Here we go again — a new season, which indicates a new hair color may be on the horizon for you.  Big changes are here for those who are wanting to be on the cutting edge of things.  And you’ll never guess what is NOT in right now…..

 

Traditional Highlights.  Get rid of them.  Now.  

I cannot stress this enough.

 

Does this mean that haircolor is going to be bland and blah this season?  Heck no!  There are three very fun, very viable, very “IT” options out there, and I can guarantee that at least one of them will fit the bill for you.

Before we get started, know this: bold haircolor is the building block of all of the trends.  I don’t mean crazy, but I do mean vibrant, rich, and a bit more “pow” than what you might be used to.  And believe it or not, black is back!  For those of you who like to switch up their color frequently I would not recommend going black, but a very dark brown is an excellent substitute.  Often I hear, “But Cortney, spring is here.  Shouldn’t I go lighter?”  No, that’s for summer!  Right now we’re all still rocking that winter pallor, so go dark, rich, and vibrant — I promise it will make your paler skin tone pop!

 

Trend One: All-Over Color

If it’s been a while since you’ve done just one color, why not try it out?  But remember, no average shades here!  Why not a mocha dark brown, a vibrant red, or platinum blonde?  In order for this to work and look current, one-toned hair needs to be a powerful color — so no “safe” shades here!!!

Trend Two: Panel Highlights

Panels are a great way to sneak in some color if you just can’t come to grips with one color hair.  Or if you want even more edge with your edgier look!  Panels are typically large slices of hair, placed in foils and colored a different shade from the rest of the hair, and are “hidden” throughout the interior of the hair.  Think of it as that you’d never see the roots of these colored pieces — which is why this look is great for the budget-conscious or too-busy haircolor client.  How this color is placed, and the final look, is very often dictated by the hair cut.  One can go with two very different, yet rich shades, or one can also go with a tonality difference (a warm brown juxtaposed with an ash brown).  Here are some examples:

Trend Three: Ombre Highlights

Spring’s third option is the Ombre — panels are placed throughout the head so that the colored strands appear to become gradually lighter from the root to the end.  It’s been the total celebrity look for a while, but given all the attention I’ve seen on Pintrest, I know it’s one of the hottest “I’ve GOT to have” looks out there right now.  You can keep your natural color at the crown or choose something more vibrant, but in general this is going to look like the “well-lived in” haircolor.  Ombres are GREAT for those who don’t want to have to touch up their color more than 1-2 times a year — in fact, the longer you go without touching it up, the better it looks!

 

Be sure to check with your stylist about what’s possible with your hair, as well as a price quote.  Panels and ombres are specialty foil placements, so don’t be surprised if trying out this trend adds another $30-50 to your beauty budget.  And if you decide to go with one of these color trends, be sure to post comments and pics here!