Now that this super-pretty shade has comfortably hit the mainstream, it behooves fans of hot pink hair to know how to take care of it and keep it looking its best.
5 Ways to Wear Hot Pink Hair
Scroll down for a few tips on prolonging the vibrancy of this color, as well as some inspirational photos on the best versions of hot pink hair we’ve seen so far:
1. Hot Pink Ombré Braids
Ease into the hot pink hair trend with ombré braids that leave the color around your face a base-line brown and transition into a bolder hue further down.
2. Neon Hot Pink Hair
Take your strands in a neon direction with this bright and bold pink hair color. We love how sleek and smooth this style looks when straightened!
3. Hot Pink Hair Streaks
Get in on the hair streak trend while simultaneously bringing in a pop of pink to the front of your hairline. This e-girl inspired look is all the rage these days.
4. Pink Braids
Take the plunge and go all-in with a beautiful hue of pink braids. We love this monochromatic pink look and can’t get enough of the pink vibes.
5. Hot Pink Afro
Take a dive into the deep end with a hot pink afro that’s full of volume and personality. Pairing your curls with a vibrant shade of pink hair color is the quickest way to make a major statement.
How to Maintain Hot Pink Hair
Are you ready to learn how to maintain your new hot pink hair color? Read on:
1. Pre Shampoo for Hot Pink Hair.
We know, we know, it’s such an extra step, but so worth it in the long run. Coating hair with a primer before you shampoo helps shield hair strands in the shower and repel water, which is actually public enemy no. 1 when it comes to color leakage (it swells up the strand). We like the infusion in Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer, which has both coconut and Argan oil, as well as white orchid extract, to help nourish and improve vibrancy in colored locks.
2. Get specific.
Switching out to a color-specific wash and care system is a tiny change that can have a big payoff—specifically, longer-lasting hot pink hair that doesn’t require expensive touchups as often. A shampoo and conditioner duo that color retention technology, like TRESemmé Color Revitalize Shampoo and Color Revitalize Conditioner, can help keep extending the life of your #unicornhair for as much as 40 washes.
3. Go low-sulfate if you can.
Other shampoo and conditioner options offer lower-sulfate systems that also help with another side-effect of colored hair: porosity. Bleach is, oftentimes, a fact of life when lifting hair into a bright pink hue, and the process can leave strands feeling rough, straw-like and damaged overall. If this is a grave concern for your hair’s condition, switching to a gentle, low-sulfate option that also maintains frizz. Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Color Care Shampoo and the Suave Professionals Keratin Color Care Conditioner help revitalize and smoothen as well as prolong your hot pink hair.
4. Mask more efficiently.
Hot pink hair is processed hair, which means it’s probably incurred more damage than regular wear and tear from daily styling and manipulation. Dry, damaged strands can benefit from a mask around two to three times a week (as opposed to once a week for normal hair types) as this helps infuse proteins and conditioning oils deeper into the hair strand, fortifying it from the inside out when your strands need it most. Think of it as hair insurance: If you’re also big on styling on the daily, then reinforcing your shampoo and conditioner with a dual-treatment hair treatment, such as Dove Nutritive Solutions Intensive Repair Deep Treatment Mask, can help repair your hair’s current state of affairs and even prevent future damage.
5. Pick up a dry shampoo habit.
When used correctly, dry shampoo is a godsend for those with colored hair. It helps cut down on washes, thus extending your color. It also absorbs any excess oil and buildup on your scalp and strands, which can dull the vibrancy in hot pink hair, as well as leave locks stringy. To use, hold hair at least 12 inches from the head—try forming a capital letter L with your arm—and spray a dry shampoo specially formulated for colored hair, like Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Color Care Dry Shampoo, to instantly revitalize your look.