9 of the Prettiest Pastel Pink Hair Ideas & Formulas
Pretty in pastel pink is the vibe right now, as clients turn to fun, fresh hues that shimmer and shine as the temperatures rise. This pretty shade is trending head to toe – in your hair and in your closet – meaning an influx of pastel pink hair requests is about to come your way.
Be ready with eight inspiring formulas for every type of pastel pink look, from a bright-to-light ombre, to a sparkly rose gold mane. Plus, discover the proper aftercare you should be recommending to your clients. This soft hue is prone to shade fade, but Wella's must-have tips will keep locks lustrous and vibrant for longer.
Pastel Pink Hair Formulas
Golden Hour Rosé
Dreamed up by Wella Professionals Colour & Trend Ambassador Jordanna Cobella, this Golden Hour Rosé look melts blush pink shades into gold for the most vibrant take on pastels. The goal? To mimic the sky at golden hour, just moments before the sun rises or sets, when a burst of pink breaks the horizon and casts a flattering glow. To get the look on already-light hair, tone with Shinefinity Colour Glaze, applying 09/3 + 07/3 + 00/56 to the roots for a blushing ombre. Then, paint 09/3 + 08/34 through the mid-lengths and ends, followed by 09/3 on the very tips. Who needs golden hour when this gorgeous gradient can follow you everywhere?
Pastel Pink Bixie Cut
Image Credit: @jhair_stylist
Nope, we haven't made a typo – this is what we call a 'bixie' cut. Part pixie, part bob, it's resplendent in choppy layers, blunt cutting, and major attitude. The pastel shade pop makes it feel even fresher, so if your client wants a short cut, suggest pairing it with this hue. To start, you'll need to pre-lighten hair, so reach for BlondorPlex, our bond-strengthening product that gives you 97% less breakage*. Then, follow up with Color Fresh CREATE in Nu-dist Pink, a semi-permanent rose shade you can make even softer by mixing in the Tomorrow Clear pastelizer.
Pastel Rose Gold Hair
Image Credit: @michellethompsonhair
Rose gold hair never goes out of style, and this mane reminds us why. Glossy and head-turning, it's the statement-making way to go pastel, both soft and bold at once. For this dreamy curly hair, Michelle Thompson lifted locks with BlondorPlex + 4% first, before toning from root to tip with demi-permanent Color Touch 10/0 + 55/65 + 1.9%. If you're creating the look for your client, finish with a spritz of EIMI Glam Mist. This UV-shielding shine spray will help their shade shimmer, while keeping sun damage at bay.
Pastel Pink Glaze
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
When you hear the words 'hair glaze' you probably think about shine-boosting services. But Shinefinity is that and so much more – alongside megawatt radiance, it also veils strands in an array of translucent colors. For the shade-brave, there's 09/65, a candy floss hue that Briana Cisneros used for this full-head pastel pink. Apply it over a blonde base, under heat for 20 minutes, to intensify the color and level up a choppy bob.
Pastel Pink Face Frame
Image Credit: @kellyevanshair_
For ash blonde hair with a twist, add face-framing highlights in shades of pink. This purple-meets-pink hue is perfect, matching the cool, frosted vibes to give long bangs and ruffled layers a pastel touch. BlondorPlex delivered the lift, Shinefinity 07/75 + 0/66 was responsible for the ashy lengths, and 09/65 + 0/66 sealed the deal through the face frame. This is a great way to give blonde hair an on-trend glow-up.
Pastel Pink Highlights
Image Credit: @hairbygerrileigh
How pretty are these pink highlights? In the perfect shade of blush-lilac frost, they lend light, almost-platinum blonde hair a pastel twist that's beyond mesmerizing. To recreate the look, start with pre-bleached hair, which you can lift with BlondorPlex in foils. Then mix up Color Touch 10/6 + 55/65; a blend of pink and blonde that makes hair shimmer from root to tip.
Pastel Pink on Dark Blonde Hair
Image Credit: @oz_beauties
We love a dark blonde and pastel pink combination, resulting in an edgier take on the trend. With ashy hues running through and a breezy bend, it feels beachy, tousled and effortless. So, if your client has dark or dirty blonde hair, you don't have to lift them to a lighter hue. Instead, work with their base and layer the pinky tones over the top. This particular formula is a Shinefinity masterpiece; a blend of 09/65 + 00/66 that reflects the light in the most dazzling way.
Pastel Pink Tips
Image Credit: @salehairstudio
Check out these pearlescent pink ends. They're popping through the tips on a silver blonde base of Color Touch 10/6 + 8/81, giving you a modern upgrade on the dip-dye trend. In the Wella Professionals portfolio, there are so many products you can use to get that icy pink, from Color Fresh CREATE to Koleston Perfect. Here, you're seeing Opal-Essence by Illumina Color in Platinum Lily; a permanent pink hue with an ethereal metallic sheen.
Sheer Pastel Pink Highlights
Image Credit: @oz_beauties
For clients who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge with full-head pastel pink, opt for soft macaron ribbons through a light blonde base. Those candied highlights catch the light in the dreamiest way. Start by lifting with BlondorPlex + 6%, then stroke Koleston Perfect 9/81 + 8/96 + 55/66 through top-layer pieces to sweeten the deal.
How to Maintain Pastel Pink Hair Color
Before your client heads out the salon doors with a fresh head of pastel pink hues, remind them of the three essential rules that will maintain their candy floss mane.
1. Wash With a Color-Locking Shampoo
Because pastel pink is soft in tone, it tends to fade faster than brighter hues. So, for clients who want to lock it down, proper aftercare is a must. Recommend that they use a color-kind shampoo, like ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo, to cleanse without stripping their shade. It's packed with antioxidants that protect hair against the dulling effects of free radicals, while offering up to eight weeks of color protection**. If your client's hair is damaged, they can also ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo; a rich, luxurious lather that's comforting and color-safe.
2. Add Two Conditioners to Your Kit
Next, suggest two conditioners. The first is for everyday care, and it should work in tandem with your client's chosen shampoo. So, if they're washing with ColorMotion+, they need ColorMotion+ Moisturizing Color Reflection Conditioner, and if they're dealing with damage, ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner is their go-to. It's always best to use shampoos and conditioners within the same range, as the ingredients are specially formulated to enhance one another's results.
Then, the next conditioner they need is a color-depositor. We love the Color Fresh Mask, which comes in the shades Rose Blaze and Pink. As they're bolder than a pastel shade, advise your client to let these masks absorb for around five minutes. They can also dilute them by applying their chosen shade to wet hair instead of damp, towel-dried locks. Used once weekly, the Color Fresh Mask will refresh their salon color, nurture tips and maintain pastel hues until the next color appointment.
Pro Tip: If your client is using ULTIMATE REPAIR for damaged hair, the Miracle Hair Rescue leave-in treatment is another essential in their routine. All they have to do is mist it through clean, towel-dried hair and allow it to soak in. It repairs hair damage in 90 seconds***, leading to 99% less breakage****.
3. Shield Hair Against All Kinds of Heat
Finally, demonstrate the safeguarding powers of ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In; a delicate cream that shields locks from UV rays and heat styling damage. Heat – whether from a hair tool, hot tap or scorching weather – is one of the key shade-fade culprits. That’s why a hat on hot days and washing locks with lukewarm water are also essential steps for keeping pinks fresh and bright.
Looking for more tips? Don't forget to read our complete guide on how to maintain pink hair.
* When using WellaPlex N°2 with BlondorPlex, versus BlondorPlex alone.
** When using Structure+ Mask.
*** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
**** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.
