Rose gold hair has become an extremely popular trend in recent years. The soft, romantic pinkish hue can look gorgeous on many different hair colors and skin tones. While some choose to bleach their hair first before applying rose gold dye, doing so is not always necessary. There are certain techniques and products available that allow you to achieve a beautiful rose gold tone without the damage of bleaching.
What is Rose Gold Hair?
Rose gold hair is a soft, warm hair color that combines pink and blonde shades. It gets its name from its resemblance to the luxurious rose gold metal. When done correctly, rose gold hair should look like a shiny, shimmery cascade of pinkish blonde locks.
Some key features of rose gold hair include:
– A blend of different warm shades like pink, peach, gold, and cream
– A subtle metallic sheen
– A multi-dimensional look, with a mix of lighter and darker tones
– A soft, natural appearance, not brassy or artificial looking
The exact rose gold shade can vary from a light dusty pink to a deeper rose blonde. The intensity depends on your natural hair color and how much cool or warm pigment it holds.
Can I Go Rose Gold Without Bleaching?
Many people believe you have to bleach your hair before going rose gold. However, this is not always the case. Here are some factors that determine if you can achieve rose gold hair without bleaching first:
Your Natural Hair Color
– Light blondes – Those with light blonde to platinum blonde hair likely do not need to bleach. The pale base provides the perfect canvas for rose gold dye.
– Medium to dark blondes – No bleaching is necessary, but hair may need to be lifted a shade or two first. Use a color remover or lighter blonde dye.
– Light to medium browns – Bleaching isn’t mandatory. Use a color remover to gently strip pigment first.
– Dark brunettes – While challenging, it is possible to go rose gold. Requires removal of most warm pigment with color remover and toner first.
– Black hair – Bleaching is generally needed to achieve a true rose gold. Otherwise, hair will turn out more coppery pink.
Your Tolerance for Damage
Bleaching is damaging, so those seeking to avoid chemical processing can get a subtle rose gold tint without it. However, if you want a lighter, more intense pink blonde, bleaching may be required. It’s a trade-off between vibrancy and hair health.
Temporary vs. Permanent Color
Using temporary or semi-permanent dyes without bleaching is safer than permanent color. The color washes out over time instead of altering your natural pigment. You can try different rose gold shades this way before committing.
Technique #1: Temporary Rinse
For the most gentle, commitment-free option, a temporary color rinse adds a sheer veil of rose gold tone. Rinses coat the outside of hair strands only. They wash out in 4-6 shampoos.
Ideal For:
– Subtle rose gold hint on light to medium blonde hair
– Trying out the color before permanent dye
– Adding a pop of fun color for events, costumes, or festivals
How To:
1. Shampoo and towel dry hair.
2. Prepare the color rinse as directed on the brand’s packaging. Wear gloves.
3. Apply thoroughly from roots to ends.
4. Leave on for the recommended development time.
5. Rinse until water runs clear.
6. Condition and style as normal.
Rinses allow you to go rose gold for a short time without bleaching or damaging your hair. However, they do not produce the rich, shimmery finish of permanent dyes.
Technique #2: Semi-Permanent Dye
Semi-permanent hair dye sits on the cuticle layer. It washes away over 4-12 weeks. Semi-permanent color is great for trying rose gold because it fades gradually and doesn’t require bleaching.
Ideal For:
– Subtly lightening up to 2 shades without bleach
– Boosting existing blonde tones
– Trying rose gold temporarily before permanent color
How To:
1. Clarify hair by shampooing twice without conditioner. This gets rid of residue.
2. Towel dry. Section hair into 4 parts for easier application.
3. Mix the semi-permanent dye and apply it evenly from roots to ends.
4. Leave on for the recommended time. Check for desired color saturation.
5. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
6. Condition and air dry. Style as desired.
Maintenance:
– Shampoo less frequently, only 1-2 times a week.
– Rinse with cooler water instead of hot to prevent fading.
– Use a colored conditioner or mask weekly.
– Refresh color every 4-6 weeks.
Technique #3: Demi-Permanent Dye
Demi-permanent color has small developer molecules that partially penetrate the hair shaft. This deposits longer lasting color that fades out over 24-28 shampoos. Demi-permanent rose gold dye can lighten natural hair up to 3 shades without bleaching.
Ideal For:
– Boosting or neutralizing brassy tones
– Dark blondes and light browns wanting long-lasting color without bleaching
– Adding richer rose gold tones on medium blonde hair
How To:
1. Wash and dry hair without conditioner.
2. Mix the demi-permanent color and developer according to directions.
3. Section hair and apply thoroughly from root to ends.
4. Leave on for the full development time.
5. Rinse until water runs clear.
6. Condition and style as desired.
Maintenance:
– Use a sulfate-free shampoo.
– Use a tinted conditioner or mask weekly.
– Refresh color every 6-8 weeks.
Technique #4: Highlift Color
Highlift hair dye contains ammonia and a higher developer volume. This lightens up to 4-5 shades while depositing color. Highlift dye allows you to achieve light blonde and rose gold tones without bleaching. However, it is more damaging than other options.
Ideal For:
– Lightening medium brown hair a few shades to reach rose gold levels
– Neutralizing brassy tones as it lightens
– Minimizing damage of bleach by lifting and coloring in one step
How To:
1. Wash and dry hair without conditioner.
2. Mix the highlift color and 40 volume developer.
3. Section hair and apply thoroughly from roots to ends.
4. Leave on 30-45 minutes, monitoring lightening.
5. Rinse completely until water runs clear.
6. Condition and style as usual.
Maintenance:
– Use a good quality conditioner and weekly reparative mask or treatment.
– Stretch washes to every 3-4 days.
– Refresh highlift color every 4-6 weeks.
Technique #5: Toner
Toner is used after lightening hair to neutralize brassiness and enhance color results. Toner provides longer lasting color than rinses or semi-permanent dyes. It develops under low peroxide levels so minimal damage occurs.
You can use rose gold toner to enhance your current blonde shade without bleaching first. Beige, violet, and blue-violet toner counteracts yellow tones while adding rose hues.
Ideal For:
– Canceling out yellow on pale blonde and silver hair
– Neutralizing brassy hair after color removal
– Boosting ashy or creamy blonde tones to a rose finish
How To:
1. Cleanse and dry hair after lightening.
2. Mix toner formula with 10 volume developer.
3. Apply thoroughly from roots to ends.
4. Leave on 15-20 minutes based on desired color depth.
5. Rinse completely and style.
Maintenance:
– Use sulfate-free shampoo and violet shampoo as needed.
– Apply toner again in 4-6 weeks. Lighten more if color fades significantly.
How To Maintain Rose Gold Hair
Rose gold hair requires some maintenance to keep the color looking fresh. Here are some tips:
– Wash less frequently, 1-2 times per week. Overwashing fades color quicker.
– Use cooler water when rinsing hair to prevent color stripping.
– Alternate between a sulfate-free shampoo and clarifying shampoo. Avoid buildup.
– Use a tinted conditioner or mask made for colored hair once a week.
– Brush hair gently starting at the ends to minimize breakage of delicate hair.
– Avoid chlorine and salt water that can oxidize and dull color.
– Refresh tone every 4-6 weeks with toning treatments. Re-dye roots as they grow in.
– Use heat protectant spray when heat styling. Limit use of hot tools.
– Get regular trims to snip away dry, damaged ends and encourage healthy new growth.
How Long Does Rose Gold Hair Last?
How long rose gold hair color lasts depends on several factors:
| Coloring Method | Lasts For |
| Temporary rinse | 4-6 shampoos |
| Semi-permanent dye | 4-12 weeks |
| Demi-permanent dye | 24-28 shampoos |
| Permanent dye | 5-8 weeks (regrowth will show) |
| Highlift dye | 4-6 weeks |
| Toner | 4-6 weeks |
– Your natural hair color and base tone – darker hair means faster fading
– How porous your hair is – Color doesn’t hold as well on damaged, porous strands
– Your daily haircare and styling routine – Heat styling and clarifying shampoos accelerate fading
– Frequency of refreshing your color – Consistent touch-ups prolong the vibrancy
With proper maintenance and touch-ups every 4-6 weeks, you can keep rose gold hair color looking beautiful for months. Just be prepared to put more time and money into caring for colored hair.
How Much Does Rose Gold Hair Color Cost?
Like with any hair color service, the cost of rose gold hair can range quite a bit. Pricing depends on:
– Whether you do it yourself or visit a salon
– If your hair needs to be pre-lightened with bleach first
– The specific products, dyes, and toners used
– Your hair length and thickness requiring more product
– Where you live and the average pricing of salons
Some average price ranges for rose gold hair are:
| DIY Dye Kit | $6 – $15 |
| Salon Semi-Permanent Color | $65 – $150 |
| Full Highlighting + Toner | $150 – $300 |
| All-Over Color + Bleach | $250 – $500 |
To save money, opt for semi-permanent dyes you can easily apply at home. Enlist a savvy friend to help.永 If wanting dramatic lightening with permanent color, consult a pro colorist. Expect to pay more but get long-lasting, customized results.
Does Rose Gold Look Good On Everyone?
While rose gold hair looks beautiful on many different people, it isn’t universally flattering. Cool skin tones with pink or red undertones usually look best with rose gold hair. The color complements and plays up your natural coloring.
Warm olive and golden skin tones are sometimes more flattered by beige or buttery blonde hues. Rose gold can make yellow skin look sallow. Adjust your toner or base dye color to complement your complexion.
Hair colorists also don’t recommend rose gold for those with lots of gray hair. The soft pink and blonde shades don’t cover and neutralize grays well. Stick with neutral beige blonde or warm coppery shades if over 20% gray.
When in doubt, do a test strand or temporary color wash. See how the rose gold hue interacts with your skin before committing to permanent dye. The right color should brighten up your whole face.
Best Rose Gold Hair Color Brands
Some top-rated hair color brands for achieving rose gold tones without bleaching include:
Semi-Permanent:
– Ion Color Brilliance – Wide range of pink, copper, and nude semi-permanent mixes
– Manic Panic – Vibrant, long-lasting cream formula great for fashion shades
– Lime Crime Unicorn Hair – Conditioning pastel semi-permanent colors
Demi-Permanent:
– Wella Color Charm – Creamy demi formula with beige and violet toners
– Goldwell Colorance – Nice rose gold shades, less abrasive on hair
– Matrix Color Sync – Demi cream with bond-building technology
Highlift:
– Schwarzkopf BlondMe – Lifts dark hair up to 3-4 levels while depositing color
– Kenra Color Highlighting – Cool and neutral highlift options
– Redken Flashlift – Bonder inside lightens while strengthening hair
Toners:
– Wella Color Touch – Effective toners for neutralizing brassiness
– Clairol Shimmer Lights – Popular purple shampoo to maintain blonde
– JOICO Color Balance Blue – Cancels yellow on silver and icy blondes
Consult a stylist if you’re not sure which type of product will work best. They can assess your hair and recommend the ideal rose gold dye. Always patch test color first.
How To Do a Strand Test
It’s highly recommended to do a strand test before applying any permanent or semi-permanent rose gold dye all over your hair. Here’s how:
1. Pick out a 1 inch section of hair near your face. Make sure it represents your current color.
2. Separate the section and brush dye only on half the strands. Follow timing and process directions.
3. Once done, compare the color result to your natural shade. Check it in different lighting.
4. Evaluate if the color is noticeable and vibrant enough for your liking. Assess whether it matches and flatters your skin tone.
5. Adjust your color choice, leave time or mixing ratio if needed to get your perfect rose gold shade.
Strand testing gives you the chance to try before fully committing. You can fine-tune the dye result so there are no surprises or disappointments later on.
Best Hair Types for Rose Gold Color
Though rose gold can work on many hair types, it usually looks most flattering on:
– Fine to medium texture hair – Lets more light through to show off color dimension
– Straight or wavy hair – Doesn’t require as much pre-lightening as super curly coils
– Short to medium length hair – Quicker and easier to dye than extremely long locks
– Previously color-treated hair – Porous and lighter structure absorbs pigment better
– Cool skin tones with pinkish hues – Beautifully complements the rosy shade
The right base of natural or pre-lightened hair allows the soft rose and beige tones to shine through. If you have very dark, dense, untreated hair, rose gold will come out quite subtle. Talk to a colorist first about realistic results.
How Light Should Your Hair Be For Rose Gold?
Here are some guidelines on how light your current hair should be to achieve rose gold, without bleaching:
| Your Natural Level | Level Needed for Rose Gold |
| Black – Level 1 | Pale Yellow – Level 8+ |
| Darkest Brown – Level 2 | Pale Yellow – Level 8+ |
| Dark Brown – Level 3 | Light Yellow Blonde – Level 7-8 |
| Medium Brown – Level 4 | Dark Blonde – Level 6-7 |
| Light Brown – Level 5 | Medium Blonde – Level 5-6 |
| Dark Blonde – Level 6 | Dark Blonde – Level 6 |
| Medium Blonde – Level 7 | Medium Blonde – Level 7 |