Reviewing Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox Hair Dye

The reasons to dye your hair are practically endless, ranging from snagging that bold fantasy color you’ve always wanted, finding a natural look that better matches your skin tone, and covering gray hairs to achieving a flawless gray look and more! When it comes to hair dye brands and products, the options are nearly as vast, and everyone has their own preferences, favorite brands, and can’t-go-wrong formulations. Recently, a member of our NamaSlay Crew, Tatiana Lightcap, tried out two popular brands for the first time: Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides. She was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions regarding both.

Tatiana, a beauty reviewer, photographer and member of the NamaSlay Crew, believes that everyone deserves to feel beautiful, whether it’s through hair, tattoos, makeup, or even rocking your own natural vibe.

But First: Tatiana Talks About Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox

Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox are two popular hair dye brands focused on what salons refer to as “fantasy colors.” I learned that both brands were founded in 2013 with a commitment to developing easy-to-use hair dyes in new colors that weren’t readily available at the time. In the years since, both brands have expanded their product selections as well as their color ranges, and Arctic Fox, in particular, continues to conduct research with the intent of creating brighter, longer-lasting colors on all types of hair. In addition, both brands are vegan and cruelty-free, meaning their dyes only contain plant-based ingredients and are not tested on animals.

You can shop for Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox hair dye on Amazon.

Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides: A Video Tutorial

To get a sense of how both brands work, Tatiana filmed a video of the process necessary to dye my hair in fun colors. I applied both Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides dye in a single session, using Arctic Fox Aquamarine in the front (in an area that had been previously colored) and Lunar Tides Plum Purple and Nightshade on the sides.

The video includes a brief step-by-step, which quickly covers the four stages of the fantasy color dying process:

1. Prep – I gathered my colors (two Lunar Tides jars and an Arctic Fox squirt bottle), a dye brush, and a comb. You might also want to use two separate brushes and a dye bowl or two if you have some length.
2. Application – I have short hair, so I was able to simply brush dye directly from the Lunar Tides jars onto her hair using a painting technique. For the front section, I simply sectioned the desired portion of hair off and applied the Arctic Fox directly to the hair itself, then spread with the brush.
3. Processing – I let my color process for 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re using multiple colors, you may want to separate the two with some plastic wrap or foil, but this was not necessary for my short hair.
4. Finishing – After processing was complete, I rinsed my hair with warm water and then styled as usual.

Check out the video above (or bookmark on YouTube!) to gauge how these hair dyes will look when properly applied. As always, keep in mind that life is all about exploring new things – and that includes your hair color. Have fun, and don’t look back!

Tatiana Discusses Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox

If you’re looking to switch up your hair game, it’s important to choose a dye brand that not only works well with your hair type but offers the shades, color intensity, durability, ingredients, and level of care you prefer.

Here’s a bit more about what you can expect with with Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox, directly from Tatiana:

Why These Brands?

I tend to be fairly picky when it comes to new hair dyes, but I was open to using both Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox after reading reviews, doing research, and looking at photos. I also highly recommend everyone read the ingredients to various hair dyes, just in case the dye contains ingredients that may cause skin irritation. I discovered Lunar Tides through researching new hair dyes I’ve never tried before, though I’ve used Arctic Fox brand dyes for several years. Lunar Tides offered more colors than Arctic Fox did, so I decided to try them both out together.

I want to emphasize that longevity and brightness are essential for me regarding hair dyes. Because I shampoo daily, the colors in some dyes tend to wash out quickly. However, these two brands kept my hair bright and colorful even after regular washing. As shown in the video, the hair dye needs to sit for about 15 to 30 minutes after applying, allowing it to soak in and truly show off the intensity you can get with these brands. In my experience, neither will begin fading until at least a week after use, so if you stay on top of freshening up at least biweekly, your hair will continue looking gorgeous.

How Should I Apply These Dyes?

I would advise you to bleach your hair prior to applying bright colors, especially if your hair is dark like mine. If your hair is light to begin with, you can still achieve a fairly strong color, though it will not be as bold as the color on the box. If your hair is dark and you don’t want to bleach, you can expect more of a subtle color wash that will still be pretty, but you won’t achieve the big, bold color I did. For best results – and to preserve the integrity and texture of your hair – professionals recommend waiting as long as 24 to 48 hours after bleaching your hair to apply dye.

Both Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides are semi-permanent dyes, meaning the dye is deposited on the exterior of the hair shaft instead of entering the cuticle of the hair and permanently altering the hair’s structure. While the color will be long-lasting, it will require freshening up, as previously mentioned – but semi-permanent dyes typically come without the harsh chemicals common in permanent dyes. Shampooing less and using lukewarm or cool water when rinsing and washing can help you maintain the color for longer, as hot water can seriously fade semi-permanent dye.

As far as the actual application process goes, you can see from the video that both Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox are very easy to use, especially when you have short hair like mine. You simply apply the dyes to your hair as-is, meaning you don’t need to mix them with any other products like developer. As I mentioned above, if you’re using multiple colors you don’t want to mix in with one another, or you have longer hair, you may want to use some foil or plastic wrap to keep everything separated. Once you’ve applied the dyes, let them sit and process for up to half an hour. Then, give your hair a rinse, style it however you wish, and you’re all set.

What Were These Brands Like to Use?

People who have previously damaged their hair, whether through frequent bleaching or harsh chemical dyes, often worry about damage from new dye products. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced any hair damage from either product.

I will say, however, that if these dyes get on your counter, floor, or sink, it’s important to use hairspray to remove them as soon as possible. Hair dye can soak into surfaces fairly quickly and can be tough to remove. I’ve learned that hairspray is a quick and easy solution for both Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides. If you are coloring areas close to your face or neck, apply some Vaseline to your skin first to repel any dye from settling into your skin.

The scents of these dyes were quite pleasant and not too strong. Some dyes I’ve used in the past can be a bit powerful, but both Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox smell great and aren’t too overbearing.

Lunar Tides, in particular, was extremely creamy, which made it easy to brush over my hair without dripping. It’s also worth noting that Lunar Tides dyes come in a pot, which allows you to brush directly from the container rather than using a dye bowl. Arctic Fox was a bit thinner, and if I had a larger area to dye, I likely would have needed a bowl – but it worked just fine to apply directly to the section I wanted.

The Verdict: Do I Recommend Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides?

If you’re a beginner who hasn’t dyed hair before, I believe both Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides are great options. They’re simple to apply and easy to maintain, making them ideal for those who want to get into hair dye for the first time. I think regular hair dye users can also find some benefits in using Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides, as neither product was harsh or damaged my hair in any way. I’d also say that the application and processing steps were extremely easy, meaning that I’ll be more likely to keep my hair looking fresh and bold every few weeks.

After trying these brands out for myself, I can confidently say that I recommend these to anyone looking for gorgeous and easy-to-use dyes. Both products work well, boast a wide variety of color options, and last a fair amount of time before re-application is needed. Between the two, you’re sure to find a shade (or three!) that suits your style.

If you want to purchase Lunar Tides or Arctic Fox dyes for yourself, you can do what I did and head on over to Amazon. You can check out both Lunar Tides and Arctic Fox hair dye stores on the site, and you’ll find a wide range of colors. For me personally, these two brands featured the three color options I was looking for, and I would recommend them to anyone.

Last but not least, both brands are affordable, especially compared to booking a salon appointment. Keep in mind, though, that purchasing a larger size can cost more upfront but give you more value for your money. Depending on how many ounces you purchase, you can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $20.

Hair Dye FAQs

While I’m fairly experienced at using semi-permanent colors and applying my own hair color, not everyone can say the same. To help you get started, I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked hair dye questions our team at NamaSlay has been asked over the years.

Have Fun With Hair Color

Whether you’ve used Arctic Fox, Lunar Tides, or another brand, we invite you to have a little fun… hair grows back and life’s too short not to experiment with vibrant colors! In this review, we’ve explored the unique offerings of both Arctic Fox and Lunar Tides, two brands that are pushing the boundaries of hair color innovation. Both have their strengths and cater to different tastes and needs. So, whether you’re a seasoned hair-dye enthusiast or someone who’s just starting to explore the world of color, remember that your hair is a canvas for self-expression. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope and try something new. After all, it’s not just about changing the color of your hair, but about embracing change, taking risks, and expressing your unique personality. Happy coloring!