Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog

Finding My Perfect Purple in a Sea of Semi-Permanents

Let me start by saying that I’ve been on a hair color journey for what feels like forever. From box dyes to salon visits, I’ve tried it all in my quest for the perfect shade. When I first spotted Strawberry Leopard’s Lavender Fog Conditioning Hair Color sitting on the shelf with its eye-catching packaging, something told me this might be the game-changer I’d been waiting for. After three months of living with this dreamy purple hue, I’m finally ready to share my complete, unfiltered experience.

As someone who’s tried virtually every purple-toned semi-permanent dye on the market, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about this particular shade—from application to maintenance and everything in between. If you’re considering taking the plunge into Lavender Fog, this comprehensive guide will help you decide if it’s the right choice for your hair transformation journey.

What Exactly Is Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog Conditioning Hair Color?

Before we dive into my personal experience, let’s break down what this product actually is. Strawberry Leopard is a relative newcomer to the fantasy hair color scene, but they’ve quickly gained popularity for their conditioning formula and unique color offerings. Lavender Fog is one of their signature shades—a sophisticated, dusty lavender with subtle complexity that sets it apart from other purple dyes I’ve tried.

Unlike many semi-permanent dyes that can leave your hair feeling like straw, Strawberry Leopard formulates their colors with conditioning agents that actually improve your hair’s feel while depositing color. The formula is free from ammonia and peroxide, meaning it doesn’t develop or lift your natural color—it simply deposits pigment onto the hair shaft.

When I first unscrewed the cap, I noticed the consistency was thicker than many other semi-permanent dyes—more like a rich conditioner than a thin liquid. It has a pleasant, subtle fragrance that doesn’t overwhelm you during application. The color in the tube appears as a medium-toned lavender with subtle gray undertones.

The Lavender Spectrum: Is Lavender Fog Pastel or Deep?

One of my biggest questions before trying this color was where exactly it falls on the lavender spectrum. Is it one of those barely-there pastel tones that disappears after two washes, or is it a deeper, more saturated purple?

After applying it to my level 9 blonde hair, I can confidently say that Lavender Fog sits comfortably in the middle of the spectrum. It’s not an ultra-light pastel that’s barely visible, nor is it a deep, intense purple. I’d describe it as a medium lavender with a softened, slightly smoky quality—hence the “fog” in its name.

The final result has a sophisticated dustiness to it that makes it more wearable for everyday life than brighter purples. It’s vibrant enough to be noticeable and make a statement, but muted enough that I don’t feel like I’m walking around with a neon sign on my head.

The Undertone Question: Cool, Warm, or Neutral?

Understanding a color’s undertones is crucial for predicting how it will look against your skin tone and how it might fade over time. After extensive wear, I can confirm that Lavender Fog has predominantly cool undertones with a slight gray influence that gives it that signature foggy appearance.

This cool-toned quality makes it particularly flattering on those with pink, neutral, or olive skin tones. If you have very warm or golden undertones in your skin, you might find the contrast creates an interesting effect, though it may not be as naturally harmonious as it would be on cooler skin tones.

The gray influence in Lavender Fog is what truly distinguishes it from other lavender dyes I’ve tried. It gives the color a sophisticated, almost smoky quality that feels more mature and less candy-like than many purple hair colors on the market.

The Bleaching Question: Do I Need to Lighten My Hair First?

This is perhaps the most common question about any fashion color, and the answer is nuanced. Technically, you can apply Lavender Fog to unbleached hair, but the results will vary dramatically depending on your starting color.

From my extensive testing and conversations with friends who’ve also tried it:

• On platinum or level 9-10 blonde hair: The color shows up true to tube, giving you that perfect medium lavender with foggy undertones.
• On level 7-8 blonde hair: The color appears more subdued but still distinctly lavender, with the natural yellow in your hair warming it slightly.
• On level 6 dark blonde/light brown hair: You’ll get a subtle lavender tint that’s most visible in sunlight.
• On level 5 and darker hair: Unfortunately, the color will barely show up, perhaps giving the faintest purple sheen in direct sunlight.

For my application, I started with level 9 blonde hair that I had professionally lightened several months prior. For best results, I would recommend lightening your hair to at least a level 8 blonde. If achieving the true Lavender Fog color is your goal, pre-lightening your hair is absolutely essential for the most accurate and vibrant results.

It’s worth noting that if your hair has existing warm tones or brassiness, these will influence how the lavender appears. Ideally, you want a neutral to slightly cool blonde base for the truest color result.

Application Process: Getting the Most Out of Your Lavender Fog

After trying various application methods, I’ve found that the following technique yields the best, most even results with Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog:

1. Start with clean, dry hair. Unlike some dyes that recommend application to damp hair, I found the color adheres better and more evenly to completely dry strands.
2. Section your hair carefully. I divide mine into four sections (two in front, two in back) and then work in smaller subsections within those.
3. Apply generously. The conditioning formula means you can really saturate your hair without worrying about damage. I use about 1.5 bottles for my shoulder-length hair to ensure thorough coverage.
4. Use a tint brush for precise application. While you can use gloved hands, I find a tint brush gives me better control, especially around the hairline and when working with the back sections.
5. Massage the product into each strand thoroughly. Unlike some thinner dyes that distribute themselves, Lavender Fog’s thicker consistency needs to be worked through the hair to ensure even coverage.
6. Pay special attention to your ends. They tend to be more porous and can grab color more intensely, potentially creating an ombré effect if you’re not careful. I apply to my mid-lengths first, then roots, then finally the ends to control this.
7. Processing time matters. The recommended time is 30 minutes, but I’ve found that 45-60 minutes gives me more saturated results that last longer. If you have particularly resistant hair, leaving it on for up to 90 minutes won’t damage your hair due to the conditioning formula.
8. Heat amplifies the results. Wrapping your head in plastic wrap and applying gentle heat with a blow dryer for 5-10 minutes at the beginning of your processing time can significantly boost color deposition.
9. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. This takes patience (especially with purple!), but thoroughly rinsing ensures you won’t have color bleeding onto your pillowcase later.
10. Skip shampooing for at least 48 hours after coloring to allow the pigment to fully set.

The application process is relatively mess-free compared to other semi-permanent dyes I’ve used, though I still recommend wearing gloves and applying petroleum jelly around your hairline to prevent skin staining.

Longevity: How Long Does Lavender Fog Last?

Let’s talk about staying power, because it’s often the deciding factor with semi-permanent colors. Based on my experience and hair type (fine, moderately porous), Lavender Fog lasted approximately 3-4 weeks before significant fading occurred.

Here’s the breakdown of my fade timeline:

• Weeks 1-2: Vibrant, true-to-tube lavender with that distinctive foggy tone
• Week 3: Still clearly lavender, but with slightly increased softness/pasteling
• Week 4: Faded to a soft, dusty lavender-gray that was still attractive
• Weeks 5-6: Continued fading to a pale, cool-toned blonde with slight lavender hints
• Weeks 7+: Most color had washed out, leaving behind a neutral blonde with occasional lavender tones visible in certain lighting

What impressed me most was the even fading pattern. Unlike some purple dyes that quickly turn into patchy blue-pink messes, Lavender Fog maintained its tonal integrity throughout the fading process. It became progressively lighter but remained in the lavender family until it was nearly gone.

The fade pattern is influenced heavily by your hair care routine, which I’ll discuss in detail later. Using color-safe, sulfate-free products at cool temperatures dramatically extends the life of the color.

The Fade Pattern: Does It Turn Funky Colors?

Many purple dyes are notorious for splitting as they fade, with the blue molecules hanging on while the red ones wash out, leaving behind weird greenish or blue tones. This is where Lavender Fog truly impressed me.

As it faded, the color maintained its lavender character, simply becoming progressively more pastel without shifting dramatically toward blue or pink. The gray undertone in the original color seemed to help it fade more gracefully, transitioning to a soft, cool blonde that still had a whisper of lavender in certain lighting.

I attribute this elegant fade pattern to the carefully balanced formulation of the dye. The pigments seem to be calibrated to fade in tandem rather than separating, which is surprisingly rare in the fantasy color world.

Vegan and Cruelty-Free Status: Ethics Matter

For those concerned about ethical beauty choices, I’m happy to report that Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog is both vegan and cruelty-free. The company does not test on animals, and the formula contains no animal-derived ingredients.

This was an important factor for me when choosing which brand to try, and I appreciate that Strawberry Leopard makes this commitment without compromising on color quality or conditioning benefits.

Color Mixing: Creating Custom Shades with Lavender Fog

One of my favorite discoveries was how beautifully Lavender Fog mixes with other colors in the Strawberry Leopard line. During my months of experimentation, I tried several combinations that yielded stunning results:

• Lavender Fog + Pink Potion (1:1 ratio): Created a gorgeous mauve-toned pink with gray undertones
• Lavender Fog + Blue Blazes (3:1 ratio): Produced a periwinkle-leaning lavender that was slightly cooler than pure Lavender Fog
• Lavender Fog + Deep Indigo (4:1 ratio): Resulted in a deeper, more intense lavender that maintained the foggy quality but with more saturation

The thick, conditioning formula makes these colors easy to blend thoroughly, ensuring even distribution of the mixed shade. I found measuring by weight rather than volume gave me the most consistent results when mixing.

If you’re feeling creative, these mixing possibilities essentially give you an infinite palette to work with, all while maintaining the conditioning benefits of the original formula.

Comparison to Other Strawberry Leopard Purple Shades

Strawberry Leopard offers several purple-family shades, and I’ve now tried most of them. Here’s how Lavender Fog compares to its purple siblings:

• Compared to Purple Reign: Purple Reign is much more intense and saturated, leaning toward a true medium-deep purple without the gray softening that characterizes Lavender Fog.
• Compared to Violet Dreams: Violet Dreams has a stronger blue base and appears more vibrant and cooler-toned than the more muted Lavender Fog.
• Compared to Pink Potion (which has purple undertones): Pink Potion is definitively in the pink family but can create a similar vibe if you’re looking for something in the same color neighborhood but warmer.

Lavender Fog is distinctly the most sophisticated and “grown-up” of the purple options, with its smoky quality making it appropriate for professional environments where a full-on vibrant purple might be too statement-making.

Staining Concerns: Mess Factor During Application

Let’s address a practical concern—the mess factor. Purple dyes are infamous for staining everything they touch, from shower grout to fingernails. How does Lavender Fog compare?

I found that Strawberry Leopard’s formula is less prone to immediate staining than many other brands I’ve tried. That said, it’s still a semi-permanent purple dye, so caution is warranted:

• Skin staining: Minimal if removed quickly. Any color that gets on your skin during application wipes away easily if cleaned immediately. After 5+ minutes, it will begin to set and may take 1-2 days to fully fade from skin.
• Bathtub/shower staining: The thicker consistency helps prevent dripping during application, but rinse-out time can create temporary purple tinting that cleans away with standard bathroom cleaner.
• Clothing staining: This is permanent on fabrics, so wear old clothes and use dark towels during the application and for the first 2-3 washes afterward.
• Pillow cases: I recommend using dark pillowcases for the first week, as some color transfer may occur even after thorough rinsing.

The good news is that because of the conditioning nature of the formula, it adheres well to your hair rather than dripping everywhere during processing time, making the overall application process cleaner than with thinner dyes.

Maintenance: Keeping Your Lavender Fog Vibrant

Maintaining any semi-permanent color requires dedicated care, and Lavender Fog is no exception. Through trial and error, I’ve developed the following maintenance routine that significantly extends the life of the color:

Washing Routine:

• Limit washing to 2-3 times per week maximum
• Use cold water only—heat is the enemy of color longevity
• Apply a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo only to the roots
• Focus conditioner on mid-lengths and ends

Products That Preserved My Color:

• Color-depositing conditioner used weekly (I found purple conditioners meant for blonde hair work well to refresh the tone)
• Leave-in conditioners with UV protection to prevent sun fading
• Dry shampoo between washes to extend time between full shampoos

Heat Styling Considerations:

• Minimize heat styling as much as possible
• Always use heat protectant when styling is necessary
• Lower the temperature of your tools by 20-30° from what you’d normally use

Weekly Color-Refreshing Treatment:

Every 2-3 weeks, I mix a small amount of Lavender Fog with my regular conditioner (roughly 1:4 ratio) and apply it as a 15-minute treatment. This subtle refresh helps maintain the color without requiring full reapplication.

With this maintenance routine, I was able to extend the vibrant phase of my color from about 2 weeks to nearly 4 weeks, with the visible lavender tones lasting well over a month.

Gray and White Hair: A Special Canvas for Lavender Fog

While my own hair was pre-lightened blonde when I applied Lavender Fog, I convinced my aunt with natural silver-gray hair to try it as well. The results were spectacular and worth mentioning specifically.

Gray and white hair takes fashion colors differently than bleached hair—often more vividly and sometimes with greater longevity due to its natural porosity. On my aunt’s silver hair, Lavender Fog created a stunning, ethereal effect that was almost pearlescent in certain lighting.

The gray undertones in Lavender Fog harmonized beautifully with her natural silver, creating a seamless blend that looked intentional and sophisticated rather than artificial. The color lasted nearly 6 weeks on her hair before significant fading, compared to my 3-4 weeks.

If you have natural gray or white hair and have been hesitant to try fantasy colors, Lavender Fog might be the perfect gateway shade due to its smoky quality that complements rather than fights against natural silver tones.

Gentleness Factor: Safe for Sensitive Scalps?

Having experienced irritation with some chemical dyes in the past, I was cautious about potential scalp sensitivity. After multiple applications, I can report that Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog caused zero irritation on my moderately sensitive scalp.

The absence of ammonia, peroxide, and other harsh chemicals makes this a much gentler option than permanent dyes. The conditioning base creates a buffer between the pigment molecules and your scalp, minimizing potential irritation.

That said, I always recommend performing a patch test 48 hours before full application, especially if you have known sensitivities. A small application behind your ear or on your inner wrist can help identify any potential reactions before committing to full coverage.

Hair Health: Does It Actually Condition While Coloring?

One of Strawberry Leopard’s main claims is that their dyes condition while coloring. After multiple applications, I can confirm this isn’t just marketing hype—my hair genuinely felt softer and healthier after coloring than before.

Unlike some semi-permanent dyes that leave my hair feeling dry and tangled, Lavender Fog had a noticeable conditioning effect that lasted through several washes. My hair was easier to detangle, had improved shine, and generally felt more manageable after application.

For those with damaged hair from previous lightening, this conditioning benefit is significant. The dye actually seems to temporarily fill in damaged portions of the hair shaft, creating a smoother surface that reflects light better and feels healthier to the touch.

Where to Buy Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog

Strawberry Leopard products, including Lavender Fog, are available at several retailers. I’ve purchased mine from both Sally Beauty and Ulta Beauty, though availability can vary by location. The price typically ranges from $10-14 per 6.76 oz bottle, which is comparable to other premium semi-permanent dyes.

I recommend calling ahead to check stock if you’re planning to visit a physical store, as popular shades like Lavender Fog can sell out quickly. Online ordering is also convenient, though seeing the colors in person can be helpful for first-time users.

Application Resources and Tutorials

While the instructions on the packaging are clear, I found supplementary resources extremely helpful for my first application:

• Strawberry Leopard’s official Instagram page features application videos and user results that helped me visualize the potential outcomes
• YouTube tutorials from both professional stylists and everyday users provided valuable tips for application techniques
• Online hair forums like Reddit’s r/FancyFollicles offered real-user experiences and fade timelines

What I appreciated most was seeing the color on different starting base shades and hair types. This helped set realistic expectations for my own results and informed my decision about whether to do additional lightening before applying the color.

Brand Comparison: How Does It Stack Up Against Competitors?

Having used Arctic Fox, Overtone, Manic Panic, and several other semi-permanent color brands, I feel qualified to make direct comparisons:

Compared to Arctic Fox:

• Strawberry Leopard has a thicker consistency that’s less prone to dripping
• Arctic Fox typically has slightly longer staying power (5-6 weeks versus 3-4)
• Strawberry Leopard has superior conditioning benefits
• Arctic Fox has a stronger scent that lingers longer

Compared to Overtone:

• Strawberry Leopard offers more saturated color deposition
• Overtone’s regular conditioners are meant for maintenance rather than initial coloring
• Strawberry Leopard has a more traditional dye application process
• Overtone requires shorter processing time but more frequent use

Compared to Manic Panic:

• Strawberry Leopard has significantly better conditioning properties
• Manic Panic has a thinner consistency that can be harder to control during application
• Strawberry Leopard fades more predictably and evenly
• Manic Panic comes in a wider variety of shades but with less consistent quality

Overall, Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog offers an excellent balance of color payoff, hair health benefits, and reasonable longevity that places it among my top recommendations for semi-permanent lavender color.

Layering Over Faded Colors: Creating New Dimensions

One of my favorite discoveries was how beautifully Lavender Fog layers over previously faded fashion colors. Rather than having to strip my hair completely before trying a new shade, I found that Lavender Fog could transform existing faded colors into new, multidimensional looks:

• Applied over faded pink: Created a dusty mauve with incredible depth
• Applied over faded blue: Produced a periwinkle-leaning lavender with increased intensity
• Applied over faded green: Resulted in an interesting smoky teal-purple that was unexpectedly beautiful

This layering capability means you can transition between colors more gently, without subjecting your hair to harsh color-removing processes between each new shade. The gray undertones in Lavender Fog seem to help it meld with and transform underlying colors rather than fighting against them.

Final Verdict: Is Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog Worth It?

After months of wearing, fading, reapplying, and mixing Lavender Fog, my conclusion is overwhelmingly positive. This color offers a sophisticated take on purple hair that feels both fashionable and wearable for everyday life.

What sets it apart from other lavender dyes is the smoky, foggy quality that gives it depth and complexity. Rather than a flat, one-dimensional purple, you get a multifaceted color that shifts subtly in different lighting conditions—more gray-toned in shadow, more vibrantly lavender in direct sunlight.

The conditioning benefits are substantial, making this an excellent option for those concerned about hair health. The reasonable longevity, predictable fading pattern, and mixing versatility add to its value proposition.

If you’re seeking a lavender hair color that offers sophistication along with statement-making impact, Strawberry Leopard Lavender Fog delivers precisely the right balance of vibrant color and wearable subtlety.

Whether you’re a fantasy color veteran or taking your first steps beyond natural hair colors, Lavender Fog provides an accessible entry point into the world of purple hair—one that can be as subtle or as bold as your application technique makes it.

After all my experimentation, it’s earned a permanent spot in my hair color rotation, and I suspect it might do the same for you once you experience the foggy lavender magic for yourself.