How to dye your hair pink

Everyone has that moment. Whether spurred by a particularly grisly breakup or lockdown boredom, we've all at some point toyed with the idea of dyeing our hair a drastically different colour. And this year, pink hair is set to become the overriding shade of choice. Playful, rebellious and empowering, it’s not hard to see why.

From Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s hot pink locks in ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’, to Scarlett Johansson’s pastel bobbed wig in Lost in Translation, there is no shortage of big-screen pink hair inspiration out there.

There's plenty of encouragement to be found in the celeb realm, too. Machine Gun Kelly (AKA Megan Fox’s hubby-to-be) is the latest in a long line of celebs to have a dalliance with rosé hair, proving that pink isn’t just for the girls.

While a bold pink makeover may seem a little daunting, the hue is actually surprisingly flattering – and you don’t have to turn to a celebrity stylist to get the look. There is something so brilliantly DIY about pink hair, and in keeping with the rebellious nature of it, we recommend roping in your most helpful friend and huddling over your bathroom sink.

Ready to take the plunge? We spoke to co-founder and creative director of Bleach London (and queen of the dramatic dye-job) Alex Brownsell, to get the lowdown on exactly how to dye your hair pink at home.

How to dye your hair pink

“Pink has always been one of the most popular shades at Bleach” says Alex. “We sell one pink hair product every 30 seconds and it’s one of the most requested shades in our salons.”

When it comes to shade and intensity, you have plenty of options, from vibrant fuchsia all the way to peachy tints. But before taking the plunge it's important to take your base colour into consideration.

How to dye your hair pastel pink

A pastel-tinted candyfloss is a perfect starting point, if your lengths are light enough. "This colour works best on a very light, bleached blonde base,” says Alex, who recommends Bleach London's best-selling Rosé. However, it's not simply a case of slathering it on and waiting patiently for your perfect pink to develop. “For the best results, use a toner first – like our White Toner Kit – to neutralise any yellow in the hair that will make pink appear more peach," she adds.

If your hair is already very cool-toned (either naturally or thanks to an expert icy bleach job) you're perfectly placed to try a frosty lilac pink. "If you prefer to wear cool tones and have light, clean blonde hair, this shade will look really flattering” says Alex.

Bleach London Super Cool Colour Pearlescent

L'Oreal Colorista Rose Gold Permanent Gel Hair Dye

Bleach London Super Cool Colour Rosé

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Bunny

At the other end of the spectrum are retina-searing brights: think flamingo and fuschia shades that are sure to command a few head-turns. "Universally flattering, these shades are a great fit for those starting off with a darker base colour. They'll last a few more washes too," says Alex.

BLEACH LONDON Super Cool Colour Gobby Pink

Schwarzkopf LIVE Shocking Pink 093 Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

Fudge Professional Paintbox Hair Colourant - Pink Riot

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bleach london Super Cool Colour The Big Pink

How to dye your hair peach

Recently the hair world has been abuzz with Kendall Jenner’s new copper locks. In a dramatic change from her usual raven hair, Kendall debuted her new ‘do at fashion week and it had us all thinking about reaching for the bleach. However, like any vibrant colour, copper is tricky to maintain. Enter peach: copper’s more manageable sister. Peachy tones are the perfect middle ground between fun pink and siren oranges.

Josh Wood Colour Peach Blush Hair Glaze

Shrine Drop It Hair Colourant Individual Peach

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Schwarzkopf Pretty Pastels Copper Hair Dye Perfect Peach

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bleach london Bleach London Burnt Peach Super Cool Colour

How to dye brown hair pink

Admittedly, pink shades are a lot easier to achieve on blondes and hair that has been professionally pre-lightened. Super-dark brunettes may have to sit this one out, unless you fancy the commitment of bleaching your locks in-salon first.

However, all is not lost: there are now some great options out there for brunettes who fancy going pink without the commitment, cost, and inevitable hair damage of a hefty salon session. Josh Wood and Moroccanoil both make colour-depositing masks that'll turn brown hair a rich berry hue, while KMS's nostalgic coloured hairspray delivers an easy pink tint for special occasions and big nights out.

Josh Wood Colour Shade Shot Gloss – Berry Brunette

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask- Bordeaux

Manic Panic High Voltage Classic Hair Dye – Fuschia Shock

KMS Style Colour – Vintage Blush

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How to dye your hair pink: the expert hacks

• Be sure to wear gloves, or you'll be caught pink-handed. This cheap set from Amazon will work just fine.
• Use vaseline on your hairline and ears to stop the colour staining your skin.
• Use a comb to distribute the product evenly through the hair (make sure it’s a wide-toothed one to avoid pulling).
• It's a good idea to section your hair when applying the product so you don't miss any segments: you don't want a patchy pink!
• If you have extra-long or thick hair, consider whether one box will be enough. (It’s better to have more than you need than get half-way through and run dry).

How to maintain pink hair

So, once you’ve got the pink hair shade of your dreams, how do you keep it vibrant? Of course, the easiest way to keep things bright is to cut down on your shampoo sessions. Dry shampoo is now your best friend.

When wash day does roll around, try using a sulphate-free shampoo, as the gentler formulation will be less likely to wash all that precious pink down the drain.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo

OUAI Super Dry Shampoo

Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo

Another option is to use maintenance products to keep you hair peachy (or pinky) keen. A colour-boosting shampoo will "keep pastel pink hair looking even with each wash”, says Alex. In fact, Bleach London has just released its first plastic-free shampoo bar, so you can maintain those rosy tones without adding to the recycling bin.

There's also a host of convenient colour-boosting conditioners and masks out there now, which deposit a subtle level of colour while conditioning your strands. Call on them once a week, or whenever your colour starts to look a little washed out, applying as you would a regular hair mask. Linger a little longer in the shower to give the colour time to develop (a perfect opportunity for a body scrub, if you ask us).

Bleach London Rose Shampoo Bar

Shrine Drop It Kit – Pink

Bleach London Rose Shampoo

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask – Hibiscus

Another option is to turn any leftover dye you have into a DIY toner. “Blend it with some conditioner or a hair mask to dilute the colour: this creates a two-in-one treatment that tops up your tone and moisturises the hair at the same time” says Alex. Duly noted.

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