Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush

From Curious to Confident: Everything You Need to Know Before Taking the Pink Plunge

I remember standing in the hair care aisle, my heart racing with equal parts excitement and terror. The vibrant box of Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush Conditioning Hair Color was in my hands, and I couldn’t help but wonder: was I really about to do this? After years of playing it safe with my hair color, something about that soft pink shade called to me. Fast forward three months, and I’m now something of an evangelist for this product—and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned along the way.

If you’re considering making the leap into the world of pink hair with Strawberry Leopard’s Made You Blush, you’ve come to the right place. This isn’t just another hair color—it’s a statement, a mood, a transformation waiting to happen. So let’s dive into everything you need to know before taking the plunge.

What Exactly Is Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush?

Let’s start with the basics. Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush Conditioning Hair Color is a semi-permanent hair color that doubles as a conditioning treatment. Unlike traditional hair dyes that can leave your hair feeling like straw, this formula actually improves your hair’s condition while depositing gorgeous color. It’s part of Strawberry Leopard’s line of bold, vibrant colors designed for self-expression.

The first thing that caught my attention was the packaging—a striking box with the brand’s signature leopard print and a color swatch that made my heart skip a beat. But what’s inside is even more impressive. The product comes in a squeeze bottle with a precision applicator tip, making it surprisingly easy to control where the color goes (something I definitely appreciated as a first-timer).

But what makes this product truly special is its formulation. Made without ammonia, peroxide, or PPD (a common allergen in hair dyes), it’s designed to be gentler on your hair and scalp. Plus, it’s packed with conditioning agents that leave your hair feeling softer after coloring than before—which honestly felt like magic the first time I used it.

The Perfect Pink: What Shade Is “Made You Blush” Really?

Before we go further, let’s talk about the shade itself, because “pink” can mean a thousand different things. Made You Blush is a soft, pastel pink with warm undertones. It’s not the hot, electric pink that screams for attention from across the street—though Strawberry Leopard has options for that mood too. Instead, it’s a delicate, rosy pink that reminds me of cherry blossoms in spring or cotton candy at sunset.

The warmth in the undertone means it pulls slightly peachier rather than blue-toned, which I found incredibly flattering against my skin. It’s the kind of shade that makes people do a double-take in the best way possible—not because it’s shocking, but because it’s unexpectedly pretty.

In terms of vibrancy, I’d place it somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. It’s definitely noticeable—no one’s going to mistake it for a natural hair color—but it’s subdued enough that I’ve worn it to professional meetings without raising eyebrows (or at least, not too many).

On bleached hair, it comes out as a true pastel pink. On slightly darker blonde bases, it takes on more of a rose gold quality that’s equally gorgeous. This versatility is one of the things I love most about this particular shade.

The Bleaching Question: Do I Really Need To?

Let’s address the elephant in the room—the preparation. For the best, most vibrant results with Made You Blush, you will need to bleach your hair first if you’re starting with anything darker than light blonde. This was honestly the most intimidating part for me, and I suspect it might be for you too.

Here’s my experience: I started with medium brown hair and decided to have a professional do the bleaching process. While it is possible to bleach at home, I felt more comfortable having someone experienced handle this step. The bleaching lifted my hair to a pale yellow, which provided the perfect canvas for the Made You Blush color to shine.

If your hair is already blonde (natural or bleached), you’re at an advantage. The lighter your starting point, the truer the pink will appear. On darker blonde hair, Made You Blush creates more of a strawberry blonde or rose gold effect, which is beautiful in its own right but different from the pastel pink shown on the box.

For those with darker hair who don’t want to commit to full bleaching, you could try:

• Bleaching just the ends for an ombré effect
• Adding some bleached highlights throughout your hair for a subtle pink dimension
• Accepting that the color will be more of a tint than a true pink

And what about those with black or very dark brown hair? Be honest with yourself—without bleaching, you’ll likely see very minimal results, perhaps just a slight reddish sheen in bright sunlight. The choice to bleach or not comes down to how committed you are to achieving that true pink shade.

Application 101: How I Applied Made You Blush at Home

Once my hair was properly prepped, the application process was surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how I did it:

First, I gathered my supplies:

• Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush Conditioning Hair Color
• Gloves (included in the box)
• Old towel to protect my clothing
• Petroleum jelly to protect my hairline
• Wide-tooth comb
• Hair clips for sectioning
• Timer

I started with clean, completely dry hair. This is important—the color adheres better to dry hair, and any moisture can dilute the formula. I sectioned my hair into four parts and applied a thin layer of petroleum jelly along my hairline and ears to prevent staining.

Working section by section, I applied the color from roots to ends, making sure to saturate each strand thoroughly. The precision tip on the bottle made this easier than I expected, especially for getting close to my roots without making a mess. I used the wide-tooth comb to distribute the color evenly through each section.

Once all sections were covered, I piled my hair on top of my head and set my timer for 30 minutes. The instructions recommend 20-40 minutes, with longer processing time for more intense results. Since I wanted a vibrant outcome, I went for the full 40 minutes the first time. In subsequent applications, I found that 30 minutes gave me the perfect balance of color payoff without unnecessary exposure.

When the timer went off, I rinsed my hair with cool water until it ran clear. The color in the shower looked alarmingly bright at first, but I trusted the process. No shampoo at this stage—just a thorough rinse followed by the conditioner that came with the dye. I left the conditioner in for about five minutes before rinsing again.

The result? A beautiful, even pink that made me smile every time I caught my reflection. The whole process took about an hour from start to finish, which felt like a small time investment for such a significant transformation.

The Staying Power: How Long Does Made You Blush Last?

One of the most common questions I get asked about my pink hair is how long the color lasts. The answer depends on several factors: your hair’s porosity, how often you wash, the water temperature you use, and your hair care products.

In my experience, Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush typically lasts between 15-25 washes before significant fading occurs. During the first week, I noticed some color in the water every time I washed my hair, but this is normal with semi-permanent dyes. After the initial color release, the fading became much more gradual.

What I particularly appreciate about Made You Blush is how it fades. Unlike some vibrant colors that can turn muddy or patchy, this pink fades evenly into a softer, slightly more peachy version of itself. By the end of its life cycle, it had transformed into a delicate blush blonde that was still pretty in its own right.

If you’re someone who washes your hair daily, expect a shorter color lifespan—perhaps 2-3 weeks. If you’re like me and wash your hair 2-3 times a week, you might get 6-8 weeks of good color before needing to refresh. Using dry shampoo between washes not only extends the life of your style but also preserves your color.

The Ingredients Story: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, and Gentle

As someone who’s become increasingly conscious about the products I use, I was pleased to discover that Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush is both vegan and cruelty-free. The formula contains no animal-derived ingredients and isn’t tested on animals, which aligns perfectly with my values.

Beyond the ethical considerations, the ingredient list impressed me with what it doesn’t contain. There’s no ammonia, no peroxide, and no PPD—three of the most common irritants found in traditional hair dyes. Instead, the formula relies on gentler colorants combined with conditioning agents like sunflower seed extract and hydrolyzed quinoa.

This matters not just for the health of your hair but also for your scalp. My scalp tends to be sensitive, and I’ve experienced itching and burning with conventional dyes in the past. With Made You Blush, I felt nothing but a slight cooling sensation during application—no discomfort whatsoever.

The conditioning effect is real, too. My hair felt noticeably softer after coloring than before, which seems counterintuitive if you’re used to traditional dyes that leave your hair feeling stripped and dry. I actually found I needed less conditioner in the weeks following coloring because my hair retained more moisture.

Mixing and Matching: Creating Custom Colors

One of the most fun aspects of Strawberry Leopard’s color line is the ability to mix shades to create custom looks. Made You Blush pairs beautifully with other colors in the range if you’re feeling adventurous.

During my pink hair journey, I experimented with mixing a small amount of their “Stun” purple shade into Made You Blush to create a slightly cooler, more lavender-leaning pink for the ends of my hair. The result was a subtle ombré effect that added dimension and depth to my look.

For those who find Made You Blush a bit too vibrant, you can dilute it with Strawberry Leopard’s “Mixer” (which is essentially their clear conditioning base) to create an even softer, more pastel pink. Alternatively, if you want something more intense, mixing in a bit of their “Hottie” shade will give you a brighter, more magenta result.

The beauty of these semi-permanent colors is that experimentation is low-risk. If you don’t love the result, it will wash out eventually without damaging your hair. Just remember to mix your custom shade all at once rather than trying to match it batch by batch, as it can be difficult to recreate exactly the same color twice.

The Maintenance Routine: Keeping Your Pink Perfect

Maintaining vibrant pink hair requires some adjustments to your hair care routine, but nothing too drastic. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Switch to color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip color faster. I switched to a gentle, color-safe formula and immediately noticed less color in the water when I rinsed.
2. Wash with cool water. Hot water opens the hair cuticle and allows color to escape more quickly. I’m not suggesting ice-cold showers (unless you’re braver than I am), but lukewarm is a good compromise.
3. Reduce washing frequency. Every time you wet your hair, some color molecules wash away. I stretched my washes to every third day using dry shampoo in between.
4. Protect from the sun. UV rays fade hair color significantly. I started using products with UV protection and wearing hats for extended outdoor activities.
5. Minimize heat styling. Heat opens the cuticle, which can lead to color loss. When I did use heat tools, I applied a heat protectant first and kept the temperature as low as effective.
6. Deep condition weekly. Healthy hair holds color better. I incorporated a weekly color-safe deep conditioning treatment that kept my hair soft and my color vibrant.
7. Keep some dye for touch-ups. I reserved about a quarter of my bottle for quick touch-ups when I noticed fading starting to occur, focusing on the most visible areas like my part and around my face.

The most dramatic change in my routine was the water temperature in the shower. Training myself to rinse with cool water took some getting used to, but the extended color life made it worthwhile. I also found that sleeping on a satin pillowcase reduced friction and helped preserve both my color and my style.

Made You Blush vs. Other Pink Contenders

Before settling on Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush, I researched several other pink hair color options. How does it compare to other popular brands? Let me break it down:

Compared to Arctic Fox’s “Virgin Pink,” Made You Blush is softer and warmer, with more of a peachy undertone rather than the cool, bubblegum quality of Virgin Pink. In terms of longevity, I found them comparable, though Arctic Fox might have a slight edge in staying power.

Against Overtone’s Rose Gold, Made You Blush is more decidedly pink rather than golden. Overtone’s daily conditioner system offers the advantage of easy maintenance, but I found the initial color payoff stronger with Strawberry Leopard.

Manic Panic’s “Cotton Candy Pink” is another popular option, but it lacks the conditioning properties of Made You Blush. My hair definitely felt healthier after using Strawberry Leopard compared to when I tried Manic Panic years ago on a previous color experiment.

In terms of value, Strawberry Leopard falls somewhere in the middle of the price range for semi-permanent fantasy colors. The bottle contains 4 oz of product, which was more than enough for my shoulder-length hair with some leftover for touch-ups. Considering the conditioning benefits alongside the color, I felt the price point was justified.

Special Considerations: Gray Hair, Dark Hair, and Sensitive Scalps

Let’s talk about some specific scenarios that might affect your experience with Made You Blush:

Gray or White Hair: If you have gray or white hair, you’re actually starting with an ideal canvas for vibrant color. Made You Blush takes beautifully to gray hair, often with even more vivid results than on bleached hair because gray hair tends to be more porous. However, the porosity also means it may fade faster, so more frequent touch-ups might be necessary.

Dark Hair Without Bleaching: As mentioned earlier, on unbleached dark hair, you’ll see minimal results. I’ve seen some people with dark brown hair report a very subtle reddish tint in bright light, but nothing close to the pink shown on the packaging. If you want to avoid bleaching altogether but still want a change, consider Strawberry Leopard’s darker shades like “Hottie” or “Velvet” which might give more noticeable results on dark hair.

Sensitive Scalps: For those with sensitive skin or scalp issues like psoriasis or eczema, always do a patch test first by applying a small amount behind your ear or on your inner elbow. Wait 48 hours to check for any reaction. In my experience, Made You Blush was much gentler than traditional dyes, but everyone’s sensitivity is different.

Previously Chemically Treated Hair: If your hair has been permed, relaxed, or heavily highlighted, it may accept color differently and possibly more unevenly. In these cases, I’d recommend doing a strand test first on a small section to see how the color takes.

Where to Buy Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush

Finding Strawberry Leopard products is easier now than when I first started my pink hair journey. The brand has expanded its availability significantly. I purchased mine at Sally Beauty, which carries the full Strawberry Leopard line in stores and online.

The brand is also available through various online retailers, including the company’s own website, where you can sometimes find bundles and special offers that aren’t available elsewhere.

One advantage of purchasing from a brick-and-mortar store like Sally Beauty is the ability to see the color cards in person, which I found helpful in understanding the true shade. Online images can vary wildly depending on screen settings and photography lighting.

The price typically ranges from $10.99 to $12.99 depending on where you purchase, with occasional sales bringing it down even further. Given that some high-end fantasy colors can cost upwards of $20 for the same amount of product, I consider it reasonably priced.

My Final Verdict on Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush

After three months and multiple applications of Made You Blush, I can confidently say it’s earned a permanent spot in my hair color rotation. The soft, flattering pink has brought me more compliments than any hair color I’ve had before, and the condition of my hair has actually improved rather than deteriorated through the coloring process.

What I love most about this product is its versatility. Whether you want a subtle blush tone on blonde hair or a more vibrant statement pink on bleached hair, Made You Blush delivers. The conditioning formula means you don’t have to choose between color and hair health, which has always been my concern with fantasy colors in the past.

Is it perfect? Not quite. I wish it lasted even longer, though I recognize that frequent washing and heat styling accelerate fading with any semi-permanent color. I also found that the color can transfer to pillowcases and clothing in the first few days, so be cautious with your favorite white shirts right after coloring.

Would I recommend Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush to others? Absolutely—especially for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of fantasy colors with a shade that’s bold enough to notice but soft enough to wear in most settings.

My pink hair journey has been unexpectedly empowering. There’s something about choosing an unconventional color that makes you feel more authentic, more creatively expressed. Whether you’re looking for a dramatic change or a subtle enhancement to your current look, Made You Blush offers a beautiful entry point into the world of fantasy hair color.

The most important thing I’ve learned? Hair color is temporary, but the confidence that comes from expressing yourself exactly as you want to be seen—that stays with you long after the pink has faded.

So if you’ve been hovering over that “add to cart” button, wondering if you should take the plunge with Strawberry Leopard Made You Blush, consider this your sign. Your perfect pink hair day is just one application away.