Pastel Hair Colors: Lavender, Peach, and Baby Pink for the Bold

There was a time when brightly colored hair was reserved for punk rockers and teenagers pushing boundaries. That time is over. In 2017, pastel hair colors have crossed firmly into the mainstream, and women of all ages and professions are embracing soft lavender, delicate peach, muted baby pink, and pale sky blue. These gentle, diluted tones offer a way to make a bold statement without the intensity of vivid fashion colors. At Sofia Loren Salon in Boca Raton, pastel color requests have increased dramatically this year, and we are thrilled to help adventurous clients explore this beautiful trend.

What Makes Pastel Hair Different from Vivid Fashion Colors

Pastel hair colors are essentially vivid fashion colors mixed with a clear or white base to dilute the intensity. Where a vivid pink would be saturated and eye-catching from across a room, a pastel pink is soft, subtle, and almost ethereal. Think of the difference between a bright red rose and a delicate blush peony. Both are beautiful, but they create very different impressions.

This diluted quality is what makes pastels so wearable. They read as artistic and creative without being aggressive. A woman with soft lavender hair in a professional setting makes a statement about individuality and confidence while still looking polished and put together. The subtlety of pastels allows them to work in contexts where vivid rainbow hair might feel out of place.

The Pastel Process: What It Takes

Here is the part that requires an honest conversation. Pastel colors are among the most technically demanding services a colorist can perform, and they require a very specific starting canvas. To achieve a true pastel, your hair must first be lightened to a very pale, almost white blonde. Any warmth or darkness in the base will muddy the pastel tone and prevent it from appearing soft and clean.

For women who are already platinum or very light blonde, the process is relatively straightforward. A pastel toner or demi-permanent color can be applied directly to your existing blonde, and you can walk out the same day with the pastel of your dreams.

For women with darker hair, reaching the required blonde level takes time and multiple sessions. Rushing this process to save time risks serious damage to the hair, and damaged hair does not hold pastel color well anyway. At Sofia Loren Salon, we prioritize the health of your hair throughout the lightening process, even if that means your pastel transformation takes two or three appointments spread over several weeks.

Popular Pastel Shades for 2017

Lavender is arguably the most popular pastel shade this year. This soft purple tone looks stunning against a wide range of skin tones and has a romantic, dreamy quality that photographs beautifully. It can range from a barely-there lilac tint to a more saturated purple depending on your preference.

Peach combines soft pink and warm golden tones to create a shade that is both trendy and incredibly flattering. Because of its warmth, peach is particularly beautiful on women with warm or neutral skin undertones. It is also one of the more wearable pastels because it can read as a very unusual blonde from a distance, only revealing its true peach nature up close.

Baby pink is the classic pastel that started the entire trend. Soft, feminine, and unmistakably fun, baby pink hair makes a clear statement about personality. It pairs beautifully with both casual and dressed-up looks and is a favorite for spring and summer.

Pale blue and mint green are for clients who want something truly unique. These cool-toned pastels are less common and therefore more distinctive. They look especially striking on women with cool skin undertones and blue or green eyes.

Temporary vs. Semi-Permanent vs. Demi-Permanent Options

If you love the idea of pastel hair but are not ready for a full commitment, there are temporary options that let you experiment without permanently altering your color.

Color-depositing conditioners and masks add a sheer wash of pastel color that lasts through several shampoos. These are the lowest commitment option and are ideal for testing whether you like a particular shade before investing in a salon service. They work best on pre-lightened or very light blonde hair.

Semi-permanent color lasts four to eight washes and deposits color on the surface of the hair without penetrating the cortex. This is a step up in intensity and longevity from depositing conditioners while still being temporary. Many of our clients at Sofia Loren Salon start with semi-permanent pastels and then move to longer-lasting options once they have confirmed their shade preference.

Demi-permanent color is what we use most often in the salon for pastel services. It penetrates slightly into the hair shaft and lasts through approximately twenty to twenty-five shampoos. It provides a more vibrant and even result than semi-permanent color while still fading naturally over time.

Maintaining Pastel Hair in South Florida

Pastels fade. There is no way around this. Because the color is applied at such a diluted level, there is simply less pigment in the hair to begin with, which means every wash removes a proportionally larger amount of visible color. In the Boca Raton sun, fading happens even faster because UV rays break down color molecules.

To maximize the life of your pastel color, wash as infrequently as possible. Use ice-cold water when you do wash. Invest in a color-depositing conditioner that matches your pastel shade and use it regularly to replenish faded pigment between salon visits. Protect your hair from sun exposure with hats and UV-protective products.

Even with impeccable care, plan on visiting the salon every four to six weeks for a color refresh. Pastels require commitment. They are rewarding, but they are not set-it-and-forget-it colors.

Book Your Appointment at Sofia Loren Salon

Ready to take the pastel plunge? Visit Sofia Loren Salon in Boca Raton for a color consultation and let our expert colorists help you choose and achieve your dream pastel shade. Call us at (561) 444-0720 or book online at sofialorensalon.com.