Want to channel your inner unicorn and rock a head of gorgeous pastel locks? Pastel hair has got to be one of the hottest hair trends of the decade so maybe it's time to try your hand at DIY pastel hair - it's easier than you think! With our handy how to get pastel hair guide, you can achieve the perfect pastel hairstyle at home using our semi-permanent pastel hair dyes or by mixing your favourite shade of Manic Panic with their pastel-izer.

How to do pastel hair?

Want to learn how to do pastel hair? Follow this step by step guide to achieve your dream pastel hair colour.

You will need: 
  • Pastel Semi Permanent Hair Colour
  • Pair Of Gloves
  • Petroleum Jelly or Baby Oil
  • Tint Brush
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Comb
For best results, apply pastel hair dye to pre-lightened and toned hair. 

Apply petroleum jelly or baby oil to your hairline and the tips of your ears to prevent the dye from staining your skin.

Apply your pastel hair dye starting at the roots and making your way from the top layer of your hair to the bottom.

Comb through your hair to make sure the pastel hair dye is evenly applied.

Allow to process for the time specified on your hair dye instructions. You can also use a hairdryer for 5 to 10 minutes to gently apply heat which can help the colour to saturate your hair.

Check a strand. Once you have the desired colour, rinse out the pastel hair dye with cool water and keep rinsing until the water runs clear.

Dry your hair and enjoy your new DIY pastel hair!

How do you get pastel hair?

Getting pastel hair using a semi-permanent hair dye is easy as long as you prepare your hair properly by pre-lightening it. You can even create your own shade of pastel hair dye using Manic Panic’s pastel-izer. Here’s how to get pastel hair using this method:

Mix equal parts Manic Panic Pastel-izer and your chosen Manic Panic colour together until you achieve the desired shade. Make sure you only add a little colour at a time; add too much and the pastel-izer won't work.

Perform a strand test to check you have the right colour and it looks the way you want it. Getting the right colour may take some trial and error.

Once you are happy with your pastel hair dye colour, apply it to your hair in the same way as any other semi-permanent hair dye.

You can Pastel-ize any colour, but these are some of our favourites:
  • Atomic Turquoise
  • Cotton Candy
  • Lie Locks
  • Pretty Flamingo
  • Purple Haze
What is the best pastel hair dye?

Best pastel hair ideas using semi-permanent hair dye:
If you are feeling adventurous, you could always combine a few of these pastel hair colour ideas to create rainbow pastel hair!

Is my hair light enough for pastel?

To ensure your hair is light enough for pastel hair dye you need to bleach and tone your hair to a very light blonde that is almost beige in colour.

Lightening your hair before colouring is an essential step in creating amazing pastel colour hair. If you'd like a more in-depth step by step for this stage check out our pre-lightening guide.
  1. Pre-lighten hair to the lightest shade of blonde (10. works best). It’s recommended you use Manic Panic’s Volume 40 Flash Lightning Kit or similar. Make sure to do this gradually to avoid damaging your hair.
  2. Rinse the lightener out with shampoo and warm water, but do not use conditioner.
  3. Dry your hair completely.
  4. Tone your hair with Amplified Manic Panic Virgin Snow or similar toner for removing brassiness. This will neutralize any orange or yellow tones in your hair and create a white base. Your hair needs to be completely white to achieve the pastel effect.
  5. Leave your toner on for the allotted time and regularly check your strand colour. Then rinse out with cool water and dry your hair completely.
Can you dye hair pastel without bleaching?

Unlike other shades of hair dye, you cannot use pastel hair dye colours without bleaching your hair first. A pastel hair dye is unlikely to even tint your hair unless it has been lightened to an almost white shade. Pastel hair takes patience and maintenance because the pastel hair colours are so light.

Check out our range of pre-lightening products, here.

How long does pastel hair last?

How long your pastel hair lasts depends on which brand of hair dye you use. It can be anything from a couple of washes to 6 weeks. The average time for semi-permanent hair dye to last is 2 – 6 weeks. If you are looking for a hair dye that lasts longer then consider going a shade or two darker than your intended pastel hair colour.

Does pastel hair fade fast? How do you maintain pastel hair?

Pastel hair dye is prone to fading fast but with some extra care, there are plenty of ways to help your new pastel colour last longer. To prevent your pastel hair from fading too quickly you can mix a small amount of hair colour into your conditioner to help rejuvenate its vibrancy and use every time you wash your hair. However, you should also wash your hair as infrequently as possible and with cold water to help keep your colour locked in. 

What skin tone do pastels look good on?

Pastels look great on all skin tones but if you are concerned about looking washed-out or having to pre-lighten your hair too much then there are some colours that you may favour. 

Sometimes people worry that pastel hair colours for pale skin will wash you out but choosing a baby blue, soft pink, or gorgeous lilac will help give you that adorable vibe that looks great with your skin tone.

If you are looking for pastel hair colours for dark skin then pretty much any shade of pastel is going to look awesome. It will contrast with the warm tan tones in your skin but remember that pastel hair colours will take more maintenance than darker hair shades.

Pastel purple hair dye is proving to be a popular choice for all skin tones and with good reason. Lilac and lavender locks are super cute but are a little more sophisticated than a powder pink or baby blue. 

Pastel hair colours for short hair

If you want to achieve short pastel hair there are a few styles you can try. The first is a classic full coverage pastel hair dye colour for a total transformation. The second is to dye the tips of your hair for an easy pastel short hair colour. With this style, you can either pre-lighten all your hair or leave your dark roots showing. Both options look awesome! The final style is to create a rainbow or two tone pastel hair colour for short hair. There are plenty more ways to get creative when adding pastel hair dye to short hair.

As you can see, pastel hair dye is not as difficult to achieve as you might think. As long as you take your time when pre-lightening your hair in order to avoid damaging it then you will easily be able to maintain your pastel hair colour for at least a few weeks. 

Please Note: Blue Banana hair dye information should be read alongside professional advice. Blue Banana makes no guarantee of validity and additional instruction should be taken from trained persons.