The Art of the Perfect Fade: A Crazy Color Journey with Connor Stansfield
I’m Connor Stansfield, Crazy Color Brand Ambassador, educator, and passionate colourist. Today, we’re getting into a topic that can make or break your client’s experience: the fade. By designing your colours with the fade in mind, you can turn a dreaded process into an opportunity to create stunning, evolving looks.
Have you ever had a client leave your chair thrilled, only to return weeks later disappointed in how their colour faded? SAME. It’s a frustration we’ve all faced as professionals. We know hair colour is going to fade, but how it fades makes all the difference. A stunning fade means your client’s hair looks just as beautiful throughout the coming weeks, keeping them happy—and loyal.

Redefining the Fade
Let’s be real: the word fade often gets a bad rap in our industry. By definition, it means: “To lose colour, brightness, or strength gradually.”
But here’s the thing—fading doesn’t have to be negative! When planned correctly, a fade can become a feature that makes your client’s hair look just as beautiful in weeks three and four as it did on day one.
This is how you retain clients: when their hair continues to stun over time, they’ll remain your committed customer and excited to come back for more.

Fade-Friendly Colour Choices
For ultimate peace of mind (especially with first-timers), stick to shades in the same colour family. For example:
Blue, Teal, and Green will fade harmoniously into soft, complementary tones.
When you want to use opposing colours, take precautions to ensure they don’t bleed into each other during the first rinse.
Model Spotlight: Laura’s Transformative Base
My gorgeous model Laura had an amazing base to start with—bleached almost to the scalp. This is every colourist’s dream when creating high-impact looks! To get her roots prepped, I used Crazy Color Violet Lightener. This bleach is a game-changer because its violet pigment neutralises yellow tones as it lifts, giving you a clean, even base in one step.
Toning with a Twist
Laura’s hair had some leftover pink tones from her previous colour, which needed to be removed for my envisioned look. Instead of going for harsh removers or additional bleach, I opted for the new Crazy Color Rapid Toners in Ice Queen and Platinum Punk, paired with 20Vol developer. This dual-action step not only removed the residual pink but also toned the hair beautifully, saving me valuable time on our busy shoot day.

Creative Vision: Unconventional Rainbows
For this look, I drew inspiration from unconventional rainbows and high-contrast tones. I decided to split the style into two dramatic sides: a deep, moody purple on one side and my own bold interpretation of a rainbow on the other.
Here’s the breakdown:
The Purple Side
I wanted a rich, vibrant pink-based purple, so I mixed a full bowl of Crazy Color Cyclamen with Blue Power Pigment Drops. The result was a deep yet luminous hue that stood out beautifully.
The Rainbow Side
This side was all about seamless blends and bold colour:
- Pink:
Pinkissimo and Cyclamen in equal parts for a vivid base. - Purple:
Pinkissimo/Cyclamen mix with Blue Power Pigment for a cool-toned transition. - Blue:
Blue Power Pigment with Neutral Mix for a bright, clean blue. - Green:
Lime Twist and Neutral Mix (50/50) for a vibrant green. - Yellow:
Canary Yellow and Neutral Mix (50/50) for sunny yellow ends.
Fade Forecast: What to Expect
Every colourist knows that predicting a fade is an art in itself! Here’s what I anticipate for this look:
- The rainbow side will fade into softer pastels over time, with yellow being the first to lighten significantly.
- The purple side will maintain its richness for longer due to the vibrant base.
- Using the Blue Power Pigments minimises blue/green staining, making for a cleaner fade-out process.
This kind of vivid look has excellent longevity compared to pastels, but as always, fade results will vary depending on the hair’s porosity and care routine.
This shoot was a dream come true, a perfect blend of creativity and technical precision. Laura rocked the look, and I couldn’t be happier with how the colours came together. Whether you’re aiming for bold contrasts or soft transitions, remember that every vivid look tells its own story, and the fade is just another chapter in that narrative.
Tips for a Fade-Friendly Finish
Want to ensure your work fades beautifully? Here’s how:
1. Use the Colour Wheel
Your colour wheel is your best friend. It helps you understand complementary shades and predict what colours will blend into when fading.
2. Pre-Tone for Pastels
When working with pastels, always pre-tone the hair. This ensures a clean base that will fade evenly and beautifully.
3. Rinsing is Key
The first rinse is crucial to avoid bleeding. Use low heat and high-pressure water alongside Anti Bleed Spray to seal the colours and keep them from mixing. As a Crazy Color Ambassador, I’m all about pushing the boundaries of creativity and showing that vivid colours can be both bold and practical. Whether you’re working with unconventional rainbows or rich, moody tones, the key to client satisfaction is designing a fade that feels intentional and beautiful. Let’s turn fade into a word that excites us, not scares us. I’d love to see how you’re redefining the fade with Crazy Color.