It’s the month of love and there’s no better time to celebrate the vibrant hues of red and pink. For all those intrigued by these shades as a hair colour, Vidhi Arya from Professional Beauty India brings you an extensive guide on red and pink hair colours.
Red and pink can be tricky shades as hair colours. These colours require a substantial amount of care and upkeep. For clients considering red or pink hair for the first time, Zingranwon Shatsang, Celebrity Hairdresser, Zido Salon shares a piece of essential advice. “Red hair looks great on our skin tone. Blend it with brown to kill the vibrancy, and pair it with black/ dark tones to make it pop. However, the brighter the red, the shorter-lived the vibrancy. This means, the vibrancy of freshly coloured red hair, over the months gradually turns to a deeper & slightly duller hue of red/brown as it fades. Also, when choosing red hair, remember red bleeds in the initial few weeks post-colouring. So, if you like to swim or love water, you should let the colourist know during the consultation.”
On the other hand, for pink-haired virgins, she says, “Considering how dark our hair is, this colour is visible only on pre-lightened or bleached hair. This means if you apply pink directly on dark hair, you will see nothing. Warm Magentas can still be achieved without bleaching hair. The most important to remember is, that the more pastel the pink the quicker it fades.”
How Different Hair Types React To Reds and Pinks
While these colours look great on everyone, did you know that certain hair types get a better hold of the shades than others?
Vikas Marwah, Celebrity Hairstylists tells us more. He says, “Hair type and texture can affect how well red and pink pigments hold. Coarse, thick hair and hair with slight porosity tend to retain colour for longer periods. Wavy and curly textures often hold onto colour better than fine, straight hair, as the cuticle structure allows the pigment to settle more deeply. On the other hand, highly porous or previously damaged hair may absorb the colour quickly but also lose it just as fast, leading to uneven fading. Virgin hair, which has never been dyed before, can sometimes be more resistant to colour initially, but once properly prepped, it tends to hold onto pigment well.”
The Role of Hair Colour History
Other than hair type, your hair colour history also plays a part in determining how good the colour will turn out. Marwah mentions, “The existing hair colour plays a major role in how red or pink hair will turn out. If the client has naturally light hair, achieving a vibrant shade is relatively easy. However, for those with darker hair, pre-lightening is often necessary to create a bright and bold result. Previously dyed hair can also affect the outcome, particularly if the hair has been treated with darker or ashy tones. In such cases, colour removal or bleaching may be needed before applying red or pink dye to ensure an even result.
Preparing For the Process
In such cases, how do you approach reds and pinks? Marwah adds to this guide on red and pink hair colours and suggests, “To prepare for the colouring process, clients should clarify their hair about a week before to remove any buildup from styling products or hard water. Deep conditioning treatments should be done in advance to strengthen the hair, especially if bleaching is involved. It’s also advisable to avoid washing the hair on the day of colouring to allow the scalp’s natural oils to provide a layer of protection. By following these steps, clients can achieve the most vibrant and long-lasting red or pink shade possible.”
As an artist, one needs to approach colouring reds and pinks with a certain level of caution and skill. We asked Shatsang about the mistakes artists often make. She says, “Overprocessing the hair is the biggest mistake. Whilst doing reds, one technique I find very bothersome is the fact that many artists bleach the hair to achieve reds. Reds usually fade out faster anyway. By bleaching you are pushing the porosity of the hair further.”
She adds, “Unless the hair has a history of previous colour, that too a dark tone, reds are vibrant enough if you do your calculations right. And if you must bleach, use a bond builder after washing off the bleach, before application of the red. Pink hair has a similar problem when it comes to bleaching techniques. You just need to understand which undertone to stop bleaching at to support the pink tone you selected for your client.”
What Imapcts the Life of the Colour
Red and pink hair colours are known to fade quickly. So, what factors influence how long the colour lasts? Marwah shares his tips for a lasting colour. He says, “Red and pink hair colours tend to fade quickly because their pigment molecules are larger, which makes them more prone to washing out. Several factors contribute to how long the colour lasts. The porosity of the hair plays a significant role, if the hair is highly porous, it absorbs colour quickly but also releases it just as fast. Frequent washing, especially with hot water or hard water, can strip the colour more rapidly. The choice of hair products also matters; shampoos and conditioners that contain sulfates tend to speed up the fading process. Additionally, heat styling and sun exposure can break down the colour molecules, causing the vibrancy to diminish over time.”
Maintenance and Upkeep
In order to maintain such hair better, Marwah suggests, “To help maintain red or pink hair for as long as possible, artists should recommend using a sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo and conditioner. Washing the hair with cool water and reducing wash frequency to two or three times a week can also help preserve the shade. Dry shampoo is a great alternative to frequent washing.”
Shatsang talks about how heat styling affects red and pink hair. She says, “Considering both colours have a challenge of bleeding out quicker than most colours, frequent heat styling will make it fade faster. Using the correct heat styling product helps in protecting the colour. You can also invest in a colour refreshing conditioner to maintain the vibrancy of the colour, in case of fading. Highly recommend using a lower temperature for heat styling + bond treatments monthly, if you cannot do without heat styling.”
We hope that this guide on red and pink hair colours will help you make better decisions the next time you approach these shades.
Representational Banner Photo|Credits: Freepik
