How to Maintain Pastel Hair | Beauty

This was an article I wrote that was featured in What's Happening Magazine, issue 84. 

Link Here: http://whmuk.com/issue-84/ 

The new trend for this year, which I am sure it will continue for quite a long time over the summer period, is pastel coloured hair. Celebrities such as Ke$ha, Demi Lovato and Kelly Osbourne have been rocking the pastel chic and styling it in a variety of ways. In this how to, we will show you how to create and maintain pastel hair from home, plus some easy tips on how to keep your hair to its natural, healthy state.

What you need:

• Choice of colour (Directions La Riche dye can pick up for roughly £4 in Purple Heart or on various shops online)
• Conditioner (cheap brand will do)
• A mixing bowl/ jug
• Mixing brush / ruler
• Gloves
• Pro v Silver shampoo / conditioner (optional)
• Argan Oil Shampoo/ conditioner (optional)

1. You need to have very close to white hair or even a very pale yellow. Pastel colours will not stick to ordinary blonde/ bleach blonde hair so the less yellow tones the better. To get to this stage we suggest ‘Directions Silver Toner’. I would suggest leaving it on for a maximum of 20-30 minutes. 

Direction’s is an amazing hair dye substitute as it doesn’t as such dye the hair, only stain it. The great thing about using the silver toner is it will narrow out all of the yellow tones and replace them with silver/ grey which makes it easier for pastel tones to stick.

A tip for anyone who hasn’t discovered using Directions Silver Toner, the longer you let it develop the purpler the silver becomes.

2. You now need to mix the colorant. Pour in some conditioner straight from the bottle into the mixing bowl, the amount will vary depending on the thickness and length of your hair. Then apply a small amount of coloured dye of your choice to the mixture, using a mixing brush or a ruler mix the dilution. We recommend using Directions La Riche again as it is affordable and reliable. Keep adding more dye until it has become a colour of your preference.  

Remember: The colour will appear darker than the outcome of the final product, so try and make sure your mixture is a couple of shades darker than you would actually intend.

3.    Now to apply the dye. Then leave the dye on for the appropriate length of time (Usually 30 minutes, but can be left on for however long needed).

4.    If you are dying all of your hair, I suggest sectioning off your hair to make it easier for the dye to be applied.

TIP: If there is too much left over, you can quite simply store the rest in an old shampoo or conditioner bottle and then use to reapply the dye for touch ups as pastel hair is easy to fade. 

Try using Pro V silver toner shampoo/ conditioner (sold in various Health & Beauty shops, inc. Superdrug). This shampoo helps to uphold the silver hair you would achieve in the first process.

We would also recommend using Argan oil shampoo/ conditioner about once a week, it keeps your hair balanced with its natural oils that you lose by dying and washing your hair, allowing it to stay      naturally strong and thick. 

5. Now wash the colour out and style as normal. Try not to wash your hair in hot water for too long, when almost done rinsing; apply some cold water to your hair.

  

If it comes to it, an excellent product is Lee Stafford’s hair growth treatment. He also sells an assortment of hair treatments for all kinds of hair. Your hair may feel and possibly look horrible, but that’s what dry shampoo is for. Plus, there are many ways of maintaining styles with greasy hair; such as a messy bun.

6.  If you have more of a natural toned hair, such as browns or darker shades of blonde and don’t want to go through processes of bleaching there are some alternatives to getting the pastel shade you want. Pastel chalks and sprays are available to buy in various beauty stores e.g. The Body Shop.

This is my take on pastel colours, diluted to my preference. I also continue using pro v touch of silver shampoo for my purple hair and it works wonders at preserving colour, alongside keeping my hair healthy. I have very unhealthy hair and since using these products my hair has been in very good condition