Forget everything you used to know about the major color groups — blonde, brunette, black, and red — there’s a new set of hues taking over this spring, and they’re coming for your hair in a big bold way. Pastel lilac tinged with opal, orange speckled with pink, icy platinum, blackberry, and neon watermelon… when there’s a will (and a bottle of dye nearby) there’s a way, and these stars prove basic is boring and vibrant rules. Time to get onboard.
Pastel LilAC
Keeping up with Kim Kardashian means knowing that her latest hair color obsession (for a recent trip to Tokyo with her sisters) is lilac, with tinges of opal and pastel pink woven throughout. Warren Tricomi Senior Colorist and Extension Specialist Kristina Noto notes that it’s come a long way from the bright fuchsia punk rock days. “It’s now a more wearable sophisticated look, and once the hard part of lightening the hair from white to pale yellow is done, it’s a walk in the park to play around with different tones,” she says.
Maintaining these colors also means shampooing less, however. Since these “fashion pigments” tend to fade out rather fast, you need to have lots of dry shampoo around. Noto’s favorite is Kérastase Powder Bluff ($37), and she recommends using Shu Uemura Color Lustre Cool Blonde Shades Reviving Balm ($58) after every two shampoos to lock the color in and keep the yellow out. (Photo via Jerritt Clark/Getty)
PEACHy Copper
According to Noto, hair that’s naturally full of gold is usually working against us, but not this season. “Fortunately, the more warmth the better for this spring trend,” she explains. It makes it wearable, a breeze to maintain, and of course, it’s head-turning and beautiful. But the key to pulling off a ‘do like Julianne Hough’s is vibrancy.
Once the hard part is done by a professional, it’s up to you to maintain it with the proper products though. Suds up with Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner ($22 each), and style with Kérastase L’incroyable Blowdry Lotion ($40). (Photo via Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
Icy Platinum
If you want to channel celebs like Lady Gaga, you have to be willing to deal with some serious maintenance every three-to-four weeks, per Noto. While the icy color gives off a #BOSS vibe (à la Mother of Dragons herself, Daenerys Targaryen), it also takes a lot of serious skill to get it right. “Before attempting this look, make sure your colorist has plenty of Olaplex around to keep the hair intact during the lightening process,” advises Noto. “If done correctly, it can be drop-dead gorgeous — as well as versatile — since you can add silver, beige, blue, etc. to shift the tone to match your mood.” Platinum blondes also need the right arsenal of products to take care of their new hair.
Noto prefers alternating between Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo and Conditioner ($34) to cancel any yellow creeping back in and ultra moisturizing Kérastase Résistance Bain Thérapiste Shampoo ($43) and Soin Premier Thérapiste Conditioner ($45), followed by Warren Tricomi Restorative Hair Mask ($28) to protect all that bleaching. (Photo via Jamie McCarthy/Getty)
Multi-Hued Orange
Why rock just one shade when you can combine two à la Alicia Keys? “Crazy color represents freedom,” explains Streeters Celebrity Colorist Tina Outen. “It’s a way to rebel without actually having to be a rebel, it enhances the skin tone, and the best part is it can be temporary.” Add an accent to natural braids like Alicia Keys did with orange and pink, or clip strands into a ponytail for the weekend. This way you can have the fun without the damage. (Photo via Fabio Teixeira/Anadolu Agency/Getty)
Neon Watermelon
If you want to be somewhere in between red and pink, neon watermelon is the hue for you. L’Oréal Professionnel Stylist Shelley Gregory says, “This is a shade of strawberry blonde — with an edge. And even though it’s bright, it really plays up skin tone warmth and makes you look more tan, along the lines of Hailey Baldwin.” Gregory likes to blend several colors to get it exactly right, but relies on a mixture of different varieties of red, yellow, pink, and clear. (Photo via Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for InStyle)
Inky Blackberry
Not only is blackberry hair taking over the manes of celebs like Justine Skye, but apparently social media as well. Search for the term on Pinterest or Instagram and you’ll be greeted by countless inspo pics of the dark berry hue — as well as a million different ways to style it. But don’t get ahead of yourself, blondes … this one’s for the brunettes. “This rich deep shade flatters most skin tones of brown-haired woman (and men), and you can cool it down with ash violets or add warmth with deep reds to make it work specifically for you,” says Cutler Salon colorist Carly Militello. Yet as awesome as these inky purple pigments look, remember they can be a lot of work and tend to fade fast, which means you’ll be hitting the salon for a refresh more often. (Photo via Pierre Suu/Getty)
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