Pastel hair color is not only an investment — especially if you go to a salon — but a potential risk to your hair, as is always the case when using chemicals like peroxide and bleach. However, to minimize the damage and to maintain the health of your hair, we offer the OLAPLEX hair treatment!

Although pastel is fun and a great summer trend, it’s nice to have a trusted professional that can help you along the way. Depending on your hair’s natural color, multiple rounds of bleach might be required to achieve the color needed for pastels to shine bright. (If you cringed at the sound of “multiple rounds of bleach,” don’t worry, you’re not alone. Keep reading.)

BEST PASTEL HAIR COLOR SALONS NYC & BEST PASTEL HAIR DYE SALON NYC

The first step would be to bleach the hair, and the thing about pre-bleaching hair is that it can get very damaged if it’s not done correctly. It’s imperative to lift the hair color light enough so the pastel will actually show up. The ‘Coachella’ colors that have been happening need to be on light-enough hair. To minimize damage to the hair cuticle, ask our L’Oreal Professionnel hair colorists to add OLAPLEX into the formula, which acts as a barrier and protects the hair during the color process. Your stylist can add it to bleach — even multiple rounds — toner, or any treatment to protect the hair cuticle as it’s opened and exposed to harsh chemicals, which deplete moisture. We want the color to stay strong — the actual hair to stay strong — so it can act like a canvas and carry the pastel in a better way.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR NEW PASTEL HAIR SHADE?

If you’re a natural brunette, work with what you’ve got and make the most out of dazzling dark strands. Most colors are possible, but there are beautiful tones that can be created that are a little deeper than pastels. It’s all about keeping the hair in good condition. Just like switching up your makeup color, it’s always important to keep skin tone in mind as well. Some colors complement cooler skin tones more than warmer tones and vice versa. But it’s all fun!

THE BIGGEST THING TO KEEP IN MIND IF GOING PASTEL?

Making sure hair is healthy and strong! Keep it in great condition, then go in and layer whatever color you choose. It’s a classic old Hollywood bleach and tone — the only thing that’s different is that you’re adding in a pastel color. Depending on the hair coloring history, DO NOT push your hair colorist to achieve the color in 1 session if you’ve previously dyed your own hair at home or previously colored your hair dark for several years. Most of the times, it requires 2-3 visits to the salon to achieve your desired hair color and maintaining the health of the hair. Sometimes, it requires 4-6 visits! Afraid of making the jump to all-over pastel? Test-drive the color by keeping color on the ends. We suggest bleaching the bottom half of hair or even a corner. Just something to see peeking through the back.

For fun ways to style colored strands, we suggests twisting locks into a messy bun or crafting a braid to show off the color or even beach waves. As for final words of advice for making the most out of your new color, we are the best pastel hair color salons NYC! Remember, that natural hair tones are the only colors meant to make you feel like you.