Like the seasons, hair trends come and go. All summer, we praised rooty blonde shades and cool-toned pastels. Now that we’re preparing for fall, however, all we can think about is celebrity-inspired neon hair color.
Before you balk at the suggestion, hear us out. Neon hair may not be as practical as a neutral blonde or mushroom brown shade, but you know what it is? Fun! Couldn’t we all use a bit more fun in our beauty routines?
Scroll down to read the ins and outs of neon hair color. Once you’re done, you may feel an itch to give your trusty stylist a call.
What is neon hair color?
Like the highlighters you might have loved as a kid, neon hair color is a luminescent take on nearly any shade in the rainbow. These colors are true showstoppers, bright and electric. Their emergence onto the popular scene makes sense, since the last few years have stood as a tribute to all the best trends of the 1990s and early 2000s.
As you might imagine, achieving neon hair color isn’t so simple. Celebrities call in their custom wigmakers when they decide to try slime green or bright fuschia. If you’re comfortable purchasing and fitting a wig, then this is an easy way to get the neon hair color look whenever you’d like.
If you’re hoping to commit to the neon hair color lifestyle, a talented hair stylist can certainly help you live your fantasy. To begin, he or she will use bleach to lift the natural color from your hair and create a blank slate on which to apply color. While bleach will always cause damage, a trained professional will work to leave you with hair that looks and feels beautiful long after your color service is done. Be prepared to return to the salon multiple times for appointments—the slower the process, the more your artist can respect the integrity of your mane.
How do you maintain neon hair color?
Good question! Maintenance for neon hair color is much like any other color. At home, you’ll want to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner duo like Pureology’s Hydrate duo. Make sure you’re paying special attention to elements that can potentially dim your color, like sun, chlorine, and unprotected heat styling.
Like all hair colors, neon shades require regular touch-ups. Plan to return to the salon every few weeks to get those roots covered. If you’re not big on constant maintenance, ask your stylist for a balayage application that can grow out seamlessly.
Looking for more neon hair color advice? Here are a few of our favorite shades. Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you to achieve your neon dream.
Neon Pink
If you’ve ever dreamed of channeling cotton candy as a fashion inspiration hair is an ideal choice. This dreamy magenta blend will look particularly stunning on dark skin tones.
Neon Swirl
Why try one neon hair color when you could put several to work? Live like a superhero with this blue and pink combination.
Neon Red
Embrace your fiery side with this super saturated red. To keep it looking gorgeous between touch-ups, give Kérastase’s Reflection Touche Chromatique Cool Red Hair Kit a try.
Neon Orange
Who brought the highlighters? This luminescent shade will have heads turning in no time. If you’re worried about the orange clashing with your skin tone, make sure to leave plenty of time for a color consultation with your stylist before your appointment starts.
Neon Yellow
If you’re into orange hair, the logical next choice is yellow. This daring color is often worn as a wig, but don’t let that prevent you from trying it on your real hair.
Neon Blue
Holy saturation. This neon blue shade is a far cry from the pale blues and denim washes of last year, which is part of the reason we like it so much.
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