Pastel Hair Colour NZ | Dyes, Masks & Toners | Zilion NZ
Pastel Hair Colour in NZ
Pastels are the soft end of fashion colour: lilac, lavender, baby pink, rose gold, peach, mint and icy silver. They look delicate, suit a wide range of skin tones and fade gracefully, which is why so many people choose a pastel as their first step into colour. This collection covers every way to get there, from ready-to-use pastel dyes and mixing bases to tinted masks, toning shampoos, pastel sprays and salon toners.
Zilion is an official NZ stockist of every brand here, including L3VEL3, Crazy Color, Muvo, Wella Professionals, Lust, Affinage, Manic Panic, Milk Shake, Joico, Schwarzkopf Professional and FarmaVita. There are more than 60 products in the collection.
About Pastel Hair Colour
A pastel is simply a lot of lightness with a little pigment. That makes the base more important than with any other colour. Pastels need hair lightened to a very pale, even blonde, usually level 9 to 10, with as little yellow as possible. Yellow mixes with lilac to make grey, with blue to make green and with pink to make peach, so most pastel looks start with toning out the yellow first.
There are two ways to make a pastel. You can use a ready-made pastel shade, such as Crazy Color Lilac or Manic Panic Creamtones, or dilute a brighter shade with a clear or white mixing base, such as L3VEL3 KRAY Clear or Lust Soft Pastel. Tinted masks, conditioners and shampoos then keep the pastel fresh at home, because pastels fade faster than brights.
Pastel Hair Colour by Type
Pastel dyes and mixing bases. The L3VEL3 KRAY Clear mixing base softens any KRAY shade into a pastel, and KRAY Light Violet, Light Blue and Light Orange are already soft. Lust Soft Pastel pastelises other Lust shades, and Lust Misty Rose and Mint Cream are ready to use.
Ready-made pastel shades. Crazy Color Lilac, Marshmallow, Peachy Coral and Peppermint, Manic Panic Creamtones Blue Angel, Sea Nymph and Dreamsicle, Manic Panic Coraline Dream Amplified, and Joico Color Intensity Pastel Collection Rose Gold and Silver Ice.
Pastel sprays. Crazy Color Pastel Sprays come in Lavender, Marshmallow, Bubblegum Blue, Graphite and Peachy Coral. They are ready-to-use conditioning sprays for a soft tint with no mixing.
Tinted masks. Wella Professionals Color Fresh Masks in Lilac Frost, Mint, Pink Blush and Peach Blush, and Lust Peach and Rosegold Colour Masks, deposit soft tone while they condition.
Toning shampoos and conditioners. Muvo Ultra Rose and Just Peachy shampoos, Milk Shake Pink Lemonade shampoo and conditioner, Nak Hair Signature Rose Blonde Shampoo and the Crazy Color Ultra Violet Anti Yellow Shampoo keep pastel and blonde tones fresh.
Salon pastel toners. Schwarzkopf BlondMe Blonde Toning Lilac and Strawberry are pastel toners for bases 8 to 10, FarmaVita Omniplex Blossom Glow Toner T Pink is ammonia-free, and the Fanola Glow & Glossy T. Rose Toner gives a soft rose-gold tone. These are for trained colourists. See Toner for more.
Bright shades for mixing. Affinage Colour Blast shades such as Flamingo Pink and Phantom Purple can be mixed together or softened, so a single tube can make several pastels.
Brands in This Category
- L3VEL3
- Crazy Color
- Muvo
- Wella Professionals
- Lust
- Affinage
- Manic Panic
- Milk Shake
- Joico
- Schwarzkopf Professional
- FarmaVita
- Nak Hair
Top 10 Pastel Hair Colours
- Crazy Color Lilac 100ml: a ready-made pastel lilac in a conditioning cream, no mixing needed.
- L3VEL3 KRAY Light Violet 100ml: a soft lavender violet for lilac and lavender pastels, with BondFusion Technology.
- L3VEL3 KRAY Clear 100ml: a colourless mixing base that turns any KRAY shade into a pastel.
- Manic Panic Creamtones Blue Angel 118ml: an icy pastel sky blue from the Perfect Pastel range.
- Joico Color Intensity Pastel Rose Gold 118ml: soft, shimmering rose gold in a semi-permanent direct dye.
- Lust Misty Rose 75ml: a soft rose pink that Lust describes as ammonia-free with argan oil.
- Crazy Color Pastel Spray Lavender 250ml: a conditioning spray that adds a soft lavender tint in minutes.
- Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Lilac Frost 150ml: a tinted mask that refreshes cool lilac tones in about 10 minutes.
- Muvo Ultra Rose Shampoo 300ml: a rose-toned shampoo that refreshes and hydrates blonde and light hair.
- Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Blonde Toning Lilac 60ml: a salon pastel toner for bases 8 to 10 with Anti-Metal Bond Protection Technology.
Best Sellers at Zilion
- Muvo Ultra Rose Shampoo 300ml ($36.95)
- Crazy Color Semi-Permanent Hair Color Marshmallow 100ml ($14.99)
- Crazy Color Pastel Spray Graphite 250ml ($24.99)
- Crazy Color Pastel Spray Marshmallow 250ml ($24.99)
- Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Lilac Frost 500ml ($86.00)
- Nak Hair Signature Rose Blonde Shampoo 350ml ($28.90)
- Joico Colour Intensity Pastel Collection Silver Ice 118ml ($46.00)
- FarmaVita Omniplex Blossom Glow Toner T Pink ($26.91)
- FarmaVita Life Color Plus Pink 100ml ($23.31)
- Affinage Colour Blast Starbright Yellow 150ml ($39.99)
Why People Choose Pastel Hair
- Soft and wearable. Pastels add colour without the intensity of a bright shade, so they suit work, weddings and everyday life.
- Flattering on many skin tones. Cool lilacs and icy blues suit cooler skin, while peach and rose gold flatter warmer tones.
- Easy to refresh. Tinted masks, conditioners and shampoos keep pastel tone fresh between full colours.
- Graceful fading. Pastels fade back towards blonde, which is easier to live with than a faded bright.
- Mix your own. Clear and pastel mixing bases let you create a custom shade from any bright.
- A gentle start. Pastel sprays and tinted masks let you try a colour with very little commitment.
How to Choose a Pastel Shade
Get the base right. Pastels need hair lightened to level 9 or 10, ideally with yellow toned out. If you are not there yet, see Bleach and Toner, or ask a hairdresser.
Choose by undertone. Lilac, lavender, silver and icy blue are cool pastels. Peach, rose gold and coral are warm. Mint sits in the middle and looks best on very pale, clean blonde.
Decide how long you want it. For a weekend look, use a Crazy Color Pastel Spray. For a few weeks of colour, choose a semi-permanent pastel dye. To keep it going, add a tinted mask or toning shampoo to your routine.
Mix carefully. When diluting a bright shade with a clear base, add colour a little at a time and strand test. It is easier to add pigment than to take it away.
Plan the aftercare. Wash in cool water with a gentle shampoo, use a tinted mask once a week and protect hair from heat. More top-ups are in Colour Depositing Conditioner and Colour Depositing Shampoo.
How to Apply Pastel Hair Colour
Start with clean, dry or towel-dried hair that has been lightened and toned. Protect your hairline and wear gloves. If you are mixing a pastel, combine the mixing base and colour in a bowl first and strand test the result. Apply evenly from root to tip with a tint brush so every strand is saturated, then leave for the time on the pack. Rinse with cool water. Tinted masks go on after shampooing in place of your usual conditioner, and pastel sprays go on dry hair from a short distance. Brushes, bowls and gloves are in Hair Colour Accessories.
Why Shop Pastel Hair Colour at Zilion
- Official NZ stockist. Every pastel product we sell is genuine stock from the brand.
- Free shipping over $85. Orders under $85 ship for a flat $7.99 to metro and rural addresses.
- Afterpay and Zip. Spread the cost of a bigger order over interest-free instalments.
- Same-day dispatch. In-stock orders placed before 9am leave our warehouse the same business day.
- The whole pastel routine. Dyes, mixing bases, sprays, tinted masks, toning shampoos and salon toners in one collection.
- Help when you need it. Email care@zilion.co.nz with your current hair colour and the pastel you want, and we will help you plan it.
Delivery Across New Zealand
We deliver pastel hair colour right across the country, to Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, and to rural addresses in every region. Metro orders usually arrive in 1 to 4 business days and rural orders in 3 to 7.
Pastel Hair Colour FAQs
Do I need to bleach my hair for pastel colour?
Yes, for most pastels. They need a very pale base, usually level 9 to 10, so most people need to lighten first. Pastels will not show on darker hair.
Why does my pastel look grey or green?
Yellow left in the hair mixes with the pastel. Yellow and lilac can look grey, yellow and blue can look green. Tone out yellow before applying the pastel.
How do I make a pastel from a bright colour?
Mix a small amount of the bright shade into a clear or pastel mixing base, such as L3VEL3 KRAY Clear or Lust Soft Pastel, adding colour bit by bit. Strand test first.
What is L3VEL3 KRAY Clear?
A colourless mixing base from L3VEL3's KRAY range. Mix it with any KRAY shade to soften it into a pastel or fine-tune intensity. It contains BondFusion Technology, aloe vera and organic argan oil.
What is Lust Soft Pastel?
A 150ml semi-permanent base used to soften and pastelise other Lust shades. Lust describes it as free of ammonia, peroxide, sulphate and parabens.
Which pastel shades are ready to use?
Crazy Color Lilac, Marshmallow, Peachy Coral and Peppermint, Manic Panic Creamtones, Lust Misty Rose and Mint Cream, and Joico Pastel Rose Gold and Silver Ice are all ready-made pastels.
What is the best lilac or lavender hair colour?
Crazy Color Lilac, L3VEL3 KRAY Light Violet and the Crazy Color Lavender Pastel Spray give soft purple pastels. Wella Color Fresh Mask Lilac Frost keeps lilac topped up.
What is the best pastel pink?
Crazy Color Marshmallow, Lust Misty Rose and Wella Color Fresh Mask Pink Blush give soft pinks. Milk Shake Pink Lemonade shampoo and conditioner keep pink tones fresh.
What is the best rose gold hair colour?
Joico Color Intensity Pastel Rose Gold, the Lust Rosegold Colour Mask and Fanola T. Rose Toner give rose-gold tones. Manic Panic Coraline Dream gives a rose-gold result on level 8 hair, according to the brand.
What is the best pastel peach?
Crazy Color Peachy Coral, the Peachy Coral Pastel Spray, Manic Panic Creamtones Dreamsicle, Wella Color Fresh Mask Peach Blush and Muvo Just Peachy shampoo.
What is the best mint hair colour?
Lust Mint Cream, Crazy Color Peppermint, Brelil Mint Green CC Color Cream and Wella Color Fresh Mask Mint give soft mint shades.
What is the best pastel blue?
Manic Panic Creamtones Blue Angel, the Crazy Color Bubblegum Blue Pastel Spray and L3VEL3 KRAY Light Blue are soft, icy blues.
Is there a pastel silver or grey?
Joico Color Intensity Pastel Silver Ice gives a cool silver pastel, and the Crazy Color Graphite Pastel Spray gives a soft grey tint.
What are Crazy Color Pastel Sprays?
Ready-to-use 250ml conditioning sprays that give a soft pastel tint with no mixing. Shades include Lavender, Marshmallow, Bubblegum Blue, Graphite and Peachy Coral.
How long do pastel sprays last?
They are designed for a soft, short-term tint and fade quickly with washing. They are ideal for trying a shade or for an event.
What is a tinted hair mask?
A conditioning mask with added pigment that refreshes colour while it treats the hair. Wella Color Fresh Masks and Lust Colour Masks are tinted masks.
How often should I use a tinted mask?
Once a week or whenever the colour starts to fade. Use it after shampooing in place of your usual conditioner, and follow the timing on the pack.
What is Wella Color Fresh Mask Lilac Frost?
A colour-depositing conditioning mask that refreshes cool lilac tones in about 10 minutes. It comes in 150ml and 500ml.
What is the Lust Rosegold Colour Mask?
A 175ml temporary colour mask that deposits pastel rose tones in blonde hair, enriched with argan oil. Lust says it works best on levels 7 to 10, with more pink on level 10.
What is Muvo Ultra Rose Shampoo?
A rose-toned shampoo that refreshes, tones and hydrates blonde and light hair. It comes in 300ml, 500ml and 1000ml, and Muvo Just Peachy is the peach version.
What is Milk Shake Pink Lemonade?
A shampoo and matching conditioner from Milk Shake, designed to maintain and enhance pink tones in hair while cleansing and conditioning.
What is Nak Hair Signature Rose Blonde Shampoo?
A toning shampoo designed to enhance rose-blonde tones and neutralise brassiness while hydrating.
What is the Crazy Color Ultra Violet Anti Yellow Shampoo?
A shampoo that neutralises unwanted yellow and brassy tones in blonde, silver or lightened hair, which helps keep pastels clean. It comes in 250ml and 1000ml.
What are salon pastel toners?
Professional toners such as Schwarzkopf BlondMe Blonde Toning Lilac and Strawberry, FarmaVita Omniplex Blossom Glow T Pink and Fanola T. Rose are used by colourists to create soft pastel tones on lightened hair.
What is Schwarzkopf BlondMe Blonde Toning Lilac?
A pastel toner for bases 8 to 10 that enhances tone or neutralises unwanted warmth after lightening, with Anti-Metal Bond Protection Technology, according to Schwarzkopf Professional.
How long does pastel hair colour last?
Pastels fade faster than brights, often within a few weeks, because there is less pigment. Tinted masks and toning shampoos help keep them fresh.
What does pastel hair fade to?
Most pastels fade back towards your lightened base, which is why the base should be as clean and pale as possible.
How do I keep pastel hair from fading?
Wash less often in cool water with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo, use a tinted mask weekly and protect hair from heat and sun.
Can I go pastel on dark hair?
Not without lightening. Dark hair needs to be lifted to a very pale blonde first. This often takes more than one session, so a hairdresser is the safest option.
Can I put pastel over a brighter colour?
No, pastels cannot cover a darker or brighter colour. Let the bright fade or remove it first.
Can I mix pastel shades together?
Yes, within the same brand. For example, mix lilac and pink for a soft orchid. Strand test the mix first.
Will pastel hair dye damage my hair?
Pastel dyes and masks are usually conditioning. The lightening step is what stresses the hair, so use bond care and gentle products afterwards.
Can I use pastel colour on grey or white hair?
Yes. Grey and white hair is a natural base for pastels, often without lightening, though resistant grey may colour unevenly.
Is pastel hair high maintenance?
It needs a little more care than natural hair, mostly regular top-ups with a tinted mask or toning shampoo. Sprays and masks make it easy at home.
Should I do a skin test before using pastel colour?
Yes. Do a skin test before every use as directed on the pack, especially for dyes and toners.
Can I apply pastel colour to wet hair?
Many pastel dyes go on clean, towel-dried hair. Tinted masks go on damp hair after shampooing, and pastel sprays go on dry hair. Follow each product's directions.
Does heat styling fade pastel hair?
Yes, heat speeds up fading. Use a heat protectant and lower heat settings where possible.
What else do I need for pastel hair?
Gloves, a tint brush and bowl, barrier cream and old towels, plus lightener, developer and toner if you need to prepare your base.
How much is Crazy Color pastel at Zilion?
Crazy Color conditioning creams are $14.99 for 100ml and Pastel Sprays are $24.99 for 250ml. Current prices are on each product page.
What other colour collections can help with pastels?
Pastel shades also appear in our Purple, Pink, Blue and Silver Hair Colour collections, and tinted conditioners are in Colour Depositing Conditioner.
Is Zilion an official stockist of these hair colour brands?
Yes. Zilion is an official NZ stockist of every brand in this collection, including L3VEL3, Crazy Color, Wella Professionals, Lust and Manic Panic.
Are the pastel hair colour products you sell genuine?
Yes. As an official stockist we only sell genuine products.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free on NZ orders over $85. Orders under $85 cost a flat $7.99 to metro and rural addresses.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock orders placed before 9am are dispatched the same business day. Metro deliveries take 1 to 4 business days and rural deliveries 3 to 7.
Can I pay with Afterpay or Zip?
Yes. Afterpay and Zip are both available at checkout.
Can I return a product I have opened?
No. For hygiene reasons, opened or used products cannot be returned unless they are faulty.
What is your returns policy for unopened items?
Unopened, unused items in original packaging can be returned within 30 days for a change of mind. Return postage and a restocking fee of $10 or 10% (whichever is less) apply.
What if my order arrives leaking or damaged?
Email care@zilion.co.nz within 5 days of delivery with your order number and photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund.
Do you deliver to PO Boxes or overseas?
No. Our couriers do not deliver cosmetics to PO Boxes, and we ship within New Zealand only.
Who can I ask for help choosing a pastel?
Email care@zilion.co.nz with your current hair colour and the pastel you want, and our team will help you choose.
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