Here's Everything You Should Consider Before Dyeing Your Hair Pink
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All throughout quarantine, celebrities and regular degular people alike were getting creative with their hair color, especially when it came to experimenting with pink.
Stars like Kaia Gerber, Kate Hudson, Dua Lipa, Nina Dobrev, and Elle Fanning all embraced one of the biggest trends of quarantine - besides whipped coffee, tie-dye sweats, and banana bread.
So now as we emerge from lockdown after a year and a half to re-opening restaurants, bars, sporting events, and parties, why not keep the trend going? Besides, it's (s)hot girl summer, so you might as pull out all the stops to make a grand re-entrance into society.
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But if you're going to take the pink plunge, there are a few things you should know and consider beforehand. Having pink hair isn't always a journey seen through rose-tinted glasses. If you factor in the upkeep and damage that the process can do to your strands, it can be pretty intimidating to make the commitment. Still, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, just maybe take the look for a test drive first.
Ahead, we share everything you should consider prior to going full-on pink post-Covid.
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Depending on Your Natural Hair Color, Be Realistic
Getting pink hair is slightly more complicated if you aren't starting with a light base. Those with blonde strands have it easy and can dye their hair pink in one sitting (maybe even from home), but for natural brunettes, the process is a lot more intense and requires professional help. New York City-based hair colorist Chezney Schulz from Cutler Salon says if you don't have blonde hair, it's probably going to require some bleaching, but it all depends on the pink you're going for.
"If you are wanting to be a pastel pink you will need to get your hair to the lightest blonde possible otherwise the pale pink will turn out a dingy orange-ish color," says Schulz. "For a hot pink you still need to bleach the hair but it isn't necessary to get it as light."
If you're starting with a dark base, find a salon that specializes in color, as the natural pigment in your hair must be completely bleached and stripped before the pink dye is applied. Salons that put an emphasis on creative color, in particular, should be able to correctly lift your natural tone with minimal damage.
Be Prepared For the Process
Because a colorist may need to completely strip your hair of pigment, it can be a pretty drying and taxing process on your hair. If you're naturally light, Schulz says you can probably have this service done in one session in the chair. But if your color requires going from dark to light, it may take a few visits to the salon.
Schulz adds that while the best results come from a salon, if you already have blonde hair, you can get experimental at home. She recommends Manic Panic ($14; amazon.com) or Arctic Fox ($17; ulta.com) for at-home dye kits.
Keep Your Undertones in Mind
The warm flamingo hue you saw on Instagram may be less flattering IRL if you have a cooler complexion. And just as you would determine a natural-looking hair color based off of your cool or warm undertones, picking a pink shade should follow the same format. Those with warm skin tones should choose warm pinks with hints of orange or yellow, whereas cool skin is flattered by equally-cool fuchsia and magenta hues that have a violet or blue base.
Schulz also recommends aiming for a darker pink if you already have dark strands, whereas blondes should aim for a pastel. These respective colors will probably be the most complimentary.
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Understand the Upkeep of Having Pink Hair
Unfortunately, pink hair fades fast, so you're going to need to stay on top of the upkeep. Schulz recommends having at-home products that can keep the color looking fresh. She recommends the Viral Color-Intense Conditioner ($40; amazon.com), which will refresh and moisturize your hair while maintaining the color. You'll also want to remove any conditioners or shampoos that contain sulfates from your routine, as they could strip the color.
Schulz recommends trying a weekly hair mask, as well, like the Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask ($28; sephora.com) to prevent dryness. She also says to be prepared to be at the salon more than usual. "Pink is a high maintenance color, you will probably be making more frequent trips to the salon to keep the pink looking the best," she tells us.
VIDEO: Cost of Getting Your Hair Dyed
Think About Whether or Not Pink Hair Will Blend In With Your Work Environment
During quarantine, we didn't really need to worry about this, aside from the occasional Zoom meeting. Now as we are beginning to head back into the office, it's definitely something to think about. In a creative environment, working a bold carnation color is nothing out of the ordinary, but if your office is more corporate, consider going for a more subtle effect to prevent breaking any dress codes put in place by HR. In a buttoned-up work environment, a soft rose gold ombré, or even a temporary stripe of pink aptly-situated in your top knot just might fly.
