Pastel hair colour has been a fun favourite for a few years now, and it’s safe to say that rainbow hair isn’t going away anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t variations on this pretty theme. To the untrained eye, pink hair is pink hair, but anyone who has dyed their hair knows that there are always subtle ways to switch up your colour. One look that we’re loving right now? Faded pastel, where the end result is more of a wash of colour rather than a fully saturated pastel.
HOW TO GET A FADED-PASTEL HAIR COLOUR
From a hint of blush to a whisper of icy blue, there are a range of faded-pastel hair shades to choose from. Start by considering one that will match your skin tone, or just choose whatever strikes your mood.
Once you’ve chosen your hue, you’ll need to consider your base. To get the best version of a faded pastel, you’ll want to start with a light-blond base. This is the ideal canvas for your faded pastel, so you may have to take a step back and lighten your hair before adding any pastel-pink hair dye, for example. If you have dark-brown or black hair, faded-pastel hair dye will be very subtle or might not show up at all.
One bonus of dyeing your hair in faded pastel is that it’s a bit less of a commitment than, say, going neon green. This type of colour can be as subtle as you’d like, meaning that the products you use can be gentler, like a semi-permanent hair dye. Our top pick for faded-pastel hair right now is L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Colour in Soft Pink. This faded-pastel pink is not only the colour of your dreams but it also comes in a semi-permanent formula, which is ideal for the faded-pastel trend. More on that below.
WHAT IS SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOUR?
Semi-permanent hair colour is exactly what it sounds like: hair colour with a shorter life expectancy than permanent dye, meaning it’s also a gentler option. This is a type of ammonia-free hair colour, which means it doesn’t need to be developed or premixed so you apply it directly to your hair in one easy step. Because of this, it’s way easier and faster to apply on your own, leaving you with more time to experiment with different faded-pastel shades.
But how long does semi-permanent hair colour last? This type of hair colouring option will usually last for about five to fifteen shampoos and is best maintained with a shampoo and conditioner that are formulated for colour-treated hair, which means that your faded pastel is a perfect hair colour fling.
GET FADED-PASTEL HAIR WITH SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOUR
Our best semi-permanent hair dye comes with everything you need to try out the faded-pastel hair trend for yourself, including a tube of colour, a brush and, most importantly, the instructions. To get the best results from your kit, be sure to follow the instructions, and don’t forget to do a patch test before each use.
Start by washing, conditioning and then drying your hair fully. You can use a blow-dryer or let your hair air-dry, whichever you prefer. Next, apply the semi-permanent hair colour to the desired areas. The faded-pastel look is meant to be subtle, so you can decide if you want to apply the colour all over or choose different highlights or areas, like the underside of the hair for a peekaboo effect. After leaving the dye on your hair for the recommended amount of time, simply rinse, style and voilà! Your faded pastel is in full effect.
