair and make it more difficult to achieve the desired vibrant color later on.

4. Embrace the Fade: Embrace the fading process and experiment with the varying shades of blue that emerge as the color washes out. You might find some unique and appealing shades along the way!

Transitioning to other vibrant colors once your blue hair has faded to a lighter hue, it's time to move on to your next breathtaking color. Here's how to transition smoothly:

1. Choose the Right Color: Consider your skin tone and personal preferences when selecting your next vibrant color. Popular options include vibrant purples, pinks, greens, or even a fiery red. Keep in mind that the current state of your hair will influence how the new color appears, so select accordingly. Look at complimentary colors on the color wheel to see what would look great next!

2. Semi-Permanent Dye: Opt for semi-permanent dye, like Arctic Fox, for the transition. These dyes are less damaging than permanent ones and will allow you to experiment with different colors without long-term commitments.

3. Conduct a Strand Test: Before applying the new color all over your hair, perform a strand test. Apply a small amount of the dye to a section of hair to check how the color turns out. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises and make adjustments if necessary.

4. Apply the New Color: Once you're satisfied with the strand test, apply the new color evenly to your faded blue hair. Follow the Arctic Fox instructions for the best results. Ensure you apply the dye thoroughly, reaching all sections of your hair.

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A post shared by Danielle Van Buren (@danivanburenhair)

Maintainance and Care

To preserve the vibrancy of your new color, use color-safe shampoos and conditioners. Minimize washing your hair with hot water, as it can cause color fading. Consider using dry shampoo between washes to maintain the color's longevity.

 If you're looking to cover up blue hair or safely transition to a new color, here are some options that will leave you with stunning results: 

1. Purple: Purple is a complementary color to blue on the color wheel, which means they go well together. Shades of purple, like lavender or deep plum, can create a harmonious and balanced look. Purple AF, Periwinkle, and Girl’s Night are great options for this. 
2. Turquoise/Green: Shades of green, especially turquoise or teal, can create a vibrant and mermaid-like appearance when combined with blue hair. Aquamarine, Phantom Green, and even Neverland would look beautiful over a blue shade.
3. Pink: Pink can provide a lovely contrast to blue hair, creating a bold and eye-catching effect. Virgin Pink would be gorgeous over blue!

Transitioning from blue hair to other vibrant colors is an adventure that allows you to express your creativity and individuality. By gradually fading your blue hair and choosing the right semi-permanent dye, you can smoothly move from one stunning shade to another. Remember to prioritize the health of your hair throughout the process and embrace the journey of discovering your new, vibrant self. Now, go ahead and embrace the rainbow of possibilities that await you! Happy coloring!

Welcome to our ultimate hair hacks blog, where we unlock the secrets to achieving gorgeous, luscious locks with as little effort as possible. If you’re looking for quick and easy changes you can make to your hair routine to achieve better hair results than you’ve landed in the right spot. Check out these insider tips for transforming your precious locks.

Diet and Nutrition for Healthy Hair

Your diet can play a significant role in your hair health. Proper nutrition can vastly impact how healthy your hair looks and its potential for growth. Hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin. Consuming an adequate amount of protein in your diet is essential for promoting hair growth and strength. Good sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

@hairbygemm_a 

Scalp Care

Proper scalp care can be very important to achieving a healthy hair journey. Something so simple like gently massaging your scalp during shampooing or applying oil stimulates blood circulation, promotes hair growth, and helps distribute natural oils. You also want to try and be as gentle as possible when brushing your hair. Pulling and tugging can damage your scalp, and also cause breakage. Remember everyones scalp is different so it might take some trial and error to find what works for you. 

Heat Styling Tips

One thing for sure is you want to try and avoid heat. When styling your hair you want to start with the lowest heat setting that can achieve your desired hair results. Lower temperatures reduce the risk of damage. Another hair hack when using hot tools is choosing to style with ceramic or tourmaline hot tools. These materials generate negative ions which help seal hair cuticles. This means shinier, smoother, and less frizzy tresses. 

@iridescentsoulx

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

Avoiding harsh chemicals on your hair is a great way to keep your hair looking its best. It can get difficult to do this if you’re the type to switch up your color often. It’s good to opt for semi-permanent hair dyes like Arctic Fox Hair Color Dyes, because they are less damaging to the hair. Unlike permanent hair dyes, semi-permanent hair dyes do not penetrate the shaft. 

Let us know which of these you’ll be incorporating into your hair routine! We can’t wait to see you achieve the hair of your dreams.

Summer’s in full swing, Fox, and while we know you love to rock your colored hair, we also know you love pool days just as much. I mean, who can say no to a cool dip on a steamy day? So here we are with the FULL pool day hair care routine that you absolutely cannot skip before you take that dip. 

The obvious culprit to dry, brittle hair and fading color is….. you guessed it…. Chlorine. Salt water can also damage your hair by stripping it of color and leaving it dull and dry. Not all hope is lost for our bright and bold babes! Giving your hair as many layers of protection as possible between those precious strands and salt or pool water, will help you maintain soft, healthy hair and vibrant color. 

We’ve got the FULL lineup, so let’s dive right in! 

1. Beat it to the plunge

Before you take that cannonball into the pool, wet your hair thoroughly with cold water. This will keep your hair from absorbing more pool or sea water than it should and give it that extra layer of protection. As soon as you get out of the pool, rinse out your hair again to prevent chlorine from sitting too long on those strands. If you’re spending all day in the sun, make sure to wet your hair in between tanning sessions to avoid having your hair dry out. Rinse, dip, repeat - as many times as it takes! 😎💦🌞

2. Lather up

No, we’re not talking about shampoo or conditioner. If you’re looking for that extra step to really protect your locks, opt for a hair mask, (hey, Pool Party!) to lather up your hair and give it even more love and protection before ducking underwater. Did we mention she smells absolutely AH-mazing?! She’s also packed with antioxidants, omegas, and natural oils to really get in there and moisturize every stand. Yeah, this is DEFINITELY a party you wanna RSVP to! 

3. Don’t forget the SPF!

Yes, babe, your hair needs it just as much as your skin. Intense sun rays can dry out your hair and lead to just as much damage as heat tools. Spritz on a GENEROUS amount of our OG Hair Perfume and UV Protectant to fend off the summer rays before and after you take a dip. Plus, your hair will smell sooo GRAPE!

4. Put your hair up 

A simple but super effective remedy for minimizing every strand getting coated with Chlorine or salt water, is to put up your hair in a bun or braids before you go for a swim. This protects your strands from being totally soaked while you’re having fun in the sun and also gives you the chance to try a new super-cute ‘do! We love a simple remedy.

5. Hit the showers

Don’t skip the post-swim shower! The sooner you can hop in the shower after your swim and wash out all the chemicals or salt water from your hair, the more your strands will thank you, and the better chance you have at keeping your color. Opt for our color-safe and sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner and resurrect your strands with a formula that’s just sooo hydrating. Washing your hair thoroughly right away will minimize damage and make sure that chemicals and salt water don’t totally soak through your hair. As a bonus step, finish with another mask of Pool Party for a post-pool day hair treatment!

6. Refresh, anyone?

My favorite AF tip is to keep an extra bottle of dye on hand to add into your conditioner whenever you’re feelin’ like you could use a touch up. If your hair is looking a little dull after your fifth pool day this week, add in a few drops of your current color when you’re conditioning your hair for a quick refresh. With this trick, you can keep that stunning color all summer long!