If you’re going to dye your hair this summer, go hard or don’t bother. Pastel shades are always a good idea, but for hair as sharp as the bloke that owns it, turquoise is the shade to ask for. Pimps and Pinups know how to do it right, so we sent Mark for a makeover. His textured cut, with more volume up top (‘zero fade’, if we’re getting technical), was the perfect match for our turquoise transformation. Here’s how they did it.
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1 Bleach
If your hair is naturally darker than the shade you’re aiming for, it’ll need to be bleached first. Mark’s stylist applied Wella Blondor Multi-Blonde Powder (mixed with 30vol) to the ends of his hair, then wrapped it in foil. A little heat is applied while it gets to work at stripping the dark brown.
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2 Rinse
Next on mission turquoise: rinse it out. It’s best to head to the barbers with unwashed hair (3-4 days, no shampooing), as the build-up of natural oils will help protect the scalp. Pimps and Pinups used Rose Oil in the wash, to keep the condition tip-top. That brassy yellow shade won’t stick around for long – the brown pigment has been stripped, so after quick blow-dry, we’re ready to apply the colour.
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3 Colour
AKA, the juicy bit. For that vibrant turquoise shade, the stylist coloured the pre-lightened hair with Tigi BedHead Colour Trip: 80% green and 20% blue. Ta-da, turquoise. The dye is applied straight onto the bleached hair with a brush. To make sure the colour is evenly applied, and all excess dye is removed, the hair is combed through (cue Draco Malfoy, in East London).
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4 Reveal
A final wash, and the hair is ready for chopping. Fade cuts are the ultimate low-maintenance style. We went for ‘zero fade’ (hair shaved right down to the skin as it tapers), keeping all the attention on that turquoise top. A little scrunch of product to lift the hair (Pimps and Pinups’ ‘Dirty Deeds’ works a treat), and our dark brown-to-turquoise blue transformation is complete – looking dapper.
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FAQs
How do you get vibrant turquoise hair if your hair is dark?
You need to bleach your hair before applying turquoise dye if your hair is naturally darker than the shade you want. Bleaching strips away the brown pigment, making the colour bright and long-lasting. Professional stylists typically use products like Wella Blondor Multi-Blonde Powder with a 30vol developer for this step.
How should you prepare your hair before a colour appointment?
Arrive with unwashed hair, ideally after 3-4 days without shampooing. Natural scalp oils help protect your skin during the bleaching and colouring process. This tip can make your salon experience more comfortable and keep your scalp in good condition.
What is a zero fade haircut and why choose it with bold hair colour?
A zero fade cut is where hair is shaved down to the skin as it tapers from the top to the sides. This style keeps attention on the vibrant colour on top and is easy to maintain. It pairs especially well with eye-catching shades like turquoise.
Which colours are used to create a turquoise hair shade?
Turquoise hair is achieved by mixing 80% green dye with 20% blue dye. The colour is brushed onto pre-lightened hair for best results. Even application and careful combing make the finish even and bright.
Why is rose oil used during the hair colouring process?
Rose oil is added to the wash to help keep hair in top condition during colouring. It helps counteract dryness and maintains hair health after bleaching. Using nourishing products is essential for soft and shiny results when making a dramatic colour change.