Pick your pastel
Deciding on a shade is the first step toward joining the pastel hair colour club. As with any traditional hair colour, you’ll want a tone that acts as the ultimate beauty accent and makes skin appear radiant. To find a shade that will flatter your skin tone, it helps to take your undertones into account. If your skin has naturally pink undertones, or any redness, then you’ll want a cool shade. Soft blue or aqua, dreamy violet and mint green are ideal options. If your skin has cool undertones, you can consider L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Colour in Soft Pink, or peach, to deliver a warm halo of complementary colour. The semi-permanent formula is designed to last between five and 15 shampoos and best suited for those with blond or lighter coloured hair. If you have brunette or black hair, it’s easy to give pastel hair colour a try with L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary Hair Colour. Spray it on for one day of colour and then wash it out with shampoo.
Choose your technique
Besides choosing a pastel hair colour, you’ll also have to decide what final results you want. There are a few different application techniques that can help customize the look of pastel hair colour. If you’re looking for a subtle way to weave pastel hues into your hair, consider using them as highlights, adding colour only to strands that frame your face and on specific sections in the top layers of your hair. You can also apply the dye just to the ends for a reverse-ombré effect. Want to create a true statement look? Apply the semi-permanent cream formula from roots to tips all over your head for full colour coverage.
Do a warm-up
With a hair colour confirmed and an application method in mind, you’re ready to start colouring—but is your hair? Getting it healthy before you begin will go a long way toward maximizing the gorgeous results after the dye process is complete. The most effective move is to visit the salon. Have them eliminate any frayed or split ends with a basic trim to help the pastel look polished. Or, if you’re up for a total transformation, consider a dramatic chop. When the clean lines of a classic bob meet an unconventional shade, like pink, the effect is show-stopping. Once you say goodbye to dead ends, follow up with a deep conditioning treatment a few days before colouring to infuse hair with an extra dose of hydration. Try L’Oréal Paris Extraordinary Oil Nourishing Mask. Leave the formula on freshly washed hair for three to five minutes to restore strength and brilliance.
Practise aftercare
Besides delivering beautiful pastel colours, the best thing about L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Colour is that the formula is a low-commitment option. No matter what shade you choose, it will fade over the course of five to 15 shampoos. Still, a few adjustments to your haircare routine will help your colour look its best during that time. Start by using shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for colour-treated hair like L’Oréal Paris Color Radiance Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Color Radiance Conditioner. This duo is designed to give colour-treated hair everything it needs (such as protective UV filters) while leaving out ingredients that can be too harsh. For extra nourishment, have the hair mask you used before colouring make return appearances once a week. Adding dry shampoo to your product lineup is another smart way to protect colour vibrancy and extend the presence of pastel. Use it as a water-free way to absorb oils on the scalp during the days between washes or as a refreshing boost before a night out or after a workout. As for styling, if you can air-dry, your new hair colour will thank you. If you’re an avid fan of the blow-dryer, now is also the time to lower the temperature and prioritize heat protection. All heated tools can make it easy for hair colour to withdraw from the hair cuticle, reducing intensity. Using L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Blowdry Heat Protective Primer before flipping the “on” switch will help preserve and prolong your pastel.
