Pastel hair colors are gentle, muted shades that add a significantly more vibrant dimension to tresses. With a wide range of pastels, it’s adaptable to create both edgy and romantic styles.
April Gent is a salon co-owner based in Tallahassee, FL, skilled in balayage and vivid shades. According to her, achieving a pastel hair color requires dedication.
“First off, we need to lighten your hair to a very light blonde, which necessitates considerable maintenance. This includes 4-8 weeks of root touch-ups and treatments to avoid damage and unwanted fading,” Gent explains.
Wash hair in cold water and opt for sulfate-free or cruelty-free products for at-home care. Avoid heat styling to help prolong the pastel hair dye.
Gent recommends the products from Amika, particularly The Kure, which is a damage control line.
She cautions against using drugstore shampoos. “These inexpensive products over-cleanse the hair. They also leave a waxy build-up that makes it more challenging to lighten the strands later,” Gent highlights.
Always rely on the salon-quality products that your stylist advises.
For those with dark hair, it’s essential to choose a darker color first before achieving a pastel shade. Gent’s advice is to “be open to new ideas and trust your stylist.”
To avoid surprises, schedule a consultation day. Ask your stylist how attainable your goals are and what the process and upkeep will cost.
Unsure whether to opt for a solid shade or multi-tonal hair? Here are photos of the most sought-after pastel hair colors to help you decide!
Iridescent Holographic Hair
Iridescent colored hair will create the effect of light reflection in the hair. This bubble technique makes the hair look like a bubble reflecting sunlight.
Soft Violet and Deep Burgundy Mane
Soft purple is available in various tones. The stacked bob complemented this burgundy tone. Achieve a trendy and edgy look by transforming your dark hair color into pastel.
Soft Pastel Rainbow and Baby Blonde
You can’t go wrong with a soft pastel rainbow hair color if you want to add a touch of color to your mid-length wavy locks. This hair color is perfect for those who want to experiment with multiple fun colors. It will give you an instant pop of trendy, unique, and cheerful color. It works best for those with lighter skin, as the pastel shades can sometimes wash out darker skin tones. To ensure the color holds up well, use a sulfate-free shampoo to keep your hair color vibrant and bright.
Ombre Hair in Soft Pastel Blue
Soft pastel blue ombre hair is ideal for those who enjoy a blend of blonde and blue. To achieve this style, request a bold highlight from your colorist. Finish with silver roots that transition into a gentle pastel blue at the tips.
Soft Lavender
Ube-infused fantasies in gentle shades are heading your way! A light and muted lilac tone, as crafted by colorist Dana, has beautifully washed over the curly soft lavender locks of this lovely lady.
Soft Orange and Yellow Hues
If you desire a more vibrant hair pattern, you can opt for a dimensional pastel look. Your stylist will select 2-3 different pastel shades that complement each other beautifully. If you want a money piece, ask them to highlight the brightest color along your hair that frames your face.
Pastel Grey Hair Shade
A cool, ashy vanilla pastel tone is just what your hair craves! Consider this shade for your medium-length hair for an amazing transformation.
Soft Pastel Pink
Indulge in the sweetness of this carnival-inspired pastel pink hue. Combine it with a trendy wavy cut for an effortlessly chic look. Shades like this are ideal for warm summer days!
Soft Ash Lavender Tresses
Infuse your fine hair with charm through a delightful hue of soft ash lavender. Keep in mind, to achieve this color, you need to first lighten your hair to a light blonde. This process can be quite demanding and potentially harmful. Having a hair repair mask in your routine is advisable, such as Olaplex #8.
Soft Barbie Pink Tresses
If you’re in the mood for an eye-catching hair color, think about trying a soft pink Barbie tone. Pastel hues are ideal for blondes wishing to delicately enhance their hair’s vibrancy.
Soft Platinum White Pastel Hair Hue
Achieve a soft platinum white pastel hair hue with a hint of pastel lilac at the roots. This look complements women with warm skin undertones and was skillfully crafted by hairstylist Jaimie Brown of Marietta, OH.
For pastel-inspired hair color inspirations, Brown advises starting with a natural level 7 hair or higher. Additionally, consider maintenance as an important factor. Touch-ups will be necessary every 5 weeks.
“Request your colorist to provide you with a purple shampoo (Pulp Riot Barcelona) for at-home upkeep,” she recommends. “Furthermore, incorporate an at-home conditioning treatment and oil with a heat protectant into your routine once a week.”
Vibrant Pink Pastel Locks
Vibrant pink pastel locks are ideal for women looking to refresh their blonde and introduce some temporary color. This soft shade typically fades back to a light blonde swiftly. Consult your colorist for a full blonde base with a pastel pink finish to achieve this effect.
Vibrant Short Pastel Hair
This cheerful, creative, and whimsical pastel rainbow hair color was crafted by stylist Shannon Diamond of Scotland.
If you’re considering fashion colors like these, Diamond emphasizes the importance of their maintenance and practicality. She notes, “This image was taken four weeks post-application, and all tones used have gracefully transitioned into lighter shades of what they initially were.”
Products such as Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner or Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner are essential for maintaining this pastel shade’s vibrancy.
Rainbow Unicorn Hair
This rainbow unicorn hair was created with Mydentity hair dye and its bonding sidekick, Olaplex! While this dreamy hairstyle is achievable using other brands, they were the foundation of this look. Ask your colorist to use the diagonal parting technique because it makes the color look different no matter where you choose to part it. Likewise, if parted down the center, it makes a ribbon effect. If you choose to part your hair on the side, it will take on a more dramatic peekaboo effect.
Pastel balayage will require toners, treatments, glazes, or full colors before the fun shades are even applied. Dark hair starting levels will take longer, requiring more steps to achieve pastels than naturally lighter hair. Also, each visit will take 5-7 hours to create the unicorn tears magic. Furthermore, pastels are a delicate color in any color line. They all tend to fade fast. So, if this is the rainbow unicorn hair of your dreams, it’s considered a high-maintenance color and will require regular maintenance to sustain the pastel hues.
Gorgeous Pastel Rainbow Hairstyles
If you’re looking for a vibrant change, think about dyeing your hair in soft pastel shades or a beautiful rainbow blend. These hair color styles are created by arranging contrasting shades next to each other to produce a luminous, eye-catching effect. For a sleek finish, I recommend applying a high-shine spray.
Soft Rose Gold Pastel
Soft rose gold pastel is a versatile hair hue that enhances neutral and warmer skin tones. Individuals with deeper shades of hair color should be pre-lightened to reveal it at its most vibrant shade. To maintain this color, find a rose gold color conditioner.
Vibrant Orange Pastel
This pastel hair features a blend of peach, apricot, and all the delightful things you can imagine! Soft ginger shades are the next big trend in this industry.
Soft Pink to White Reverse Ombre
Add a gentle touch of femininity to your short hair and bangs at your next appointment. Consider a pastel pink-to-white reverse ombre to enhance that softness. The pale pink and bright white blend transitions beautifully. It leaves your hair looking soft and radiant. This hair color is ideal for those with cool skin tones. It will help give a pop of color to your look without being overly dramatic or bold. For best results, it’s recommended to seek out a skilled professional. They will be proficient in softer, more delicate hair dye techniques.
Whimsical Pastel Cotton Candy Hair
If you adore vibrant hues, inquire about whimsical pastel cotton candy hair. This fun style is ideal for anyone looking to make a statement with their hair color.
Soft Light Pink Pastel Hair
That soft pastel pink came with a warning: get noticed everywhere you go with plush, light pink hair and pastel highlights. This trend is an incredible upgrade for anyone’s natural hair color.
Soft Pastel Violet Hair
If you’re in search of a gentle and charming hair color, consider trying soft pastel violet. This pastel violet shade is a lovely mix of pale lavender and dusty purple tones, creating a dreamy and ethereal look. Soft pastel violet complements a range of skin tones, from light to medium, and adds a touch of romance and femininity to your overall appearance. To achieve this color, it’s best for you to consult with your colorist for the best custom mix of violet and pastel tones that suit your hair. To maintain the beautiful pastel violet tone, seek a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner in a similar shade.
Soft Silver Pastel Hair
Soft silver hair is delicate and easy to enhance your look. It’s almost monochromatic with a hint of shine.
Blended Pastel Pink and Blue Shades
If you’re seeking a fashionable way to showcase your pastel hues, consider requesting a color block for your frontal area. Enhance it with a color melt throughout the rest of your hair. A color melt creates a seamless blend of two colors at their junction. A color block around your face is ideal for highlighting a color and offering the look of a money piece.
Pale Coral
Pale coral is the ideal peachy gradient. To achieve this style, request your colorist to lighten your hair entirely with a pale coral overlay.
Pale Lavender Tresses
Soft ashy hair colors are trending right now. Tones like this pair beautifully with fair and light skin. Embrace the pastel revolution and experiment with this ash lilac shade that you’ll absolutely love!
Soft Mint Hair Color
Indeed, pastel shades bring a sense of calm and vibrancy! Embrace your inner pixie in the forest, showcasing a delicately tinted mint green hair dye.
Blonde Hair Enhanced with Pastel Peach and Blue Accents
Consider trying pastel peach combined with blue for a fresh look on your blonde hair. If you’re seeking a low-commitment color, pastels are typically an excellent choice. Since pastel shades tend to fade more quickly and do not usually need to be lifted with lighter or color removers, these colors can be effortlessly switched from one session to the next. Consult with your stylist about various levels of vibrancy that can add depth and dimension to your color if you desire a shade that endures beyond a single appointment.
Pastel Long Hair in Peachy Pink
This stunning pastel long hair in a peachy-pink shade is truly enchanting. To create the ideal base, your hair should first be pre-lightened and then toned. After that, a direct dye is ready to be applied. With my extensive experience, be prepared to adjust the precise shade to maintain your hair’s integrity. Remember to use suitable hair care products at home, like Olaplex.
Soft Blue Pastel Shades
These soft blue pastel shades are contemporary and were crafted by hairstylist Carol Geiger of Switzerland.
Cotton Candy Waves in Soft Rainbow Tresses
Try out cotton candy waves in soft rainbow tresses to showcase the beautiful shades. Remember that fashion colors require upkeep, and pastel tones tend to fade more quickly than bolder hues.
Shimmering Rainbow Long Hair
Shimmering rainbow long hair, a mermaid-inspired hair trend, involves blending iridescent tones such as purples, greens, yellows, and orange with a base of long, flowing hair. A popular way to achieve this style’s rainbow effect is through the ombre technique. The interplay of colors adds an enchanting and ethereal quality, making it a bold choice for those who want to embrace a truly magical and striking appearance.
Purple Tresses Enhanced with Rainbow Pastel Accents
When selecting pastel accents, aim for a color palette that complements your skin tone. Pastel accents in purple, green, and blue are ideal for lighter skin tones with yellow and pink undertones, offering a beautiful way to mix different shades. Achieving an overall blonde finish with pastel accents can take several hours, but the stunning results make it worthwhile.
Soft Pink Ombre
This soft pink ombre color was crafted by hairstylist Marisabel Romo of Chandler, AZ.
“The best aspect of this hair color is the shine and contrast between the stunning natural tone and the way it transitions to soft pink,” says Romo.
To achieve this beautiful pastel-colored hair, Romo mentions you must reach a level 10 blonde (inside a banana peel). “It was straightforward to achieve this on the model in the picture because her natural level is a 7 dark blonde. It’s a lengthy process with level 3 dark brown hair,” she explains.
Pro Tip: Be mindful that you may need to return in about 2 weeks to refresh the shade.
Soft Tone of Pastel Aqua
Those seeking a captivating shade should consider a soft tone of pastel aqua. Don’t let the color blue hold you back! The advantage of pastel hair shades is their flexibility for change due to their lighter composition.
Distinctive Hairstyle Featuring Pastel Shades
A distinctive hairstyle featuring pastel shades is a creative and individualistic hair trend that combines pastel hues with a soft twisted updo. This style provides artistic freedom and also showcases vivid pastel shades. The best way to achieve this style is by first bleaching the hair to create a clear canvas. Then, carefully apply pastel shades of pink and blue. Add rosettes to the twisted updo for some extra flair.
Striking and Beautiful Long Pink Hair
Try a stunning pink hue if you have long blonde hair and want to explore a low-commitment vivid shade. This color will fade quickly, so invest in a color-depositing mask to refresh this tint at home. I suggest Kera color in light pink.
Soft Teal
This gentle teal hue has a ton of versatility and was created by hairstylist Jessica Jones of Brantford, ON.
“Ask your colorist to section out the two halves in a zigzag pattern so that depending on how you feel about parting your hair, it could look completely different,” says Jones.
She adds, “You must have your hair lightened to a very pale shade of blonde for the true tone to show. This takes patience and can be costly. Secondly, pastel shades tend to fade faster than richer/jewel-toned colors.”
Radiant Soft Pink
If you adore pastel hair, consider this radiant pastel pink! This works best if you have light to medium-colored hair. The ideal way to preserve this look would be to schedule regular toner appointments in the salon. And don’t forget to use professional products at home.
Pastel Toned Barbie Blonde Hair
Barbie blondes are everywhere! However, this Barbie blonde truly embraces pastel-colored tones…and so do we!
Soft Peach Toned Hair
This chic, soft peach-toned hair features a grown-out, rooted look. These hues of pastel hair are for the type of woman who is always eager to try new things and embraces the maintenance and upkeep of the pastel lifestyle. It also enhances light or pale skin tones.
Enchanting Silver Mauve Pastel Hair
Enchanting silver mauve pastel hair is ethereal and whimsical! This stunning tone can be a delightful way to transform your traditional blonde locks. The best way to achieve this style is through a global bleaching application. Then, toning the raw lift to an appealing pastel violet hue. This may be a challenging color to achieve if you have naturally darker hair. I recommend a deeper mauve or violet for optimal results.
Dreamy Pastel Mermaid Locks
Indigo pastel ombre evokes a beautifully iridescent mermaid-inspired shade while remaining soft in color. Hashtag dreamy for days!
Soft Pastel Green Hair
Not until recently has a soft pastel green hair dye been a popular color to wear on your crown. To maintain this cloudy lime shade, use products that protect and wash hair with cold water.
Soft Lilac Hue
Embrace a pastel vanilla lavender hair enhanced with purple roots. Just remember to use purple shampoo and regularly visit your salon for touch-ups. Pastel hair colors necessitate routine upkeep, too.
Soft Pastel Red Tresses
The Crimson Empress has made her entrance! Cascading waves and a v-line cut: only the finest pastel red locks for her royal status.
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