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Arctic Fox officially recommends its own Arctic Mist diluter for pastel-izing its semi-permanent dye, but plenty of people successfully use a plain white conditioner instead — roughly 1 part dye to 3-4 parts conditioner is the typical starting ratio. The catch is that many conditioners contain oils or silicones that keep pigment from bonding properly, so “any white conditioner” isn’t quite true. Here’s what actually works, from the official diluter to the drugstore staples people reach for anyway.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arctic Fox Arctic Mist Diluter | $13-$16 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Suave Naturals White Conditioner | $4-$7 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Pravana ChromaSilk Vivids Pastel Diluter | $15-$20 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | VO5 Moisture Milks Conditioner | $2-$4 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner | $5-$8 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Arctic Fox Arctic Mist Diluter
Arctic Fox’s own dye-base diluter, formulated to blend perfectly with any Arctic Fox shade since it’s literally the same base minus pigment.
- Same base formula as Arctic Fox semi-permanent dyes, without pigment
- Blends without altering the dye’s chemistry
- Sold directly by Arctic Fox
- Guaranteed compatible with Arctic Fox dye
- No risk of oils fighting the pigment
- Costs more than reaching for conditioner already in your shower
Suave Naturals White Conditioner
The classic budget white conditioner colorists reach for to stretch Arctic Fox into pastel tones.
- Lightweight, low-oil formula
- Widely available
- Large bottle stretches many dilutions
- Very inexpensive
- Easy to find at any drugstore
- Some formulas contain silicones that can cause patchy fade — check the label
Pravana ChromaSilk Vivids Pastel Diluter
A dedicated diluter from another major vivid-dye brand, used interchangeably by some colorists to soften and pastel-ify Arctic Fox shades.
- Formulated specifically to lighten vivid semi-permanent dye without breaking down pigment
- Professional-salon product line
- Purpose-built diluter chemistry, not a repurposed conditioner
- Marketed for the Pravana line, not officially endorsed for Arctic Fox
VO5 Moisture Milks Conditioner
Another ultra-cheap white conditioner from the same drugstore tier as Suave, popular in dilution tutorials for its thin, easy-to-mix texture.
- Thin, lightweight consistency mixes evenly with dye
- Large bottle for a low cost-per-ounce
- Widely stocked
- Extremely low cost
- Easy to mix at a 1:3 or 1:4 dye ratio
- Basic formula, no extra conditioning benefits
Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner
A widely available, well-reviewed white conditioner some colorists use for dilution, though its sulfate content is worth knowing about.
- Contains avocado and jojoba oil
- Paraben-free formula
- Widely stocked at drugstores and big-box retailers
- Easy to find, popular general-purpose conditioner
- Contains SLS/SLES sulfates, which can gradually lift color with repeated use — better for a one-time dilution than repeated washes
Buying tips
- Check the ingredient label for silicones (anything ending in –cone or –conol) before using a conditioner as a diluter — they coat the hair and block pigment from bonding evenly.
- Start at a 1:3 dye-to-conditioner ratio and go lighter from there; it’s easy to add more conditioner but impossible to take pigment back out once mixed.
- Mix only what you’ll use in one application — diluted dye doesn’t store well and loses potency within a day or two.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.