Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby

From Boring Brunette to Mermaid Dreams: How This Conditioning Color Changed My Hair Game

I still remember the day I decided to take the plunge. After years of playing it safe with my natural brown hair, scrolling through endless Instagram posts of people rocking vibrant blue locks finally pushed me over the edge. But not just any blue would do—I wanted something versatile enough to look professional when needed yet still capture that dreamy underwater essence I’d been coveting. That’s when I discovered Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby Conditioning Hair Color, and my hair journey was forever changed.

Let me take you through everything I’ve learned about this magnificent blue hue—from what exactly it is to how it performs on different hair types and everything in between. This isn’t just another hair dye; it’s an experience, and I’m here to guide you through every aspect of it.

What Exactly Is Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby?

Before going blue, I spent weeks researching different brands and formulas. Strawberry Leopard caught my eye not just for their playful name but for their commitment to creating conditioning color—not just dye that would leave my hair feeling like straw.

Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby Conditioning Hair Color is part of a line of semi-permanent hair colors that don’t just deposit color but actually improve your hair’s condition while doing so. Housed in a generously sized tub with the brand’s signature leopard print packaging, Neptune Baby specifically offers a dreamy, multidimensional blue shade that I found impossible to resist.

What really sealed the deal for me was discovering that these formulas are crafted without harsh chemicals like ammonia, peroxide, or PPD. As someone who has experienced scalp sensitivity in the past, this was a major selling point.

The Neptune Baby Shade: What Blue Are We Talking About?

Let’s talk color. When I first opened my tub of Neptune Baby, I was immediately struck by its richness. This isn’t a one-dimensional blue—it’s a complex shade with surprising depth.

Neptune Baby sits comfortably in the realm of a medium-to-light blue with distinct aqua undertones. It’s neither a navy blue nor a baby blue, but rather exists in that perfect middle ground—a true oceanic blue that evokes images of tropical waters. Think of that perfect turquoise water you see in vacation photos, bottled up and ready to transform your hair.

In terms of undertones, Neptune Baby leans slightly cool, but it’s balanced enough that it doesn’t come across as icy or harsh. The subtle aqua hints give it a softness that works beautifully against most skin tones. I was relieved to find it complemented my warm-leaning complexion rather than washing me out as I’d feared.

As for intensity, Neptune Baby can be both vibrant and subtle, depending on your application technique and base hair color. When I applied it to my pre-lightened sections, it delivered a punchy, statement blue that caught the light beautifully. However, when I diluted it with conditioner for a more subtle look, it created the most beautiful pastel aqua wash—versatile indeed!

The Big Question: To Bleach or Not to Bleach?

I won’t sugarcoat it—achieving the truest version of Neptune Baby requires some level of pre-lightening for most hair types. My natural level 4 brown hair wasn’t going to magically transform into vibrant blue without some help.

After consulting numerous forums and watching countless YouTube videos, I took the plunge and bleached sections of my hair to a pale yellow (around a level 8-9). The results were absolutely worth it. On these lightened sections, Neptune Baby showed up true to the color in the tub—a vibrant, multidimensional medium blue with those gorgeous aqua undertones.

However, I was curious about how it would perform on my unbleached hair, so I tested it on a small section. On my natural brown, Neptune Baby created a subtle blue tint that was most visible in direct sunlight—almost like a blue-black effect. While not vibrant, it was actually quite beautiful in its own right.

For those with naturally blonde hair, you’re in luck! Neptune Baby will likely show up vibrantly even without bleaching. The lighter your starting base, the truer the color payoff will be.

My personal recommendation after experimenting: for the full Neptune Baby experience, lightening your hair to at least a level 8 will give you the most stunning results. However, don’t feel pressured to bleach your entire head—even adding strategic blue sections can create a magical effect.

Longevity: How Long Will My Mermaid Dreams Last?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about fantasy colors, it’s that they’re a commitment—not because they last forever, but precisely because they don’t. Going into this, I wanted realistic expectations about Neptune Baby’s staying power.

In my experience, with proper care, Neptune Baby lasted about 3-4 weeks before significant fading began. By week six, I was left with a beautiful pastel version of the original color. By week eight, most of the color had faded, leaving behind just a hint of blue in my lightened sections.

What impressed me most was how Neptune Baby faded. Unlike some blues that can turn green or gray as they wash out, Neptune Baby maintained its blue integrity throughout the fading process. It simply became a lighter, more pastel version of itself with each wash. This gradual, even fading meant I wasn’t left with patchy or uneven color—a huge plus in my book.

Of course, your mileage may vary depending on several factors:

• How porous your hair is (bleached hair tends to be more porous and both accepts and releases color more readily)
• Your washing frequency and water temperature
• The hair products you use
• Whether you heat style regularly
• How much sun exposure your hair gets

I found that washing my hair in cold water twice a week, using color-safe products, and limiting heat styling significantly extended Neptune Baby’s lifespan in my hair.

Application Tips for Optimal Neptune Baby Results

After multiple applications (yes, I’m officially addicted to this color), I’ve developed a foolproof method for applying Neptune Baby that gives me the most even, vibrant results.

First, gather your supplies:

• Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby Conditioning Hair Color
• Gloves (the dye will stain your hands)
• Vaseline or barrier cream for your hairline
• Old towel and t-shirt
• Wide-tooth comb or color brush
• Hair clips for sectioning
• Timer

My step-by-step process:

1. Start with clean, dry hair. I found that slightly dirty hair doesn’t accept the color as well.
2. Apply Vaseline around your hairline, ears, and neck to prevent skin staining.
3. Section your hair into manageable parts (I typically do four sections).
4. Working with one section at a time, apply Neptune Baby generously from roots to ends. This isn’t the time to be stingy—saturate your hair completely.
5. Use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution throughout each section.
6. Once all sections are covered, I twist my hair into a loose bun on top of my head.
7. The magic number for me is 40 minutes. I’ve experimented with different processing times, and 40 minutes gives me the most vibrant, long-lasting results.
8. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Be patient—this can take a while!
9. Skip shampooing, but apply a color-safe conditioner and leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing.

One pro tip I discovered through trial and error: for the most vibrant, long-lasting results, don’t wash your hair for at least 48 hours after applying Neptune Baby. This allows the color to fully set and bond with your hair.

The Ethical Question: Is Neptune Baby Vegan and Cruelty-Free?

As someone who tries to make conscious consumer choices, the ethical aspect of hair color matters to me. I was pleased to discover that Strawberry Leopard proudly markets their products as vegan and cruelty-free. The Neptune Baby formula contains no animal-derived ingredients and hasn’t been tested on animals.

The brand is transparent about their commitment to ethical practices, which gave me additional peace of mind when choosing to support them. In a world where many hair color brands still engage in animal testing or use animal-derived ingredients, Strawberry Leopard stands out as a compassionate option.

Getting Creative: Mixing Neptune Baby with Other Shades

After falling in love with Neptune Baby, my experimental side kicked in. Could I customize this shade to create something unique? The answer is a resounding yes!

I’ve mixed Neptune Baby with several other Strawberry Leopard shades with fascinating results:

• Neptune Baby + Dragon Fruit (pink): Created a beautiful lavender-periwinkle shade
• Neptune Baby + Lemon Drop (yellow): Produced a stunning teal
• Neptune Baby + conditioner (in varying ratios): Gave me everything from pastel sky blue to medium aqua

The formula mixes seamlessly with other colors, allowing for endless customization. My personal favorite has been mixing Neptune Baby with a tiny bit of the purple shade Velvet Moon, which resulted in a gorgeous deep blue with subtle violet undertones.

If you’re feeling creative, don’t be afraid to experiment. Just remember to document your mixing ratios so you can recreate a custom shade if you fall in love with it!

Neptune Baby vs. Other Blue Shades in the Line

Strawberry Leopard offers several blue-toned shades, and I’ve tried most of them in my quest for the perfect blue. Here’s how Neptune Baby compares:

• Neptune Baby vs. Blue Raspberry: Blue Raspberry is a more saturated, deeper blue compared to Neptune Baby’s medium aqua-blue. Neptune Baby has more green undertones, while Blue Raspberry leans toward the purple side of blue.
• Neptune Baby vs. Arctic Blue: Arctic Blue is much lighter and more pastel straight from the tub compared to Neptune Baby’s medium intensity. Arctic Blue also has a more distinct mint undertone.
• Neptune Baby vs. Midnight Blue: As the name suggests, Midnight Blue is significantly darker—almost a blue-black in some lighting. Neptune Baby is much brighter and more vibrant in comparison.

Of all the blues in the line, Neptune Baby strikes the perfect balance of vibrancy and wearability for me. It’s not too dark, not too light, and has that perfect oceanic quality that makes it special.

Maintenance: Keeping Your Neptune Baby Vibrant

Anyone who’s dabbled in fantasy colors knows that maintenance is key. After spending significant time and effort achieving my perfect Neptune Baby blue, I developed a regimen to extend its life as much as possible.

My Neptune Baby maintenance routine:

1. Wash less frequently. I cut back to washing just twice a week, using dry shampoo in between when needed.
2. Cold water only. Hot water is the enemy of color longevity. I switched to cold showers on wash days (not always pleasant, but worth it!).
3. Color-safe products. I invested in sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for colored hair.
4. Regular color refreshes. Once every two weeks, I mix a small amount of Neptune Baby with my conditioner and use it as a color-depositing mask.
5. Heat protection. When heat styling is unavoidable, I use a heat protectant spray that also has UV filters to prevent sun fading.
6. Weekly deep conditioning treatments. Fantasy colors last longer in well-moisturized hair. I make time for a deep conditioning mask every Sunday.

With this routine, I’ve managed to extend Neptune Baby’s vibrancy significantly beyond what I initially expected. The extra effort is minimal compared to the joy of maintaining that perfect blue for weeks longer.

The Practical Stuff: Staining and Mess Management

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: blue hair dye has a reputation for being messy. Before my first application, I worried about turning my bathroom into a smurf village. Here’s the reality of working with Neptune Baby:

Skin staining: Neptune Baby will temporarily stain skin if it makes contact. The Vaseline barrier method I mentioned earlier is essential, not optional. When I got a bit careless during one application and got dye on my neck, it took about 3-4 days of regular washing to completely fade.

Clothing: Consider anything worn during application sacrificial. I learned this the hard way with a “not that favorite” t-shirt that is now permanently decorated with blue splotches. Always wear dark colors you don’t mind potentially ruining.

Bathroom surfaces: Neptune Baby will stain porous surfaces like grout if not quickly wiped away. I keep disinfectant wipes handy for immediate cleanup of any splashes. On my white porcelain sink, blue stains wipe away easily if caught quickly but can become stubborn if left to dry.

Pillowcases and towels: For the first week after coloring, I use black pillowcases and towels exclusively. Even with thorough rinsing, some color transfer is inevitable, especially when hair gets wet.

My best tip for controlling the mess: apply petroleum jelly liberally to your hairline, ears, and neck before application, and keep makeup remover wipes handy for quick cleanup of any skin staining. Prevention is much easier than trying to remove blue stains after the fact!

Sensitivity and Hair Health Considerations

Having sensitive skin and previously damaged hair, I approached Neptune Baby with some trepidation. Would it irritate my scalp? Would it further damage my already processed hair?

To my delight, Neptune Baby proved to be remarkably gentle. Unlike traditional permanent dyes that left my scalp itchy and irritated, Neptune Baby felt soothing during application. The conditioning formula lived up to its name—my hair actually felt softer after coloring than before.

The lack of harsh chemicals like ammonia, peroxide, and PPD makes Strawberry Leopard colors significantly gentler than permanent dyes. However, everyone’s sensitivity is different. I still recommend doing a patch test 48 hours before your first full application, just to be safe.

As for hair damage, Neptune Baby won’t harm your hair structure because it doesn’t contain developers or lighteners. The semi-permanent color simply coats the hair shaft rather than penetrating and changing its internal structure. The only potential damage in the process comes from any pre-lightening you might do, not from Neptune Baby itself.

In fact, regular use of Neptune Baby has seemed to improve my hair’s overall condition. The conditioning agents in the formula provide ongoing benefits with each application.

Neptune Baby’s Conditioning Benefits: Not Just a Pretty Color

One of the standout features of Strawberry Leopard’s colors is right in the name—they’re conditioning treatments as well as dyes. But does Neptune Baby actually deliver on this promise?

After multiple applications, I can confirm that it absolutely does. My hair feels noticeably softer after each color session. The formula contains several nourishing ingredients that seem to improve hair’s texture and manageability:

• Shea butter for moisture and softness
• Botanical extracts that add shine
• Conditioning polymers that improve combability

I’ve found that Neptune Baby leaves my hair feeling more hydrated than most regular conditioners. The effect is most pronounced immediately after coloring, but with regular use, I’ve noticed cumulative benefits. My previously brittle ends feel smoother, and my overall hair texture has improved.

For those with dry or damaged hair, this conditioning aspect makes Neptune Baby an especially attractive option compared to more drying dye formulas.

Going Gray: Neptune Baby on Silver Strands

As I’ve ventured further into my hair color journey, I’ve connected with many people in online communities who have tried Neptune Baby on gray or white hair. The consensus—and my own limited testing on a few gray strands—is that Neptune Baby performs beautifully on gray hair.

White or gray hair acts as a perfect blank canvas for fantasy colors, often requiring no pre-lightening. Neptune Baby shows up extremely vibrant on natural gray, creating a stunning statement look. For those looking for something more subtle, diluting Neptune Baby with conditioner creates a beautiful pastel wash on gray hair.

One interesting note: many users report that Neptune Baby lasts significantly longer on gray hair than on bleached hair. This likely has to do with the different porosity levels of natural gray versus chemically lightened hair.

For those transitioning to gray and wanting to have some fun in the process, Neptune Baby offers a gentle way to experiment with fantasy color without compromising your hair’s health.

Learning from Others: Neptune Baby Application Resources

When I first decided to try Neptune Baby, I spent hours watching tutorials and reading guides. Here are some of the most helpful resources I found for application techniques:

1. Strawberry Leopard’s official Instagram page features regular tutorials and color inspiration
2. YouTube has numerous before-and-after videos showing Neptune Baby on different base colors
3. The r/FancyFollicles subreddit has an active community of Strawberry Leopard users who share tips and results

The most valuable advice I gleaned from these resources was about application thickness. Many successful users emphasized applying the color generously—far more generously than you might think necessary. This creates the most even, vibrant result.

I also learned about color blocking techniques that create dimensional blue looks by strategically placing Neptune Baby alongside other blue tones for a multifaceted effect that catches the light beautifully.

Neptune Baby vs. Competing Blue Dyes

Before settling on Neptune Baby, I tried several other popular blue dyes. Here’s how it compares to the competition:

Neptune Baby vs. Arctic Fox Aquamarine: Arctic Fox delivers slightly more vibrant initial results, but Neptune Baby fades more gracefully. Arctic Fox also has a stronger scent, while Neptune Baby has a milder, more pleasant fragrance.

Neptune Baby vs. Overtone Blue for Brown Hair: Overtone’s blue deposited color on my natural brown better than Neptune Baby did, but it washed out much faster and turned greenish while fading. Neptune Baby maintained its blue integrity throughout the fading process.

Neptune Baby vs. Manic Panic Atomic Turquoise: Manic Panic’s formula is thinner and tended to drip during application. Neptune Baby’s thicker consistency made application neater and more precise. Longevity was similar between the two, but Neptune Baby’s conditioning benefits gave it the edge.

Neptune Baby vs. Good Dye Young Blue Ruin: Good Dye Young delivered comparable color payoff but at a higher price point. Neptune Baby provided better hydration and conditioning benefits.

After trying all these options, I keep coming back to Neptune Baby for its perfect balance of vibrancy, gentle formula, conditioning benefits, and graceful fading. While other brands have their merits, Neptune Baby hits the sweet spot for me.

Where to Buy Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby

When I first discovered Strawberry Leopard, finding it wasn’t as straightforward as walking into any beauty supply store. The brand has grown in popularity, but it’s still not as ubiquitous as some other fantasy color brands.

I’ve found Strawberry Leopard products, including Neptune Baby, at:

• Sally Beauty (both in-store and online)
• The Strawberry Leopard official website
• Select specialty beauty retailers

My recommendation is to check stock availability online before making a special trip. Sometimes specific colors sell out quickly, especially trending shades like Neptune Baby.

Price-wise, Neptune Baby typically retails for around $10-14 per tub, depending on where you purchase it. Considering the generous size of the tub (I get 2-3 full applications from one container for my shoulder-length hair), this represents excellent value compared to salon color services.

Final Thoughts: Is Neptune Baby Right for You?

After months of living with Neptune Baby as my hair color companion, I can confidently say it’s been one of my favorite beauty discoveries. The vibrant yet wearable blue has brought me countless compliments and has been surprisingly versatile for work and play.

Neptune Baby might be perfect for you if:

• You’re looking for a medium blue with aqua undertones
• You appreciate a formula that conditions while it colors
• You’re concerned about harsh chemicals in traditional dyes
• You want a fantasy color that fades gracefully
• You’re willing to pre-lighten your hair for optimal results

Neptune Baby might not be ideal if:

• You want a one-step solution for very dark hair
• You’re looking for a true navy or royal blue (Neptune Baby is more aquatic)
• You need a color that lasts for months without fading
• You’re not prepared for some maintenance to keep the color vibrant

For me, the joy of having mermaid-worthy hair far outweighs the maintenance involved. Strawberry Leopard Neptune Baby Conditioning Hair Color has transformed not just my look but my relationship with my hair—turning routine maintenance into creative expression. Each application feels like self-care rather than a chore, and watching the color catch the light differently with every head movement continues to delight me months into my blue hair journey.

If you’ve been contemplating taking the plunge into fantasy color, Neptune Baby offers a beautiful entry point with its wearable tone and hair-friendly formula. Your mermaid transformation awaits!