Beauty Iroiro Blue vs Plum vs Neon: Which Bold Shade Fits You Best?
Iroiro 40 Blue, 105 Plum, and 340 Neon Blue are three of the boldest shades. We compared payoff, fade, base needs, and upkeep.
| Factor | IROIRO Premium Natural Semi-Permanent Ha | IROIRO Premium Natural Semi-Permanent Ha |
|---|---|---|
| Shade vibe | Classic vivid blue | Rich purple-red |
| Base needed | Level 8 plus for true blue | Dark blonde plus for plum |
| Fade pattern | Fades to teal | Fades to soft mauve |
| Size and price | 8 oz, about 24 to 32 dollars | 4 oz, about 13 to 19 dollars |
| Best for | Full-head vivid color | Subtle-to-bold plum |
| Upkeep | Medium, refresh monthly | Low to medium |
Our Verdict
40 Blue wins for full-head vivid color with the economical 8 oz pouch. 105 Plum wins for wearable richness on darker bases. 340 Neon Blue wins for fearless statement looks. Match the shade to your base level and maintenance tolerance.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Bold blue looks on pre-lightened hair.
IROIRO Premium Natural Semi-Permanent Hair Color, 45 Deep Blue, 4 Oz
- Deep blue shade, 4 oz eco-pouch
- 95 percent natural vegan formula
- No petrol chemicals, PEGs, or parabens
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Intense blue payoff
- Gentle on previously bleached hair
- Sustainable packaging
Cons
- Stains everything it touches
- Fades to teal over weeks
- Needs gloves and old towels
Best for: Statement neon streaks and vivid panels.
IROIRO Premium Natural Semi-Permanent Hair Color, 340 Neon Blue, 4 Oz
- Neon blue shade in 4 oz eco-pouch
- Cream formula with coconut oil hydration
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Yuzu-cranberry natural scent
Pros
- Electric neon payoff
- Hair feels soft after coloring
- Great for streaks and panels
Cons
- Neon fades fastest of all shades
- Needs Level 10 base
- Not for subtle looks
Keeping Platinum Pastel Bright
A final maintenance note: sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase while wearing pastel color, because cotton pillowcases absorb dye from the hair overnight, which fades the pastel faster and tints light bedding, a small habit that noticeably extends the color.
Pastel platinum is among the highest-maintenance colors, and the upkeep routine decides whether it stays luminous or slides into dull gray within weeks. Cold-water washing is the foundation: hot water lifts the cuticle and releases direct-dye molecules fastest, so lukewarm to cool water is non-negotiable. Wash as infrequently as the scalp allows, two to three times a week maximum, with sulfate-free color-safe shampoo, because every wash is a fade event. The refresh schedule for pastels is tighter than for vivid shades: a color-depositing conditioner or dye refresh every one to two weeks, since pastels lose intensity steadily. The Iroiro formula's clean, vegan base means refreshes double as conditioning treatments. Heat styling accelerates fading dramatically, so air-dry when possible and keep hot tools low with protectant. Swimming is the fastest fade of all: chlorine strips pastel dye within a few swims, so the pre-swim saturate-and-cap routine is mandatory. Purple shampoo is the pastel's friend in small doses: a gentle purple conditioner between dye refreshes keeps the platinum base from yellowing, which is what muddies pastels fastest. Our Iroiro Platinum guide covers pre-lightening and pastel care with realistic timelines.
Water Quality and Your Platinum
Water quality shifts pastel results more than any other color family, and the mechanisms are worth understanding. Hard water deposits minerals, especially iron and copper, that tint platinum hair yellow, brassy, or even orange over weeks, a change no purple shampoo fully corrects because it is mineral staining, not undertone. Chelating before you color is the real defense: wash with a chelating or clarifying shampoo a day or two before dye day to lift the mineral film so the pastel grabs clean hair, then chelate monthly to hold the brightness. Chlorine is the faster enemy: one unprotected swim can push platinum toward green, because chlorine bonds to the porous bleached hair underneath the pastel. The pre-swim system is to saturate the hair with clean water plus a leave-in conditioner, which fills the shaft so it absorbs less pool water, and to rinse immediately after swimming. If green appears, a clarifying wash followed by a pastel refresh usually corrects it. Well water with iron is the worst offender for pastels. For more dye guidance, the Iroiro Platinum shades roundup reviews the clean dye picks with water-quality notes.
Stain Control for Pastels
Pastel dyes stain more visibly than their soft color suggests, because the light shades show every transfer, and stain control is part of the application. On skin, prevention wins: petroleum jelly thickly along the hairline, ears, and neck before coloring, plus gloves without exception. Fresh skin stains lift with oil-based cleanser or rubbing alcohol used promptly; pastel stains set fast on skin because the light pigment binds quickly. On clothing, cold water immediately, never hot, which sets the dye, and designated dye clothes every time. On bathroom surfaces, wipe drips the moment they land; pastel dye looks faint when wet but stains grout as it dries. The shower needs attention after the first few washes: pastel colors bleed noticeably at first, and the rinse water tints tubs and towels, so rinse the shower right after washing and keep dark towels for dye weeks. Pillowcases deserve a dark set for the first week, since pastel transfer onto bedding is common. Our Arctic Fox hair dye guide covers bold color without damage with the same stain-control principles.