Hey, it's Lala Barr here from Foxtail Hair Salon. Almost every day, someone sits in my chair, phone in hand, showing me a picture of dreamy, soft lavender or blush pink hair.
Last week, my client Emily came in with her phone full of pastel hair screenshots. She said, "Lala, I want this soft pink hair so badly. Can we do it today?"
I looked at her hair. It was a level 5 brown. I said, "Emily, I wish I could tell you yes, but we can't get you to pastel pink in one session without destroying your hair."
She looked crushed. She said, "Really? But I saw this girl on TikTok go from dark to pastel in one day."
I said, "Emily, let me be real with you. Either that video was edited, or her hair is going to fall out. I'm not willing to do that to you."
I get it. The look is absolutely stunning, and with pastel shades popping up everywhere, it's easy to get inspired.
But here's a little secret from behind the chair: achieving that perfect, ethereal pastel is less about just picking a color and more about building a masterpiece on a perfectly prepared canvas.
It's a true partnership between your hair's health, my technical skill, and your commitment to keeping it beautiful.
So, let me chat with you like we're friends and go over what it really takes to bring those pastel dreams to life, especially here in Pearland.
The Foundation: It All Starts with the Perfect Blonde
You can't paint on a dark canvas and expect a light color to show up, right? The same goes for your hair.
The absolute number one requirement for any true pastel color is getting your hair lifted to a very pale, even blonde. We're talking about a level 10, the color of the inside of a banana peel.
Emily said, "A banana peel? That's so light."
I said, "Emily, that's what it takes for pastel colors to show up true. Pastel colors have very little pigment. If there's any yellow or gold left in your hair, a soft pink will turn into a peachy orange."
This isn't something to take lightly. It's the most technical part of the entire process.
Before I even think about mixing up lightener, I do a thorough hair health check. Is your hair strong enough for this journey?
With Emily, I pulled out a strand and did a test. I said, "Emily, your hair is healthy. We can do this, but it's going to take three sessions. Maybe four."
She said, "Three sessions? That's going to take months."
I said, "Emily, I'd rather take months and keep your hair healthy than rush it and have it break off. We need to give your hair time to rest between sessions."
She thought about it. She said, "Okay. Let's do it the right way."
For many people, especially those with darker hair, getting to a level 10 isn't a one-and-done deal. It can take multiple sessions, spaced out to give your hair time to rest.
This is where our expertise in blonding services becomes so important. We use gentle techniques and bond-building treatments to protect your hair every step of the way.
Your Custom Shade: The Art of the Mix
Once we have that perfect blonde canvas, the real fun begins.
Emily came in for her fourth session three months after we started. Her hair was finally that perfect pale blonde. She said, "Lala, it's so light! Can we do the pink now?"
I said, "Yes! Now let's create your custom shade."
A box of pastel dye will give you one color. A stylist gives you your color.
We almost never use a color straight from the tube. We mix, dilute, and tweak formulas to create a shade that's uniquely yours.
I showed Emily three different pink tones. I said, "Do you want a cool-toned pink, a warm-toned pink, or something in between?"
She pointed to the cool-toned one. She said, "That one. It's so dreamy."
I mixed the color, creating a shade that complemented her skin tone perfectly.
When I finished applying it and we rinsed her out, Emily stared at herself in the mirror. She didn't say anything for a long time. Then she said, "Lala, I can't believe this is my hair. It's exactly what I wanted."
We can also blend multiple pastels for a beautiful, watercolor effect. This custom formulation is what makes salon color look so dimensional and expensive. It's tailored just for you.
The Honest Truth About Pastel Hair Upkeep
I want you to love your hair not just on day one, but on day thirty, too. That means we need to be real about the commitment.
Two weeks after Emily's color, she texted me: "Lala, it's already fading! What am I doing wrong?"
I called her. I said, "Emily, are you washing your hair with hot water?"
She said, "Yeah, why?"
I said, "That's why it's fading so fast. Hot water opens up your hair's cuticle and lets the color molecules slip right out. You need to wash with cool or lukewarm water."
Pastel hair molecules are small and they sit on the outside of the hair shaft, which means they fade faster than any other color.
And living in Texas? That beautiful sun we love so much when we're at the Pearland Town Center is not your pastel hair's friend. UV rays accelerate fading like crazy.
Here's what I told Emily: Wash your hair as infrequently as you can get away with, and always use cool water.
Use the right products. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are a must.
Emily came back to the salon to buy the products I recommended. I also set her up with a color-depositing conditioner to add a little pigment back into her hair with each wash.
Protect it from heat. This means heat protectant sprays before you blow-dry or use a hot tool, and wearing a hat if you're going to be outside for a long time.
Emily started following all my advice. A month later, she came in for a refresh and her color still looked beautiful. She said, "I've been washing my hair twice a week with cool water and it's made such a difference."
Embracing the Graceful Fade
Here's a little shift in perspective: instead of fighting the fade, let's embrace it.
Emily came in six weeks after her color. Her vibrant pink had faded to a soft baby pink. She said, "I'm not even mad about the fade. It's still so pretty."
I said, "Emily, that's because we formulated it to fade beautifully. It's an evolution, and each stage has its own beauty."
A professionally done pastel color is formulated to fade beautifully. That vibrant blush pink will soften to a delicate baby pink, then a gorgeous champagne blonde.
We plan for this, ensuring your color never looks unintentional or patchy as it lightens.
Ready for a Change? Moving on From Pastels
What happens when you're ready for something new?
Emily came in four months later. Her pink had faded almost completely. She said, "Lala, I think I'm ready for lavender now."
I said, "Emily, because we prioritized your hair's health from the start, you have options. We can go straight to lavender."
Because we took our time and kept her hair healthy, we could transition her to a new color without damage.
We can gently tone your hair to a more natural blonde, go a little deeper with a richer fashion color, or start the process of blending it back to your natural shade. You're never stuck with pastel hair.
A Few Common Questions I Hear All the Time
Can my dark hair go pastel in one appointment?
Honestly, it's very unlikely.
Emily asked me this at her first consultation. I said, "Emily, for most people, it's a journey of two or more sessions to safely lift your hair light enough without compromising its health."
Will it completely destroy my hair?
Not if it's done correctly by a professional who puts hair integrity first.
Emily's hair is still healthy and strong after four color transformations. She texted me last week: "My hairdresser friends can't believe how good my hair still feels after all the color we've done."
With the right techniques, products, and aftercare, your hair can remain healthy and strong.
What if I just want a few pastel streaks?
This is a fantastic way to try out the trend!
My client Sarah didn't want to commit to full pastel hair. She said, "Lala, can I just get a few pink pieces in the front?"
I said, "Absolutely. Let's do a money piece. It'll give you that pop of color without the full commitment."
A few pastel pieces, a money piece in the front, or peekaboo highlights are lower commitment but still give you that dreamy color.
Ready to Create Something Beautiful?
Pastel hair is a commitment, but it's also one of the most expressive and beautiful ways to wear your hair.
Emily sent me a photo yesterday. She's rocking a beautiful lavender now. The caption said, "Thank you for taking the time to do this right. My hair is healthy and I get compliments everywhere I go."
That's what this is about.
If you're ready to explore what's possible, let's sit down and talk. A real color consultation is where we can assess your hair, talk about your goals, and make a healthy, realistic plan together.
Come see us at Foxtail Hair Salon at 2111 North Main Street, Pearland, Texas 77581. You can give us a call at 832-295-3821 to book a consultation with me or one of our other amazing stylists.
Let's create something beautiful.