Quick Answer
To go from blonde to pink hair, your blonde needs to be a pale level 9 or 10 first. Then a pink direct dye or gloss goes on top. Pastel pink fades the fastest, deeper rose and hot pink last longer, and a pink color depositing conditioner keeps it fresh between visits.
This blush pink with white highlights is one of my favorite transformations. Here is everything I know about getting pink right: the level you need, the best pink shades for blondes, how long it really lasts, and exactly how I do it in the salon.
Can you go from blonde to pink?
Yes, and blonde is the best place to start. Pink is a sheer color, so it shows up truest on light, clean hair. The catch is that not every blonde is light enough. A golden or level 8 blonde still has yellow and orange in it, and that warmth mixes with pink and turns it peach.
What level does your hair need to be for pink?
It depends on how light you want the pink. The lighter the pink, the lighter the base. The deeper the pink, the more your natural warmth can actually work in your favor.
From my chair: why level 8 turns peach
The best way to get a soft blush pink that doesn’t fade to peach in two washes is to lift to a level 9 or 10. At a level 8, we’re still seeing hints of gold, which is yellow and orange. When we lift past the gold to that pale, inside of a banana yellow, now we can tone it to the perfect pastel pink.
| Pink shade | Base level you need | How long it lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pastel or blush pink | 9 to 10 (pale yellow, like the inside of a banana) | Fades fastest, a little with every wash | Soft, airy color and anyone who loves a fade out |
| Rose gold | 9 | Medium | Warm skin tones and blondes who want a hint of pink |
| Dusty rose with white highlights | 9 to 10 for the white pieces | Medium | Dimension without going all over pink |
| Pink blonde highlights | 9 to 10 on the lifted pieces only | Medium, easy grow out | Trying pink without committing your whole head |
| Hot pink or magenta | 8 to 9 | Longest | Bold color and less upkeep |
The best blonde to pink looks
Blush pink with white highlights
This is the look in the photos above. Soft rose through the lengths with bright white pieces woven in, so the pink looks dimensional instead of flat. It also fades out beautifully because the white pieces keep it bright.
Pastel pink
Pale, airy and very soft. It needs the lightest base of all and the most upkeep, because pastels are sheer and fade the fastest.
Rose gold
Pink with a touch of warmth. It is more forgiving on blondes who are a level 9 with a little warmth left, and it grows out softly.
Pink blonde highlights
Only the lifted pieces get the pink, and the rest of your blonde stays blonde. It is the easiest way to try pink without committing your whole head. Want it right around your face? A pink money piece or pink peekaboo highlights give you a pop of color with an easy grow out.
Hot pink
Bold, bright and the longest lasting pink. Deeper pinks can sit on a little more warmth, so you need less lightening. See my own hot pink hair makeover.
Rosewood pink on brown hair
Not blonde yet? A rosewood or soft pink glaze over brunette balayage gives you a hint of pink without lightening to a 10. I love warm and beige tones on brunettes, but if I’m being totally honest, I’m a sucker for rosewood or soft pink on brown hair. See more in my guide to face framing highlights for dark hair.
Will pink hair suit me?
Almost always, yes.
From my chair: it is all about the tone
I think pink hair suits really anyone, as long as it’s the right tone. It’s like blonde. Blonde can look great on everyone, it’s just a matter of finding the right tone. Do you want something more cool or more warm? Finding the right balance is key.
- Cool or pink skin tones: try cool pastel pink, lilac pink or blush.
- Warm or olive skin tones: try rose gold, peachy pink or warm rose.
- Not sure? Start with pink blonde highlights or a pink money piece.
How long does pink hair last?
Pink is a direct dye. It sits on the outside of the hair, so a little rinses away every time you wash. Pastel pink fades the fastest because it is so sheer. The darker the pink, the more longevity it will have.
From my chair: embrace the fade
When we’re talking about direct dyes, we have to embrace the fade. It’s just part of the journey. Every time you wash your hair, you get a slight variation of pink. It just gets lighter and lighter. If you enjoy the story it tells, you’ll enjoy the fade out too.
How to make pink hair last longer
- Use a pink color depositing conditioner. It adds a little color back with every wash, which is the only way to keep a pastel looking fresh.
- Wash less often, and rinse with cool water.
- Use a sulfate free, color safe shampoo.
- Use heat protectant every time you style.
- Book a gloss refresh when the pink gets too light for you.
Can you get pink hair without bleach?
Only if your hair is already a pale blonde. If you want anything on the lighter side, you are going to need lightener. A deeper pink can go on a darker or warmer base, but it will look more like a tint than true pink. Brunettes, start with my guide to the best bleach for dark hair.
What if your pink fades to peach or you want it out?
Peach usually means the base was not light enough, and the leftover gold is showing through as the pink fades. A gloss can rebalance it. If you are ready to go back to blonde, see how I handled this color correction from pink to blonde.
For stylists: how I take blonde to pink
From my chair: you need an even canvas
The biggest takeaway with pink, and really any hair color, is that you need an even canvas. If you want an even looking pink, the canvas has to be lifted evenly. The lighter the pink, the lighter the base.
- Check the canvas. Look for warm spots, banding and old color. Anything uneven will show through a sheer pink.
- Lift clean and even to a 9 or 10 for pastel and blush, or an 8 to 9 for deeper pinks. Use your favorite lightener with a bond builder. Integrity comes first.
- Weave in your white pieces if you want dimension, and lift them to a pale 10.
- Tone the white pieces with a violet based level 10 toner.
- Apply the pink to damp, towel dried hair. Dilute a pink direct dye with a clear conditioner or clear gloss until you hit the depth you want. Do a test strand first.
- Send her home with a pink color depositing conditioner and teach her to embrace the fade.
Want to see more color placement? Check out my foil highlight placement guide and teasylights without the tease.
Ready to master every color and foil technique? Every placement and toning trick I use in my chair lives inside Hair B&B University. You get the step-by-step tutorials, the placement and the effect each one creates.
Sign up for Hair B&B University and start creating color your clients rebook for. 🎉
Blonde to pink hair FAQ
Yes. Blonde is the easiest starting point for pink. For a soft pastel or blush pink, your hair needs to be a pale level 9 or 10 first. Golden or level 8 blonde will turn pink into peach.
A level 9 or 10, the pale yellow of the inside of a banana. At level 8 there is still gold in the hair, and that yellow and orange will push a pastel pink toward peach.
Pink is a direct dye, so it fades a little with every wash. Pastel pink fades the fastest. The deeper the pink, the longer it lasts. A pink color depositing conditioner keeps it fresh between appointments.
Only if your hair is already a pale blonde. A light pink needs a light base, so if your hair is darker or golden, you will need lightener first.
Pink can look great on almost anyone. Like blonde, it is all about finding the right tone. Cooler pinks flatter cool skin tones, and warmer rose and peachy pinks flatter warm skin tones.
cheers,
Mirella
