From Blonde to Blue: This Year's Most On-Trend Hair Colors

Introduction 

Hair color trends come and go, but some styles have true staying power. Hair color is one of the easiest and most dramatic ways to change up your look. New hair color trends emerge each year, while other looks remain popular timeless classics. 

The most popular hair colors tend to reflect what is culturally fashionable and stylish at the moment. But they also allow people to express their individuality. Hair color provides a way for people to try on a new persona or broadcast something about their personality. Vibrant, unusual colors signal boldness, while soft natural tones give off understated elegance. 

Some hair color trends stand the test of time because they offer a consistently flattering look for most complexions. Blonde and brunette shades are perennial favorites that rarely go out of style. Other hair color trends enter the scene, gain mass appeal for a season or two, and then fade back away. Pastel tones and vivid rainbow colors often burn bright before receding.

However, some hair color trends demonstrate more longevity if they fit a cultural moment or enable creativity. The balayage and ombre techniques opened up new realms of possibility for seamlessly blended hair color. And the popularity of unnatural hair colors ebbs and flows but always maintains a presence. 

In examining today's leading hair color trends, we'll explore why certain looks maintain their appeal year after year while others quickly combust. Some trends offer beauty, others enable self-expression, and some do both.

 

Blonde 

Blonde hair remains an ever-popular choice for women looking to go lighter and brighter. But blonde is far from a one-size-fits-all color. From nearly white platinum and silver shades to darker honey and golden hues, blonde offers a spectrum of options.

 

Platinum blonde is the lightest shade possible, giving hair an icy, striking appearance. To achieve platinum-level coloring, hair must be lifted to the palest stages through double bleaching and toning. The upkeep requires diligent root touch-ups every 4-6 weeks. 

For a slightly warmer yet still bright blonde, many request hues like baby blonde and Scandinavian blonde. These shades incorporate beige and gold undertones on lightened foundations. The undertones provide a softer look than platinum and are more forgiving when growing out roots. 

Richer golden blonde shades like honey and butter blonde add sunny brightness without the high-maintenance nature of pale blondes. Dimensional golden highlights blended with a beige base create a natural-looking multi-tonal blonde with depth. This style allows more time between root touch-ups as well.

 

Brunette Hair Colors

 

Brunette hair colors continue to be a popular choice for many, providing a beautiful, natural-looking option for those with dark brown or black hair. The range of brunette shades is versatile, allowing people to go darker in the Fall and Winter or lighten up in Spring and Summer. 

 

Dark Brown

 

A rich, dark brown shade is a classic, elegant option. It looks beautiful on those with naturally darker hair and often requires minimal maintenance between salon visits. Dark brown works well for cool or warm skin tones. This sophisticated shade is perfect for the office or a night out.

 

Medium Brown

 

For those who want to brighten up their dark locks but maintain a brunette color, medium brown provides the perfect balance. It adds warmth and dimension, without being too drastic of a change. Medium brown hair color flatters a wide range of complexions. It works well for people looking to gradually lighten their hair over time.

 

Light Brown

 

Ideal for people with naturally dark hair who want a more natural-looking lightened effect, light brown hair color creates a sun-kissed bronde appearance. It provides enough of a change to add warmth and brightness while blending seamlessly with darker roots. This versatility makes light brown a great low-maintenance option.

 

Red

 

Red hair color ranges from strawberry blonde and copper to bold and vibrant shades. Red hair has become increasingly popular in recent years as people move away from traditional blonde and brunette hues.

 

Auburn

Auburn hair features red and brown tones for a soft, natural-looking hue. It is often characterized by reddish-brown hair with highlights of red throughout. Auburn works well for those with fair or olive skin tones. It creates a nice balance that flatters without being too bold.

 

Copper

 

Copper hair combines red and blonde shades for a unique, metallic-looking color. It often features warm red tones with flecks of gold and strawberry blonde. This vibrant shade looks great on those with light to medium skin tones. Copper hair pops in the summertime when you've got a glowing tan.

 

Strawberry Blonde

 

Strawberry blonde is a blend of blonde and red tones. It often features a blonde base with pinkish-red highlights mixed throughout the hair. Strawberry blonde typically has a softer, more subtle look compared to other red shades. It works well for those with fair skin and freckles. This skin-enhancing hue is perfect for a natural yet fun summer look. 

The range of red hair colors allows you to choose a shade that suits your complexion and style. Reds and coppers provide a bold, head-turning effect while still looking polished and put-together. Auburn and strawberry blonde offer a more subtle take on red that flatters fair skin. Whatever red tone you choose, it's sure to make a vibrant statement.

 

Pastels

 

Pastel shades add a soft and feminine element to existing hair color. Rather than completely changing your hue, pastels gently tint the hair for a muted, blended effect. Lavender, rose gold, mint, and peachy pink are some of the popular options seen recently. 

The beauty of pastel tones is their versatility. They can work on natural brunettes who want to go lighter while still keeping some depth. Blondes can also easily achieve the trend with highlights. Pastels are great for experimenting since the colors wash out over time. This allows you to switch up the shades as often as you want.

Going for an all-over pastel look takes commitment. It requires pre-lightening for most people so the colors show properly. Maintenance is needed about every 4-6 weeks as the vibrant tones fade. Using a tinted conditioner or gloss between appointments helps keep the shades fresh. Pastels are a fun way to add personality and dimension without an extreme transformation. The soft colors are suitable for many environments.

 

Balayage

Balayage hair color, pronounced "bah-lay-ahh," is a modern technique where highlights are hand-painted onto sections of the hair to create a natural, subtle, sun-kissed look. Unlike traditional highlights which use foils and look more uniform, balayage results in soft, blended streaks of lightened hair color that grows out more seamlessly. 

The technique involves applying lightener or hair color by hand in sweeping motions to create variation and dimension. The color is concentrated on the surface and mid-lengths of the hair, leaving the roots darker, which makes regrowth less noticeable as it grows out. The ends are left lighter to emulate the sun's effect. The gradual, painted application creates a softer, modern look compared to chunky highlights.

Balayage allows for a customizable result dependent on each client's natural hair color and desired look. It works well with a variety of base colors and can be tailored to be very subtle and natural or bold and dramatic. The freestyle technique means that no two balayage looks are exactly the same. Balayage became popular because of its ability to add natural-looking dimension and highlights with an understated, modern finish.

 

Ombre

Ombre is a color technique that features darker roots that gradually fade into lighter ends. This creates a soft, blended look from roots to tips.

Ombre gained popularity in the early 2010s as an alternative to traditional highlights or single solid hair colors. The technique allowed people to gradually transition from their natural hair color into a lighter shade. This created a sunkissed, beachy look even without a day in the sun. 

Unlike traditional highlights with a stark line of demarcation, ombre features a seamless fade from dark to light. This gradient effect has a soft, natural appearance. The dark roots also allow the color to grow gracefully by blending with the natural regrowth over time. 

Ombre works on all hair lengths but is especially popular for long locks. The long length really shows off the dramatic fade from roots to ends. For short hair, the ombre effect is subtler but can still add dimension. 

There are endless variations of ombre color combinations. Popular looks include brown to blonde, black to brown, or red to copper. Reverse ombre fades lighter on top to darker on the bottom for an edgy twist. Vibrant fashion colors like blue, purple,
and pink has also been adapted into the ombre technique. 

Ombre allows you to play with color while keeping the regrowth low-maintenance. As an added bonus, the technique is usually more gentle on hair than traditional foil highlighting. For these reasons, ombre remains a staple hair color trend several years after its introduction.

 

Somber

Somber is a variation of ombre that provides a more subtle, blended look from roots to ends. Unlike ombre, with its stark demarcation between colors, somber features graduated, merged tones that smoothly transition in a soft, natural way.  

The hallmark of somber is its gradual blending, merging the hair’s natural color with the lighter ends. It creates a harmonious, unified color melt that looks elegant. The root color gently fades into the tips, often just a few shades lighter, for a cohesive finish. 

Sombre gives a modern, sophisticated look without heavy contrasts or an obvious bleach line. It flatters all complexions with its soft, blended appearance. The delicate ombre effect frames the face beautifully. Sombre adds dimensional color in a delicate, understated way for those who want a natural, polished style. It's ideal for anyone who wants to enhance their color with a subtle sun-kissed effect.

 

Grey

 

Grey hair is having a major moment right now. Unlike the negative associations grey hair used to have with aging, grey is now seen as trendy, sophisticated, and edgy. The most popular grey hair trends include:

 

Silver Grey - This look embraces a luminous silvery-grey shade. It creates an eye-catching yet refined look. Silver grey works well on both warm and cool complexions. It's a great option for those wanting to gradually transition to grey hair. A purple shampoo helps maintain the icy tone.

Silver Grey

Steel Grey - For those wanting a darker, bolder grey, steel grey is ideal. Ranging from dark silver to nearly charcoal in tone, this look makes grey hair really stand out. It's perfect for creating an alternative style statement. Blue and violet toners help avoid brassiness.

 

Steel Grey

Salt & Pepper - This trend celebrates naturally going grey by combining grey and darker hairs. The contrast creates dimension and texture. Salt & pepper works for any gender and requires minimal maintenance. Embrace the grey as it comes in at its natural pace for an effortless look.

Salt & Pepper

Going Completely Grey - For those who want to fully commit to grey hair, leaving no trace of the original color creates a striking statement. It conveys confidence and self-assurance. Use a clarifying shampoo to ensure a clean slate for grey to take over. Transition slowly with balayage to avoid a harsh line of demarcation. 

Grey hair gives people the freedom to embrace their natural texture and graceful aging process. Keep hair conditioned to avoid dryness and frizz. Whether subtly introduced or boldly displayed, grey hair makes a fashion-forward statement about one's uniqueness and style.

 

Unnatural Colors

 

Unnatural hair colors like blue, green, pink, and purple have become increasingly popular over the last few years. These fun, vibrant shades allow people to really express themselves through their hair. 

 

Blue

Blue is one of the most popular unnatural shades right now. It comes in a huge range of hues from pastel sky blue to vivid electric blue. It looks great on blonde hair, but can also work well with darker bases. Blue is a bold choice that certainly makes a statement.

 

Green

Green Hair

 

Green hair ranges from minty pastels to neon lime shades. It can create a cool mermaid or nature vibe. Green is an unexpected choice that stands out from the crowd. It looks particularly striking on redheads and darker brunettes. 

 

Pink

 

Pink hair has a playful, feminine look. It comes in light pastels, vibrant hot pink, and rose gold tones. Pink works well with lighter bases, but can also look great with darker hair. It's a warm, inviting color that expresses a fun personality.

 

Purple

 

Purple hair makes you feel like a rock star. Popular shades include lilac, violet, amethyst, and richer eggplant hues. Purple is versatile enough to work on blondes and brunettes. It's a mystical, whimsical choice for the creatively adventurous.