Sun-Friendly Paradise Painted Hair with Ian Scott Dorey (Plus DIY Tips!)

My Paradise Painted hair by Ian Scott Dorey, Creative Color Director of Ouidad Salon in NYC

Want an elegant way to candy-color your hair that will fade nicely with sun exposure? Here's a great way to do it with the creative expertise of my friend and colorist, Ian Scott Dorey, the Creative Color Director of Ouidad Salon in NYC.

Color-treated hair is something we must always protect from the sun. The yummy and radiant rays that feel so good on our skin are not only damaging to our skin, but also to our precious locks, particularly if they've been color-treated. For my recent respite to my hometown of lovely Honolulu, Ian, had the inspiration to paint my hair a tropically motivated color -- lavender/violet.

Moved by the vibrant and purple tones of the bougainvillea and orchids, and countless other flowers of that tone, Ian picked lavender/violet also because, he emphasized, it would fade well with sun exposure, which in Hawaii was inevitable: "A blue dye for example, would fade into green tones, and you wouldn't want that." A purple dye transitions into rose-y lavender and dusty pink tones before going back ultimately to the lifted bleached blonde tips first done to naturally dark hair within a few weeks time.

My tips are professionally lifted to blonde before the violet shades are added.

If you'd like to do this at home, Ian recommends you really do see a professional colorist if your hair is anything but naturally blonde. However if you are a natural blonde, a DIY may be possible. And Ian further recommends that you only do a few pieces in the front, because the hardest part is trying to do the back yourself.

Paradise Painted Hair Up Close

DIY Paradise Painted Hair with Ian Scott Dorey:

Materials Needed:

Manic Panic (pick a purple shade of your choice)
Conditioner
Gloves to protect your hands
A robe or towel to protect your skin and clothes
Clips to pull your hair back

Again, Pro TIP is to not do this unless you're a natural blonde or already professionally bleached blonde, because trying to lift your hair yourself is not recommended.

1) Mix some Manic Panic with a little bit of hair conditioner in a color-safe plastic bowl. The more parts you put of Manic Panic to conditioner, the stronger the purple will be -- the more conditioner you put, the more lavender it will be. Purple fades nicely with sun exposure and will suit many different skin tones, just as in lip or eye shadow color.

2) Take a very fine toothed rat-tail comb and take a few sections of hair just from the front of your head (e.g. from the ear to the face). Clip the remainder of your hair back. Choose sections you want to color. You can tease the hair using the comb, holding the tips, combing upwards, says Ian, and just do certain select parts to create a painted and natural looking effect.

2) Comb the hair into one-inch sections and then right at the tips, massage the color mixture into the tips you've chosen.

Ian demonstrates to his apprentices how to massage the color mixture into the ends.

3) Let your hair process for around 20-40 minutes. Checking the strands between your fingers every ten minutes after the first 20 minutes to see how the color looks.

4) Rinse off the color mixture with super cold water, and in general try to rinse your hair this way when possible Ian advises for healthy hair and ends: "It will help seal your hair cuticles." Depending upon how much conditioner you put in your mixture, you may not need to condition your hair.

5) Care for your newly treated hair always by using shampoo and conditioner especially made for color-treated hair. Try not to shampoo the ends too often, Ian says, if you can help it. This will help make the color last for longer.

6) For added protection try Ouidad's Sun Shield Sun & Sport Leave-In Spray ($15) when spending extended time in the sun for protection with UV filters - though designed for curly hair, I found that it works for all hair types.

Left: Ian's Paradise Painted hair after two weeks time, which has faded into a rose, hibiscus shade with lavender undertones. Right: The original more violet/purple shade a few days after the color processing.

Good Luck, and let me know how your DIY's go if you try it!

-- N.C.

Many Thanks to Ian Scott Dorey and Ouidad Salon NYC! xoxo