Finally got a client's hair to match their inspo pic after three tries

Had this client come in with a super faded blue and wanted a bright, even lilac. The first two times, the toner pulled too gray or washed out in a week. This time, I pre-lightened to a pale yellow, used a direct dye mixed with a clear conditioner, and processed it under a cap for 45 minutes. The color came out perfect and she actually teared up a little. Has anyone else found a better way to make pastel shades actually stick?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.troy11h ago

Oh man, that's the best feeling... when it finally clicks. Pastels are such a pain to lock in. Had a client with mint green dreams that just would not hold. Ended up doing something similar, mixing the direct dye with a color-depositing conditioner base and leaving it on for what felt like forever under heat. The extra processing time made all the difference for us too. It's like the hair just needs to soak in that color until it's full. So glad you got that win.

avery_smith228h ago

Totally get the struggle with pastels! I mixed a dusty pink direct dye with a deep conditioner and let it sit with a shower cap for two hours while I cleaned my apartment. That extra soak time made the color stick through like six washes before it started to fade.

riley_schmidt10h ago

My cousin tried that lavender gray trend last year and it washed out in two shampoos. She ended up mixing a tiny bit of silver dye into her daily conditioner, just a pea sized amount, and it kept the tone for months. It was a total game changer for upkeep.