Chocolate mauve hair is a gorgeous hair color trend that has been popping up more and more lately. It’s a dimensional hair color that combines chocolate brown and mauve tones to create a unique look. Getting chocolate mauve hair requires some pre-lightening and the strategic placement of color, but it is something that can be achieved at home with the right products and techniques. Here is a complete guide on how to get chocolate mauve hair yourself!
What is chocolate mauve hair?
Chocolate mauve hair is a modern take on rose gold and other pink-toned hair colors. It mixes cool mauve tones with warm chocolate browns to create an overall multidimensional look. The mauve brings a dark pinkish-purple tone while the chocolate brown provides a rich warmth. When paired together, it creates a harmonious hair color that flatters most skin tones.
Chocolate mauve hair typically utilizes darker shades of brown and mauve to create a more natural-looking color rather than bright or pastel versions of those shades. The color is slightly muted to resemble a rose tone with brown lowlights. It works beautifully on brunettes who want to go lighter while still keeping some depth and dimension to their hair.
Who can pull off chocolate mauve hair?
Chocolate mauve hair is versatile enough to work for a wide range of complexions and base hair colors. Here are some of the key factors to consider to determine if chocolate mauve is right for you:
– Fair to medium skin tones – The rosy mauve tones complement fair to medium skin tones beautifully. Very fair skin may be better suited for a less saturated version of the color.
– Warm skin undertones – Chocolate mauve hair complements peachy, golden undertones especially well. Cool or pink undertones can work too but the color may need to be adjusted.
– Medium to dark brown hair – Starting with a level 5-7 brown base helps the color take evenly and appear most natural. Blondes can still achieve the look but may need extra toning.
– Low maintenance – This multidimensional hair color requires minimal upkeep compared to high contrast looks. Root touch ups are needed every 6-8 weeks.
– Willingness to pre-lighten – You must be ready to pre-lighten your natural hair to a medium brown before applying chocolate mauve. This prevents the color from getting too dark.
As long as you’re willing to pre-lighten and embrace the maintenance, chocolate mauve hair can work for a variety of hair colors and skin tones for a unique, stylish look.
Determining your base hair color level
Before beginning the chocolate mauve hair coloring process, it’s important to determine your natural hair color level. This will help you understand how much pre-lightening is needed and what strength of color to use. Here’s an overview of the hair color levels:
| Level | Color |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Black |
| Level 2 | Darkest brown |
| Level 3 | Darker brown |
| Level 4 | Medium brown |
| Level 5 | Light brown |
| Level 6 | Dark blonde |
| Level 7 | Medium blonde |
| Level 8 | Light blonde |
| Level 9 | Very light blonde |
| Level 10 | Lightest blonde |
To determine your natural level, allow your roots to grow out a bit and compare them to this chart. You can also ask your colorist to help determine your level. Most hair needs to be pre-lightened to a level 7-8 medium blonde base before applying chocolate mauve dye.
Preparing your hair
Preparing your hair properly is crucial for getting even results and minimizing damage when pre-lightening and coloring for chocolate mauve hair. Here are some tips:
– Avoid washing hair for 1-2 days before coloring. Natural oils will help protect your hair.
– Exfoliate and slough off any dry, flaky skin around your hairline and ears. This prevents dye stains on the skin.
– Use a clarifying shampoo 1-2 days before coloring to remove residue.
– Choose a conditioning hair mask or deep treatment and use it liberally before and after lightening and coloring the hair.
– Protect areas like your ears and hairline with petroleum jelly or barrier cream.
– Wear a color-safe shirt or cape during the coloring process.
– Section clean, dry hair into four quadrants and clip the other sections up and out of the way as you work.
– Have all your coloring products and tools ready to go before starting. This includes dye, developer, brushes, gloves, etc.
Taking the time to properly prep both your hair and your coloring workspace will make the process quicker and easier.
Pre-lightening tips
Most hair needs to be pre-lightened to achieve an even chocolate mauve color. Here are some pre-lightening best practices:
– Use a professional lightening kit instead of box dye for best results. Look for oil-infused formulas.
– Mix the developer and lightener according to the instructions based on your hair’s current level and desired level.
– Apply lightener quickly and evenly from roots to ends and process for the recommended time.
– Check every 5-10 minutes and remove once you are at least 2 levels lighter than your starting shade. Rinse thoroughly.
– Avoid overlapping lightened pieces to prevent hot spots and unevenness.
– Apply lightener only to your mid-lengths and ends if your roots are already light enough.
– Use a toner after rinsing out the lightener to neutralize brassiness and ensure an even canvas for chocolate mauve dye.
– Give your hair a break of 1-2 days after pre-lightening before applying chocolate mauve color.
Pre-lightening gradually will help prevent damage and create the perfect base for your chocolate mauve shade.
Choosing your chocolate mauve shade
When it comes to selecting the perfect chocolate mauve hair dye, you’ll want to consider your base level, desired intensity, and undertone preferences. Here are some tips:
| Base Hair Level | Recommended Chocolate Mauve Shades |
|---|---|
| Level 7-8 pale blonde | Beige mauve, soft rose brown, warm sand |
| Level 6-7 medium blonde | Chestnut mauve, cocoa rose, rum raisin |
| Level 5-6 dark blonde | Chocolate cherry, warm fig, espresso mauve |
– For high contrast, choose an intense mauve shade with dark chocolate brown lowlights.
– For a more natural look, use a heavily diluted demi-permanent formula in a warmer rosy brown.
– Cool-toned mauves work best for neutral to pink skin tones. Warm reddish mauves flatter peachy golden skin.
– Look for shade names with words like “chestnut, cocoa, espresso” for rich chocolates and “mauve, rose, wine” for mauvey pinks.
When selecting your chocolate mauve dye, hold strands of your pre-lightened hair next to swatches to visualize the final result. This will ensure you get the perfect custom shade.
Mixing your custom chocolate mauve dye
You can mix custom shades of chocolate mauve hair dye by combining brown and mauve dyes from professional hair color lines. Here are some tips:
– Choose one neutral dark brown shade and one true mauve or burgundy shade.
– Mix the two colors together in a 1:1 ratio to start. Adjust based on your desired intensity.
– Add conditioner or a diluter to soften the color result or sheer it out.
– For deeper brunettes, start with a 2:1 ratio of brown to mauve.
– For lighter brunettes or bronzed blondes, do a 1:2 ratio of brown to mauve.
– Doing a strand test can help you determine your ideal chocolate mauve ratio before applying to all hair.
Mixing shades allows you to truly customize your perfect chocolate mauve hue. Just remember to wear gloves and protect surfaces when mixing professional dye.
Applying chocolate mauve dye
When you’re ready to apply your chocolate mauve hair dye, follow these tips for flawless results:
– Always perform a patch and strand test first to check for allergies and color result.
– Separate your hair into four quadrants and start applying color to the back sections first.
– Thoroughly saturate all strands from roots to ends using a tint brush or bottle applicator.
– Let the dye process for the full development time indicated on the color’s instructions.
– Check for even coverage and reapply to any sparse areas as needed before time is up.
– For added dimension, paint lowlights using a darker chocolate brown shade concentrated on the mid-lengths and ends only.
– Once the time is complete, rinse hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
– Follow with a color-safe or purple shampoo and nourishing conditioner.
– Blow dry and style as usual, being gentle with your newly colored strands.
Careful application and thorough processing is key to achieving vibrant, long-lasting chocolate mauve locks.
Maintaining your chocolate mauve hair
Chocolate mauve hair requires some maintenance to keep it looking fresh. Here are some tips:
– Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to retain vibrancy. Wash 1-2 times per week only.
– Use a purple shampoo or toning mask 1-2 times weekly to prevent brassiness.
– Limit use of heat styling tools to keep hair healthy and avoid fading.
– Get a gloss or glaze treatment every 4-6 weeks to hydrate hair and refresh color.
– Use an at-home brown or mauve-toned color refreshing mask between salon visits.
– Get a trim every 8-10 weeks to remove split ends and keep color fresh.
– Reapply chocolate mauve dye every 6-8 weeks at home or in-salon. Always do a strand test first.
With the proper at-home maintenance, your chocolate mauve hair color should remain beautiful and dimensional for weeks on end!
FAQs
Can I get chocolate mauve hair without bleaching?
For most hair colors, pre-lightening is required to achieve the depth needed for chocolate mauve hair. However, if you already have a naturally light level 7-10 blonde base, you may be able to apply chocolate mauve dye directly without bleaching. Do a strand test first.
What if the chocolate mauve dye comes out too dark?
If your chocolate mauve shade ends up darker than desired, use a color remover to strip the color. Then re-lighten your hair to the proper base shade and reapply the chocolate mauve dye, adjusting the formula as needed. A professional color correction may be required.
Should I tone my hair first before applying chocolate mauve dye?
Yes, toning to neutralize brassiness is highly recommended either immediately after lightening or on your pre-lightened base before applying chocolate mauve color. This helps the color take true to tone.
What’s the best way to transition from chocolate mauve back to my natural color?
Slowly transition back to your natural shade using a demi-permanent color closest to your natural level and tone. You may need to do multiple applications over several weeks, while progressively going darker and less cool-toned until you reach your starting shade.
Conclusion
Chocolate mauve hair is a gorgeous, dimensional hair color that adds a unique pop of color while still looking natural. On the right base hair color and skin tone, it creates a romantic, rosy hue that stands out. Pre-lightening is crucial for the best results and can be done safely at home with the proper techniques. Taking the time to customize your chocolate mauve shade by mixing dyes and doing strand tests ensures you’ll love the final look. Maintain your new locks with color-safe products and regular glosses. When done correctly, chocolate mauve hair is sure to turn heads and become your new signature shade!
