| They also sent a handy mixing guide which shows which shades you can blend to get different colours.
Previously my routine had consisted of twisting and manually blending the pink into different shades like in the video I did on it. Works like a charm as long as you have a very forgiving colour. When I switched to Paintbox it became harder to do because the dye is a different consistency and stains the second you get it on the hair. I found I had to dilute it with conditioner to make it easier to work with for the gradient. Still worked very well but because Pretty Flamingo was such a bright colour, making the fade effect was a bit more effort than I was used to from the others.
So I was interested to see the different in using “Whiter Shade of Pale” than conditioner for diluting, I’m not really sure what I was expecting but it worked really well and made it a lot easier to blend the 3 colours together as well as move them around on the hair while controlling how much stain actually went on. I would definitely repurchase it because I found it better than conditioner. That said, if I didn’t have the money or I ran out and desperately needed to do my hair I would still use conditioner as a stop gap solution because the dye goes on so much better than by itself.
Lasting power is longer than the Wakk Stain too. Previously if I was washing my hair every 3 days the dye would have noticeably faded within 7-10 days. Now it lasts 2-3 weeks before I feel I need to redo it, it also fades to nicer pastels so I could easily leave it longer and still like the colours.
Affordability-wise the tubes are around $14 from Priceline and considering how much I dilute them to get the pastel effect they last forever. Even when I was using just one colour, and with my gigantic amount of hair, a tube would last me around 4 months+ so I think it’s reasonable.
So more importantly, how did I mix up the colours together? I wanted to do my same gradient but just give it a bit more depth so I basically touched up the orange at the bottom and used the Pink Moon so smooth the lines of the gradient. This was the colour order:
And crappily Photoshop blended so you get the general idea:
I won’t be taking you into the shower with me so here’s a step by step example using a hair extension ;)
Squeeze some of each of the colours and some of the mixer on to a plate. I just use my hand when I’m in the shower.
Wet and brush through the hair so there are no tangles.
Mix the orange into a pastel tone, it should be bright but not too bright, I used 1/3rd dye to 2/3rds mixer. Apply the orange to the bottom.
Mix the Pretty Flamingo with mixer, it’s already really bright so 1/5th dye to mixer. Blend it into the orange really well with your fingers and continue upwards. These extensions aren’t my colour so it all looks a bit dark but you can get the idea!
Repeat with the Pink Moon but because this is a fairly pastel colour use 1/3rd dye to mixer. Apply and then do the section about it diluting the pink a bit more. Mix it all in with your fingers so there are no harsh edges and then wash out.
So you should have a nice smooth gradient like this. Of course these extensions are synthetic so the dye just washes off but in real hair it looks much better! Speaking of dying synthetic extensions, tomorrow’s post is how I actually coloured these ones permanently ^_^
And here’s the end result on real hair…
So overall, the stand out colour for me was Pink Moon, it’s a much bluer pink and so when it’s diluted it gives the most beautiful colours. I didn’t fall in love with Gold Finger but that was just personal colour preference. I’ve decided going forward that I want to keep a small amount of orange at the tips but mostly concentrate on the pastel of Pink Moon and use Pretty Flamingo to deepen the shade and give definition to the bottom half. So I would definitely continue purchasing Paintbox colours, yay for finding a good replacement!
That said, everyone and their dog has pink hair these days so maybe I’ll do something completely normal and go dark brown or something ;)
Actually what I *really* want to do once in my life is dye my fringe into a pastel rainbow! That’s something I’m a bit too scared to attempt myself though so I’m waiting until I can actually afford to go to a salon. Sometimes I think it would be totally nice to actually go to a salon for everything and have a whole pampering make over XD Do you guys cut/dye your own hair too or do you get yours done at a salon? |
I love Fudge Paintbox! I use it every time I dye my hair red. My colour of choice is Cherry Bomb and I also used a pink one years ago; maybe it was Pink Flamingo too. I love them because the colour lasts so much longer
Me too, it’s so much less hassle to only need to touch up every now and then!
i’ve dyed my own hair for years but there is no way i’d ever trust myself with cutting my own hair.
i go to a salon around once every 3 months and also get free bang trims whenever i need them. so it’s not too bad for $35 (usd).
Waaa only $35?! That’s so cheap! I had a really bad experience so I’m too scared to go back *_*
Yeah I don’t care for the orange shade either, but the others are lovely.
I’m a big pink fan!
I never dye my own hair. I have done the ends pink myself but that’s only cause I know it washes out so quickly. But I always go to my hairdresser. She has her own mini salon at home and she’s really affordable :) Been going to her for 9 years now. She has used paintbox in my hair before. But my hair does not take to color very well so it washes out very quickly.
That’s so cool that you’ve known her for so long! It’s really nice when you can develop a relationship with people too so they know what you like!
That color gradient is beautiful! :O The way the orange came out sort of peachy-like is a nice touch~.
My hair is brown, and I used to have pink and blonde mixed into my fringe — I’ve really missed it, and I’ll hopefully be putting some pastel colors back into my fringe again now that I’ve got a job that’ll allow it~.
Having pink and blonde in your fringe sounds adorable!
You are going to hate me but my best friend is a hairdresser.
However, as she does my hair, at home, over cake, I do ask her what she is doing and why and all of that because I want to understand the process. 7 years
I have a pink clip in section for my hair in the pink moon. I agree it’s such a nice soft colour. I have also used the pretty flamingo 7 years ago in my hair. I don’t even know if i still have pictures of it!
I am a big fan of Fudge Paintbox though. Wonderful colours. A bit sad for the colours they discontinued :(
D: D: D: *JEALOUS* I want caaaake!
I miss having pink in my hair, but its a lot harder when you have to go to work with a strict dress code.
Also, I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I don’t think some of the pictures are the right ones…
You could always wear a wig to work and dye your hair whatever color you want. ^-^ That’s what I’m working on now…test driving the wigs at work to see what people think, then I’ll dye my hair whatever color I want!
Oh no which photos are wrong? I can’t see any but my computer’s been doing funny things lately. I completely agree work dress codes can be so frustrating!
Wow, your hair looks gorgeous! Keen to try Paintbox myself now; my hairdresser didn’t have any true pink colours, just a hot pinky/red which was nice but disappointing. Excited to try the pale pink from Fudge and show my hairdresser! :)
Let me know how it goes, I’m definitely a big fan now!
I wish my husband would let me dye my hair! He says I’m not allowed to because I’ll never get my natural colour back if I do. And apparently it’s a very nice colour. (It’s kind of strawberry blonde / blonde with natural red and ginger highlights)
I quite like the orange! It’s a lovely pastel peach <3 I would be sad if you stopped doing your hair pink, it suits you so well!
You hubby’s silly! Your natural color would come back when your hair grew out. ^-^
That sounds like a lovely colour! Don’t worry I think I’ll be pink for a while to come ^_^ I’m sure it won’t be popular for much longer haha!
your hair is so magical~ i swear it’s a piece of fallen rainbow~
Heehee you are just the cutest!
Pink Moon is the same shade i use to get my pink streak! I don’t dilute it at all though, because I like the colour to be super bright. I’m thrilled with the Paint Box dyes too. The colour lasts for ages and is really easy to use.
I’m loving your new gradient too, it looks awesome.
:D Thanks Ness! I think the bright suits you more than me!
I’ve had bright coloured hair for the past 8 years, every colour under the rainbow, but i’ve just taken the plunge to brown hair, dip dyed blue. I just couldn’t afford the upkeep, but oh how I miss it! I love the colours you used, i’ve had a similar gradient myself but with the full colour, not diluted, but I love how it turned out!
I’m always jealous of your awesome hair, you have such beautiful colours!
I do my own hair for coloring but go in to get it cut. I don’t get it cut very often, so when I get it cut it’s usually a pretty dramatic length change. It’s around $13 US for a haircut where I usually go. I also keep my hair pretty short, so I don’t wanna do it myself and mess it up… ^_^;; Though I’m thinking about growing it out…
I currently have my hair light brown on top and bleached on the bottom. I wanna put some green in my hair. ^-^ I also cut and dye my friends’ hair…I did a cut for one over the weekend, a bang cut for another over the weekend, and a dye for another friend the weekend before that (and I’m also gonna cut her bangs, but we forgot last weekend…lol). I’m just the go-to person for that kind of stuff…
D: $13?! Gosh that’s so cheap compared to here! Green is a beautiful colour, I bet it will look wonderful on you!
I’ve been using various dyes for about 7 years now and I’ve found the best are Fudge Paintbox and Manic Panic Amplified dyes =] a few little things I’ve found to make colour go on better and last longer in my hair is to apply the dye to towel dried hair that has been freshly shampooed but not conditioned, conditioner seals the hair and usually doesn’t let the dye penetrate the hair properly.
Having damp hair makes it slightly easier to blend and if the dyes are too thick I usually dilute with either Whiter Shade of Pale or just a small amount of water ^_^
You do an amazing job with your hair and I love how it’s turned out with your new dyes =D
I’ve been meaning to try Manic Panic as well ^_^ I do mine in the shower with wet hair to keep it nice and easy to move around and remove mistakes. Thank you for the tips!
I’ve only been to a salon once, to rectify a terrible mistake involving henna and bleach >.< Other than that one horrific incident, I've always felt confident cutting and dyeing my own hair, so I've always done it myself and saved the money I would have spent in a salon for things I can't make myself-like shoes! My hair is really low maintenance though, natural colour now and just a trim/few layers every 6 weeks. I love your hair though, and I'm so impressed you do it yourself! It looks gorgeous.
Ooo henna and bleach?! That sounds not good! I had a couple of hideous salon experiences so I do the same things and save the money for things like shoes :D
I love the paint box too. I have used the pretty flamigo but Purple Haze is my favourite!
I haven’t tried Purple Haze, I’m adding it to my list for next time, I think purple mixed with the pink would be too cute!
I have my hair two-toned and I’ve gotten it done and retouched at my old beauty school. One side it my natural dark brown color and the other side is bleached, so I only have to retouch the bleached side.
I love two toned hair so much! And very cool that you only have to redo one side!
I’m very very over-protective about my hair and have only seen one stylist for my entire life. There are only so many things I trust to do myself, color from a box or bottle and now I can cut my own bangs since I live on the other side of the country. XD I won’t have anyone else cut my hair, and I always have her professionally bleach it when I’m ready to do something crazy. Since i keep my hair so long anyway, I only really need it trimmed up every so often because I do try to take care of it. I go back East at least once a year so I just get my hair done then.
When I do something for the first time, or if I want something a bit more complicated, like when I had two-toned hair with blonde on top and blue underneath I have her do it first and then usually I can keep up the color at home. It’s just so nice to have a professional to do it right the first time and know that you’re going to get great, knowledgeable advice.
I plan on writing up about my current color after Halloween!
Wow only one stylist your whole life?! That’s so cool! I wish I knew someone that good! I can’t wait to read up about your hair, I always love your posts!
I absolutely adore your hair! The colors are so unusual but they look perfectly natural on you! <3 I'm trying to get my natural blonde back right now and seeing how lovely your hair is I might play around with some pastels.
Thank you so much! I say go for it, pastels are easy to get rid of if you don’t like them anyway :D
I think you should try some Turquoise hairdye, I think it would fit so perfectly your skintone! <3
I would love to! I used to have a bluish green but the maintenance was so hard that I gave up XD
Big fan of the orange! Want to go vivid orange all over, but I fear I wash my hair too much and it wouldn’t be worth it. Ginger FTW! Lovely as ever Violet.
Yay ginger!! Thanks Emily!
I’m really intrigued by the color Pink Moon, I’d be interested to see if it fades less peachy and more pure pink (though I am learning to love the peachiness…)It seems a very pretty, delicate color. Though it’s a pretty price point up from Manic Panic or SFX – Amazon has it for $21 a bottle! (Though checking eBay I found it for $11 which is comparable to what I use now.)
Anyway great article, love the photos, and your hair is just lovely :)
After sing for quite a while I can say it does fade to a more pure pink rather than the peachiness. The Pink Flamingo goes to the peachy but the Pink Moon is much more pure. I can’t believe how cheap Manic Panic is over there *_* Over here I get this for around $15ish and it’s the cheapest on the market where as Manic Panic is imported for around $25-30+. Argh price differences! Thank you so much btw, you know I’m always in love with your hair too!
Wow your Manic Panic is $30?! It’s easy for me to swing by the mall and get it so that’s mostly what I own. And I thought the price had gone up recently it being $13 instead of $11!
Thanks for the mutual hair love :) I had a bit of a lavender mishap you can see on my twitter (@victoriasuzanne) it came out kind of cool!
That’s the main downfall of Australia: every is expensive here. Every time I see US prices I silently weep because our dollar is stronger than the US now but everything here is still twice as expensive XD I just saw your twitter, it looks AWESOME!!